Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False?

ragnartm · 06-08-2009, 08:06 PM

Long story short, every "blog expert" I've read some content from lately goes; Be yourself. Yet I feel that all blogs in the "make money online" niche give off a sort of robot-ish feel. This doesn't bother me because I'm just on the search for quality information.

However not being the owner of a particularly successful blog myself I've started adding a little bit of my creative, funny self, even to my IM blog, is this really a good idea? I'm going to find out either way, but it would be nice to hear some opinions on this.

Harry Behrens · 06-08-2009, 08:08 PM

It's not *necessary* and I've never done it and had some nice results. I'm planning to start doing it more often though, and for an awesome example of blogs that ooze with personality and sell because of it, google Tony Shepherd's and Sara Brown's blogs... to me they are the classic examples of that kind of thing.

Note, when you do this, it needs to be like a massive central push of personality, not sprinkling a witty comment here and there, but one of the central features of the blog, almost like an USP kind of thing. At least, that's what I've seen done well.

Edit -> Martin Avis's and Gordon Bryan's newsletters also come to mind as a good example.

~Davor Debrecin~ · 06-08-2009, 08:15 PM

The more your visitors/prospects like you, the more they trust you, the more they'll buy from you.

It's a no brainer. You have to establish a relationship with your prospects. And you do that by A) giving them useful content and B) by making them like you and consider you as a friend.

And don't approach this as if you are split testing your headline. You need to genuinely want to help your prospects, by sharing your passion and your cool side.

For great examples, just watch what Frank Kern does in his videos and in his marketing.

Hope this helps,

~Davor

dvduval · 06-08-2009, 08:16 PM

I suppose it can somewhat depend on your audience. Some audiences are more easily offended than others. Also what it means to "be yourself" can vary greatly. If I was talking to a boring engineer type, I would challenge them to bring out some personality and "be yourself". On the other hand, if I was talking to party animal who was doing a blog about Sweet Sixteen celebrations, I might tell him to write carefully, as both girls and their parents will be reading.

artwebster · 06-09-2009, 05:45 AM

If I was to 'be myself' all the time in my blogs, even my medical blogs would soon lose readership.

Blogs are read for what they contain - not for who wrote them.

06-08-2009, 08:06 PM	#1
ragnartm HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: , , Norway. Posts: 312 Thanks: 29 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False? Long story short, every "blog expert" I've read some content from lately goes; Be yourself. Yet I feel that all blogs in the "make money online" niche give off a sort of robot-ish feel. This doesn't bother me because I'm just on the search for quality information. However not being the owner of a particularly successful blog myself I've started adding a little bit of my creative, funny self, even to my IM blog, is this really a good idea? I'm going to find out either way, but it would be nice to hear some opinions on this.
	Ragnar T. M. For a limited time you can: Rent My Creative Touch. The Squeeze Page Writing Tips, Tricks And Proven Techniques You Need To Master Squeeze Pages! Teaching Writing Blog

06-08-2009, 08:08 PM	#2
Harry Behrens HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 306 Thanks: 118 Thanked 167 Times in 69 Posts Contact Info	Re: Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False? It's not necessary and I've never done it and had some nice results. I'm planning to start doing it more often though, and for an awesome example of blogs that ooze with personality and sell because of it, google Tony Shepherd's and Sara Brown's blogs... to me they are the classic examples of that kind of thing. Note, when you do this, it needs to be like a massive central push of personality, not sprinkling a witty comment here and there, but one of the central features of the blog, almost like an USP kind of thing. At least, that's what I've seen done well. Edit -> Martin Avis's and Gordon Bryan's newsletters also come to mind as a good example.
	- Harry Behrens

06-08-2009, 08:15 PM	#3
~Davor Debrecin~ Pick My Brain War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 217 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 59 Thanked 171 Times in 52 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False? The more your visitors/prospects like you, the more they trust you, the more they'll buy from you. It's a no brainer. You have to establish a relationship with your prospects. And you do that by A) giving them useful content and B) by making them like you and consider you as a friend. And don't approach this as if you are split testing your headline. You need to genuinely want to help your prospects, by sharing your passion and your cool side. For great examples, just watch what Frank Kern does in his videos and in his marketing. Hope this helps, ~Davor
	*Interested in making money with Facebook?* Learn something cool and refreshing and download my proven Facebook life savers: > FREE NO-OPTIN WSO :: HOW TO PAY 5x LESS ON FACEBOOK + AD IMAGE TEMPLATES< Check it out - or don't. It's really up to you.

06-08-2009, 08:16 PM	#4
dvduval phpLD master War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 2,970 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 44 Thanked 307 Times in 259 Posts Social Networking	Re: Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False? I suppose it can somewhat depend on your audience. Some audiences are more easily offended than others. Also what it means to "be yourself" can vary greatly. If I was talking to a boring engineer type, I would challenge them to bring out some personality and "be yourself". On the other hand, if I was talking to party animal who was doing a blog about Sweet Sixteen celebrations, I might tell him to write carefully, as both girls and their parents will be reading.
	PHP Link Directory Script - a great addition to ANY website and much more than just a directory. templates for phpLD - phpLD Templates (hundreds!) Article Directory Script - Video Directory Script Get our Product Free - Through this exclusive WSO!!!

06-09-2009, 05:45 AM	#5
artwebster Brutal honesty's me Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Coín, Spain Posts: 1,032 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 33 Thanked 251 Times in 138 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Personality on blogs being a major key to success = False? If I was to 'be myself' all the time in my blogs, even my medical blogs would soon lose readership. Blogs are read for what they contain - not for who wrote them.
	You might not like what I say - but I believe it. Build it, make money, then build some more Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!