We all work diligently to excel in our various fields and roles. Each day we put our best foot forward in an effort to reach our full potential and goals. Yes, the quest for greatness is not a new concept within any industry, however the traditional roads to success have evolved. Ah, the age of the blog is upon us!
Every one of us has some expertise to share with audiences within our industry. We’ve been there and done that, and we have insights into increasing productivity and profit as well as generally improve the lives we impact each and every day. If this description fits you, maybe you’ve pondered how you can best broadcast your message. There’s a good chance that you follow blogs within your own organization, crafted by executives and peers alike.
If you’ve got something to share, here are a few great places to begin:
LinkedIn. This networking platform has taken the concept of social media and customized it for the professional community. Starting a personal blog on LinkedIn is a great way to get yourself out there in front of other professionals in your industry, and it’s insanely easy to begin.
To start posting your own content, simply log into your LinkedIn account, and from your profile page click “Create Posts.” From there, you can create entries and share with whomever you choose. The great part about using LinkedIn as a launching point is that your blogs become part of your profile — and as I’ve written before, having a great LinkedIn profile is an extension of your resume.
Medium. As you first start blogging, exposure is key, and Medium is a great platform to get just that. Blogging on Medium is simple, the interface is easy-to-use, and for readers the organization of the site is wonderful — the focus is on the writhing, and it’s easy for people looking for blogs like yours to find your work.
Google+ communities. Similar to LinkedIn, Google+ is another great place to expand your blog’s reach. Focus on posting your blogs to targeted communities as this will ensure there is plenty of relevant reader interest, thus sizeable traffic. As with any blog, remember to avoid promoting yourself too much as this tends to turn readers and potential readers off.
Pinterest. I’ll admit, several years ago when a friend of mine told me they were going to start pinning their blog posts on Pinterest, I didn’t totally get it. While I think Pinterest is awesome, I wasn’t sure that a blog post on recruiting or branding topics was what people were looking for, and figured exposure would be minimal at best. Fast forward to my light bulb moment. The power of referrals within the various Pinterest communities can absolutely put you squarely in front of hundreds of thousands of new readers.
The key to making the most of Pinterest is this: ensure that your pins and boards point somewhere. Focus on pin-able posts, i.e. content that offers solutions and not just stories—yes, people will read stories, but an amazing blog that solves an issue will be referred to exponentially.
As I mentioned before, try to be consistent. Readers don’t want to play roulette each time they seek you out—they’ll follow you based off the area of interest you both share. With this, have no fear as you consider a new platform, because there’s really no downside to trying something different.
Reddit. If your niche in the world is highly specific, then Reddit might be just the place to publish your blog — there is probably a sub-forum already waiting for you. The beauty of Reddit is that there is an enormous amount of traffic, so you are able to establish credibility, and your writing is certain to be viewed by a significant audience. With that, Reddit users can be a bit… fervent, so if this is the platform you choose, make sure the quality of your content is impeccable, and avoid inclusion of marketing jargon.
When you are ready to begin showcasing your thought leadership, remember these three keys of blogging basics: Be consistent, be original, and always remember to be bold. This isn’t a time to hang on to modesty or be shy! Yes, there will be some who read your work and find great differences in opinion, and they’ll be sure to let you know why they disagree, however don’t let this discourage you in any way.
Blogs are meant to be thought-provoking and debatable. You’re not writing a textbook. The late Jerry Garcia once said, “We’re like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice.” So get out there and start making some — people are ready to eat it up!
Read more of Michelle’s writing on the ResumeEdge Blog, here.
