If you are just getting started with blogging as part of a personal branding effort, congratulations! You have made a very wise choice. Blogging is one of the most effective ways you can document and articulate how you can help others with things that matter to them, which to me is the core of personal branding.
Blogging demonstrates that you are willing to assume responsibility for and make a commitment to your own personal development. It also demonstrates a commitment to learning and continual improvement. The only way to really make a mistake with blogging is to start and then quit – so don’t quit!!
Watch this brief video for some tips, and be encouraged!
Related Posts:
Personal Branding: Blog for the people that need your value NOW!
Personal Branding: Blogging – Just do it!
Three Essential Components of Your Personal Brand Online
You should follow me on twitter here.
Great advice for those interested but not yet started blogging. Lots of real estate agents in this group. Thanks for your leadership. Mike
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Thanks for visiting my site, watching the video, and leaving a comment, Mike. Blogging is one of the best things I have done for myself in the last decade, but getting started can be daunting. Now that I am doing it I know that ANYONE can do it – and should! Thanks! Bret
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Wow! I love how you make it so simple for me. You are turning that “overwhelming” feeling into tasks. My mind gets freed up from listening to you. Encouraging, motivating.
You Rock Bret! I feel like a super woman, as if you are by my side.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 11:50 am
You are off to a great start, Paris! Just keep it up, keep learning, and don’t quit. Six months from now you will look back and be very pleased with your efforts. Thanks! Bret
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Great tips and very consistent with your other blogs. You obviously believe that video blogging is more effective than just a written blog. It seems intuitive but I wondered if there is any data supporting the use of video blogging? And how difficult is it to create a video? Thanks
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I am a BIG fan of video blogging. Tune in tomorrow and my blog post will be about the use of video. I don’t have data to support video, but Dan Schwabel wrote a blog post this morning and predicted it will only become more popular. I agree. Creating a video is fast and easy and the learning curve is not bad. We can talk and I can show you how if you are interested. Thanks, Shane! Bret
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Everything you said is relevant for all writers: keep at it, don’t stop and improvement comes with practice. Your videos make me feel as if I have a coach in my computer!
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
You do have a coach, Susan!! I am committed to your success so please let me know what else I can do to help. Thanks!! Bret
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Bret:
You serve as an inspiration for those seeking to release their “voice”.
I’d recommend Valeria Maltoni’s blog Conversation Agent (http://www.conversationagent.com). She shares a decade of wisdom and pragmatic advice about the intersection of social media and companies on the Internet. She understands the nuances of using blogging to move one’s vision and purpose forward with integrity.
I’ll continue to follow.
Charley
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Thanks for the kind words and the tip to Valeria’s website. I will check it out! I hope we hear from you again – thanks! Bret
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This is some great advice you offer here, Bret. And I haven’t had a chance to tell you how much I’m enjoying seeing you through these video presentations.
One point I often get asked about writing for a blog is how do you figure out what to write about. Invariably, in discussing the question more, one key issue that arises is that feeling of hesitation, of putting oneself out there in sharing some idea or information. What I often suggest to overcome this fear is that people look at writing for their blog as if they’re at a cocktail party, of how the ideas, thoughts and stories you’d feel comfortable sharing in such a venue is ripe territory for content you could share through your blog.
Thanks Bret for sharing your experience on this. And I agree with Charles that Valeria’s site is a great one to check out.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Good advice, Tanveer! I think putting yourself out there and making a commitment to your thoughts is one of the biggest benefits of having a blog. It really brings clarity to your value and values. Thanks!! Bret
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Great advice. Good content. Unfortunately when speaking, you and I suffer from overuse of filler words (e.g. “like” and “um”.) I am so glad I am not the only one that does this.
Anyway, I am working on fluently expressing my thoughts without the use of fillers and challenge you to do the same. Fillers are “trash words” — you obviously don’t use them when you write, so you don’t need them when you talk. Throw them in the trash! Then, let me know what technique worked for you to eliminate them. (Still a public speaking issue for me.)
I love your site. Keep the good posts coming. I’m linking to your blog in my blogroll.
cheers,
John
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
November 13th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Welcome, John. That’s funny you point that out because I DO notice it. I seem to do it more at the start. Honestly, even though I know those are “trash” words and agree we should try as much as possible to eliminate them, most people speak just like that. One main message I am trying to send with video it just do it, don’t worry about being perfect. Be yourself. So all my lighting, sound, and speech issues in these videos are part of my brand, and I am comfortable with that.
So…um….like… Thanks!! Bret
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Bret,
What a great video and I loved the advice given. I am going to re-post your video on my blog if you don’t mind. I always love to see great content around the subject of Personal Branding.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Thanks, Otis. I appreciate you visiting my site and sharing my thoughts. Bret
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