5 Ways Blogging Can Help You Build Your Brand, Grow Your Business and Advance Your Career

Now that social media has fully infiltrated every industry in the world, blogging has finally started to be seen as more than a fun hobby for moms and college students. We now know that blogging is a useful professional tool for learning, networking, job-seeking, personal branding, business-building and leadership. 

Have you been hesitant to jump on the blogging train or maybe inconsistent in your blogging efforts thus far? Chances are, you could be passing up opportunities for greater visibility and success online.

Here are five ways that blogging can enhance your brand, business and career.

1. Blogging can help you become a better writer. 
Blogging is great writing practice, especially if you commit to doing it at least once a week! Knowing that you have an audience (no matter how small) pushes you to bring your "A" game in how you express your thoughts and ideas. Getting better at the craft can definitely help if you aspire to publish a book or do any freelance writing work.

2. Blogging can help you get found easily when people search your name in Google. 
Have you Googled yourself yet? If not, go ahead and do it now. I’ll wait. Chances are, if you have a blog, it’s very likely to come up in the first page of results when you search for your name. Because Google ranks blogs pretty highly in their search engine, having a blog makes it easier for potential clients and employers to find you and see how awesome you are.

3. Your blog can get you noticed by traditional media outlets. 
Because of the knowledge I share on my blogs, I’ve been featured in many press outlets such as JET Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, BBC London and The Washington Post. The side effect of this is that the more people see you in the media, the more they perceive you as an expert!

4. Blogging can get you invited to speak to groups about issues you care about. 
Since blogging shows people that you have something meaningful to say, it's a natural fit for event organizers looking for speakers. Since 2007, I’ve been invited to participate in almost 100 speaking opportunities – mostly through people who read my blogs!

5. Blogging can help you make extra money. 
If you're a good writer with good ideas, companies may be interested in having you write for them. I took advantage of this possibility a few years ago when I got paid to write a career advice column for Change.org. Besides freelance writing, you also have the option of advertising on your blog to earn extra income.

The best thing about blogging is that the possibilities are endless once you start putting yourself out there. Women’s voices need to be heard online and with today’s technology, you’re just a click away from becoming a part of the blogosphere! 

About Rosetta Thurman:
Rosetta Thurman is the founder and CEO of Happy Black Woman, a supportive community that empowers black women to create their ideal lives. She is also the creator of The Blogging School, a 4-week online course that helps you create a professional blog, build your personal brand online and become known as a leader in your industry. When she’s not writing or teaching, Rosetta enjoys good food, good drinks and good music. Preferably all at the same time. Rosetta will be joining us for 2014 HWHN Conference. Grab your seat here!