The PR Warrior turned four last month.
Boiled down, that's over 365 posts (roughly eight a month for four years) and 640+ comments from readers.
When I first started blogging in 2007, it was to experience one of the 'wonders of the new media landscape' in an effort to better understand it and in turn be able to talk with a modicum of expertise with my clients in the PR space about what a blog was, how it worked and whether it was something they needed to worry about.
As it turned out, for me at least, blogging set me on a path that led all the way into the heart of the emerging social web, and I've been fully immersed ever since (which in turn has vastly increased my circle of friends and professional acquaintances).
So I can safely say, hand on heart, blogging has helped change my life in many significant ways.
So what have I learned in four years of blogging?
(i) Blogging is best learnt by 'getting in the trenches'
I was reading and researching blogs (and the art of blogging) for a couple of years before I created PR Warrior. And you know what? I reckon I learned more in my first 4-6 weeks of writing a blog than I did in all that time researching.
While I think it's very important to do your research and become familiar with the space, nothing beats getting down and dirty in the trenches if you want to learn more about this blogging caper.
While you learn heaps about the technology side of things simply by doing it, for me it was the experience of going through the writing process that really resonated.
The fact you're putting yourself 'out there' on the world wide web for others to pat you on the back or potentially shoot you down in a hail of virtual bullets was a real learning experience but it really does ready you for life on the social web.
The PR Warrior in the blogging trenches
(ii) Blogging forms an ideal 'base' for your personal brand
Whether you're an individual ('personal brand') or a company wanting to leverage your blog to build credibility and perhaps use as a lead generation tool, think of your blog as the 'beating heart' of your brand.
Most companies (indeed, many individuals nowadays) have their own dedicated website. However, many websites don't often change on a regular basis. A blog on the other hand is (should be) undergoing constant change in the form of fresh content (new posts, videos, podcasts etc) being added regularly.
This is important for a couple of reasons:
One, fresh content gives people a reason to return to your site - by having an opinion, sharing ideas and posing questions you are attracting people to your blog who otherwise wouldn't have a reason to check out your website on an ongoing basis.
Two, search engines love quality new content - if you want to figure in Google searches, then there are worse things you can do than have a vibrant blog presence (a second shopfront for your brand, as it were).
(iii) Blogging helps you find your 'voice'
I love this gem by Tom Peters:
“My first post was in August of 2004 … no single thing in the last 15 years professionally has been more important to my life than blogging. It has changed my life, it has changed my perspective, it has changed my intellectual outlook, it’s changed my emotional outlook … it’s the best damn marketing tool by an order of magnitude I’ve ever had…and it’s free.”
What I take out of this terrific comment by Peters is the act of blogging can have a dramatic effect on one's outlook on life. It's not the blog per se but the act of thinking things through, forming an opinion about a particular subject and researching a topic with a view to publishing content on your blog.
If you're a subject matter expert, this process is incredibly important.
Sure, you might form those opinions as a matter of course in your work or as a result of following your passion (hobby) but there's nothing quite like pushing the 'Publish' button on your blog to bring clarity in terms of forming and expressing a view that is uniquely 'you'.
The PR Warrior has found his individual voice through blogging
It's no surprise that many (most?) avid bloggers are also highly connected on the social web - they're generally active on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ etc which in turn helps them to build their online presence and with it, their credibility in the respective space/s they operate in.
I've run my own consulting business for many years. I also speak professionally and collaborate with others on various projects that are of interest to me. My blog has acted as an efficient means of getting my thoughts out into the community as well as attracting attention to the fact I exist and have the ability to do interesting stuff.
Credibility + visibility = opportunity.
Here's an example of the opportunities that came my way during a recent two-week period.
- Appeared on Channel Seven's Morning Show to comment on a story relating to Twitter and a court case in the UK.
- Participated in a video series for the PR industry's peak professional body, the PRIA.
- Invited to pitch on three new business leads in my role as a PR consultant.
- Presented at events run for small businesses by two Melbourne councils (and received an invitation for a third speaking engagement).
- Invited to attend a Business Chicks event featuring Sir Richard Branson.
- Received an interview opportunity with a business magazine.
Now I understand these opportunities weren't all directly due to my blog but PR Warrior has formed the backbone of my brand for many years and opportunities in the business world often come down to brand reputation.
It comes back down to having a voice and being prepared to put your opinion out there, to develop some degree of thought leadership by sparking conversation about topics that are of interest to you and that you're passionate about, whether professionally or personally.
Bottom line: it's about becoming involved and blogging is a terrific way to do just that.
FURTHER READING:
- BlogHUB Australia - a sideline PR Warrior project that celebrates and promotes blogging (and bloggers) in Australia.
- Three Years on Twitter, What Have I Learned? (PR Warrior post).
