Build a Blog To Build a Better Network

One of the very best ways to build and brand your online presence and exponentially expand your network, is to start your own blog. Blogging has been readily embraced by entrepreneurs marketing their businesses and is taking hold with job seekers marketing their value to potential employers.

 

Blogging builds community

A prime example of a successful blogger-entrepreneur is Jason Alba of Jibber Jobber.

Jason is celebrating 2 years of progressively far-reaching blogging. Yesterday he wrote about how blogging brought him success in an unexpected area – networking. Over 2 years, he’s built relationships with people he never dreamed would become part of his network.

Jason started his blog shortly after being laid off in 2005. He developed Jibber Jobber, a free career toolset that he calls “a tracking spreadsheet for the average Joe Jobseeker”. It helps people manage networking relationships, keep tabs on target companies, track jobs, prepare for interviews, and store marketing documents.

Nice things happen to those who blog

Drew McLellan, a national branding and marketing expert, is another significant blogging success story. Along with his blog just being named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the 15 Entrepreneur Blogs Worth reading, he recently connected with a blogger in Ireland who, in lieu of sitting down together for a beer, sent Drew a beer gift card over the Internet.

Drew’s blog is loaded with marketing strategies and compelling information on how to get your name out there.

I check in on both of these blogs frequently for ideas. Take a look at them to learn how to master blogging.

Build a blog and they will come

Search engines love blogs because the content is up-to-the-minute and always expanding. They head to blogs for relevant information. If you blog, your search engine results when someone Googles “your name” will skyrocket.

Recruiters and hiring decision makers routinely Google and eliminate candidates based on what they find about them online. The more accurate and relevant results that come up for you when they search your name, the more likely they are to pre-qualify you as a viable candidate.

Getting your blog to work well for you requires a commitment. Don’t take it on unless you are willing to invest in posting to your blog at least once or twice a week.

Blogging not for you? Then consider regularly commenting on other blogs and/or guest blogging. Offer informative content that will resonate with and help readers. Begin to position and brand yourself as a niche expert – someone who people will turn to for information within your areas of expertise.

Contribute to online conversations and expand your network, your job search opportunities, and your knowledge base, and have fun.