Build Your Personal Brand With a Blog

Jackie Huba at Church of the Customer points to a great example of a blog used by an individual to help build a personal brand and connect with the customer (in this case football fans and, I suspect, a few prospective girlfriends)

Ben Roethlisberger

He's the rookie quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a best ever 15-1 record last season and was named NFL's Rookie of the Year.

Roethlisberger has been blogging for exactly a year, albeit sparsely at first. Posts reflect his down-to-earth persona, wandering from the current weather in Pittsburgh to cleaning his house to house training his new puppy Zeus. Those posts probably won't be picked up by Sports Illustrated anytime soon but fans love it. One post generated 786 comments.

"And my favorite point from Huba - Some believe that blog posts must be witty, grammar-perfect and professional. Eh. Roethlisberger proves that blogging works when it comes from the heart."

Sidebar: Jackie and partner Ben McConnell are the authors of Creating Customer Evangelists -  a book I have on my must read list for small business marketers.

Now being the starting quarterback for an NFL team has its advantages when it comes to getting your blog noticed, but I think the marketing savvy real estate agent, insurance salesperson, financial planner or attorney can accomplish the same - build a personal brand and connect with prospects - using a blog