I was so nervous that I talked too fast, and missed a lot of points to discuss. I wasn't able to read my "kodigo" (cheat sheet) because my hands hurts (dunno why, it hurts since the day before the forum), my hands is shaking too and I'm burning fats because I was starting to sweat. LOL.
I've never been in front of 200+ people before. I think the biggest crowd I spoke at was about 100 bloggers and I freaked out that time, talked too fast too. How much more with these professionals?
Well, I wish to share with everyone here what I talked about at the Payoneer Forum here in Cebu, so that to those who were able to come will be able to understand better (since I'll be discussing the points I've missed) and for those who were not able to attend, then here it is!
The slide above is the slide I presented at the forum, so you may take a look at that too, if you want.
Why Start a Blog?
If you ask a blogger why they started a blog, usually they just want to share what they know, they want to blog, they want to be the new media, they want to try out to be a blogger. But as a freelancer, what's the use of blogging for you?Well, simply because blogging can help you get your NEXT MULTIPLE JOBS. I'm not saying "your next job" because as a freelancer it's not practical to stick to just one client. They can just fire us anytime, any day, any hour or second, or maybe while you're reading this, you're getting an email already that "Hi, you're fired!".
So cruel of me. Just kidding!
I actually do reject clients who wants me to work exclusively for them, they're crazy. They're insane! Some even offer me a higher pay, still it does not have any match if I work with other clients of course. Some even offer me the highest position in the department, but that does not attract me at all.
But how can blogging help you get multiple jobs, multiple opportunities, multiple clients, multiply your income? Well, here's how.
Your Blog is Your Resume. But Only Better!
Way back in 2011, when I started my travel blog ExoticPhilippines.info I have it to practice my SEO skills. Test what I learned, basically it is my test lab! It got nominations on that same year too, which was really cool for an almost a year old blog.What I did is that I created another page, put up my resume, on my travel blog. I didn't like about a year or 2 later because "simang" (not related to travel, obviously). So I created this blog, where other than showing of my history as a SEO specialist, I'm right now showing 24/7 to any of my potential employers and clients that I am the SEO they're looking for, I have the skills, I have the knowledge, and I have the experience that they need.
Do have a page on your website wherein potential clients can take a peak or easily download your resume online. Make it easier for them to find you, make it easier for them to get to know you, and contact you, because they're internet savvy too. But please, do avoid putting up too personal information. Just include the details such as experience, education (schools, course, organizations), skills, and other important information that can help them convince that you should be at least one of their picks. This is to avoid any potential evil people out there looking for their next victim!
Also, through highlighting your skills and knowledge through a blog post, you'll be able to prove or show to them, that you do what you claim to do, you are what they need, and you've got the knowledge and skills that are needed for the position they want to fill.
Like for example, let's say you're a graphic artist and a graphic artist do use tools like Photoshop to create impressive images. With simply posting "Photoshop Tips on Creating the Perfect Design", with that you're showing off to them that you're that good on what you do, that you can leave tutorials, tips to your readers on using Photoshop. That's a total plus!
Plus, blogs these days have this what we call "archive" and with that feature, your potential clients can see that you've been doing this how long. So you're not only saying that you've been doing this for a long time, anyone can claim that! Even when they didn't! But with blogging you've got online proof of what you do.
Don't forget to also post your client testimonials, some clients are very generous in giving testimonials especially if they're very satisfied with your work. So don't be shy to ask them if you could ask them for a testimonial, they sometimes offer to give you one too.
Personal Branding
Why do you need personal branding, you asked? You're not a company. why do you need it? Well, because you're a brand yourself, and with blogging you can make your brand, you yourself have an online presence and get noticed.People these days do use Facebook, Twitter, and of course search engines like Google to look for what they need. Like the best restaurants in the area, dating spots, best tourist spots, nearest stores, even if they're looking for a date or someone to marry, how much more if they're looking for someone who'll work with them and help them grow their company to a bigger one? Of course they'll use the internet! And blogging can help you with that when every time an employer is looking for someone like you.
What's great about it too is that through blogging and highlight what you do, your knowledge, and skills you'll be able to leave positive digital footprints online showing to these clients how you carry yourself personally and professionally.
But why use a blog when you have your complete registration on all top social media sites? Question do all of your posts on your social media are a must see of your employers? We get careless sometimes on our social media sites, sometimes we post something that should not be seen by clients or else it will just may disappoint them. With blogging, you'll be able to control what you share to your clients, you can just show the professional side of you with a bit of the fun side of you.
Build Network and Connections
Do you know LinkedIn.com? It's like a social media site for professionals, or somewhere you can find professionals. Potential employees too! If you're going to check my LinkedIn, there are a lot of people endorsing my skills, I don't even know all of them, most of them just read my blog and some of course are actually my friends or classmates.But if you're going to see who they are, most of the people I'm connected with are HRs, CEOs, etc. What that tells you? That I work with CEOs? That there are people, HRs who wants to hire me? Well, most of the jobs there that is offered, I've rejected. Why? Because they offer office jobs, which I don't like. I love my freelance life, I'm living it! I'm not trying to getaway from it!
That's same too with your potential clients, it tells them that you're that well connected that people follow you, that people from different companies, huge companies are connected with you. As a blogger, you may also get invites to come to an event or at least meet people, and with that you can get connected with big people in their company, which is really great!
Also, I know a number of blogger friends who have referred me for a job, and I also referred them for a job. Actually, there are bloggers and blog readers who sends me clients. Just simply because I let them know what I do, what I do for a living, and who I am. There are also some whom I'm friends with on Facebook, I've never met in person, but they've been referring me because they know and trust me that I do have the skills, knowledge, and experience as a SEO specialist that they'd refer me to their friends. Just like this for example:
Friend: Girl, Good pm! You still do SEO?
Me; Yeap!
Friend: I know someone Ma'am, who wants to optimize their website. Here it is!
Please take note that this friend is a Facebook friend, she found me online, added me on Facebook, we have common interests, we do talk, we love dogs, and she's confident enough to refer me for a job. Again, we've never met!
One of the clients I actually have now found me through my blog, well there are actually a number of clients that found me through my blog. But this one sponsored my travel blog, and they then realized later on that I'm actually a SEO specialist, and they've been looking for someone to hire for their SEO campaigns. They've asked my rate, and now, I've been working with them for 3 years already.
Actually, she's not the only one. There are also others whom I've meet through my blog, that they do offer branding business, and included my SEO services on their packages. How cool is that? Imagine if you're able to network with these same type of persons, how many clients do you think you'll have? How much do you think is your income?
Stay Current and Sharp
Remember that test after the interview when you're asked by someone to do a certain task related to the job or skills needed, then they'll leave you alone for awhile and let you do that for few minutes, and he'll be back after few minutes? That's actually the test to see if you really know what you claim to know.Now with blogging, you're actually showing off to them that you know what you're doing through blogging about...for example "the basic of CSS coding" (web development related, for those who are non-techies). Of course you'll be blogging more than that, you have tons of blog post to prove that you really know what the job requires.
Plus, you'll also leave that impression that you're that type of person that is willing to grow, willing to learn, and do loves to learn. No employer likes to hire someone who's not open to anything new. And with this, you'll look smart too!
Be Interesting
There are situations wherein there are a lot of great candidates for one job, what if you're in that situation? How can you stand out?Well, there are actually a number of times wherein the HR or employer hire the one who have a blog. Why? Because he's interesting, he stands out from the rest of the crowd! He have the name to keep online, the brand online to keep safe, surely he'll work and do his best to impress the client.
That's it! That's all of it.
Those are my reasons to share why a freelancer should start or at least think about having a blog.
Up next! I'll be sharing here all about the next part of the talk I have at the Payoneer Forum Cebu 2015 on "How to Use Blogging to Boost Your Freelancing Career?".
But please do let me know if you have any questions for me, through leaving a comment below or sending me a message through my email or contact page. I'll try my best to answer your questions as best as I can.
I also would like to grab this opportunity to give my big thanks to Payoneer for giving me this opportunity to share and be one of your speakers for the Payoneer Forum Cebu this 2015, and of course to Allan and Edna Donato for inviting me to speak. Thank you very much!
Thanks for dropping by!
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