Hey friends! So I’m in the middle of revamping my personal blog (actually, stripping it down and going back to basics so it can be a space for more experimental writing). All this blog planning inspired me to think of a common concern a lot of bloggers come across: when it’s a good–or bad–idea to get personal on your blog.
To me, the immediate answer is all the time! It’s your blog, you own it, do whatever you want with it. And while that’s technically true, there are good and bad ways of presenting personal content. If your personal life isn’t a common subject, there are a few do’s and dont’s when it comes to adding this content to your blog.
Do: introduce the subject. A simple intro, like a quick explanation of what inspired you to cover this, will be helpful to readers. A lot of times when I see negative reader comments (though it’s not very good blog etiquette), often they’re thrown off by the shift in content. Context helps!
Do: have a point. Your blog may resemble your journal at times, but for the most part you want it to be more polished, right? (Especially if it generates income.) Having a point will help you define your angle, making for better content.
Do: edit + revise. Lighthearted content (like a fun roundup) may not require the thoughtful editing process that personal essay does, but if talking about a heavy subject, present it in a way that illustrates your point and has an effect on readers–not a jumbled stream of conscious. I’ve seen posts lose all credibility because emotion has overwritten craft and attention to detail. As a positive example, a blog that I think blends lifestyle + personal very successfully is Wit & Delight.
Do: ask a friend. If you’re unsure about whether a post would be well-received, ask a friend or fellow blogger to take a look. Even if you just share the concept rather than a draft, it helps to have an outside opinion. Just be sure it’s someone who’s familiar with what you do so they can offer constructive feedback. Awhile ago, my friend wrote a piece for our conscious living blog that she feared might be too personal–more specifically, that future employers might be turned off by. After reading, I thought they’d appreciate the honesty and ambition in the post, and I’m so glad she posted! I think it was a great “real” take on the world as written by a lifestyle blogger.
Instead of formal “dont’s”, which are basically the opposite of what I said above (ha), here are two things to consider before publishing:
1) Your own perspective/bias. You want your readers to keep an open mind when reading something personal, so you should be able to when writing it! Think of all the ways it could be interpreted.
2) Can you handle the reaction? You likely know your audience by now, but be mindful that you can’t control what people comment. Someone may react in an unpleasant way to you putting yourself out there… Are you prepared to process that reaction? If not you might not be ready to dive so deep!
That’s my take on getting personal with a lifestyle blog. I think personal stories bring people together and open minds, so if there’s a meaningful way you can incorporate this kind of narrative in your blog, I say go for it! And of course, we’d love to see what you do. Have you put yourself out there on your blog with personal stories?
Lisa // Fjords & Beaches says
I love these points! And especially the part about being personal/yourself ALL the time! :)
Oceana | M+M says
Definitely good points, I have to remember to introduce my subject and provide context. I often forget!
Marie-France says
Awesome post! I think that you are right – having a point and keeping things polished is especially important when it comes to personal content. ♥
Tasmin says
I find it very interesting reading posts that are slightly more personal.
Last year I had a good reaction to mine, titled ‘What I Learnt From… Getting Through Life’s Challenges’: http://tasminstalk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/what-i-learnt-from-getting-through.html?m=1
Tasmin ox