This Week- Don’t be an information hog- blog, and don’t be a twit- Tweet.
Don’t miss last week’s post, Part 1: Don’t miss a friend; Facebook.

Blogs abound on the internet. Everyone, it seems, has something to say. Whether what they say is worth the time it takes to type it, or for you to read it for that matter, may be another story entirely.

Image by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

If you want to be a graphic designer, blogging is one trick you won’t want to miss. Ok, I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t want to waste time talking about graphic design, I want to be doing graphic design. Duh.”

Duh, indeed. Designers who spend all their time blogging, tweeting and surfing the ‘web in search of more promotional opportunities are not going to make it as designers, because their portfolios will be sadly lacking. On the flip side, designers who do not spend time surfing the web and seeking out those luscious morsels of promotional goodness aren’t going to get ahead either. Their portfolios may be stellar, but if nobody knows who you are, how are you going to sell yourself?

Are you hiding your talent? Image by Chris Dobson

Social media, as mentioned in last week’s post: Blog, Tweet & Facebook, Part 1- Don’t Miss a Friend, Facebook, is a source of a designers best friend: free advertising. Blogging is, simply put, an opportunity to go three steps past social media. It 1) allows you to reach a targeted audience- people interested in graphic design, including clients, 2) Gives you a chance to keep up on industry happenings as you exchange links with other bloggers, and 3) Shows clients you know what you’re talking about and presents them with a view of who you are as an artist and as a professional.

A blog lets you show clients who you really are. Image by Magnifyk.

In short, your blog is a chance to present potential clients with an informal resume. It’s an opportunity to brag about your accomplishments, to  interact with other designers, to get to know the competition, and to put yourself out there in a very accessible form for clients, which in turn, brings the work to your door.

Image by Find Your Search

A brief tweet about Twitter: Twitter is like blogging, but in shorthand form. Create a Twitter account, and think of meaningful things to say. Mix it up. Funny or inspiring quotes that express your philosophy can be a nice lightener to mix in with more serious quotes about the state of the industry, a comment about something you’ve seen or done, and news flashes about your latest projects and awards. Think of Twitter as “blogging lite”. It’s your chance to make small talk on a short elevator ride with your client- so don’t blow it. Keep your tweets simple, straightforward and helpful, informational or inspirational.

Tom Chu works for PsPrint and PsPrint Blog. When he’s not sitting behind a computer, Tom likes watching sci-fi movies and Japanese cartoons, hitting the golf course and playing with his four dogs. You can connect with Tom via Google+ or Twitter.