How to Create an Industry Specific Blog

Sign up for a free Blog site- There are many blogging sites that can get you set up with your new blog quickly. Some of the more popular are WordPress and Blogger. You don't have to pay for your own domain or server, because for this sort of blog, you can just use their free hosting. You will be able to select your name and write a short description of what your blog is about.

Select a theme or layout- This will establish the look and feel of your blog. Most blog sites offer ready made templates for you to choose from, and there are many other options available online for you to download for free. Be sure to make your blog look professional. This means keeping away from anything that looks like an old MySpace layout. Avoid sparkly glitter background or cartoon characters. The look you want is one that says “I am an expert in my field”.

Create a bio- Spend some time writing a short blurb about who you are and how long you have been in your field. This should end up in the About Me section, and it is a good idea to have a condensed version that you can add to the bottom of any posts your write.

Write 4 or 5 articles- You should write about what you know. For example, write about specific challenges in your industry or about things you have learned during your career. The articles should be between 250-450 words long, and should be fairly focused. Don't try to write everything you know in one article. Make each blog entry about one thing.

When you attend business functions, take pictures or notes- Even if you think it would be in poor taste to take photos during the event, bring a camera with you. You may want to take a picture of the conference location or other things outside the gathering place. These will be great to use in the articles you will write about the event. If the event is a party type atmosphere, you may be able to take photos of yourself with prominent people in your field. Be professional and if you think that taking pictures would be inappropriate, don't do it. If you take pictures with people, discreetly write down their names and brief description so that you will remember their names when you upload the photos.

Find other blogs in your industry- Do a web search and find other blogs that deal with your industry. Read over their articles and contribute to the conversation. Make sure that you comments are helpful or encouraging and resist any urges to get into a flame war or troll. Keep in mind that your comments will be on the internet forever, so don't say anything that you don't want on your permanent record. Be sure to add a link to your blog along with your comments.

Network with others- As you participate in discussions on other sites, add those bloggers to your Twitter or Linkedin accounts. Don't be afraid to ask the authors to visit your site. Building a network of industry specific bloggers can provide you with opportunities to promote your site and also keep you up to date with industry goings on and job openings.