Exactly three years ago, I wrote my first blog post here. I'd been blogging on other sites before it was called blogging but the first post on this website happened three years ago-March 4, 2006.
Little did I know how much this blog would change my life.
This blog has influenced/contributed to everything I've ever done professionally. And it's been great from a personal learning/networking standpoint as well.
I think the thing that may have got me my first job at a sports marketing/consulting agency was the fact that I had a blog and was very curious about new media/online opportunities.
I got my first consulting project because of this blog. The guy found my blog and contacted me to do some research on sports and social networking websites.
Every other project I've had or client I've worked with since then has been because of this blog--directly or indirectly (someone I met through the blog made an introduction for me).
Along the way, I've met and been in touch with some brilliant people who I would have probably never connected with if I hadn't started this blog. Guys like Darren Heitner, Dan Beeman, Pat Coyle, Brian Gainor, Lewis Howes, Russell Scibetti...very smart people in the sports marketing world.
Having a blog has forced me to keep learning and writing, and that's a good thing. And just because you start a blog and decide to write about something you're passionate about doesn't mean you can't change. I started out writing about marketing/advertising in general, then moved to more sports business news, and now I write about sports and social media--two of my biggest interests and what I know the most about.
I would encourage any of you who don't have a blog or personal website to seriously consider it. At least grab a domain name with your name in it, before someone else does. The future of the resume is your presence online. Do you want potential employers, partners or clients to find your name, your accomplishments and easily get an accurate picture of what you do when they Google your name? Or do you want to be someone that people can't find online and lose a chance to make an impact on them?
Having a blog has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you'd like to see how my writing has changed over the past three years, here are some posts from each year:
2006-2007
2007-2008
- Guy Grocery Store Shoppers and Caveman Essentials
- Twitter - The New Stalker Tool
- 50 Sports Social Networking Websites
- Crown Plaza On Target With Golf Ads
- Is Fun The New Value That Will Drive Online Communities
2008-2009
- 5 Questions Teams Should Ask About Social Media
- Why Teams Should Get Involved With Social Media
- Using Free Social Media Tools To Connect With Fans And Save Money
- Social Networks Need To Provide Value Beyond Connecting
Blogging and connecting with people via social media are incredibly valuable if you put in the effort and time. They have changed my life for the better. Do you have a story on how blogging has changed your life? I'd love to hear it.