It’s been exactly a year since I finished University so today I thought I would share the things I’ve learnt along the way and how blogging kick-started my career.
The last four years of blogging have been a whirlwind. I’ve worked with international brands, been invited to New York fashion week and attended numerous events. But why do we blog? What can you get from blogging? Well let me tell you, a bloody lot.
After a lot of negativity in the blogging community recently, I want this post to also empower bloggers that what we are doing is great! I hope people who may be thinking of starting up a blog can hopefully be inspired by this because it’s an amazing hobby.
It’s actually crazy the amount of things I’ve learnt that I didn’t know I had in me. Blogging is sooo much more than writing down your thoughts and pressing publish. It’s the freedom of writing, it’s the PR tools and most importantly it built me into the person I am today.
If your like me and you class your blog as a hobby, don’t underestimate what its teaching you. There’s probably a lot more than what I’m going to mention today but here’s a few what stand out for me.
Communications & Networking
Well obviously your writing. No, blogging actually got me out of my comfort bubble – in a good way. I used to be so nervous talking in person. Can you believe a year ago I did my graduation speech in front of everyone? If it wasn’t for starting a blog at university I don’t think I would have got nominated and I certainly don’t think I would have had the confidence. Blogging has also given me valid experience in working in PR. I’ve worked at numerous companies from Independent to Designer so its interesting to see how companies can benefit from bloggers. We’re a cheaper alternative to advertising and its allowed me to chat daily with PR companies. Emailing brands lets you put your professional head on, just think they’ve picked YOU for a reason so embrace it.
By communications I also mean events. I was so nervous attending my first ever blogging event but I loved it. It’s so lovely to meet bloggers in ‘real life’ and interact with people who have similar interests. I’ve been really lucky to meet some fabulous friends from blogging and also contacts I can now use in my full-time job.
Photography
Quite an obvious one but true. I’ve always loved taking photos but looking back at my first ever posts to now, it’s a god send how much better my photography game has got. I love being creative with my flatlays, looking at what props go with the products and making the whole image look appealing. THIS is a great skill to use in your workplace. If you want to work in Communications or PR, having a keen eye in photography will definitely help you. Visuals are essential in promotion.
Social Media
It’s part of our lives, most of us who blog have probably grown up with social media so knowing a thing or two really benefits me at work. Knowing how to gain followers organically, looking at themes on how to promote content, using the right hashtags can really set you apart. Blogging is such a useful tool now and lots of businesses use it as part of their website programme. If you can write interesting blog posts and be able to post them to gain traffic, you are winning.
Put blogging on your CV, its experience at the end of the day. If you say you can use social media prove it by the amount of followers you have. Your social media has an engaged audience so you can use your experience to help other businesses reach their target audiences.
Standing Out
The list is endless, but blogging allows you to be creative and stand out. In recent years blogging has become so much more popular due to the influencers of Zoella and Tanya Burr. But you are you! I know it seems so many of us blog that its hard to stand out but just being yourself and showing who you are, your personality will shine out.
when I left university and applied for jobs, I used blogging, the networks I created and work experience through blogging to stand out. All of my best university marks where through my blog, although most people start their blog through choice I did mine as an assignment but carrying it on in my spare time benefited me so much more than I’d imagined.
I guess this post is to highlight that what you’re doing is great and thinking about the things you automatically do in blogging can really kick-start your career or even excel you further. Being a part of the Blogosphere is amazing and I wouldn’t change the last four years in a heartbeat.
Can you relate to any of this?
Aww Bethany this is a lovely blog post and you are true to yourself reading all your posts your personality dose shine out I love your hoody well done and all the best with your blogg go girl xxx
Thank you Paige! 😀 xxx
This is a fab post, you have done amazingly!! you should be very proud! xxx
Thank you so much Sophie!! xxx
Your blog is lovely! I am going to start adding my blog onto my CV!
Nicole x
Nicoleannx
Ahh thanks Nicole, you definitely should! x
Love, love, love this post lovely! You’re doing so great, so keep going 😘 Blogging has definitely pulled me out of my comfort zone and made me a much more confident person! It is exactly what I needed 🙂
G xxx
gemsblogstorey.com
Yay thanks Gem!! So glad to hear that too, your blog is amazing – keep it up <3 🙂 xxx
What a fantastic empowering post! I think the blogging community really needed this kind of thing right now. You are such a gem and deserve all the amazing opportunities you have been a part of! xxx
Ahh thanks Ella. I know right there’s a lot of negativity going on.. That’s so lovely of you to say xxx
I definitely agree with what you’re saying! I think blogging is such a stand out skill when looking for jobs because not only does it show creativity, sociability etc but it shows dedication and commitment which is something companies look for for sure!
http://www.lilyolivia.co.uk
Glad you agree! That’s exactly my thoughts too 🙂
Love this post, can definitely relate a lot to this – people underestimate the power of blogging of just doing it as a hobby not as a career itself. Well done 🙂
I’m glad you can too. So true 😀
When you write it out like this, it makes you realise quite how much blogging truly teaches you, and it’s amazing to reflect upon! It’s amazing how you started blogging for an assignment and continued it too!! xx
Jasmine || http://www.blogsallbeautyy.blogspot.co.uk
It sure does! I know thanks hun xx
Very true post. I work in digital marketing, and when getting your first internship a blog really helps. As you don’t have any work experience yet, it at least shows you’ve done something, and can help showcase your writing style and social media skills.
Aww thanks Alice! I’m glad blogging helped in your career too 🙂
This post is so empowering and inspiring! You’ve always been an amazing inspiration to me!
Thank you so much, this is so lovely of you!