Blogging for Your #Career (Pros & Cons)

Okay, so most folks, when they think of blogging, think of folks using it to share cute photos (hi mommy bloggers) or to sell shit.

And, while this is totally true, the True Power of Blogging™ lies in what it can do for your career. To keep things short and simple, I’ve listed out the pros and cons of blogging about your work, along with a little invite to my “10 Blog Posts in 14 Days” program.

Hey, now, no hate. I blog to sell shit. (But also, no pressure.)

Pro #1: Show You Know Your Shit (AKA a “Subject Matter Expert”)

There’s only so much you can share via a resume or LinkedIn. Blogging about what you know shows hiring managers and recruiters that you know what you’re talking about. With blog posts, you can go more in-depth about specific projects and cool stuff you’ve worked on, which you really can’t do with a bullet point on your resume.

Con #1: It’s Obvious if You *Don’t* Know What You’re Talking About

So, while blogging can be a great way to show you understand your role/industry/profession, it can bite you in the butt if you simply regurgitate what other folks are saying.

You know the saying, “Write what you know”? This is especially true for blogging about your work life.

Search “blue sweater Devil Wears Prada” for a prime example of this.

Double image lineup, to REALLY UNDERSCORE THIS POINT. DON’T BULLSHIT, IT’S OBVIOUS.

I recommend having someone you trust look over your posts, and give real advice on whether you sound like you’re bullshitting. Like me.

Pro #2: Give Them Something to Find on Google

A potential employer (or client) will always always Google you. I can guarantee this, 100%. By blogging, you give them something to find, which is especially helpful if you’re trying to switch industries. Blogging shows that you’re #WithIt and understand how social media/the internet works.

Oh, they’ll know who you are.

Con #2: Nothing Stays Anonymous

If you decide to blog about the seedy underbelly of your industry, I salute you. Oftentimes, companies only make measurable and direct change when they’re dragged through the press.

However, doing this comes at a cost. While you may be tempted to write an anonymous article or post, you are taking a risk that you will be found out.

Sorry, Gossip Girl, no airing dirty laundry under the disguise of anonymity.

If you’re going to blast an industry/company, make sure to get a book/movie deal because you’ll never work in that town again.

If you don’t want your name attached to it, I wouldn’t write it. Instead, find a reputable journalist to spill to (and even that can be dangerous).

Pro #3: Find & Secure Mentors

Do you have professionals that you want to email saying, “Hey, can we get coffee so I can pick your brain?” (Aside: Wince. Never say that.)

For the love of GOD, don’t ever say, “Can I pick your brain?”

While you may not have enough social pull to pick their brain over coffee, everyone loves being interviewed — especially when it links back to their latest project or their work. Emailing someone you admire with, “Hey, I’d like to interview you about your career for my blog” will get you *much* further than asking to “pick their brain.”

Bonus, you’ll also help other folks out, by sharing the backstory of the awesome person you were able to get ahold of. And, if you play your cards right, you’ll build a rapport and find a new mentor. They get links/content about them, and you get insights. Win win.

Con #3: The Abandoned Blog (WOMP)

Something I see super often (especially among millennials) is starting a blog, only to abandon it when school/life gets busy.

Y’all. An abandoned blog makes you look flighty/unprofessional. For this reason, I usually recommend that folks use Medium or LinkedIn Pulse to share their posts, as it’s totally fine to blog sporadically.

When you’re ready to commit to writing weekly (yes, weekly), you can copy+paste your posts from other websites to your website.

Don’t ghost on your blog.

Pro #4: Speaking Gigs & Consulting

There are people out there trying to fill panels for conferences, find consultants, etc, and they’ll literally go right into google and type, “Queer HBIC Fashion Designer” and voila, someone like me will pop right up.

Okay, maybe not that. But they may type in, “UI/UX Designer Woman Dallas Blog” or “Trans Diversity Consultant Tech San Francisco” and they’ll find people writing about their work.

Just like the mantra, “Location, location, location” writing a “blog, blog, blog” gets you noticed, found, and paid.

You have been #found.

Con #4: Don’t #ShitTalk Anyone

You have to be really really careful about criticizing your company or coworkers, but also watch out for being too positive (no one wants to read your Polyanna version of your work life).

My advice? Steer clear of anything critical about your company, never mention anyone by name, and take a bit of creative license as needed so folks won’t know for sure that you’re talking about them.

Let’s go.

Want to start blogging about your work to develop your career, but not sure where to start? Join my “10 Blog Posts in 14 Days” program, and I’ll help you determine blog post ideas, approach mentors over email, and #DoTheDamnThing.

MOVE IT OR LOSE IT.

Let’s get blogging. Link to program here.

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