This article is number five of a series of five that explain how you can use free Internet tools to help your job search or career advancement.
From celebrities to soccer moms to a techie, everyone has a blog these days. Likelihood is, you do, too. The question is: are you using it effectively? What may have started out over 10 years ago as a mere online diary has become a useful tool in branding, both for the company and the individual. As goes with everything online, this is also viewable to the public and typically indexed by search engines, so it’s important that you project the right image.
If you do not have a personal blog already, it’s time to create one. Free blogging platforms include Blogger, Tumblr, and WordPress. A custom domain name is not necessary for a personal blog, but if you choose to go with a vanity url, Blogger and Tumblr allow you to use it via their hosting service for free. WordPress will cost you $10 a year to do this. Customize your blog by creating a catchy byline and choosing an appropriate blog theme (you can use customized or non-official themes for free on Blogger and Tumblr).
Once your basic blog is setup, you’ll need to start writing posts regularly. While it is called a ‘personal’ blog, you’ll use this as a platform to write about your sector. Try posts that include industry news, a case example and your take on a solution, or offer tips from your experience. Always post only your own content… never plagiarize or use someone else’s content without permission! You may choose to post relevant stories by writing a brief intro/summary to the article, then providing the link.
Go get started! Once your blog is created and you have at least a few posts, interact with other people in your industry and leave thoughtful comments for them, too. Consider adding a link to your blog on your LinkedIn and Twitter profiles. Good luck with your search!
Other Articles in this Series:
