One of the things I struggled with in blogging for a long time was finding my voice and sticking to it. It actually wasn’t until I got a job in LA where I proofread and prepped several daily blogs from authors with insanely different voices that I even realized I struggled. It was easier to take on their voice than figure out how to come up with my own. And this is after studying creative writing for four years. In my field, it’s really important to be able to recognize and take on different voices if need be—especially when it comes to helping businesses and bloggers. But at night when I sit down to write my blog, I don’t want to face an identity crisis. I want to be able to put forth my own original voice.
In 2015 I finally started experimenting with my posts until I found my own voice, one that’s authentic and unique, that really helps me deliver my message. For my personal blog that means being experimental—writing content that’s almost like prose when it accompanies a photo diary, for example, as well as being informative but relatable when I suggest products or career tips or shopping guides, too. All in all, embracing my personality and transferring it to WordPress.
At the same time I was finding my voice on my blog, as well as developing that of The Blog Market this year, I noticed a lot of bloggers embracing their own voices too. Some I really connected with and some not so much—which is to be expected. I think it’s common though for bloggers who are just starting out, or really trying to hustle and grow their websites as fast as possible, to skip the reflective part of developing a voice, and just go for what they think works. A lot of people take the voices of other successful bloggers, and try to emulate them, because they have obviously found success. This is a writing trick, designed to help you come into your own, where you pick out things from another’s work and try them with your own writing topic. But here’s the thing—you’re supposed to rewrite it all in your own voice afterward. You leave in things that feel so YOU, and take out all that doesn’t seem authentic. It’s kind of a silly exercise, but that way you let the talents that came before you influence your work—we should never be afraid to be influenced by someone we find inspirational—but then all those different influences combined with your own unique style, make up your true voice.
The same goes for blog writing and having a clear and authentic voice is not only helpful for establishing that consistent brand, but it makes you more recognizable if you guest post, advertise, or post on social media or other communities as well!
How do you feel your blogging voice stands out from the crowd? Join us by writing your own post on maintaining an authentic voice. Don’t forget to link back so we can read and share too! :)
Tonya says
I’m still finding my voice especially since I have a hard time knowing what to say. I post my art and I don’t know how to describe it? I’m not like other artists who have deep meaning behind what they do. It’s more see something pretty & want to paint it.
Angela says
I have that problem sometimes because I post photography posts. But I realized that sometimes your art speaks for itself, and other times you need more substantial writing to accompany it. Whatever works best for you!
Lexi (Lex Be Livin') says
I love how you word it: “embracing my personality and transferring it to WordPress.” I began my blog several months ago and I’ve had to keep reminding myself not to get lost in the social media followers, what my graphics “should” look like, how to increase blog traffic. Essentially, the reason why I want to have a blog is to express myself, in my own words, with my own creative spin. There’s a lot of experimentation, but that’s the fun of it–figuring out what works for me! This is a great reflection on staying true to one’s voice, thank you for sharing!
Angela says
Thanks for commenting Lexi. Totally. It’s important to remember too that basically everyone goes through that phase of uncertainty, so a lot of the times the people we’re looking up to have already been there, only years ago! So of course it’s easy for them to say what works.
Sam Liang says
The best way to write is to give your audience your own voice. Blogging isn’t like academic writing, which you can have your unique voice because many readers like to see your style. They will know who that writer is and will look forward to reading your work.
Kristy says
This is so so so important. I want to feel like someone is talking to me, not marketing to me, when I read a personal blog.
Lisa says
Ugh, this is by far the most difficult part of blogging. It sounds cliché, but it’s true; “finding yourself” is so essential to success. I’m sure everyone has experienced this at some point. It can be so overwhelming to try to stand out among all the blog voices.
Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's says
My blog is a personal lifestyle blog, so I derive a lot of my content from my own everyday experiences, which makes it easier for me to find my own voice. It’s like catching up with a friend at the end of the day, and all I want to do is tell her all about it! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Posh, Broke, & Bored says
When it came to finding my blog voice I “worked backward” so to speak. I started by giving my blog a title that’s a bit over-the-top and potentially contentious – Posh, Broke, & Bored – which was almost a caricature of a very small aspect of me. From there I worked out what people were coming to my blog for (my indulgent lifestyle and brand of ‘is she for real?’ humour) and that’s been the basic element of what my blogging voice is. Of course I’ll evolved to write posts that are more informative less ‘Look at how shiny this is’ but having a strong title and sticking to it (defending it from time to time if I have to!) helps me remember the crux of who my ‘blog self’ is. x
Jasiminne: Posh, Broke, & Bored
Angela says
That’s a great way of going about it. Because you’re not there in person, sometimes it’s essential to punch up your written content in order to convey your personality.
Melody says
My blog is a fashion blog,Not like every fashion blog the difference is in my quote.Is the voice for the real girls in the fashion industry.
Check below
http://sheismelrose.net/
Gina says
Such an important aspect that bloggers need to focus on! I think as writers, learning to use different voices for different companies or brands is such a useful skill. And then translating that into the blog world to find our own voices as bloggers. Thanks for the tips and inspiration! :)
Angela says
Totally, thanks Gina!
Samantha Reynolds says
Such a good point to raise. I think it is even more difficult as you said, when you write for other people as well. It’s easy to lose touch with your essence when you become a chameleon. Also, most of us have many sides of our personalities. so whilst I also studied English and writing at University level, so naturally prefer to write without slang or colloquialisms etc. i also have a very dry sense of humour which peeps through.
It’s interesting how we resonate with voices that are similar to our own. Even if the content is interesting, personally, I cant read though any more “Hey all you badass bitches, you grrl power biz babes, get your blog on and write some kick ass, hella blog posts like now y’all. I mean like duh, ya gotta go for it girl!” :)
Authenticity is the key. don’t copy what others are doing unless it resonates with you and you feel they express themselves exactly how you feel inside.
Angela says
DEFINITELY! I’m that way too. Luckily writing for other people I’ve learned how to have more fun with the casual/conversational voice, whereas on my own blog I’m usually more formal (for lack of a better words – I think you know what I mean) because I naturally enjoy writing that way. Great point about wanting to read writing with similar voices. If you can’t relate to the voice, the content is unlikely to resonate with you.
JULIE | CHASING SPRING says
Haha, Samanta, this made me giggle. I totally agree, if a voice is a lot NOT like mine, I just don’t connect with the content.
I’m just new to the blogging world, and am trying to remain true to myself and my voice. I remind myself to write just as I would write/talk/text to my besties (or myself), as I want to be ‘the real me’. I’ve been reading a lot about ‘your ideal customer’, and I have realised that my ideal customer/reader/client is someone very much like me – so therefore if I stay authentic, my ideal customer will automatically relate to me, my voice and my content.