Before Blogging Here, Consider This...

I still remember getting the cryptic first email from a LinkedIn editor that led to me blogging here. You can read about the experience in this post.

Since then, LinkedIn has opened up the blogging platform to all members.

If you have a little pencil in the status update box on your account, you can now write blog posts and share them with your connections. I'm a big supporter of this. I'm constantly preaching the importance of building your credibility and expert status within your industry so you can stay employable and in demand. Sharing your expertise by writing blog posts is an excellent way to do this.

However...

Just because you have access to blogging on LinkedIn, doesn't mean you should dive straight in and start writing whatever comes to mind. In fact, if I had any criticism regarding the opening of the platform to all users is how the quality of the content being pushed out isn't where it should be. A lot of people are actually hurting their personal brands by making some rookie blogging mistakes.

5 Tips For First-Time Bloggers

If you want to blog and gain traction with readers, you need to have a blogging gameplan. This will help you maximize the first impression you make and increase your followers.

Here are the 5 tips I give every new blogger:

1) Find your soapbox... and stay on it for 5 posts.

You need to select a niche topic and write about it consistently. Think of a problem within your industry that you focus on solving and then share your insights, methodology and stories to validate what you are saying. Showing depth of knowledge is the key to positioning yourself as a subject-matter expert that is worthy of following.

2) Write for a 5th grader.

Studies show that people who try to write with big words to sound smart actually are seen as less credible. Why? One reason is it comes across like you are trying too hard to impress. [Read more about the study in this article.] The takeaway? If you can simplify your language and convey your message so even a fifth grader can understand it, you will show your true mastery of the subject matter. Some people get upset and call this, "dumbing-down." Perhaps. But, if you want followers, I can confirm through my own blogging efforts the secret is to make it quick and easy for readers to have Ah-ha Moments when they skim your posts.

3) Don't be Switzerland.

Trying to stay neutral on a topic will backfire. Nobody likes to hurt people's feelings, but if you can't stand up for what you believe in and point out where things are going wrong (and in some cases, who's to blame), then you aren't an authority. You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT please everyone with your post. There will be people who don't agree with you - and a lot of haters too. Yet, trying to play both sides of the argument to avoid this just makes you look unclear and lacking confidence in your authority.

4) Secure a blog critic.

When you are passionate and educated on a subject matter, you can sometimes come across wrong in your writing. You may write a sentence or two that in your mind is clear as day, but to a person who doesn't have as much experience in this area as you, it might be confusing. Or, even worse, hit them the wrong way. The solution is to find a trusted peer who will read your post with an objective eye and help you get a read on what the reaction to your article will be. This can help you make necessary revisions to minimize the chance what you are trying to say gets misinterpreted.

5) Get thicker skin.

No matter how hard you try to create a smart, well-written post, as I mentioned in #3, there will be haters. I'm still amazed at how mean some people become when they can hide behind a computer. Don't let the negativity get to you. Constructive criticism is one thing, but snarky remarks should be ignored. Focus on the positive comments and keep writing for the people who appreciate your insights. In fact, having haters can actually boost your followers. I know when I see someone trash-talking a fellow Influencer's post, it makes me want to support them by sharing it in my feed with a positive comment. If you keep writing from a place of passion and a sincere desire to help others, your followers will always have your back!

Now, Get Going - Or, Suffer The Consequences!

Don't let the above stop you from starting to blog on LinkedIn. The sooner you start, the faster you'll acquire an audience. Your confidence will grow in your blogging abilities with every post. Plus, each day you put off blogging is a day where someone else in your space is earning credibility that could have been yours. Let me put it to you this way:

Brand or BE Branded

This has been my mantra since 2008 when I started writing online. Whenever I'm speaking to groups, from corporate executives to entry-level professionals, I say the following:

If you aren't creating a brand online, your lack of involvement is telling the world one of three things:

A) You have nothing valuable to say.

B) You are hiding something.

C) You aren't tech savvy.

Of course, none of those are true, but no brand is still a brand. Do you really want others to control the messaging?

Good luck blogging and I can't wait to see your posts. Feel free to link to your first blog post on LinkedIn in the comments below, I'd love to check them out!

If you want to read more of what I've written, check out my articles on Inc.com.

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PS - Have we met yet? I write here in hopes of helping individuals and companies with career-related challenges. Here are two recent posts I wrote:

My Cure for a Broken Career Heart
Fatal Flaw Killing Some People's True Potential

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