How Blogging Can Help Your Career
This article was originally published on The Levo League, which has now ceased operations.
There are a wide variety of things you can do to help launch your professional career including internships, gaining valuable working experience, and creating a well-rounded resume. Since competition for entry-level and even mid-level jobs is very high, it’s important to stand out to prospective employers in any way you can. One way to do this is to start a blog.
Blogs, which are interactive websites full of information for the public to read, can cover a wide variety of topics or niches including lifestyle, fashion, politics, sports, and more. Blogging is generally free, unless you want to purchase a domain name or custom layout, and can be customized to your liking. You are in control of the content and ultimately your online reputation and presence. Here are a few ways that blogging in an appropriate manner can help your career.
It beefs up your writing portfolio
If you are in the field of communications, having excellent writing skills will set you apart from the competition. How exactly do you become a great writer? Practice. Much like any athlete or musician, the only way to excel in your craft is to continue to practice. Having a blog which you post to daily, weekly, or even monthly gives you a variety of writing samples to add to your portfolio. My writing portfolio is filled with articles that I wrote for my personal blog. All writing samples should be recognized, whether it was for a national newspaper or a simple WordPress site.
It shows your expertise in any niche
By writing consistently about a specific topic or group of topics, you will gain credibility. Let’s say you’re looking to work in marketing and run a beauty blog in your spare time. You post articles and tutorials about all aspects of the cosmetic industry and help your readers learn more about this topic. You find an agency that has beauty clients and you are interested in a position with the company. Your beauty blog gives you a leg up on the competition who doesn’t have that background or expertise in the niche. Find things you are passionate and knowledgeable about and blog about them.
It can create job opportunities
Having a public blog where you post about your life, interests, and accomplishments will attract readers from all over. If you optimize your site by including links to your resume, portfolio, and contact information, you’d be surprised at who will reach out to you. Since adding a “Hire Me” section on my blog, I’ve landed freelance gigs at a national magazine and a small fashion boutique. Blogging is the first step to putting yourself out there.
Blogging can also can be viewed as a side job in itself, which looks great on a resume. Running your blog like a business by working with brands or public relations companies, utilizing social media, and analytic tools is impressive to employers. Don’t treat your blog like a joke, treat it like a side business and include it on your resume.
It lets you form valuable relationships
Plain and simple, blogging is a great networking tool. Not only will you meet friends and peers that share the same interests as you, but you most likely will find people who work in a similar field as you. If you begin to work with companies or brands, keeping in touch with them is a great way to expand your contacts. You never know, someone reading your blog may be looking for a new editorial assistant at their company. They say, “It’s all about who you know,” and blogging can introduce you to a whole new circle of people.
It’s important to note that blogs are not successful overnight. Running a successful blog takes a lot of hard work, time, and skill. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but can give your career, job hunt, or resume a nice boost.
Great article! Definitely some important points to think about… also good to recognize that your blog can help your career, but also harm it. It’s important to be conscious of what you’re posting.
congrats on the feature! bookmarking this so i can read it later! x
Congrats on the feature, great article!
Congrats on the article feature. I agree that blogging can really help boost your career and you personal brand. You never know who will find you or reach out to you. Glad you mentioned that its not easy. I lot of people think blogging is just spilling your guts and don’t realize how much time and effort goes into it.
That’s awesome! Congrats! And this is definitely a great article!
So true – blogging can really open doors for you! Great article, congrats!
Such a great article, congrats Rachel!
Great article, Rachel! So well written and very informative!
I never thought of blogging in this way! What a great article and congrats to you!
Lovely article – good job Rachel! I totally agree with all the points that you made.
Blogging definitely can help, whatever your career. I mean, we are the writer, editor, photographer, designer, PR, etc. Great article!
Congrats on the feature article!
Great article Rachel!!
congrats on the article! so true and great advice
my “real job” being an EA is not at all related to my blogging about fashion and baking, but when my boss interviewed me for the position and asked what i like to do in my spare time, i told him all about my blog. it really impressed him that i had something i was so passionate about and proud of, and i think it helped me get my EA job in a way because he could tell that i was a hard worker (and could see my writing skills before he hired me!) great article rachel!
This is an awesome reminder for those “why am I doing this” days! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed!
Such a good reminder of why I blog. This is exactly what I needed to read. I am passing it along to my other blog friends!
Aw thanks!
great insight- thank you!
thanks for reading!
Congratulations on being published, one of my college friends works there!
That’s awesome!
Congrats! Levo is a great site and a great reminder that a blog can really help in job hunting.
I loveee their site- thanks for reading!
Very cool you were published, way to go!
Thank you Ginny!
Thank you so much for this article Rachel! I had been debating on doing something that you coveted in here, and that was the crew push I needed. ; )
Aw GOOD!
Congrats on your feature! This is a really good reminder that what we all talk about in the blog world can definitely help out in various facets of life if we let it. I’m definitely going to have to look into this site a little more!
Thank you!
Great article, Rachel! I completely agree, especially being in the communications field myself. Congratulations!
Thanks April!
Congrats on having one of your articles published Rachel! I love your tips and wish so bad that they would apply to my field but sadly, they don’t. I love to write for my blog and form new relationships but it couldn’t be more different from my job in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Still love all your tips!
Thank you! I know so many bloggers whose careers have NOTHING to do with blogging, which is fine. This just makes you more talented and well-rounded!
First off – CONGRATS LADY! I’m such a fan of Levo League, and that’s huge! I actually got my job through blogging, so I’m a big advocate for blogging building your career.
Thank you so much! I knew you would understand the article- you’re the perfect example!
Great article! I only recently began putting my blog on my resume, can’t believe it took me so long!
It’s a great thing to have depending on what field you work in!
Congrats on getting your article published, that is fabulous! Good for you!!! 🙂
I definitely think a blog can be a great career-builder/helper. It can show your ability to organize, keep to a schedule, be creative, and so much more!
Thanks Bree!
That’s so awesome!!! Blogging can definitely help your career, especially with building relationships like you said.
thanks Helene!