Having a blog can be good for your career. Both in your current job or when you’re looking for what to do next, blogging can give you an opportunity to stand out and set you apart as an expert in your field.
A blog is your professional online presence. You might have a Facebook account but that is not something that will get you new customers, new opportunities or a new job.
On the other hand, having a well-executed blog gets you noticed, gives you a competitive advantage and improves your CV.
Just Google my name…
It is now common to Google someone’s name after having met someone or when doing a job interview. With a blog you will impress as you stand a chance of ranking high in Google.
You will not only impress people when you say that you have a blog, or that you have blogged about that topic, but also if they Google your name and your blog is on top of the search engine results.
What’s blogging good for?
- A blog is good for marketing yourself and branding your name.
- A blog gives you visibility and a public voice.
- A blog can showcase your abilities in the area of your passion. It shows your skills, shows what and how you are thinking, your wisdom, and the ideas that you have.
- A blog lets you practice and learn regularly. Writing, marketing, reading, communicating.
- A blog lets you increase your network and meet new people.
Start your own blog today
I hope this blog post can motivate you to start your own blog. Starting a blog is simple. Find your passion, choose it as your blog topic and install a WordPress blog. Blogging regularly is hard and time-consuming work but you are branding your name, improving your skills and your career opportunities by doing it.
Image by Kev Flanagan
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I definitely agree with what you said about how blogging can help your career and its a good way to market yourself. I do think it’s very important to pick something you are passionate about and go from there. I love blogging about technology and social networks, so that’s what I write about. You made some very valid points in this post that should be taken seriously for those interested in blogging!
Yes, I think people often miss that often a point of a blog isn’t just the blog itself but for getting exposure and a reputation. Most people won’t earn a living from just a blog, but if you can leverage that into something like regular writing gigs or even a book deal or consultant work, it can be lucrative.
Well, unless you are me and write about stinky candy.
Agreed 101% agreed
Really a great article..
It also bring some extra money to you by blogging.. u should include this,, and by spending time on ur blog on right directtion u r also creating a assets…
Abhishek
Good post. The key to boosting your career through blogging is to consistently create quality posts. This is something many bloggers “get”…and many others do not. Blogging about diseases and conditions you have, frustrations with weather and store clerks, or parties and arguments you’ve had won’t do much to boost your career.
@David Leonhardt – Definitely! It is not just about having a blog. Your blog must be professional and must showcase your knowledge / abilities, otherwise no one will read it, find it useful and it will not improve your opportunities.
Thanks for all comments!
I originally started my blog just to have a web presence for clients and potential clients to check out. However, I now find it very fulfilling to give my readers information they may not have otherwise been able to attain. Being a real estate appraiser in today’s world means I have an inside track on what’s going on in the housing market, and I love being able to filter it down to the important and understandable facts for my readers.
Ahh yeah, I wish I had what to blog about though…
@Hen Asraf – Find your passion then and turn it into a blog topic.
@Rob Oakes – Thanks for the story! Definitely, see my previous comment to @David Leonhardt about professionalism.
I couldn’t agree more whole heartedely. It’s amazing, but a well done blog makes so many other things easy. It’s a place to leave publications, highlight expertise and connect with others.
I think it is important to stress that it must stay professional, however. Sure, you want to occasionally remark upon your private life (that makes it more intimate), but you really need to exercise extreme caution in what you say. Before making any comment, assume that your mother is reading it; because she probably is.
When I first started blogging on my little corner of the net, I didn’t tell any of my friends and family about it. I originally wanted a place to experiment, which is hard with family breathing down your neck. About a week ago, my mom mentioned that she though a recent crop of photos were utterly hideous, and that I should take them down from my website. And, “What is with the whole blog thing, anyway?” To say I was floored is an incredible understatement. Turns out, she’s been reading the blog since the second or third post.
Whenever I think about ranting over enemies, hard times, or what have you; I just have to remember that Mom is a regular reader. It quite often takes the edge off.
I’m used to using an alias. I think it’s time that I use my real name so I can market myself to the public. I want the world to know about me.
I agree. Blogging is a good way to get your brand out. My only problem is since I’m an author I haven’t had as much time to work on my manuscript because blogging sucks away my time.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I started blogging because I wanted to learn different how to implement a full featured site including SEO, and it turned to be something very interesting and also brought me some money. That works for me
… I write about some computer tips which I will later need and get paid for it…
Blogs are great for branding or making money by niche blogging. They are two different ways to market online.
They get updated constantly so you always get those search engines scanning your site!
Online presence is going to be huge. Actually I am sure it already is. Im dying to gain number 1 spot for my name. If I could ever take the spot for a search on just “scott” that would be hilarious. Creating your online presence shows a huge initiative and intense self-motivation. Not to mention ways to make $ at some point. I’m not there yet but I expect next year I’ll be earning some type of income from my online presence. Great post and so relevant.
I definitely agree with your topic. If we will become a professional blogger then you can earn money online.