If you have been pondering making your pitch to become a new columnist/blogger for Examiner.com, check out this article I stumbled upon that offers one reporter’s view of the opportunity. Be sure to read the reader comments in response to this post to appreciate the more complete picture.
For my two cents, consider if posting on a widely viewed platform like Examiner is going to deliver the right readers to build the buzz about your particular expertise or if you would be better served to launch a blog of your own. When you join an existing platform, you save yourself the task, trouble, and expense of setting up your own blog. You join an established and fast growing community. However, you may be precluded from using affiliate links and actively promoting your own products or services. You may not be able to deploy revenue generating tools like Google Adsense or paid advertising on your own behalf as an Examiner. These are all factors to consider as you make the moves that serve your interests best.
As for me, I’ve been blogging here for 18 months and appreciate the freedom I have to say what I want and build my readership and my business as an independent blogger. Blogging has been the single most powerful tool I’ve deployed to build the buzz about my do-it-yourself (DIY) publicity expertise. Of that, I have no doubt.
By the way, a story about Seattle Chocolate Company CEO Jean Thompson ran in Betsy Talbot’s Women in Business Examiner Blog yesterday. Today, the Smart Brief for the National Confectionery Association picked up that story, bringing the message to Jean’s industry. You never know how far and wide a story will travel, thanks to the power and impact of internet links.
Best-Selling Author of “What Would Google Do?” Jeff Jarvis says, “The link changes everything.” He also says, “Do what you do best and link to the rest.” Right on.
