By Nelly Tonchev
Each year we make New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, find a new job with a boss we like, make this wonderful trip we dreamed about for the last few years. The list can go on and on…
With the emerging of a new phenomenon known as Social Networking there is one more item on our New Year’s resolution list: start a blog and promote our brand online.
Last month while I was looking through the pages of Boston Metro, a short article from Dan Schawbel caught my eyes and especially a single quote on how important it is in 2010 to build a strong online brand. I am sure each of you has seen similar articles online advising people to join at least two networking sites, open a Twitter account, find followers and publish your own blog.
Nowadays it is easy to find a provider and set up your own blog for free, but the most important question to ask yourself before you start is “What I am going to blog about?” Believe it or not most people fail to emerge as successful bloggers as they don’t know what they want to write in their blog!! Which means they truly don’t know what they are passionate about.
I think the first important step to take before you start your blog is to ask yourself:
“What am I going to blog about? What is my passion? What type of blog?”
Sit down grab piece of paper and pencil and write down your ideas:
- Will the blog be used as your online resume? Showcasing your expertise and knowledge of your industry or profession is an excellent way to build your career brand. Good news: Blogging is good for your career. But be careful and make sure your blog is well executed; write quality articles so people will return for more.
- Are you going to write about your passion (if you are not sure what your passion is just make a note of 50 things that interest you the most!! I am sure in the end you will find out what you are actually passionate about!!) If you are not sure ask your parents, friends and relations about the things that you’re naturally good at!!
- How much time you will be able to spend working on your blog each day? Bogging is a serious commitment.
- Are you a good writer or do you need help or proofreading? Ask a friend to look at your posts before you go public.
- Last but not the least: How you can promote your blog?
I hope this short article will help you to start thinking of the theme and the structure of your blog and help you to start in the right way. I am tired of getting emails from people promoting their new blogs and seeing the same information just rewritten in different format, but if your blog is full of passion and unique information from which I can learn something new, please send me the link. Don’t be afraid to discover your niche, be patient and start building your brand slowly but steadily.
About Nelly Tonchev
Nelly specializes in resume writing and career development. With a solid background in Staffing, Recruiting and Human Resources Information Systems, and with the ability to write professionally and creatively, her resumes stand out and are guaranteed to catch an employer’s attention to ultimately get you that interview. Having been a Staffing Specialist and working for major Applicant Tracking vendors such as Brassring and Kenexa, she was in contact with many hiring managers and knows exactly what types of resumes stood a cut above the rest. Nelly’s Human Resource Management consulting practice features a blog with many useful career tips at www.eonscareer.com. She also holds a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management from Suffolk University.
