Starting a career blog – to blog or not to blog?

 ‘To blog or not to blog, that is the question!’ 

Blogging is rapidly emerging as a great new way to advance your career. Blogs have become a ritual reading, an indication of a person’s professional reliability and at the very least an opportunity to have your name on the internet. As the saying goes ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’- With the added bonus of introducing you to a whole new circle, establishing a strong base of professionals who read your articles frequently can be beneficial to you, and your career.

When’s a good time to start blogging?

If you’re a university student or coping with pre-career decision struggles, this is the best time to start blogging. Why?

• You’re more likely to connect with countless students who are experiencing the same highs/lows as you are
• Just as many people do, you’re giving the readers a chance to read about your journey and connect with you throughout your career- if you keep them interested that is.
• Taking this initiative looks great on a resume!

Whether you’re a university student, a graduate or an employed professional, everyone has experienced situations similar to yours and I can guarantee that someone else is going to experience what you’re going through. Blogging will become a source of comfort for your readers and subsequently an outlet for your own frustrations, although be sure to follow our guidelines to prevent anything career damaging ending up on the internet!

Establish Yourself

Showing readers that you’re a reliable source is how you strengthen the degree of respect that’s associated with your name, and subsequently this could open up avenues for media sources to contact you- a little publicity never hurt anyone. For example, if you’re an early career psychologist, writing material relating to current issues in the field of psychology is one way of establishing yourself.

Passion

If you’re not passionate about blogging, then don’t do it. Your blogs will receive a lot more positive feedback if your passion for your work is portrayed through your writing. Blogging will become nothing more than a daunting task and a reason for procrastinating in any way possible if you don’t enjoy it.

A blog is not the same thing as a personal diary

• If you are relaying personal experiences, make sure it still has something of value. Ask yourself, what would the reader take from this?
• Though you are dealing with social media, try to make sure your spelling, grammar and general flow of text allow readers to take you seriously.
• If you’re not the most creative and influential writer (you don’t have to be!) be sure to share your work with friends or colleagues before going live. This is especially helpful in finding areas that don’t make sense to others that may seem perfectly normal to you.
• Be careful not to name names or expose companies. If you need to vent, mention annoyances at the general department or type of worker, not the person or company. This will help people relate to you more which is what you’re trying to achieve!

Happy blogging!