As you may have been able to tell (or not), I kinda like blogging. Maybe even a little bit more than shoes, or hazelnut chocolate (ok maybe not hazelnut chocolate)…Seriously, in a world where 43.7 million new posts are published every month, is the work we’re putting forth as bloggers making a difference in our careers?
The answer is, it does…In todays’ crowded market, standing out professionally involves doing a little (even a lot) more than having a great Linked In profile and/or outstanding resume. Actually, blogging can take your career through levels you may not have thought of before, and even get you a brand new career and/or business.
Read more on: 4 simple steps to create your WordPress blog with Bluehost
Here are a few ways blogging can help catapult your career:
Blogging Improves Your Professional Image!
If you plan on starting a blog related to your current industry, or to the industry/business you plan on entering, it will certainly improve your professional profile. It’s a great way to show hiring managers what you know, how you can help them, and what a difference you can make for them and their organizations.
You don’t need to have a lot of experience either. Being able to research and solve problems inherent to your industry or business will do wonders to establish your brand. It will also show your motivation, consistency and passion, as well as how well you’re acquainted with your niche.
Blogging Gives You Unique Exposure!
The unique digital footprint and online exposure that blogging gives you is truly unmatched! How else would you have the opportunity to publish a blog post, have it shared on mainstream social media and elite newsletters, thereby attracting the attention of leaders in your field? This means that large hiring companies, major decision makers, and influential people could notice and contact you much faster than traditionally.
For me, it’s translated into opportunities to guest post on influential sites and blogs, as well as to make great contacts in the blogging world that have opened even more doors for me. It’s also how I met amazing mentors who have been providing me with precious insights, advice and connections.
Blogging Enriches Your Network
You’ve heard the phrase: “Your network is your net worth!” By letting you establish your digital footprint, blogging also expands and enriches your network in unique ways. People can find you more easily through a blog, and reach out to you through your social media contact (please make sure to include it on your blog).
Networking is crucial to growing your career. However, it does require much time and effort, both of which can be minimized through a strong blogging presence!
Blogging makes you know yourself better!
Writing about just about anything brings you back to yourself. First, because we all are somewhat selfish. And second, because you will first look at anything through the lens of your own experience. And that’s how you realize how much you’ve learnt in that same corporate gig you loathe, and how you, yes you, can start making a difference right where you are…
Blogging turns you into a lifelong learner!
Our new work environments force us to learn on a continuous basis. So does blogging. From personal introspection to research skills and others, blogging will foster a thirst for information that can only help you as a professional.
Some of the valuable skills you can acquire through blogging include:
- Writing
- Social Media
- Use of CMS like WordPress
- Using analytical tools like Google
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Most of these skills are much valued by employers, and can help put you on the map!
Blogging Shows Leadership!
Every time you create content, share solutions, advice and tools with others, you help them! Helping people is one of the most important pre-requesites to effective leadership. It establishes you as an expert and an authority figure in your niche, in a way that very few traditional career accomplishments could ever do.
This is also one of the qualities that is very much valued by business and employers.
Blogging IS Entrepreneurship!
We all have entrepreneurship muscles (most of them dormant), eager to be exercised in our careers. Whether in our current career or the one we are building, blogging will definitely exercise this muscle… a lot!
Your blog can be the platform through which you grow your business, become a freelancer, and even get contacted to write a blog. Just look at blogger and best-selling author Luvvie Ajayi’s success story: from her successful blog came the opportunity to publish her first best-selling book!
Read more on: 4 simple steps to create your WordPress blog with Bluehost
Do you plan on starting a blog? How has blogging changed your career?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis
