nita Bruzzese
I began blogging within the last couple of months because I really wanted a way to bring together the readers of my nationally syndicated workplace column for Gannett News Service and USA Today. I have received hundreds of letters over the last 15 years of doing the column, and thought it might be helpful to let readers connect directly with one another about workplace issues.
I’ve always believed that information is power, and I think that the personal experiences and opinions from people in the work trenches can be helpful. I know that I learn something each time I interview an expert or read a workplace/career book, and I thought that I could share even more of that information through the blog, in addition to getting the input from others who visit it.
To me, a blog is a way to continue the conversation I have with readers every week through the column. It’s a chance to say, “Oh, yeah, and one more thing…”
For my blog, I focus strictly on issues that affect people at work. Usually, I include information that I wasn’t able to fit in the column, or something interesting that I saw in another publication or that I discovered in research of a workplace topic.
I’m relatively new to the blogging experience, but I think it’s just like any other life experience. You have to reach out to others, you have to put aside your fears and just go for it in order to really experience what’s out there. I promote my blog mostly through my column and my Web site (www.anitabruzzese.com). And, of course, I like talking to other bloggers and learning about them.
I became a journalist more than 20 years ago, post-Watergate. I have always felt that being a journalist is a calling, that it is a service to others. I didn’t get into it for the money or the fame or the chance to be on some talk show where I try to out-yell another “journalist.” To me, being a journalist is a chance to help others understand issues, to help them function better and get more out of life. I think blogging is like that in a lot of ways. Many bloggers out there do feel they have a higher calling that they’re trying to shed light on subjects that need to be discussed and revealed. They, like me, want to serve their community.
I get a real kick out of it when someone writes something on my blog. I love interviewing people, and getting to know what makes someone tick. I think when someone writes on the blog, I’m getting another chance to see what a person is thinking. That’s always interesting. As for making money? The only benefit to me is if someone becomes more familiar with my name and then goes out and buys a book….
I’ve learned you’ve got to keep your posts short. I overdid it in the beginning and my blogging friends told me I was too long-winded. Now, I think of myself more as a facilitator… I just try and get people interested in a subject and then get out of the way and let them have at it. It’s much more meaningful when you give them pertinent facts and then let them apply it to their own lives. I don’t think anyone likes to be preached at for very long…they’ll quickly lose interest if they don’t get a chance to have their say.
I began blogging within the last couple of months because I really wanted a way to bring together the readers of my nationally syndicated workplace column for Gannett News Service and USA Today. I have received hundreds of letters over the last 15 years of doing the column, and thought it might be helpful to let readers connect directly with one another about workplace issues.
I’ve always believed that information is power, and I think that the personal experiences and opinions from people in the work trenches can be helpful. I know that I learn something each time I interview an expert or read a workplace/career book, and I thought that I could share even more of that information through the blog, in addition to getting the input from others who visit it.
To me, a blog is a way to continue the conversation I have with readers every week through the column. It’s a chance to say, “Oh, yeah, and one more thing…”
For my blog, I focus strictly on issues that affect people at work. Usually, I include information that I wasn’t able to fit in the column, or something interesting that I saw in another publication or that I discovered in research of a workplace topic.
I’m relatively new to the blogging experience, but I think it’s just like any other life experience. You have to reach out to others, you have to put aside your fears and just go for it in order to really experience what’s out there. I promote my blog mostly through my column and my Web site (www.anitabruzzese.com). And, of course, I like talking to other bloggers and learning about them.
I became a journalist more than 20 years ago, post-Watergate. I have always felt that being a journalist is a calling, that it is a service to others. I didn’t get into it for the money or the fame or the chance to be on some talk show where I try to out-yell another “journalist.” To me, being a journalist is a chance to help others understand issues, to help them function better and get more out of life. I think blogging is like that in a lot of ways. Many bloggers out there do feel they have a higher calling that they’re trying to shed light on subjects that need to be discussed and revealed. They, like me, want to serve their community.
I get a real kick out of it when someone writes something on my blog. I love interviewing people, and getting to know what makes someone tick. I think when someone writes on the blog, I’m getting another chance to see what a person is thinking. That’s always interesting. As for making money? The only benefit to me is if someone becomes more familiar with my name and then goes out and buys a book….
I’ve learned you’ve got to keep your posts short. I overdid it in the beginning and my blogging friends told me I was too long-winded. Now, I think of myself more as a facilitator… I just try and get people interested in a subject and then get out of the way and let them have at it. It’s much more meaningful when you give them pertinent facts and then let them apply it to their own lives. I don’t think anyone likes to be preached at for very long…they’ll quickly lose interest if they don’t get a chance to have their say.
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