I’ll start by saying this post is not intended to be arrogant or self indulgent in any way, but I know my only writing style can’t avoid sounding that way, so just a heads up. And for this to make any sense, you’ll need to read Stan Lee’s article, Blogs Apart from this month’s Marketing Magazine.
It’s certainly an interesting read, one that I’d suggest is unnecessarily cynical and perhaps just another dig I’ve come to expect from older generations. And I can’t help but think that with less than a handful of Australian marketing student bloggers out there, it might not even be all that relevant. Yet I feel one of us should probably respond. So here’s my thoughts as to how I perceive the article personally.
To me, this blog is just a conversation starter. In many ways it’s my resume. And just like you’d be stupid to employ someone based on their resume alone, the same goes for bloggers. But it’s a foot in the door somewhere, where I’m then given the chance to prove myself. I’ve actually recently come to the decision I don’t necessarily want to work just in the social media area, but definitely in an agency. This blog, I hope, will help me indirectly achieve that goal. Even if it’s just because someone’s happy to grab a coffee or beer with me.
Even the most talented graduate in the country is useless if no one’s heard of them, right? Especially when you consider how many positions are never advertised but rather are filled through a network’s word of mouth. I’m thinking writing a blog like this one is a great way for someone to begin to “know the right people”.
Now I realise I criticise the industry. A lot. Probably too much. But if there’s anything I’ve learnt about this industry is how cut throat, back stabbing and competitive it is. I’m certainly not the only one criticising, I’m just not doing it behind everyone’s backs. Perhaps the only reason I publish it with my name attached is because I’ve got nothing to lose but I think every point I raise is a worthy one, and hopefully something other people agree with or are willing to discuss, even if not publicly.
As for the expert claim, I don’t think there’s a single student blogger who claims this. I think some might suggest they could provide insights, even without practical experience, but none of them are claiming a guru status. And you know what, I think insights without experience can still be valuable if taken for what they are.
The one thing I’d probably agree with Stan on is the issue about telling employers how things should be done. This is something I’m quite passionate about, and again, I’m only going to offer my insight, but Gen Y are not going to “bow down to employers”. That’s not how you’re going to attract and retain talent. I see it more as something people can take on board or not… more or less like Stan’s article.
As for the suggestion that blogs are only important if people Stan considers important read them… well I don’t even know where to start there.
This blog has been responsible for (and here comes the arrogant part) landing myself an internship, started a business, doing some incredible networking most graduates would kill for, writing for Marketing Magazine and The Punch and a whole lot more. Perhaps one of the most important, is that it’s helped me realise a passion, one I could spend every day for the rest of my life doing. Criticise that.
And please, if you ever see a spelling mistake on this blog it will be corrected immediately. Likewise for a sentence that doesn’t make sense.
So to any students or graduates out there thinking about starting a blog, my advice is ignore Stan’s article. Do it. And if you do, remember that starting conversations, no matter if you do it through controversy, criticising the industry or bad grammar, is better than writing a blog about ads and quotes you find interesting. ;]
