Should YOU Blog?

Newsday, one of Metro New York's major dailies, featured an article on blogging for professionals -- 'Blogging at Work' -- in Sunday's money and careers section. The author, Patrica Kitchen, profiled a number of diverse bloggers, the reasons they blog, and how they blog.

I am one of the bloggers profiled, and as I write this post, sitting in my living room on a Sunday morning, there is a lively discussion on blogging going on in my kitchen.

My husband and brother-in-law -- both tech-savvy professionals -- are trying to figure out the appeal of blogging, why anyone would do it, why I do it, and how it works. I am surprised by what these smart guys don't know! And it occurs to me that there must be many more smart, savvy professionals out there who are just as baffled.

So why do I blog? Should YOU blog?

Blogging is one of the best ways to gain visibility as a thought leader. It's a way to create chemistry and trust within a target market and niche. It's a way to become known as a subject matter expert (SME). It's a way to stay current and leading-edge within your field and related fields of interest. It's a way to become the hunted and not the hunter when you're looking to change or build your career.

Blogging keeps you on your toes, hones your writing and research skills, and keeps you aware of your branded voice. It helps you deliver authenticity around your point of view every time you post. It creates a powerful on-line presence. If you develop a "following," it helps create a vibrant community with like-minded people who become a vital network.

There are lots of ways to blog that don't require you to maintain your own blog -- blog "consortiums" like CareerHub are one way to do this. Read Patricia Kitchen's article and blog for other ideas.

Blogging to build career momentum isn't right for everyone -- especially if you don't have a strong viewpoint or valuable information to share. But if you want to manage your career by becoming a visible, viable, and valuable expert in your industry -- and you want to create a powerful on-line presence and network, then open up that laptop and blog!

Posted by Deb Dib

Comments

[Dan Schawbel]

I completely agree with this viewpoint. I also see people that don't blog losing a valuable opportunity and having a competitive disadvantage in their field. Blogging is your best touch point with your customer and potential customer.

[VINAYAK]

Well. ITs What your passionate About u express iT...
By way of BLOGGING

vin'S

[Deb Dib]

Dan, agreed! Blogging has been a revolutionary / evolutionary step in personal branding and career management -- those that don't have an active voice on-line will be, more and more often, considered rank and file workers, rather than differentiated top talent. And they'll be faceless, not famous, when it comes to their niche and their customers / employers. The way I see it, we need to stay current and trend watching within our fields -- why not take the knowledge we glean and share it as a tool for advancement -- and for fun, too!

[Deb Dib]

Hi Vin'S --

"ITs What your passionate About u express iT..."

Indeed it is! Thanks for your perspective!

[Krishna De]

Deb - congratulations in being profiled in Newsday - of course through blogging!

I completely agree that blogging if done right can really support you building your personal brand online and help position you as an expert in your field.

However I do see alot of people writing personal blogs and those posts in fact damaging their chances of career success by virtue of the posts that they write or the comments they leave on other peoples blogs.

To nurture your personal brand online takes care and attention to the details.

Whilst establishing a blog is fast, inexpensive and easy, my recommendation is to make sure that you learn a little about the blogosphere to support you in your journey - for example through reading books like "Go Blog Wild" bu Andy Wibbels and of course the chapters on building your online identity in "Career Distinction" by our good friends William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson - launched today in fact!

Congratulations again Deb.

[Deb Dib]

Thank you, Krishna, for your valuable insights and excellent reading list!