The document provides guidance on how to effectively utilize blogging for personal branding, emphasizing its significance in establishing credibility and improving SEO. It outlines platforms for starting a blog, such as Blogger, Typepad, and WordPress, and shares experiences from several bloggers regarding their strategies and outcomes. Key recommendations include posting frequency, content ideas, and the importance of consistency in building a professional network and attracting potential clients.

1. So, you created your blog. Now what? Return to Work Center May 13, 2010

2. Today’s agenda Assumption: you have created a blog This is the ‘what-to’ Why blog? Relation to personal branding Look at some examples of blogs Examine advice from those who’ve been there

5. Why blog? Key component of your personal brand Establish credibility Maximize SEO Hone writing and expertise Update LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter Reinforce your website OR Serve as your website

6. Personal branding across platforms Establish your brand, consistently LinkedIn profile Twitter name Facebook Purchase domain name Multiple email addresses Your blog and/or website Make it look right!

7. Where to start blogging? Blogger.com Part of Google, free Relatively easy to use, many options Typically ‘blogname.blogspot.com’ TypePad.com Also free (paid options) Many templates Good reputation among blogging community

8. Where to start blogging? WordPress Free and paid options Highly customizable Easy to use (in 5 minutes!) Clean, elegant look and feel Growing use for both blogs and web pages

9. How a blog can build your personal brand Chad Levitt, personalbrandingblog.com: Search engines love blogs Blogs are link sticky You are creating an enduring asset you own They increase your opportunity to get found ‘ It’s all about eyeballs’ -- they’re social tools

12. Steve Phelan ‘Your Virtual CMO’

13. Steve Phelan ‘Your Virtual CMO’

14. Lisa Haneberg Author and consultant

15. Lisa Haneberg Author and consultant

16. Lisa Haneberg Author and consultant

17. Michelle Lentz ‘Social Media Adventurer’

18. Michelle Lentz ‘Social Media Adventurer’

19. Did you have job search in mind when you started your blog? (SP) Not for transition. It is for keeping me top of mind with people who might have need of my consulting services . (LH) Yes, and no. I was an independent consultant, so I wanted to attract more potential clients. I wanted my blog to build and strengthen my professional platform . (ML) I got a job blogging by tweeting to the right people . My other blog - the wine blog - hasn't exactly gotten me a job. It's just fun.

20. What topics do you post on? (SP) Marketing thoughts . See the blog to get a flavor. (LH) Mostly management, leadership, and personal success . (ML) < Technology and wine >.

21. How frequently do you post? (SP) Once a month . (LH) When I started, I posted nearly every day. After 5 years, I now post 1-2 times per week . I would recommend that new bloggers post every day until they build up many posts and a readership. (ML) I do recommend to my marketing clients that they create a blog and leave it hidden/unpublished for about a month while they create content. Once they go live, I recommend posting at least 3x per week for the first 6 months to a year . That's what drives visitors and differentiates you from other blogs. My wine blog tends to have 2-3 posts per week (although I've been busy lately, so I've been lax at posting) to continuously drive traffic.

22. What has been the most valuable part of your blogging experience? (SP) The thought that goes into writing it helps focus my thoughts as well. (LH) My blog has helped me stay fresh - it helps me think through topics and keeps my mind fresh. And the blog, now with over 7,000 subscribers, has helped me build a global network .

23. How has the blog led to a new lead/opportunity/job possibility? (SP) Several times it has reminded people of my existence at an appropriate time (right people and right product are easy-- you have to be top of mind at the right time.) (LH) Because the blog is informal, blog readers get to know me. This has helped them pre-qualify people who might want to hire me for a project. I have to do much less to convince people of my credentials , because they know me and know how I approach my work.

24. Overall, has it been worth it? (SP) Definitely . (LH) Yes, my blog has been an important part of my professional life and has paid back , in terms of relationships, leads, and gigs, more than the effort I have put into it . I also feel more connected to younger professionals , who tend to read blogs more than their older colleagues.

25. So, what will you blog about? 10) Review or flag books and articles. 9) Comment on others. 8) Get links. 7) Give links. 6) Post regularly.

26. So, what will you blog about? 5) Collaborate. 4) Make illustrations illustrate. 3) Enjoy what you post. 2) Know your audience. 1) Write what you know.

27. Goodbye.

28. Cleve’s new job . . . http://ohipl.org http://greatercea.org/rfp2010

29. Cleve’s contact info [email_address] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clevecallison Twitter: clevecallison Blog: bit.ly/clevesblog