By Erica Mueller | Leave A Comment
A blog without a face is like an empty picture frame; beautiful, but hardly worth revisiting.
This question may seem a bit silly at first, and your immediate answer is sure to be “Why, of course!”
So, why do I ask? Because this week I received the single most wonderful compliment that I have ever been given on my blog. The post commented on wasn’t information packed. It was no highly-sought after tutorial or blogging advice. This post was a story; a personal dream shared with the world. A post in which I combined my story with a review, and a vlog… a video of me singing. I labeled it: Trying SingSnap… The Post in Which I Make a Fool of Myself.
Yes. I said a video. Of me. Singing. (My chances of a career in the music industry have just been reduced to zero.)
The comment I want to tell you about came from someone I do not know; a first-time commenter on my blog. This dear soul said:
…You didn’t make a fool of yourself. You just made yourself more human to everyone that watches this.
More human.
Five years from now, when people are talking about my blog, what I would like most to overhear is that I was a human blogger; that I:
- wasn’t afraid to be myself, remained true to who I am instead of trying to be like everyone else
- was confident enough in my content to attach my real name to everything I do
- treated my readers like real people, showing them the appreciation I feel for their participation
I know that mom bloggers in particular have concerns about using their real names, pictures of their family, and sharing anything that might put their family in danger. These fears are real, and rightfully so. But, I also know that if we wish to be taken seriously, we are going to have to get personal. We can leave out the kids real names, or refrain from posting their photos on public websites. We can say what state we’re in without giving the world our house number.
A few tips for the Human Blogger:
- Use your real name and a picture of yourself; put a name and a face to the ‘voice’ of your blog.
- Video Blog! Draw people in with a vlog! When you’re captured on video, your readers get to see your personality and hear your voice; there is a real connection there.
- Share a story. Go ahead, embarrass yourself. Admit to the clutter in the closet, the time you almost left your child at home when you went out, the day you had to chase the doggy down the road in your pj’s… Invite your readers to laugh with you. Being human can be a good thing.
- Ask for advice. Give your readers a chance to speak.
- Show your appreciation. Whether you use one of their comments in a post and link back to them, respond to their comments and questions, or install a loyal commenters widget in your side bar, let your readers know you care and you appreciate their involvement!
Allow me to ask that question again:
Are you a human blogger?
ABOUT Erica Mueller
Erica is a geek mom through and through. Her passion is helping small businesses and bloggers put th{read more}
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Excellent post! Isn’t that what we’re looking for when we read a blog… reading the thoughts of a person. Not the thoughts of a newspaper, a magazine or a corporation but the thoughts of a human?
One of my favourite blogs is just that because I feel as though when I read it I’m sitting over tea with the blogger catching up on her week. You made some great points and reminders here that I am going to put to use in my own blog.
Thanks for sharing.
Shannon,
Yes, you are right. The blogs we connect with most are those that tell great stories… the post that make us laugh till we cry, or those that remind us we’re not the only ones. The beauty of blogging is the journal style in which posts can be written. They don’t have to be like newspaper or magazine articles.
Loved your post on TW! The whole lines in the sand thing is so true. Life happens, things change.
Great post! I’m a new blogger and appreciate the tips from more seasoned bloggers like yourself… Thanks! – Michelle
Thanks, Michelle. I just visited your blog and I love the canvases your kids painted! They look AWESOME in your living area!!
I love connecting with moms. I remember I was ten the first time I baby sat my neighbor’s son, Jon Jon. I was so scared . I still can see his room and their front door, silly that I can’t even see his face anymore, but can see the diaper. Well , that started my love of children. I was a Speech Therapist and then created Empty Nest Support Services when my daughter was a senior in high school. It wasn’t easy that silent room of hers , no teacher meetings, no school community, school fair, soccer, theater, sleep overs, dance, volleyball, birthday parties, field trips. Well, I am sure you can relate to the list on the refrigerator of schedules. She and I still have a great relationship . Thank goodness. I am loving my new freedom beyond parenting. Wow, she is a college graduate ! Life is good. Natalie Caine
I love all of these tips! have to admit, I haven’t vlogged yet… scared to!!
I really do try to expose myself… am working on confessing to my insecurities.
Loved all of these reminders… and am encouraged to vlog now!
I AM a human blogger! Minus the Vlog, haven’t done one of those yet.
Found your post thru PBmom (in her hair) and think it’s fantastic. I love the points you have made and this is a huge part of why I love blogging. For me, it’s a release that shows various sides of me, and for reading others (I’m OK if they don’t share their names, but they have to be real and human anyway!) I just love to hear their stories. Thanks for the great post!