For many of you, blogging is not just a hobby, but a means to an end. Lots of bloggers begin sharing their thoughts and ideas online in order to build a reputation outside of their 9 to 5 job. The hope is that they can eventually craft a new career for themselves doing what they really love – writing or being a part of whatever industry or niche they blog about. Blogging can and does bring about unexpected opportunities for people – just look at Gabi Gregg, the young fashion blogger who was recently selected to work for MTV as its first “Twitter Jockey.”
I know once I added a “Hire Me” tab to my blog years ago, I did begin receiving more speaking invitations that were paid gigs instead people asking me to do stuff for free all the time. It could definitely have the same effect for you!
Today’s assignment
Add a “Hire Me” page or tab to your blog to let your readers know that you are open for business, whether it be consulting, freelance writing, speaking engagements, side gigs, or new job opportunities. You never know who might come across your blog, whether it be potential clients or recruiters for certain job fields.
Here are a few examples of “Hire Me” pages that you might use for inspiration:
Let us know what happens, if anything, after you add your “hire me” page to your blog. For those that already have one, has it had any effect?
I really like your hire me page. I too was thinking really, can I do this, but I realize I just to have to put it out there and maybe some of the stuff I am doing because I like to do it – like writing – will earn me some cash. If you don't ask, you'll never know, right?
Good idea and thank you for your feedback.
Thanks. I am planning on adding some more update examples.
Thank you for your feedback.
@Nikita
It's available on wordpress. You just past the following on the page where you want the form to appear:
[contact-form]
Then you will see either a form asking for name, email and message (when user is not logged into wordpress) or just a box for a message (if they are logged in).
Thanks!
That's great! Comparing yourself to pink nail polish is genius.
Well done! I also like knowing where you have contributed to.
I love the contact form. How did you do that?
Yay! I was freaked out by the idea of this assignment initially, but I'm proud of what I've come up with. I'll tweak and improve it as I move forward, but I think it's a good start. Feedback is VERY much welcomed. Please and thank you!
http://www.nikitatmitchell.com/2010/08/hiring-m…
Okay, this was hard for me because I have different skill sets and my blog isn't necessarily one of them…. but here goes nothing:
http://www.myhairisme.com/p/consultations-commu…
Woot woot!!!
That and our natural hair
I need to update my twitter avatar
Hey Charron! I've been meaning to tell you that I have a Master's in Organizational Leadership & Ethics! We have something in common!
Thank you Kim for the head's up. I believe that this will apply to me as I've been doing everything under the name of my blog. I am going to look into the laws here in California.
I just added my page. Please take a look and let me know your thoughts. Thanks much.
http://thecandyshoppe.wordpress.com/buy-me/
I love the page. You've listed your specialities, have examples, and it looks neat and clean!
Thanks so much, Nicole! I appreciate it! And I love the layout and colors of your blog; purple is my favorite!
Art, looks great! Very clean and easy to follow.
Looks great Elle! I like your template too, very pretty without screaming “girly”
Thanks Elle! That was my initial reaction too, but I like confirming my thoughts
Thanks for the reply!
It is worth noting that once you start getting jobs, you probably should look into business registration laws. If your business is just your name, you don't need to register the business name, but as soon as you're “open for business” you become a sole proprietorship and there are legal obligations based on that. But that being said, running a sole proprietorship is pretty easy. Just make sure you're aware!
Great idea. Will definitely do it!
Lovin' this assignment. My hire-me page is up and I would love some feedback. Thanks.
http://www.artiatesiadeal.com/hire-me/
I think that what you do on your personal/non-work time is your business. It may be akward if your blog is related to your job, but if it's not, I think you should be ok. Just treat it like a part-time job. There are tons of people who have those. And even when I worked at a large corporation, I still worked on my side hustle. You just have to make sure your day job work gets done and doesn't suffer. As long as it doesn't, no one should have anything negative to say. And your co-workers may hire you on your side work!
I created a “Hire Me”. I had some info on my “About Elle” page, but I didn't elaborate. The creation of a different page, whose sole purpose is to promote me as a writer, is a great idea! It allowed me to state what I can do. I am very excited to see what great things can come of this!
http://bit.ly/bGv5KS
This was a really interesting assignment. I wrote a post about this assignment and my skills which I believe I could be hired for. http://npgold.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/hire-me-…
For those of us with Day Jobs at Large Corporations whose readers may also include co-workers, is there a way of saying “Hire Me” without crossing lines? I just don't want to send the perception that I'm not working hard at said Day Job or that I'm trying to find a new Day Job. Thoughts or suggestions anyone?