I loved Kristin’s guest post here on the B2B blog because she expressed what happened to me and many other bloggers…
We started a blog on a whim or for a reason which no longer exists.
That is the funny thing about blogging. What you THINK it is and what it ACTUALLY can be once you are in the middle of it are two very different things.
I started my blog as a substitute for emailing a dear friend and to go digital with my scrapbooking.
I started by posting pictures of my kids and writing silly things about my life.
*Fast forward three years*
I now continue by posting pictures of my kids and writing silly things about my life.
What?
Who lets Holly write unsupervised here?
It may seem the same, but the end result is really quite different. I have enjoyed creating a corner of the internet that is all my own. It is my little kingdom over which I have complete control.
The way my blog looks and reads all creates an environment that I want to hang out in and attracts an audience with whom I want to chat.
Your space looks and sounds different.
That is how it should be.
But how do we take it to the next level?
How do we not get lost in a sea of blogs that are a few pixels different from ours?
I believe what sets a blog apart is its authenticity of tone.
Holly’s handy dandy hints to convey TONE AUTHENTICITY (totally getting that trademarked later):
- Set a tone on your blog. The way it looks, what you write about, what pictures post all help tell that story.
- Make sure that all your posts support that tone story (oooo…totally getting that trademarked too).
- Consider that what you DON’T publish may be even more important than what you DO.
- Your audience will know what to expect when they visit if you are always consistent with your tone.
- When considering writing opportunities, only take ones that will add to your tone story.
So the bottom line is…stay real.
If your passions are family and you write about your personal experience living on a budget, then stay true to that. Your audience has gathered because that is what they want to hear from you. Does that mean that you could NEVER EVER write about taking a vacation where you might have spent a little extra?
No!
Just approach the subject from your tone story.
For instance, I can’t cook. I really can’t. And it is unlikely that you will be able to help me in this area.
So, on the rare occasion that I post a recipe…it is from that angle.
Look what I made! If I can do it ANYONE with a pulse can too!
Or…
Look how I burned down my house!
This is where Business 2 Blogger can either help or hurt you. It is our hope that we help MATCH you with opportunities that fit into your blog, not detract from the story that you are telling.
This is also important for our businesses…because no matter the size of your blog, you have readers and if you are presenting a product that fits your blog (and them), it is a super happy karma thing.
Let’s hug.
What challenges have you faced in figuring out what tone to set on your blog?
I’m following the blog, now.
I am a beginning blogger and am thankful for any and all tips I can receive. I am also following B2B on GFC
thanks for the advice.
I start to blog on one of my passion saving money and organizing.
My blog is in spanish.
Thanks
LIlian Hurn
Very cool Lillian…I am afraid I am not smart enough to be one of your READERS, but love what you are doing.
My tone is pretty humorous and upbeat. If I have to put in something not so upbeat, I put it into a rhyme which makes it sort of funny. Now I am learning how to put reviews in my blog. Next question to start a review site or not?
BTW, I am now following
Rhyme is always good.
Love that.
That is an issue I have had…what to do with some of those reviews that are of interest to me, but not necessarily what fits on my blog. There are some review sites that are collaborative – if you could find one you liked, that might save you a lot of work and set you up with an instant network.
I’ve changed my blog “niche” so many times it’ll make your head spin. I still think that I don’t fit into any one niche and hope I don’t ever. I go through phases as every woman should!
I’m a GC follower and a preferred B2B member and I love Target
That made me laugh. I hear ya!
I already follow!
I’m already a follower, B2B preferred member, and a B2B follower. Thank you!
I am a new follower
I’m a new follower
I joined:)
I make sure to write about the things that inspire me to write – most frequently my kids’ moments (both happy and sad), and then my struggle as a working mom. If I’m inspired, my tone comes out. I have a few posts where I can see my tone wasn’t as authentic, and you can feel the forced nature of the post itself.
I have done that too…in fact, in a few instances I have unpublished things that just didn’t feel right to me after the fact.
following fabulously :0
I couldn’t agree with you more. It can be difficult to find your voice and tone when you start, especially after reading some things other bigger bloggers post about each other. I had a hard time figuring out where I fit into the blogging world then I finally gave up on thinking like that! It’s my blog and I’ll write about what I want in the way that best suites my personality.
I know. I found myself reading really popular bloggers and then trying to emulate their style and in the end that just didn’t work for me. It was a wake up call…and pretty cool that what seems to work for me is me.
I’m a new follower
Following
Wonderful tips. I’m a follower of course.
I’m a follower & preferred member under the name Christina Linnell
Love you guys!
I am a new follower!!
I’m a NEW follower of B2B blog. Great site!
I am a follower
*following for sure* I love reading different blogs!
So true how your blog begins to take on a life of it’s own…many times a completely different life than you had intended! Look forward to you reading more of your posts;)
It DOES! ha.
Following!
New follower. Great advice, especially for a newbie such as myself! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Peace.
I’m already a follower.
Hoping to buy some flip flops from the dollar spot. LOL!
LOVE the Dollar Spot.
Loved this blog post and the guest post by Kristen on the ups and downs of blogging your first year.
Today is my one year anniversary of blogging (happy birthday to me! er, my blog) and I’ve definitely learned a lot. I started a pop culture blog (Pop Culture Junkie.net) as a place where I could muse endlessly about whatever hot to trot star I love at the moment. (Hello, Robert Pattinson!) But as you said in your post, your interests and passions somewhat morph over time — and then you run into the dreaded feeling of growing out of your blog. Or at least I did. So I started blog #2 on life. But geez, two blogs is becoming more like a j-o-b instead than fun!
It’s funny how you talk about tone because I feel like I totally write different on my pop culture blog vs. my life blog (Life At Thirtysomething.com). I don’t even know why, but I feel like my voice changes. I go from 30 to 13 and back again every other day between blogs! It’s exhausting!
Anyhoo, it’s addicting no less, and I’ve found my passion. Now, if only I could figure out a way to make this my full time job, then we’d be all set!
Oh and I’m a Google friend. If you want to be my Google friend too, I would love you forever.
So fun. The thing is that as your blogs evolve it will probably resolve and give you an outlet for whatever you happen to be thinking/feeling.
Thanks!
Hi there! I’m a new follower
This is a fantastic post! I think so many of us struggle with finding our “tone story” (you totally should trademark that! lol), and it’s so important! Thanks for writing this
I’m a new follower!
Thanks Krystal. If only I had time to fill out the trademark paperwork…
I try and mix it up…often, the whole “need therapy” things creates a downer tone on my blog. But, I think that’s also part of my charm…people know I’m neurotic and have issues, so they wait for that one day I’m on my UPswing because when I am, I can really be funny.
I think.
and can make me cry on words with friends…
I am following your blog and look forward to more excellent posts like this..
http://www.thriftymommastips.blogspot.com/
and http://www.thriftymommasbrainfood.blogspot.com/
I am a new follower!
I am a B2B Preferred member, a B2B Blog follower, and am leaving a comment. When I win this sweet Target Gift Certificate I’m adding $9 to it, and buying the ‘Merona® Dark Wash Mid-Rise Bootcut Denim Jeans’.
Follower! Some very good tips. I can write the blog, I just can’t come up with catchy titles.
ha! I think I am better at the titles than the content some days…we need to get together.
Now that little blogging angel on my shoulder is going to be saying “Watch your tone, missy!”
I’m following!
I was already following!
I’ve struggled with setting the tone on my blog (well one of them) but I’m getting closer to what I want it to be. Completely Random is not a good description of a blog. If no one knows what to expect, they aren’t likely to bookmark you for future reading.
I am following
I realize I have been on this site all night, and I am completely sure you are sick
of seeing my name pop up in comments on all your post, but i am just so glad
that I came across you! After reading all these things it make way more sense now!
I have been told millions of ways to do things, each different, each “correct”,
knowing it could be.i was beginning to believe that when I retired early from the
medical field a few years ago,I must have left my brain behind at the office, or
maybe it left me, I wasn’t sure! lol
I know right where to look now! So, I am now a follower, in my Google Reader,
and on my Facebook page!
Thank you and take care!!
Laura