Turbo-charge Your Career with an Expert Blog

Expert Blog


There are two types of personal websites you can set up to help advance your career and employment prospects. The first, simpler version is relatively easy to set up and its main purpose is to provide additional information to support your job application. I have already written about this here. The second type is an expert blog which is great deal more complex, but allows you to differentiate yourself much better – by positioning yourself as an expert in your field.

With this kind of website you have to be prepared to really delve deep into the subject area you are involved in – or want to get into. The objective is to make a name for yourself and become recognized within your industry.

This is a project that will take some time. So, ideally, you should start developing it with a long-term goal in mind – perhaps while you’re still at university or working at your old job. Setting up a resource like this is no mean feat! However, if implemented well, it will put you miles ahead of the competition.

Is setting up an “expert” blog or website right for me?

How useful or relevant an expert blog or website would be in your area of work only you can judge. If your subject is in a media-related field, such as marketing or web design, the benefits from having a prominent online presence are obvious. After all, you are likely to be working on website or social media content in your job too. But, in principle, you can set up a useful website on any kind of topic, whether we are talking about technology, academic subjects or the world of business.

What’s more, this kind of site also offers an opportunity to steer your career into a completely new direction. Perhaps you’ve realized that you’d much rather be a photographer or travel writer? Then a dedicated expert blog or website is your chance to really immerse yourself in the subject and gradually build up your expertise. Do make sure, however, that you feel truly passionate about your chosen subject – or you might get fed up writing about it in a few months’ time. If you want to make this work you must be absolutely committed to it.

Naturally, you will also need some level of affinity for the medium and enjoy working with blogs and websites as such. If online media are not really your thing at all, then you need to ask yourself if you are prepared to spend a lot of time on it from now on. But if it’s just the technology that puts you off the idea, then don’t worry: You’ll be surprised how easy to use online website builders are. And there’s certainly no longer any need to know HTML, PHP or JavaScript to create a professional site. Equally, blogging platforms are very user-friendly and you can choose from a vast range of templates and designs.

What content should I use?

There are two types of content you should consider:

  • Static information and resources (website)
  • News and social media links (blog).

If you are already working in your chosen field, or have a degree in the subject, you can use the background information and knowledge you already have to create the static content of your site.

In your blog, meanwhile, you can write about your everyday experiences and challenges, such as encounters with clients, customers or other service providers. You can share tips about software or online tools that you are using. In almost any line of work, tips on improving productivity and time management are relevant and will be appreciated. As a general rule, try to focus on providing useful content that will help your readers. The more helpful your blog and website are as a resource, the more readers you will get.

Of course, you must never divulge confidential information about your employer. Keep information anonymous, or, if you need to mention company names, make sure you have cleared this with your employer first.

Use social media to leverage your content

Your next step is to use social media networks. Set up a Twitter profile if you haven’t got one already, and follow people who are influential in your field. And, of course, you can also use Twitter to let the world know about your own website and blog. Equally, you can use Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn for the same purpose. Read other people’s blogs too, and leave useful comments, making sure you link your comments back to your own website or blog. This way people will notice you and find out about your work.

Another good way to make yourself known to your peers is by writing guest posts for other relevant blogs. This not only allows you to attract new readers to your own blog, you also build up a relationship with the person you are guest-blogging for, and increase your search engine ranking.

Use your blog to connect

Once your website is established and you have made something of a name for yourself, you can go a step further and interview people who are well-respected in your field. You could, for example, interview someone from a company you would love to work for. But also ask one or two of their competitors to be interviewed – the more people in your chosen industry have heard of you the better. This is your chance to make the contacts that can really help you with your next job application!

This all may seem like a lot of effort. But it’s worth it for the chance of landing your dream job with a top employer. And, if you’re thinking even more long-term, many bloggers have successfully set up their own business through a project like this.

Would you consider setting up an expert blog?

Photo by FreeDigitalPhotos.net.


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Robert Brandl was so enthusiastic about the latest generation of DYI website builders that he created WebsiteToolTester.com to help beginners build their own web presence. His website builder reviews offer detailed comparisons of various providers, as well as sample sites for inspiration. Your feedback and comments are welcome!

Discussion

  1. To be an expert takes time and dedication. Unless you have information worth sharing to get someone to believe in what you are saying. You can continue to post insightful articles, but it still takes time. A well known person has a better chance, but even they can be lofty.

    I try to write about topics the people want to read because everyone has an opinion. A blog with your views might be easier to formulate.

  2. Steve - Better Speaking on the 9th June

    Robert,

    The nice thing about technology and blogging these days is how easily it allows people to test things. The cost of starting up is almost nothing. So you can try building a name for yourself and see how you like a niche. If you don’t like it, you will learn from that and then you can refine things and try again.

    Today’s tools really enable ongoing creativity without too much risk.

  3. Matt john Canty on the 14th June

    This is a great idea one in which I have also used. Resumes are simply boring and dont stand out. Also another great way to apply for a job make a video, show your a real person with real skills and knowledge. Your website or blog can really show your expertise and you have a much better chance of getting an online job than someone with just a boring resume. This could even be the case for an offline job. Think a chef applies for a job and send his awesome blog about cooking and food to the company as part of his resume i’m sure he will stand out if the employer takes a look.

  4. Cody on the 19th June

    Robert,

    Great article! I completely agree that everyone should make the effort to showcase their experiences and talent online through an Expert Blog. To your point, a personal website is useful to establish yourself and add a slight edge to your CV but many people just stop there. If someone wants to establish yourself as a ‘thought leader’ in their field, then they need to start communicating their message today. Creating a blog with today’s technology takes minutes or hours instead of days. And once you have a blog, I agree, there are many opportunities to leverage it into new opportunities and connections. Thanks for sharing this post!

    – Cody

  5. TranspîRation excessive on the 19th October

    A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you should write more about this issue, it may not
    be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Many thanks!!

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