so, you created a blog. now what?
DESCRIPTION
Part 2 of a series on personal branding as part of job search. Presented at the Return to Work Center, Cincinnati, OH, May 13, 2010.TRANSCRIPT
So, you created your blog. Now what?
Return to Work CenterMay 13, 2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Today’s agenda
Assumption: you have created a blog
This is the ‘what-to’ Why blog? Relation to personal branding Look at some examples of blogs Examine advice from those who’ve
been there
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Why blog?
Key component of your personal brand Establish credibility
Maximize SEO
Hone writing and expertise
Update LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
Reinforce your website OR
Serve as your website
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Personal branding across platforms
Establish your brand, consistently LinkedIn profile Twitter name Facebook
Purchase domain name Multiple email addresses Your blog and/or website
Make it look right!
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Where to start blogging?
WordPress Free and paid options
Highly customizable
Easy to use (in 5 minutes!)
Clean, elegant look and feel
Growing use for both blogs and web pages
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
How a blog can build your personal brand
Chad Levitt, personalbrandingblog.com:
Search engines love blogs
Blogs are link sticky
You are creating an enduring asset you own
They increase your opportunity to get found
‘It’s all about eyeballs’ -- they’re social tools
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Steve Phelan‘Your Virtual CMO’
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Steve Phelan‘Your Virtual CMO’
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Lisa HanebergAuthor and consultant
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Lisa HanebergAuthor and consultant
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Lisa HanebergAuthor and consultant
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Michelle Lentz‘Social Media Adventurer’
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Michelle Lentz‘Social Media Adventurer’
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Did you have job search in mind when you started your blog?
(SP) Not for transition. It is for keeping me top of mind with people who might have need of my consulting services.
(LH) Yes, and no. I was an independent consultant, so I wanted to attract more potential clients. I wanted my blog to build and strengthen my professional platform.
(ML) I got a job blogging by tweeting to the right people. My other blog - the wine blog - hasn't exactly gotten me a job. It's just fun.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
What topics do you post on?
(SP) Marketing thoughts. See the blog to get a flavor.
(LH) Mostly management, leadership, and personal success.
(ML) <Technology and wine>.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
How frequently do you post?
(SP) Once a month.
(LH) When I started, I posted nearly every day. After 5 years, I now post 1-2 times per week. I would recommend that new bloggers post every day until they build up many posts and a readership.
(ML) I do recommend to my marketing clients that they create a blog and leave it hidden/unpublished for about a month while they create content. Once they go live, I recommend posting at least 3x per week for the first 6 months to a year. That's what drives visitors and differentiates you from other blogs. My wine blog tends to have 2-3 posts per week (although I've been busy lately, so I've been lax at posting) to continuously drive traffic.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
What has been the most valuable part of your blogging experience? (SP) The thought that goes into writing it helps focus
my thoughts as well.
(LH) My blog has helped me stay fresh - it helps me think through topics and keeps my mind fresh. And the blog, now with over 7,000 subscribers, has helped me build a global network.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
How has the blog led to a new lead/opportunity/job possibility?
(SP) Several times it has reminded people of my existence at an appropriate time (right people and right product are easy--you have to be top of mind at the right time.)
(LH) Because the blog is informal, blog readers get to know me. This has helped them pre-qualify people who might want to hire me for a project. I have to do much less to convince people of my credentials, because they know me and know how I approach my work.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Overall, has it been worth it?
(SP) Definitely.
(LH) Yes, my blog has been an important part of my professional life and has paid back, in terms of relationships, leads, and gigs, more than the effort I have put into it.I also feel more connected to younger professionals, who tend to read blogs more than their older colleagues.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So, what will you blog about?
10) Review or flag books and articles.
9) Comment on others.
8) Get links.
7) Give links.
6) Post regularly.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
So, what will you blog about?
5) Collaborate.
4) Make illustrations illustrate.
3) Enjoy what you post.
2) Know your audience.
1) Write what you know.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Goodbye.
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Cleve’s new job . . .
http://ohipl.org
http://greatercea.org/rfp2010
So you have a blog. Now what? • Return to Work Center • May 13, 2010
Cleve’s contact info
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clevecallison
Twitter: clevecallison
Blog: bit.ly/clevesblog