You can and should blog—even if you’re not a techie; even if you’re not a writer.
The Internet is no longer the exclusive playground of the nerdy or wordy, so if you’re thinking about blogging, but wondering if it’s worth the effort or how you would get started, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what blogging can do for you:
1. Polish Your Professional Image
If you’re a professional (realtor, physician, accountant, etc.) you probably have a lot of ideas and information that would help draw potential clients to you. Adding a blog to your website gives people a reason to click on it. Our original Tech Mamma, Kimberly Carroll, writes easy-to-understand posts on her blog that are her calling card in this LinkedIn world.
2. Establish a Platform
Your blog is home base in the social media world. It’s where you start, and from there you branch out to Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, etc. Marjie Killeen, who writes Make It Better’s Sex & the Suburbs column uses her blog, Ripe Peach, as the platform for her columns, her Twitter account, speaking engagements and more.
3. Share Your Passion
Kelly Konrad, Make It Better’s Managing Editor, has always loved books. She used to send a New Year’s booklist to friends via email, but then she started LitzyDitz, a blog all about books. It even got picked up by Chicago Now, which is owned by the Chicago Tribune Media Group. Impressive, no?
4. Share Information
My website is Shop Chicago Chic, and when I’m out canvassing stores and neighborhoods, I learn a lot from stylish store owners. The blogs on my website—Writes and Wants—are the outlets for that information. It also gives me a lot of goodwill with PR people and editors, so when I need a favor, like a photograph or access, I’m more likely to get it.
5. Express Yourself—not just in writing!
If you aren’t a writer, but you’re funny or you love visual arts, you should be blogging, but through a site like Tumblr. It’s photo-heavy, quote-heavy and picture-centric. You can have a professional blog up and running in no time. Tumblr is known for bloggers who put up random stuff that makes you laugh, like this Cat GIFs blog.
6. Spend Nothing
Through a website like Blogger or WordPress, you can start blogging for exactly $0. If you want your own domain name, it will cost more—but still not much.
7. Support Causes You Believe In
Every nonprofit has a website, and most could use a little more traffic. If you can add a blog to their website, (easy!) you can support that cause by regularly posting about it. Susan Noyes uses her blog to write about charities and people that she wants to support. The Make It Better Foundationblogs about the great work of local nonprofits and how you can help support them. It’s a powerful way to amplify a message.
8. Sell Stuff
If you’re an artist or jewelry designer, a blog is a great way to distinguish yourself from the hordes of other websites trying to draw people in. Laura Schoch, who lives in Winnetka and used to own Gray, now blogs on Laura Style. She is hilarious and fashionable, and with her blog, she supports her newest endeavor, a line of luxury wraps called Mountain Hides.
9. Inform Others
People in like circumstances are looking for a friendly voice to connect with, and you can be that voice. Molly Ottolini writes the blog My Eggs Are Dusty, all about life on the other side of the menopause divide. It’s more a traditional, self-revealing blog and there is still plenty of room for these essay-driven pieces in the blog-o-sphere.
10. Learn Something
My tech skills have improved, my photography skills, my ability to self-edit… Like any new endeavor, you will have fun, you’ll pull a few hairs out, but you’ll also learn a new skill and that’s a bonus when anyone’s career can change in an instant.
Make Money—NOT!
Blogging is a crowded field, so if you think that it’s the ticket to a book deal and instant fame, you’re probably going into this with the wrong motivation. Yes, it happened for Julie & Julia, but the chances are not great for the rest of us. So see 1-10 above for motivation, and sign up for Make It Better’s Tech Mamma Lounge class Blogging for Beginners to get going.
