Blogger Seeking Company for FT job…

Someone asked me recently, “how can I get a job blogging”? I’m not sure if this was a sign of the adoration he had for blogging or the desperation to find an industry that was hiring, but either way it made me think.

How does one get a job blogging?

First of all, no one is going to have a job blogging all the time. Even if you’re a successful, independent blogger who can afford to focus on writing, it comes with other requirements: research, making and strengthening industry contacts, representing your blog in person at conferences or other events, etc. Because believe me, you better be selling your blog as the best thing out there. If people aren’t going to your blog, you’re not getting ad revenue and if you’re not getting ad revenue you’re not eating. Skills and knowledge are the tip of iceberg; your blog has to be interesting and enticing or no one is coming back. And if you’re still reading I apologize; that last sentence was not “interesting” or “enticing”.

Ok then, how do we get jobs where we get paid to blog? This happens one of two ways- either you find a job that wants you to blog as part of your job description, or you convince your boss that your company needs a position that has blogging in its job description. One thing’s for sure: getting control of the company blog will require some knowledge of blogging. So if you’re a little lacking on blogging skills (and let’s face it, why else would you be here?) now may be your time.

Before we begin I need to clarify. When I say “personal” blog I’m not talking about your daily life and shots of the kids at Halloween. I’m talking about a business or industry-related blog, with a specific topic, though unconnected with a specific company. It’s quite possible that a good personal blog, while not making you independently wealthy, can build up your reputation within your industry. Here are a few tips:

1. Blog about what you’re passionate about. It’s infinitely more likely that you’ll pay attention to the blog and give it time and attention if you care about the content you’re contributing.
2. Blog for the benefit of the industry you’re interested in. Let’s say you work in auto sales but you L-O-V-E knitting. Focus on making a great blog about knitting. You won’t always be in auto sales; use the blog as a stepping-stone to get where you want to be.
3. Use your blog to make friends and connections within the industry you care about. Encourage participation! Help newbies! This will be invaluable later, whether you’re looking for a topic for a rainy day post or a potential new boss.
4. Provide timely, useful and relevant information. Please. No one is going to care about your blog, no matter how much they love the topic if the content doesn’t help them. This can be a challenge.
5. Share personal experiences. Blogs are, at least in part, about personality. Telling your story humanizes posts and makes them more relevant. Just don’t go too far.

Just. Don’t. Go. Too. Far. Personal stories are interesting. Personal rants are obnoxious and potentially offensive – depending on your audience and the goals of your blog. Make sure that your posts aren’t going to destroy connections or ruin future job opportunities.

As for my personal story, perhaps you should come back in six or eight months and see what’s here. This is, shall we say, the development of my experience on the topic. I really hope I know what I’m talking about!
Good luck with your own endeavors and please come back to share!