While working on this blog, a coworker stopped by and asked the million dollar question "but how do you get people to read and look at your blog"?  A lengthy discussion ensued. Some of the key points we talked about in marketing your blog were:

*Know your audience.  If you are producing a blog with a special purpose (such as this one) you need to do your best to fulfill the needs of the niche your are working within.

*Get your blog publicized, be it via links from other blog sites, a website that addresses the same type of information you are working with, or a Facebook page with link information.

*Working in a Career Center provides an opportunity to post information in the "old-fashioned way"  - - by putting up flyers with the URL listed.

*Word of mouth is also a marketing method.  While talking to students inquiring about employment, it is easy to give them the information about the blog.

*Marketing is pointless if you don't provide current and relevant information on your blog. 

It seems like the more I search online, the more I find resources and helpful sites. A good website with multiple resources and links is the Worksource Oregon website which I just added to my  suggested reading list.   This site provides information on everything from navbigating disability to unemployment information.  It provides lists of jobs and a very interesting site is the Career Pathway is a series of connected education and training programs and student support services that enable individuals to secure a job or advance in a demand industry or occupation. Career Pathways site, which has a "focus on easing and facilitating student transition from high school to community college; from pre-college courses to credit postsecondary programs; and from community college to university or employment."  That is what we are all about here in the Career Work Center at Chemeketa.  Check out this site for links to valuable information and helpful hints. Worksource Oregon Information

Back in the dark ages of the 80's, when PC's were first becoming more commonplace, I recall an IT manager saying that  the only way to ever get proficient with them was to spend time at the keyboard.  That is just what I've been doing over this damp, drenching weekend. With the amazing amount of information available on the web, it is challenging to sort through and find pertinent, quality sources of information.  One site I found that has a strong marketing focus for community colleges is Career Focus. This site connects you to their e-zine, blog, and a host of other information. It can be found at this url:   http://careerfocusconsortium.org/eZine. I checked out the blog at http://careerfocusconsortium.org/blog.  I am still reading through their information, but so far am finding some really intriguing ideas presented here. Check it out!