Creating a Brand of yourself (part 3)
Who knows your worth?
[Even for Non-Creative people]
Now that you know that you have to come up with a weblog or e-profile, lets see how you can actually create a brand for yourself through it.
Dazzle the web: Upload your writings/ articles/ photographs/ scetches/ paintings/ commentories/ experiences/ complaints/ answers on the web. If you wannna share your original things you can create your own blog/website and upload everything there. If you are the “other” type, still keep a blog, where you can upload your portfolio/bio/resume and contact details, So that when you comment or answer at some place, people can trace back and know about you. After all thats what you want, right?
Create a network: If you dont already have it, You should create a social/professional network with your aquaintances, friends, colleagues. Its common sense to focus on more and more people who will be interested in your work. Though keeping just everyone might not hurt. LinkedIn/Orkut/Facebook are good for finding your aquaintances and connect with them. Through LinkedIn you can also expose your portfolio to google searches, and that will help a lot in long run.
Nurture the network: To use a network you should be an active member. Keep commenting on people’s work, keep raising relevant questions, and keep answering the queries others have raised. Its also good to simply drop in sometimes and say “hi” so that your relations remain fresh.
Market your weblog: Shameless self promotion is exactly what you need to do to popularize your weblog. As Katy Whitten has clearly stated that “If you build, they ll come” mentality dosnt work. Even the president of US had to self promote himself and ask for $10 donations from college goers. So dont feel embarrassed to put your blog to lime light wherever you can. Introduce it to your network. Keep a link on your profiles, v-cards, email-signatures just about everywhere. Tell new people about it. Ask them for their reviews. Whatever you do at this step, will only help you bring some interested people once. Its only the contents that will make them visit next time. Tony Hung has some extremely good pointers on how to keep your blog marketeable. And Lee Odden list some 30 points to market your blog in a big way. They have discussed in detail about all the weapons you ll need to market your weblog.
Get your stuff googlable: Its very important to have your stuff easier to find on search engines. Though number of page hits will obviously improve your page ranks, its still important to have your weblog SEOed (read search engine friendly). Katy again some good pointers for it.
Comment! Commment! Comment! : Visit other weblogs of your competitors (may be in other Areas), potential clients, arbit and comment on their posts. Its a nice way to catch attention of competitors and other readers. Also have people comment on your weblog, people love to read the articles that have a lot of positive comments. Also, the number of comments establishes your credibility and popularity instantly for a new reader.
Have patience: 2000 people took 20 years to build Taj. It takes time to build on every masterpiece. Dont expect instant results.
Now how does the CASH flow in?
Though Seth says that it might not be a good idea to earn from what you love to do. I’d still maintain that marketing your weblog can help you in lot many ways to create your brand which will eventually help you earn, if thats your motive. Here is how…
More assignments: for the “work that you love to do”.
Lucrative Job offers: If you can establish your expertise, you can play on your terms.
Consultancy fees: Selling your ideas and getting paid for it.
Advertisements: - AdSense
Direct Sales: if you have products or services that you can sell.
Keep adding more to the list… I think I should keep some for myself ;=)
