How to Be Yourself - Becoming a Better Blogger

Part of the reason that blogging really took off is that it offers an unparalleled opportunity to make connections with all kinds of different people. Blog readers read blogs not just for the content, but for the experience, it is like having a quick, but genuine glimpse into the life and experiences of others. For this reason most blog readers crave sincerity. The beauty of blogging is that it gives you the opportunity to be totally open with your audience and build genuine relationships... So why self-censor?

Learn to be yourself and become a better blogger

With some many blogs in existence (more being created every moment), it is statistically extremely difficult to ever become a truly successful blogger, yet paradoxically it isn't nearly as hard as it should be for those who make it.

The secret is not in what you say though - there are very few new things under the sun, and whatever ideas you care to write about, chances are that someone has already discussed something very similar. The secret is how you say what you say - it's about personality and sincerity.

You can't please everyone

Trying to appeal to everyone will result in bland content that lacks new ideas and fails to get people thinking. It is better to be loved by 100 people than just liked by 1,000 - and to find 100 that love your style and your way of thinking, you will probably have to put up with another 100 people not particularly liking it... That's ok though.

Self censorship

A little self censorship is totally natural, it is hard to open yourself up to criticism and a little censorship is a good thing anyway. But if you want to build really genuine connections (and if you want to make money by blogging, you need to) you are going to have to let down your defences a little.

How to be yourself

Finding your inner blogger is actually pretty easy, but you have to make the decision to do it. You have to learn to talk the same way you would with your friends, be open and honest and touch upon your own experiences for inspiration.

Blogging tip: I find that when my writing is at it's most open is when I sit down and just write. If you stop to critique yourself, you lose momentum and that's when you start to self-censor. Go over your work by all means - but do that once you have finished. If you can just sit and write in one sitting, your words will flow much more naturally.

Summary

Learning to be more open and real is something that anyone can do. It comes with practice and it won't always feel natural. But if you make the decision to do it, I am sure that your own blogging will improve as a result and you will not regret it.

This guest post was written by Mark Johnson, founder of The Business Nomad - a blog about making money online, blogging and SEO. Have a look at his site for some great tips about blogging, a highly profitable eBay business model, a blueprint for SEO and even more advice about ideas for eBay business.

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