By Cassy van Eeden

For modern journalists, not having a blog is equivalent of figuratively shooting yourself in the foot. Without one you are losing out on a number of opportunities that could enhance your career and the work that you produce.

You are a specialist in something

By default, being a journalist means that you have expert knowledge in some sort of field. No matter what you beat is, whether it is sport or gardening, you automatically have unique insight (or even an opinion) about the topic.

Content marketer and self-publisher, Michael B. Feishbein, says, “Having a blog and writing about important topics that are relevant to your audience establishes yourself as an authority in the space.”

Ryan Clements, lawyer and marketing professional, says that consistently blogging about a particular topic “can build into a unique expertise, which can lead to new business and career opportunities”.

Digital publisher and niche blogger, Adam Westbrook, says, “If your blog is the first place people go … you have established yourself as an expert in the field.” He adds that as an expert you are seen to be more credible and are more likely to secure a better job and be able to source better stories.

You need story ideas and you care about your audience

Like most online platforms, blogging is a great space to pick up on potential story ideas, do research and even gauge your audience’s reaction to something.

Westbrook notes that “Running a blog about your beat is a great way to connect to your audience on a new level.”

Blogging makes one of a journalist’s main functions – story hunting – easier and more efficient. By keeping an eye on the comments section of your blog as well as making yourself available for people to contact you, you are staying abreast of what your audience cares about. This means you can make informed decisions when researching and writing a story. This also broadens your list of contacts.

Westbrook says, “A blog keeps you in the loop hunting for stories.” He adds that blogs are “a great place to update new ideas and gives you a platform for research which might not make in to the mainstream.”

You have a reputation to uphold

A blog allows you to brand yourself and maintain that brand. Writer and blogger, Kelly Clay says, “Creating a brand around your own name can help carry you through your career, especially if you write for several publications or have very short contracts.”

She adds that: “A strong reputation behind your name can lead you to future opportunities that are often not presented to others who do not put forth the effort to build relationships with others, whether traditionally or via social media.”

Your blog can also act as an online portfolio of your work as well as a resume. You can share links to the content you have created in the past and to publications that you may currently be working on.

What do you think? Should all journalists have blogs? Do you have a blog? Please let us know in the comments below.