Guest Post: Gaining Experience to Make Money in Blogging

April 18, 2011 By 30 Comments

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to Tina from Life Without Pink, Momcomm’s first guest post on the new site! Tina’s a marketing chick who I’ve gotten to know through Twitter and blogging. She knows her stuff so let’s hear it, shall we?

Over the last several months, I’ve been asked:

  • How I found a job through blogging?
  • Is it possible to make money blogging?
  • How long does it take?

There is no right answer and it does take a lot of hard work and persistence.

I’ve spent many hours behind the computer writing, connecting and putting myself out there and finding a job in blogging and social media is not something that happens overnight. There are lots of jobs out there: Community manager, spokesperson, writing positions, content management, social media strategist, consulting, brand ambassador…the possibilities are endless.

So the real question is, how do you gain the experience you need to land these jobs?

In addition to my previous work experience, here are a few ways I’ve padded my social media resume:

Build Your Experience

While your time is valuable and the goal is to be compensated, when first starting out, you need to build experience. This does not necessarily mean you should invest full-time working hours into a company without being compensated. However, unpaid opportunities can give you the foot in the door to lead to bigger and better opportunities, while giving you the experience needed for those paid positions.

Guest Post/Writing Gigs

Most jobs look for strong writing skills, so this is a great way to practice. While traditionally guest blogging is not a paid writing gig, it’s a good way to accumulate attention and credibility. However, you can usually find paid opportunities to write for bigger sites. Do your research and find websites/blogs that are a good fit for you.

Community Involvement

Participate in different community discussions, visit blogs and comment, start conversations on twitter and offer support when needed. If you don’t become involved in the social media community, you’ll never get your name out there.

Work with Brands

Never discount the benefit of working with larger brands, because it is a great way to establish a professional, long-lasting relationship with them. You have to see the long term value of partnering with larger brands.

Use Twitter

Twitter is amazing for connecting with people and companies. Job applicants are turning to twitter to land their next gig and get a foot in the door with their favorite company. Even employers are on twitter looking for their next social media superstar.

Follow companies you are interested in and get active with them on twitter. One of the main benefits of using twitter is the access it provides you. You can speak to HR representatives, hiring managers, and executives who all use twitter on a daily basis. It allows you to interact with them directly by sending them @ reply or DM. Your resume will much more likely be viewed by someone on twitter then by applying for jobs the traditional way.

Network Network Network

Step out behind the computer and meet other local bloggers and social media professionals. Attending networking events is another great way to connect with professionals in your community and get your name out there.

Don’t have a networking group in your area? Start one! I saw a need for this in my area and as a result co-founded Girls’ Lunch Out, a local group for women in social media. It has been a great way for me to meet other like minded people and connect with local businesses and national brands.

Stick To Your Niche

Find something you are passionate about whether it is cooking, parenting, photography, education and blog about it. The best part about finding a niche is you can become an ‘expert’ or known for providing great content in that area. You can really impress potential employers with your articles and knowledge in your field.

So how do other bloggers make social media work for them?

Erica from Mommy’s Fabulous suggestions, “Study SEO, become active on twitter and facebook and write articles for different publications. By doing this, it will give you the experience you need and help you stand out among other candidates.”

How did Gigi from Kludgy Mom gain the experience she needed to land a few writing positions? “By working as hard as I could to make sure my content is always the best I can produce and learning as much as I can about the craft of blogging as well as social media.”

Heather from Theta Mom says, “One of the keys to successfully landing some of these opportunities is to always maintain a professional online presence. If you are seeking to work with other professionals then you certainly have to model that behavior, including the way you conduct yourself on your own blog.”

Blogging is an excellent way to build up your resume and impress potential employers. The most important thing to remember is finding a job through social media will not happen overnight, but it CAN happen.

Do you have any tips on ways you have used social media to land a job or to work on a campaign?

Tina is a mom of two very active little boys and the voice behind Life Without Pink, where she discusses motherhood, family, and her life experiences. With over ten years experience in Marketing Communications, Tina has worked with businesses to lead branding, communications and online community development.  When not writing, tweeting or socializing online, Tina can be found trying a new recipe of the week, watching bad reality TV or playing Super Heroes with her two boys.

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Comments

  1. Shell says:
    April 18, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Great tips!
    Shell recently posted..How to Get Your Kids to Let You Sleep In

    Reply
  2. Jessica says:
    April 18, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I haven’t made any money blogging but I think 1 and 2 are great tips because you have to get experience and guest posting is a great way to get your name out there.
    Jessica recently posted..Grandma’s Birthday

    Reply
  3. Cynthia Wilson James says:
    April 18, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    Melissa, I really appreciate these tips, especially since http://www.inseasonmom.org was recently named one of the best resources for first time moms over 35. I would like to generate this publicity into income! But first I have to go pick up my two little girls from school :)

    Reply
  4. Melisa - Mommy This and That says:
    April 18, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    This is really great advice! It seems like such commonsense but actually seeing it and having someone who used the advice and is a working blogger really shows how attainable that really is.
    Melisa – Mommy This and That recently posted..North vs South

    Reply
  5. Paula@Simply Sandwich
    Twitter:
    says:
    April 18, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Melissa and Tina – Bravo! Wonderful information and thanks so very much for all of the advice. I truly have my hands full right now but I may be using these tips soon! :)
    Paula@Simply Sandwich recently posted..Ear Plugs Plueeeze

    Reply
  6. Christina Simon says:
    April 19, 2011 at 10:30 am

    Great post! I agree that experience guest blogging will create new opportunities. And, conducting yourself professionally, even though you’re online, is so important.

    Thanks for sharing!!
    Christina Simon recently posted..On Being A Second Generation Mixed-Race Family

    Reply
  7. MommaKiss says:
    April 19, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Love this site – great quotes from other bloggers! I’ll never make money because I can’t keep it professional. I’m ok with that though. Those who do? Amaze me!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia Wilson James says:
    April 20, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Tina, thanks for letting me know that I’m on the right track. In my previous comment, I meant to thank you for the marketing tips in this article and thank Melissa for choosing an informative “guest blogger.” I know that I will be a frequent visitor to both of your sites!

    Reply
  9. gigi says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:20 am

    Thanks for tht shout out! I just saw this now…will retweet!
    gigi recently posted..App Girl To The Rescue

    Reply
  10. Theta Mom says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Great article Tina and I love what you are doing here Melissa!! And thanks for the shout out ladies!
    xo

    Reply
  11. Lynn MacDonald (All Fooked Up) says:
    April 22, 2011 at 10:04 am

    I can see that there is no way i can maintain a professional presence on line seeing as i don’t really have one.

    The tips were great and i’m failing at nearly all of them.
    Lynn MacDonald (All Fooked Up) recently posted..In which i share my wisdom

    Reply
  12. Dana says:
    April 22, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Great tips. Thanks!
    Dana recently posted..Being myself while being mom

    Reply
  13. sheryl says:
    June 4, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Thanks for your tips. I loved it.. :)
    sheryl recently posted..Does Big Butt Prolongs Life

    Reply
  14. Barbra Boyd says:
    December 13, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Melissa and Tina – Bravo! Great post!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Momcomm; Blogging Like a Rockstar | Life Without Pink... says:
    April 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

    [...] I am so excited to be the guest blogger at Momcomm today, with a post on “Gaining Experience to Make Money in Blogging.” [...]

    Reply
  2. Gaining Experience to Make Money in Blogging — Momcomm | Ways to Make Money Blogging says:
    April 18, 2011 at 11:24 am

    [...] Is it possible to make money blogging? How long does it take? There is no right answer and it does take a lot of hard work and persistence. I’ve spent many hours behind the computer writing, connecting and putting myself out there and … “make money blogging” – Google Blog Search [...]

    Reply

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