Are you a freelance blogger with a full-time job?
Wish you could write for a living but can’t afford to just yet?
If you answered yes, then here’s what I have to say: Good.
Wait. Did she just say good?
Let me explain. As a freelance blogger, you’re in a unique position to help your company succeed. And more importantly, help your career succeed.
Here are 5 reasons why moonlighting as a freelance blogger benefits both you and your 9-5 employer:
1: You think with your whole brain
It’s tough out there. Jobs are hard to come by and people are putting in longer hours.
To truly succeed you’ve got to stand out.
Luckily, you’ve got what most people don’t have. You can think with both sides of your brain — the creative and the logical.
You know what SEO and conversion rates mean (because let’s face it, a blog isn’t really valuable if you can’t measure how it’s doing) and yet you’re creative enough to come up with a unique angle for your next blog post.
Don’t believe me? Then you’re probably using both sides of your brain without realizing it.
In today’s world, it’s important to be a jack-of-all-trades, especially since companies are streamlining (and in some cases eliminating) positions.
When you think with both sides of your brain, you can go more places in your career. You’re flexible and trust me, flexible is where you want to be in a world where job descriptions change as often as people change their underwear.
When I graduated college, the economy was in the toilet. My first job was unrelated to my career in public relations. While I was looking for a job in my field, I knew I had to keep my skills sharp.
So I started blogging. As I began writing regularly, I became better and better at it. In that time I landed a job and it was my writing and marketing skills that led to several promotions. My bosses liked that I was a blogger — it showed I was committed to cultivating my writing, both inside and outside of work.
As freelance bloggers, we have a tendency to keep our 9-5 and blogging separate. We go to work and put in our hours, often without thinking of how we can apply the skills we’ve learned as bloggers to our careers (or vice versa).
Don’t hold back.
Take what you’ve learned as a blogger and apply it to your job. Offer ideas that go beyond your job description. Drafting content for a website? Ask who’s tracking web analytics. Suggest keywords that will improve the SEO of your company’s website. Trust me, your boss and colleagues will be impressed.
2: You look human
Let’s face it: when we blog, we’re putting our innermost thoughts and feelings on display for the entire world. Some may say that is a detriment to your career, but I say it can benefit you. Here’s why:
There’s no distinction between work and personal life anymore — social media blurred those lines a long time ago. Now everything you do can be seen by someone else. And that’s good for your career.
Think about it. People gravitate toward companies that are transparent and real. That goes for the company’s employees too.
If a prospective client or customer checks out your company on LinkedIn, comes across your profile and stumbles upon your blog, what will he or she see? They’ll see someone who’s relatable. A thought leader in the industry. Someone they want to work with.
Suddenly your company is looking pretty darn credible. And that’s good for business growth. Not to mention your salary — studies show experts in a particular field are usually offered higher salaries.
Your blog can also help you garner credibility among those inside your company. A few months ago I was talking with an executive about the power of social media and how to promote the company on LinkedIn. I wasn’t just giving him information I had read somewhere — I was speaking to my own experience marketing my blog.
3: You know what the real stories are (and how to find them)
You’re sitting in a meeting brainstorming new ideas for that next campaign and naturally, there are other people in the room competing with your ideas. But you’re not worried. Why? Because you know how to tell a freaking great story.
In my day job as a public relations specialist, I tell stories for a living. Every time I pitch a member of the media, I’m telling a story. And since I started blogging, I’ve noticed that my pitching has actually gotten better. I know which angles to take to hook a reporter, just as I know which angles to focus on in a blog post to appeal to my readers.
But will *your* storytelling skills translate over to your career?
Sure. After all, you’ve been telling your own story on your blog for a while now. That makes you experienced enough to give your company suggestions about which ideas will resonate with consumers and which ones won’t. And when your boss and colleagues ask you how you know whether a certain idea will generate interest, just point them to your blog. You’ve got real-life experience to back up your ideas, which makes you a walking case study.
Your company really should thank you (and maybe give you a raise too).
4: You make shit happen
Even though you work full-time, you found time to start a blog, didn’t you? You know how to juggle 20 different things at once and still have time to brush your hair in the morning (maybe).
Many people have trouble figuring out how long it will take them to do something. Or they spend too much time talking about what they’re doing instead of actually doing it. Not you. You immerse yourself in a project, get it done, and then you’re on to the next. You don’t waste a second — because that would leave less time for your blog.
Because you don’t waste time and you’re super efficient at getting your work done, your employer trusts you. And when you’ve got your boss’ trust, you have more flexibility. More flexibility = more time for blogging. You get what I’m saying here, right?
5: You know how to market yourself like a pro
If you’re a freelance blogger with a full-time job, you add credibility to your company — simply by association.
As freelance bloggers we can’t rely on merely writing posts. We need to market our blog to the public. People aren’t going to read your stuff just because it exists. You’ve got to make them want to read it. And that involves some good old-fashioned marketing.
How does that help your employer? Well, you can translate the marketing tactics you use for your blog into your everyday work.
For example, next time you’re on a new business presentation, you know which ideas to zero in on to really wow the potential client. When it comes down to it, marketing is all about effective communication and since you can communicate in a way others understand, well, everyone’s just putty in your hands.
Here’s the thing. We all have to market ourselves at work, right? We have to let our bosses know how our projects are doing and tout our own success. It’s all part of the corporate grind — and if you’re not marketing yourself, someone else could get the next big opportunity you deserve.
The same thing happens in the blogging world. If you’re not out there pitching yourself and your blog, you could miss the next opportunity to snag a great client or write a sponsored post for a blog targeting readers in your niche.
Next time you head into work wishing you could just stay home in your pajamas drinking cappuccinos and blogging all day (if only the life of a freelance blogger were that glamorous), think about how blogging has given you the skills to totally rock your job, help your company make more money and boost your career.
And the further you get in your career, the more opportunities you’ll have to do what you really want to do — blog for a living.
Has blogging helped your 9-5? What tips can you share to help bloggers channel their skills into their day jobs?
Samantha Scruggs says
I agree with you, it can be helpful to your career to blog part-time, but there are other ways in which you have to be careful. First of all, if you are blogging during your working hours and neglecting your job, that might be an issue. When I first started blogging, I found that I would OBSESS over my blog. I had to learn to let things go, like a pop-up notification of a comment that had to wait until later, or a great idea I just had, but had other notes to work on, etc. I find that blogging, since it is your own baby and creation, can sometimes take up your mind-space more than your work can.
Also, with me – I am working in health care as well – I do have to worry about HIPAA. A patient may inspire a blogging idea, but if I get too specific then that’s a BIG issue. It’s especially hard when patients pass away or give me a great idea and I want to remember their livelihood, but then I physically CAN’T without violating HIPAA. So you do have to be careful. But otherwise, great article and I totally agree! It does show your employer that you have motivation in yourself and your career OUTSIDE of your workplace, which can never be negative.
Michelle Vroom says
Hi Samantha – all great points. There has to be a balance between your day job and your blog. Sometimes I have ideas about my blog during the workday and I have to make sure to write them down so I can focus on them when I get home. You also make a good point about being careful what you write about, especially if it pertains to your career. I usually don’t blog about anything I’m working on at my job – much safer that way!
Gordon Conner says
Interesting post and something all of us 9-5er’s need to remember. But we should also look at the other side of that coin. Maybe our job is also helping our freelance blogging. My job is selling home improvement products. One of my blogging niches is real estate. Waalaa!
Michelle Vroom says
Really interesting point, Gordon – it definitely goes both ways. Maybe you should pitch a post about that very topic! I know I would definitely read it 🙂
Melissa @ Sunburnt Saver says
This is a really great reminder that I’m not burning both ends, as an employee and as a freelance blogger. I actually am bringing MORE to the table! 🙂
Michelle Vroom says
That’s right, Melissa! All that work definitely pays off 🙂
Ivana says
Michelle- how comforting as I am sitting here on a Saturday writing a blog post and wishing I could do that during the week and have my weekends to relax more. I think, however, that you are right!
One of the main things for me is that I try to learn and get inspiration from my employer, too. I started working for a software startup this year, and the company’s agility and Imperfect Actions/Fail Fast approach have encouraged me to be move forward faster with my writing career.
Michelle Vroom says
Hi Ivana – thanks for your comment. Definitely agree – our jobs can be great sources of inspiration for our blog. I’ve learned some new tools at my current job that I can apply to my blog, which is awesome. Just goes to show having a 9-5 and a blog makes you even more powerful 🙂
Chris says
Great article Michelle! I agree with all your points, and would say that blogging has made better at expressing my opinions at my day job since blogging requires me to say what I mean in a clear and effective way. Being an accountant, this is an valuable skill when trying to present a complicated financial concept to a non-accountant at work.
Michelle Vroom says
Glad to hear blogging has made you a more effective communicator, Chris. I’ve found that to be true for me as well. It forces you to think about the angle that’s going to be most effective in getting you what you need AND resonate with the person you’re speaking to. And you’re absolutely right – it’s such a valuable skill, especially when working in a complicated industry filled with jargon (not that we do…I mean, accounting & health care are super simple to understand, right? :))
Carlye Cunniff says
Thanks for the great article–I don’t work a typical 9-5, but do work 40 hours a week and am trying desperately to make it as a freelancer. I love the inspirational aspect of your post. I am finding that I sometimes walk a fine line when I blog and work though- I work for small business that is not particularly organized, and I blog about a lot of issues surrounding small business owners and artistic freelancers–so I have to be careful that I’m not smearing the business I work for, or letting my frustration with my current employment shine through too much.
Michelle Vroom says
Hi Carlye – glad you enjoyed the post. We definitely have to walk a fine line with the content we include in our blogs. But kudos to you for staying committed to blogging even while working 40 hours a week – it’s not easy, but the payoff is big!
Amy Dunn Moscoso says
Hi Michelle,
Great post and I agree – doing both benefits everyone, when it’s done professionally and with respect to the employer (as Samantha points out).
I also think it makes you a lot more valuable as an employee and helps you build a personal brand that puts you in demand. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an agency publicist/content specialist, if you don’t develop your own byline/portfolio, it’s like it never happened.
I think it makes you think differently and more efficiently as well.
Thanks for sharing!
Michelle Vroom says
Hi Amy – great point about the portfolio/byline! We have to be our own brand managers and that means promoting our blogs and devoting time to them outside of work. An online portfolio also helps you get a leg up when looking for a job. Thanks for sharing!
Pete Boyle says
Hey Michelle,
Some great points here that I couldn’t agree more with, blogging really is a great way to improve your career and the view your superiors have of you.
I also think that there are a few business opportunities for you to expand your blogging business and experience.
If your company doesn’t have a blog or needs extra contributors there’s an opportunity there. With the company connections you’ll have it should be easy to add an extra client to your business, increase your experience and samples and potentially get a few hours at work a week in which to write.
One of my very first writing gigs was writing for my part time employer. They asked me to do a piece after discovering it’s what i did when I wasn’t at their office.
Michelle Vroom says
Love it, Pete. Why not put your blogging to use for your employer too? I think that’s a great suggestion about contributing to the company blog – most businesses don’t have blogs but should. Another great way for us to put our expertise to good use!
Stephanie says
I completely agree! I think blogging is also a great way to show your company, future clients and future boss that you are pretty darn awesome at what you do. And that’s what we all want right?
Michelle Vroom says
Exactly, Stephanie 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Marissa Richardson says
The good thing about blogging and having a job is that you have more money to go toward building your business (hopefully). That setup makes it easier to reach the point where you can live of the profits of your business comfortably, a.k.a “The Dream.”
Marissa
Gerry Legister says
I would like to start writing for fun and cash
Steve says
Hi,
I’m Steve. I’m interested in advertising on your site.
I wanted to ask do you publish sponsored posts on your website? And, if you do, how much do you charge for such service?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Regards,
Steve