If there's one thing I have learned in over a quarter century of writing, it's that perception often counts for more than reality. Unless you're Albert Einstein commenting on quantum physics or Paris Hilton providing insights into the Hollywood party circuit, it's not entirely clear who has the mojo and who doesn't. If you can create the appearance--dare I say illusion--that you know a lot about a given topic, you will very likely be considered an expert. What provides credibility? Books, degrees, speaking engagements, and, increasingly, blogs.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the topic, here's the lowdown: you're reading one right now. A blog is an informal, running commentary posted online. These "Weblogs"--you might think of them as diaries of sort--now number into the tens of millions. Meanwhile, eMarketer has reported that 94.1 million US blog readers existed in 2007. That's a remarkable 50% of all Internet users. Remarkable numbers. The world has certainly moved behond your 5th grade teacher's mimeograph machine!
What exactly does this mean for you? The right strategy--particularly one that highlights your knowledge, experience, or unique take on life--can build a solid foundation for career change. If you have expertise in a particular niche--organic gardening, tech gadgets, packaged food products, sports collectibles, you name it--you might consider building a career platform through a blog. Why? If you're starting a new business of your own (or if you already operate one), a blog may help land freelance work or new clients. If you're positioning yourself for a career move, know that recruiters now comb blogs to find new talent. Play your words right and you could find yourself entertaining a lucrative job offer. The key is to build an appealing and entertaining site that showcases your knowledge and expertise.
But know this too. Simply posting a diatribe or random thoughts isn't going to get the job done. A good blog combines solid informaiton and opinion. It is well researched and offers something compelling and valuable for readers. Your takeaway? Armed with blogging software and some well-reasoned thinking and useful info, you may find that you have the final word in finding the work you love. In this case, the perception creates the reality.
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