How (and why) to blog in tech

A beginners guide to how and why blogging should be important to you.

The reason I am writing this blog is as both a reminder to me, and as a means of encouragement to others who are in the same boat as I am. That boat consists of a lot of parameters that may apply to you. The key points here are why YOU should be blogging, and HOW you should be doing it! Ok, I am not professing to know everything about the world of blogging, and this isn't a step by step guide. It does however contain a few points that have kept me from jumping into the blogging world prior to...well...now.

So, here we go. Here are my top tips that I hope will help you on your blogging journey wherever you find yourself at this point.

Tip #1 - Don't be so picky about your content

How many times have you done a Google search for some mundane or obscure information that you need to get through your day? I myself rely on this every day to knock some work out when I am either missing a small bit of knowledge or even if it is something I haven't done in a while, and I remember there being a 'gotcha'. When you are completing your work, and you come across something like this it is easy to think that people already know this. It is even easier to think that if you publish your tip that maybe someone is going to read this and think, "wow, what an idiot...this is so obvious." But I guarantee you that this is not true. I have been on hundreds of calls where I show someone something so simple and they respond as to how valuable that information is. Matter of fact, I searched for how to do something in vRops a couple of years ago, and the first search item was a blog I wrote a couple of years prior.

Just publish it! If it isn't of value, no one will search for it!

Tip #2 - Your brand matters!

I am the first to admit that the constant personal branding on social media is exhausting. But we need to face the reality. Even if you aren't attempting to be the next great influencer, someone will eventually search for you whether it is as you are interviewing for a new job, or as you gain exposure professionally. Not only will they be looking for WHAT you have published, but that you have given back to the tech community at all. I like to think that I am starting to be more active in content creation because I want to share what I have learned in 20 or so years in this industry, but I would be lying if I wasn't motivated partially by the fact that I want people to see that contributing value is important to me. So, Google yourself in the eyes of a prospective employer, or colleague. What would your reaction be if you were searching for someone you are thinking of working with?

Tip #3 - Be vulnerable...ish

That sounds a bit touchy-feely, but seriously, it doesn't hurt to share mistakes you have made, interviews you bombed, things you need to work on, etc. You don't always have to be the expert, or the smartest person in the room. If you are the smartest person in the room, people will figure it out...you don't need to tell them. People will appreciate both the fact that you aren't always right or perfect, and how you reacted and learned from it.

Tip #4 - Keep it short, and provide screenshots!

I probably already broke this rule, but this cuts two ways. First, if you think that every time you blog about something that it needs to be a dissertation, you won't do it! Second, I know that the first thing I look for when I see a blog or article is the estimate for how long it will take me to read it. People will bounce if it is a 20 minute read, no matter how strong the content. Make your points, show images or screenshots to help guide people, and move on.

I hope this helps you in your blogging journey. And if it doesn't, at least I have a reference point for when I stray!