A Story About Blogging

Tomorrow morning, I have been invited to address a number of employers and college/university staff on the topic of blogging. I have been asked to share my story...

Three years ago, thanks to Louise Fletcher, President of Blue Sky Resumes and Career Hub Co-Creator and Managing Editor, my professional life forever changed -- for the better, I might add. Thanks to Louise, I started blogging! She must have seen something in me that I didn't see in myself, because I did not think I knew enough about technology to blog. I mean, after all, blogging is for people who have mastered the high tech-stuff, at least that's what I thought! Certainly not for people who can barely navigate the Internet.

I can vividly recall working for hours and hours on my very first blog post for Career Hub. I can't remember for sure what is was about, but I think I wrote something about fear. How appropriate, since that's exactly what I was freaking out about...my fear of blogging.

Today, three years later, I look back and smile and think to myself...Sucher, you're an idiot! Why did I put myself through such angst and gut-wrenching struggle to craft my first blogging piece? I'll tell you three reasons why: 1. I wanted to do an outstanding job for Louise, first and foremost, because she had entrusted me to write for Career Hub; 2. In no way, did I want to embarrass myself, or anyone else and 3. I wanted to produce something that was a masterpiece of a blog post. I continue to strive to perform number one! With respect to numbers two and three, I am much more comfortable now in writing blog posts and realize that I am not going to craft a masterpiece, but you know what -- I'm totally okay with that. And I don't dwell too much on embarrassing myself, or someone else, anymore.

In any event, I absolutely love blogging. I am probably a blogging addict by some people's standards. When I am not blogging, I am thinking about blogging. I cannot imagine my professional life without blogging in it. And beyond that, it's just plain fun, relaxing, and enjoyable! Here are a few ideas of what blogging means to me now, some three years later. It's...

1. a chance to share your thoughts, ideas, and knowledge with the world.

2. a place to teach, train, and think about matters you feel passionate about.

3. a place to find your voice and be your own best brand.

4. a chance to build and grow relationships and friendships...and treasure the comments that readers take time to make.

5. a potential to create new business connections, partnerships, opportunities.

6. as natural and as easy as breathing.

7. a way of giving back whatever it is you've been given.

8. an extension of what you are already doing.

9. a powerful way to learn, find resources, and discover solutions.

10. a place to connect different generations, cultures, people, preferences, notions, ideas.

11. efficient; you can direct others to go read the post about this or that subject matter.

12. an important tool to distinguish yourself, whether you are a job seeker, business owner, corporate giant, small entrepreneurial start-up, or, or, or.

If you have been thinking about the business of blogging, but find yourself too afraid to start one, jump in! I would encourage you to take action and get a blog going. Just ask yourself - what is the worst thing that could happen? What is the best thing that could happen? I can tell you the best that happened to me...you will find that about three years from now, in March 2012, you will look back and say...wow, I'm so glad I did that! That, then, is my story about blogging.

posted by: billiesucher

Comments

[Colin Chisek]

I have had a blogger account since 2007 but I did not put any postings on it because I had no idea what to say. Within the past three weeks I managed to write two postings. They may not necessarily be the best. However, I figure the more I write on it, and the more I read and dialogue on other blogs, the better I will get. I need all the help to get the job that I really want. I had writer's block today, but that won't stop me from continuing to try. Maybe I can start an "idea list" and keep it handy. That way, when I try to blog, I'll have several options to choose from.

You are so right-- I don't regret setting up a blog. I see it as an essential tool to differentiate myself from the competition and will probably add my blog-link to my resume info.

Colin

[billiesucher]

Yes, that's all you can do is try...and you never know where the next idea will come from; they just seem to show up. The more you write, the easier it will get. Thank you for your comment and keep posting!
- Billie

[Greg Paskill]

I'm not so convinced that blogging is for everybody, especially for those people in senior management. I've spoken to various supervisors and upper-level managers about blogging and they tell me they have no time in their 70+ hour work weeks to dedicate time to blogging. While their companies don't necessarily prevent them from it, there's an unstated rule about not speaking too much outside the corporation in such public forums.

In looking at who makes up the employment blogosphere, so many are independent consultants. It's rare to see upper level managers talk about who they are, what company they work for, especially because of all the confidentiality they must maintain. Instead, I see many who say they are glad to be on their own. Or those who are working for someone are laying the groundwork to become a free agent.

Working for Corporate America still requires a degree of conformity in some places. Writing a blog can be seen as a sign of violating that unwritten rule.

[Russ]

Because I blog and blog, I have started to become a better writer. And it has become easier for me.

[billiesucher]

Greg, thanks for sharing your perspective. If you would like to read more about corporate blogging practices, here's a good article: http://mattsingley.com/blog/index.php/2009/03/6best-corporate-blogging-practices/
It offers some great getting started tips.
- Billie

[billiesucher]

Russ, yes, that's a very good point. Writing can improve; organizing your thoughts can improve...so many good benefits to blogging if a person elects to pursue it. Thanks for your comment.
- Billie

[WealthNet Partners]

I love blogging because it helps clean out all the junk in my head, hehe. Honestly, there's just so many racing thoughts that if I didn't write them all out, I'd go insane. I blog for sanity's sake. ;)

-Marc