Blogging Your Way into Professional Tweeting

Amy Gilmer

So the story goes that the phrase Web Log, was shortened to Weblog, then cleverly converted to We Blog, and so now we refer to a stream of internet posts and updates as a Blog.

Today, the content of blogs is as diverse as their designs. Because they are extremely inexpensive and easy to get up and running, it is possible for anyone and everyone to have a blog. Artists, politicians and businesses alike are now taking advantage of their community oriented design.

Blogs are especially effective when tied in with other social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. Efficiently using social media is a skill that is constantly being redefined.

“Social media is so new that sometimes you see the client managing it themselves, sometimes you’ll see the brands PR agency managing it, and sometimes it will be their advertising agency, ” said University Oregon graduate Amy Gilmer. “(The Media Manager) is someone who acts as the brand on Facebook, Twitter, writing blog posts, and basically interacting with the consumer in social media space…I kind of bring the consumers perspective to things I guess.”

Amy has worked on advertising campaigns for Apple, specifically before the launch of the original iPad, and got the job as a Media Manager for BBDO thanks in part to her blog, Eliza-Louise.

BBDO is one of the world’s largest advertising agencies and also popular through pop culture thanks to consistent mentions in the show Mad Men.

“I was working in advertising, in a different area. More managing clients in account services. I had my own blog on the side. They approached me about doing something in the digital space because they knew that I understood blogging and therefore likely social media,” she said.

Cristina Dunning

Blogging is considered so important within the realm of social media that many students looking to pursue careers in social media are now required to start up and maintain their own blogs.

“I had to start blogging for a class project, but once the class is over I know that I’m going to continue blogging,” said Crisitina Dunning. “I think I’m going to make the blog pretty social. That way when I’m in an interview they can see my portfolio, resume and work experience. But if that’s not enough and they want to see how I’d fit in the office, and how I’d get along with everybody they can see my blog.”

Stu Holdren started a blog about the NBA as a release from the stresses of his day job. Always interested in basketball and journalism the NBA blog was a perfect fit. It also recently helped him land a social media job with a major basketball apparel company.

Stu Holdren

“It would grow because I kind of became a part of a community that would write about the NBA. When you know that people are reading your stuff and interacting with it, it kind of propels it along,” he said. “Also just having a knowledge of the topic really helped me. And I wanted to put my work on display so I could market myself in the future in regards to NBA content. It didn’t necessarily land me an NBA job, but it got me a job related to NBA basketball.”

Amy has found her blog also helps her keep her sanity.

“It’s something that I started out doing for fun two or three years ago. I think I was reading a lot of blogs before that and I just kind of decided that I needed a creative outlet for myself. Even though I work in advertising, a very creative industry, I’m not a designer or art directory. So I really did need an outlet. It’s sort of evolved since then. I’ve kind of brought my hobbies onto my blog. One interest I have is flea markets, and finding little vintage treasures. So what I love to do is blog about the different flea markets I go to. And then there’s also the digital fashion aspect as well. I love watching how technology influences fashion. There’s so much happening in the online space…Generally speaking my blog is style and digital. There’s a lot of fashion but I also like to incorporate interior design kind of stuff to. Whatever I find astatically pleasing or motivates me I share on there. It’s like my canvas.”

Being active with social media in your personal life is a great way to gain experience and begin to understand how to use the mediums efficiently. People looking to begin careers in the field should reach out to local businesses for internship opportunities, as a way to begin building work experience.

“You want to show that you understand the importance of posting regularly, and also the importance of posting things that are relevant,” Amy said. “Really showing that you are comfortable and understand how the space works. If it’s something someone’s interested in they should be passionate about it and learning about it. Because especially with social media, things are changing so fast.”