Blogging Brings YOU into the Writing

This is a guest post by Linda Dessau of ContentMasteryGuide.com

In academic writing or journalism, we're usually asked to chose whether we're going to write subjectively (an argumentative or persuasive essay, opinion piece or editorial) or objectively (an expository essay, investigative report, profile or news feature).

In blogging, we see a delightful mixture of all of these types of content, sometimes even within the same blog post. Here, you can bend the rules and choose both objective and subjective writing. You can bring more of yourself into everything you write, not just your personal posts.

For example, we may offer practical action steps about how to implement the ideas in a passionate thought piece, or we may introduce a "how to" post by telling a story. After all, people learn just as much from our experience as they do from our expertise.

When I visit a blog, I'm not just looking for information. I want to get to know the voice and personality of the business owner behind the blog.

You may have some concerns about using a more narrative style of writing, especially if you'd had lots of experience with more formal styles of writing. For example:

Shouldn't my blog posts be all about helping my reader, not about me?

Often your blog and your business ARE about you, especially if you're a member of your target audience. Your journey can inspire, inform and guide your readers and clients.

Doesn't it diminish my credibility to prospective clients if I write in a casual style?

Just the opposite. By writing authentically in your own voice, people who are drawn in by the real you will recognize that connection right away. Plus you'll quickly weed out the people who aren't the right fit.

What if someone looks at this in six months or a year and it doesn't make sense anymore?

It's true that writing about current events in your life or business will put a time stamp on your blog post, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It is these narrative elements that make blogs such a wonderful chronicle of our evolution as writers, marketers and entrepreneurs.

What if a new reader doesn't understand my post because they haven't been following along?

Even though some readers will stumble upon your blog without knowing any of the back story you may be referring to in your narrative, this is a key step of building that relationship. You want to write to your readers as if you’ve already had a positive interaction and this is a continuation of that conversation.

What if I want to submit my blog posts to article directories?

If you're planning to submit a blog post to an article directory in the hopes that it will be republished in other blogs, newsletters or print publications, you may want to limit your narrative and focus on delivering the concrete information that readers and prospective clients are looking for.

Once they've had that positive introduction, people will want to keep in touch via your mailing list and your blog. And that's where you can show your readers more of YOU!

Linda Dessau, CPCC, is the author of Write Your Way to More Clients Online and the founder of ContentMasteryGuide.com. The freedom to mix narrative writing into other styles is just one of the three formal writing rules she will help you let go of in her free training webinar, Blogging Versus Writing. Click here for the details.

Do you have a specific concern about your writing voice and bringing YOU into your blog? Post it here so we can assist you.

Comments

[Justin]

Excellent post, Linda. I like using an informative yet informal style, somewhere between tweeting and journalism, kind of like casual conversation with a respected friend. Right now, I am just trying to generate some interest in my blog, even though I am not exactly sure where I want to go with it.

[Linda Dessau]

Thanks for the comment, Justin. I like the sentiment of blogging as a "casual conversation with a respected friend."

Best wishes,
Linda

[Terence]

Thanks Linda!
I do realize that when I post on my blog, it is not just about writing, but also to let readers be able to hear my voice as well. I definitely learnt something new today and will definitely try to apply this on my blogging journey.

[Cindy Schulson]

Great post Linda! I love to write as though I have my ideal client in front of me and we're having a conversation. It's quite a change from writing in the corporate world:)

I've found that adding video to the mix really reinforces my voice and message. In fact, one of my clients told me the other day that when she reads my blog posts she feels as though I am talking to her. That was so much fun to hear!

Thanks for sharing!
warm wishes,
Cindy

[Linda Dessau]

Thanks, Terence - glad to hear it!

Cindy, that speaks volumes about your writing, if a client told you she feels that way. Great work!

All the best,
Linda

[Madrid Quiropractico]

I think you are right that a more personal style is often more effective - especially in the blog world. It seems that people more often want to have content that isn't dry and impersonal, rather something they can make a connection with.

[Becky Jenkins]

Thankyou you, your article made me think about my own writing style, when I write I keep a very clear impression of my audience in my mind, creating a customer avatar helps with this. This helps me to keep my message focused and I trust provide something of substance to my readers.

As another reader says, I have had to learn that corporate writing has no place in the blog, and I regularly have to go through my posts to check that it's conversational.

Removing 20+ years of corporate writing takes a little time!

[Linda Dessau]

Wow, Becky, I imagine that it does!

Thanks for your comments and insights.

Best wishes,
Linda

[Extreme John]

I do believe that blogging will help you nurture and develop your potentials in writing. I know a lot of people in journalism that has greatly improved through blogging. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post.