> Make sure to have some kind of online portfolio (github is fine), a place to write about your experiences (a simple blog), and make sure to talk about the difficulties you had (plus how you solved them).

I think the critical thing is to document your experiences for your own use. It doesn't have to be in any particular form.

Online portfolios, open source, blogs, etc. can work very well - but they're just modes of expression. Some people take to them very well and use them very effectively, and that's great. But not everyone needs to have a coding blog. It's just one arrow in the quiver, and you should focus your time and attention wherever it will give optimal results for you.