“When you write like everyone else and sound like everyone else and act like everyone else, you’re saying, “Our products are like everyone else’s, too.”–Jason Fried from a recent Inc magazine article
When I started blogging I feared being myself and looked to other bloggers I respected and copied their tone. I’m sure everyone starts similarly but over time the more personal you sound on your blog the more engaging and interesting it becomes.
Finding your tone is not an independent endeavor. I believe the feedback (or lack of) that you get from those reading your blog solidify your tone.
My two favorite blogs right now are Chris Brogan’s and Signal vs. Noise by the 37 Signals team. It’s not just the content that I enjoy but the tone of their writing–there are blogs that provide better content around the same topics but lack the personality of these blogs. Your readers are gravitating towards your blog not just for the content but also for the tone.
Two more great quotes from the article:
“They don’t hide behind jargon. They aren’t insecure. They aren’t afraid to tell you who they are.”
“Remember: It’s not about telling a story. It’s about telling a true story well.”
What blogs do you read that have good tone? What has your process of finding your tone looked like as you have been blogging?
photo courtesy of rexandsharkey
