Dan Schawbel is the author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, and owner of the award winning Personal Branding Blog.
If you ever were scared or intimated of a blog, now is the best time to flush away those fears and start a blog. Forget about the economy and start thinking about how you can make a difference in your life and that of others. Blogging is a proven way to become extremely successful, no matter what the economic condition is. Today, I want to give you five ways that blogging can make a huge impact for your personal brand during this economy.
1. Protects you from Threats
Your name is your most important asset on the web, followed by your picture and then your positioning. Blogging allows you to own your Google results, which, in return will allow people to find you. I promise you that people are already searching for your name in Google and if you aren’t there, it’s a missed opportunity. Blogging is extremely powerful for search engine optimization (ranking high in Google), which means you can make your blog rank #1 for your name and have people find you every single time. Competitively, you need to blog because you don’t want anyone else claiming that top position from you, especially if they share your name.
2. Allows you to Network
By having a blog, you already have something in common with more than 100 million people across the world, which means each and every day you can connect with one or more faces, without leaving your computer chair. Networking with other people is the only insurance policy you can have during a bad economy and if you’ve already been networking online, you’re way ahead of the game. See, when you aren’t looking for a job, and you network, it comes off authentically and increases your chances of opening up a new opportunity. A blog is content driven and conversations are started around content, which gives you the ability to comment on other peoples blogs and then further that relationship off-blog with an email or message on social networks. In this way, your blog becomes the ultimate networking device for keeping you connected with people that can make you succeed!
3. Keeps your Skills Up
The two most crucial skills to have are writing and verbal communication skills. The best way to get better at both is to practice and by writing blog posts and filming podcasts, you are able to hone these skills and get better over time. This is extremely important when it comes to writing a resume, interviewing for a job, forming relationships with coworkers, writing to other bloggers online and commenting. By forcing yourself (hopefully you’ll be passionate enough about the subject not to be forced to write about it) to blog, your writing will get better and people will take notice. Think about how significant email is in our lives. If you’re currently employed and your writing isn’t satisfactory, then it will negatively impact the brand called you.
4. Promotes Brand You
When you’re sleeping, your blog is working for you overtime and you don’t even have to pay it! That’s right; a blog is an incredible marketing tool for your personal brand. Every blog post can be found in Google, commented on, shared and so on. A blog is an advertisement and, for those who read Problogger.net and craft a blog that looks professional, your blog is your resume. People are getting jobs all the time from their blogs and they aren’t even applying for them. Blogging is a form of attraction marketing, where people get interested in your content (that you give out for free) and then either hire you or give you an opportunity that can help you build your brand, such as a speaking gig. One of the main benefits of blogging, aside from positioning yourself as an expert, is the added visibility to your brand name. With a blog, you can rank high in search engines and have people link to you. You can spread your message to thousands of subscribers in a single post if you work at it.
5. Relieves you from Stress
Blogging is very good for the soul and keeps you active, to a point, where you’ll forget we are even in an economic recession. When you start blogging, you’ll realize that it really consumes your time and, in a sense, this is a very good thing for you when you hear stories of people getting laid off, left and right. A blog will settle you down, make you concentrate more and allows you to flush your ideas out, which can turn into new business ventures! Forget a stress ball and any other infomercials you might see on TV. A blog will actually help you become more of who you are and you can form relationships with people just like you. In this way, you have a whole choir to preach to, instead of just your family and friends.
Starting a blog is one of the best things I ever did, and it’s allowed me to feel confident in this economy instead of terrified. It’s easy, it can be free, and it could easily change your life.
Truly ability to communicate your message to your others well is crucial. Don’t have to be sophisticated. Genuine, uniquely you and providing value with the wants of your audience in mind is a good start.
Matthew
http://twitter.com/MatthewSM1
Excellent post and very time specific :)
I have to agree with you that blogging allows you relax and not stress. Although blogging can be a stressful career especially when your juggling a blog with several other websites as well as a University education and trying to come to terms with real life issues. However overall I feel blogging can bring out the best in people, it makes peope think, keeps them occupied and concentrating on a single task and allows people the freedom of speech and to express themselves.
Blogging is a new era for the Internet and as you said with 100 million other people blogging it is a highly competitive game however it is enjoyable and the rewards can be extremely life changing.
Great post.
I started blogging about 6 months back and now I am happy that I started though I am not making big bucks but it has given me a different degree of satisfaction and to express myself and to learn more.
It is part of my daily devotional time as I am committed to writing and blogging daily. Over-time your thoughts, content and flow become more natural. Over-time it becomes less time consuming and almost effortless.
I agree with you that “It Keeps Your Skills Up.” You want to make sure that you have skilz… you know like nunchuck skilz, bowhunting skilz… chicks like guys with skilz.
Great tips, Blogging certainly benefits us in many ways. I love the idea of it being a stress remover. Blogging for most of us is like a computer game, with some minor bonuses. It certainly is nice to have.
I was told today that blogging is “recession-proof” :)
I am also happier that I began blogging regularily 4 months ago. Because of this I’m also reading more blogs and learning alot more.
I never thought about blogging being a protection against threats but you are absolutely right.
One of my favorite things about blogging is the tension it relieves for me and the fact that when I’m not writing, what I have written continually gets attention with a passive effort (though its sometimes not so passive) Blogging is so useful and such a great outfit. I’m just sorry I didn’t get into it sooner.
There is no doubt that being a blogger puts you in a different class of folk. For the reasons outlined above, if someone has not considered making blogging a part of their daily routine, they need to reconsider.
Cheers
George
All, thanks for your comments, I truly appreciate it. I’m not into this whole “recession-proof” thing. I don’t believe in it because life is unpredictable. Instead, let’s think about how we can own our careers and be versatile, so we can adapt to the every changing economic environment.
The one thing not mentioned is that little bit (or a lot) of extra cash you can earn if you are doing it right. While most bloggers don’t earn anything, almost any blogger that puts for some effort can turn their blog into a few hundred a month with only paid posts after 4 to 6 months of writing regular content. There are plenty of other ops too, you just have to commit some time to doing it.
It also builds friendships, relationships and groups that COME BACK to help you when the time is right.
Our daughter has Leukemia, and the friendships I built up over the years giving out FREE advice and teaching every day to thankful readers, came back to help us in BIG ways as we are struggling with cancer.
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
Brent Riggs
http://www.brentriggs.com
I agree that Blogging has got people jobs.Even my interviewer at cognizant was impressed when i said that my hobby was blogging.Once i said he asked me about what i blog.I told him that i like blogging about SEO.Then i started explaining about Google and SEO – the chat went on for 5 minutes.It wasnt like an interview.Especially the interview process got spiced up by the Blogging topic.ha ha.Well iam not saying blogging got me job.Just wanted to tell you say what people think of blogging.
Happy blogging :)
arshad .
I started blogging as a way to share my story, express creative thought, and “give back” by empowering women with financial education. I’ve been surprised by the opportunities that have been presented to me in the process, including interviews to be included in books, speaking engagements; even national TV. But more than this, blogging motivates me towards personal reflection and growth.
Blogging does allow you to network with potential clients and employers in your industry.
It is one of the easier ways to recession proof your career!
One point which I think is worth mentioning is how blogging can also help improve one’s confidence.
Not only do you get to write about whatever interests you but you also get to interact with others who are either interested in your or the subject matter of your blog.
Additionally, if you are blogging as a way to make money or if it is your full-time job, then you can take comfort and pride knowing that you built your blog from nothing to a level where you can generate income from it.
Wesley
The Geek Entrepreneur
Communication is the best thing you can learn form blogging.
We humans are essentially a herd animal with very large neuronal resources devoted to language and interpreting social queues. Gossip for example has a very strong basis in biology as its rapid unfettered communication about one person to many.
So Dan I think your strongest point is about networking. By ourselves we can build a great house, but only with other people can you build a civilization.
Dan would you have any further thoughts about how to network effectively using your blog?
Patrick
Yeah, that’s correct. Blogging has made a difference to my life. I’ve run my blog for almost 2 months now and it’s really giving me benefits. I have more friends, I read more (this adds my knowledge of course), and surely reduce my stress!
Very good post…I meet good friends from blogging that sometime they even seems to be more of a friend than the ones you know personally…example, the other day I need some help with a problem and I ask several personal friend and no one got the time or return a call…In no time I got help from friends I met online…
Besides relieving you from stress the blog can also improve your real life relationships since you can talk to your blogging network about blogging and the subject your blogging about (which usually will be a very dear subject to you). This will in turn let you talk to family and friends about other things, since the hobbytalking is taken care of :-)
I’ve just recently set up a real blog at my fitness site (It’s not there yet though. I have to wait for it to propagate through the internet. I had to set up it’s own domain, then I’ll mirror it to my ‘real’ site). so this was a timely article for me. If I can only be 1/10 the blogger of Problogger, I’ll be happy! Thanks Darren,
– Dave
A surely agree with #5. While blogging is my hobby, or my fun time, its also a productive and cheap way of entertainment in our bad economy.
I have my name and pic on my blog and website.
I Google my name, my blog, and my website regularly, which I never thought of doing until I read a survey poll ” Do you Google your name” or something like that, and 67% of people clicked yes.
I have learned much about and through blogging.
I recently suggested to an aquaintance that he should start blogging about his travels. He travels the world and has many incredible stories.
His response was that he didn’t want his name and picture shared publicly.
In this day and age where “branding” is so valuable, it took me back a little to cross paths with someone so private.
To each his own.
I started blogging in early 2007 and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. While I’m not making huge money I do well with the blogs that I have. It is nice that even in this economy I have money coming in from my blogs that allows me a certain amount of financial flexibility.
When I first started blogging, it was just a way to coomunicate my thought and ideas. It’s amazing how a blog can be so much more.
You brought up some great points, Dan. My blogs have helped catapult my online career. They have brought so many opportunities my way that I probably never would have gotten had I not been a blogger.
Excellent post!
Well Don not everyone wants to show themselves on the net. He can atleast open a photoblog?
Another great thing about blogging – it’s free! At least until Blogger starts charging… ;)
Networking is a fun aspect of blogging. It’s great to meet others who are passionate in your field. It also helps you to run a better blog knowing how other in the niche approach it
This is a great post – and I totally agree. I find when I have not posted a blog in awhile I get more stressed – it is such a great release and easy way to connect with others. If it were not for my blog I woul dnot know half the people in my industry – being a business owner can be lonely.
I like blogging for the ‘cool down’ after a hot day full of new impressions.
blogging is enjoy life, not being stress, I agree with you and the ones that commented that way
I am not sure if blogging would be ‘recession proof’ as someone has previously commented. Most of my marketing budget goes on Google advertising and I have noticed that the price of ads are coming down.
During the downturn companies are less willing to throw money at advertising, with less advertisers and less money invested, click-through ads lower in price and your income as a blogger will come right down too.
Nice post – my site will be up by Monday – going through the whole hosted vs just signing up for WordPress – and then the background – there are so many decisions.
I purchased your book 2 days ago and it is a good read – I was a little disappointed with the number of resources – then I thought there probably isn’t enough to list – so hopefully we can change that in the coming year.
Thanks again.
JanSimpson
Good Article, Darren, Thank You for sharing this with us all! :)
Don’t you also think that there are some more tangible/monetary ways in which Blogging may (eventually) also help people make some More Money (at least on the side) Blogging too?
I think there have to be More Ways in which Blogging can Help People in this Economy too, Right?!
So …
Who else wants to share some More Ways Blogging can Help?
I hope this all helps and Have a Great Day! :)
Another great post Dan and you’re right on the money with all your points. Blogging creates so many opportunities and it should be a requirement for every success minded and passionate person. It’s also one of the most powerful relationship building tools I’ve ever come across and I really enjoy that aspect of blogging.
Keep up the great work!
I have to agree with Writer Dad, blogging makes me more confident in these trying times.
I am hooked on blogging. I do a food and lifestyle blog, and in preparing for it, my skills in computer, blogging, communication and, of course, cooking have greatly improved. Even though I’m so new at this, already my life is enriched and I don’t feel left out of blogosphere.
I couldn’t agree with you more that blogging is good for the soul. Sure it might not get you up and moving physically, but your brain needs exercise regularly too and blogging is a great way to keep it in shape!
Recession – what recession? ;) If you are running a blog/online business you can definitely ask that question. Blogging is amazing isn’t it?
You’re very right, blogging is vital. In 2004 when I first started blogging, I was cutting edge. Now I’m so behind. Must reinvent what I do and be on top again. It’s fun, daunting and fearful. I have to say find me in a big way.
wow. i just started blogging last week with google blogger. didnt know anything about it…. you are so right. it is therapeutic. love it. and im getting readers and it is the best thing to forward to potential employers. bam!
I wonder why more people are not blogging when money is tight? It takes no investment to start a blog. Strange.
I really like your point on keeping your skills up.
Blogging is a great way to flex your intellect.
Life’s not static, and working on your blog is working on your life.
When the money is tight, people are often concentrating on what they do not have instead of what they do have. Financial pressure can be devastating for anybody, yes blogging will take your mind of your worries and help you to start thinking on what can you do, instead of what you can’t do!
Another nice post ^_^
Blogging has helped me stay accountable. I’ve been able to publish my goals and I feel more obligated to complete them knowing other people have seen them.
Nice post!
-HIB
Blogging is the best thing to happen on the internet. Recession or not a blog surely has many advantages. You have your own working hours is one of the biggest advantages.
I love this article because it emphasizes writing skills and highlights stress-relief, a benefit of blogging I don’t often hear mentioned. I am a freelance writer by trade, and I partly started my blog as an outlet for my writing that was quicker and less frustrating than going the traditional publishing route. As another commenter said, the satisfaction I get from blogging and interacting with readers is huge, and not something I could have anticipated.
You couldn’t have said it better: having a blog relieves you from stress. I was what could be considered a “reluctant blogger” until my friends approached me with the idea of creating our own blog. We are actually having the fun of our lives with our blog, after all it is our own little world. And, since the launch of our blog, we have met a couple of new people and have had the opportunity to simply said what we want. Good bye stress.
Its good to hear the benefits of blogging other than the possibility of earning a direct living from it. I started blogging for my website months ago and it was the best thing I’ve done in a long time. I’m not sure where it will lead me, but I’m surely looking forward to it.