Jenny asked: “Lyndsay, I have a blog for my etsy business but struggle with posting more personal content the way you do. I’d really like to move my blog more into the lifestyle category but don’t know how much personal stuff is TOO much. Also, do you consider safety issues that might come along with posting details about your family? Do I sound like an old lady who worries too much???”
Jenny, These are such good questions, and I’ve had to think about the safety thing a lot more over the last year. My very first blog (back in 2006) was a journal where I could write about my day-to-day life and post pictures of me and my friends, etc. Then when I started Pink Coffee a year later I just started posting photo shoots and photography content on the same blog. It was a natural progression, because my business was such a big part of my life. I definitely think of this blog as a lifestyle blog that includes my business, rather than the other way around. To transition your blog from strictly business to a little more personal you might want to start by posting one personal post a week or even every other week. That way your current readers won’t feel like you’ve totally changed your content on them. And maybe mention here and there that you’re looking forward to sharing more about your life. Personally, I really enjoy when a blogger let’s me in on their real world. It makes me feel a connection to them, and I bet your readers will too. Just know that the level of personal content you choose to share is totally up to you. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with.
The safety issue is something I’ve really been more aware of over the last year. Back when 12 people read my blog I felt completely comfortable sharing just about anything, but now that I have a great readership (hey blog friends!) I’m much more careful. I think becoming a mom has a lot to do with it too. Once upon a time my Portrait Guide (the pdf I send to all prospective clients) had my address on it. Yeah. So basically, people emailed me saying they were interested in more info about pictures, and I sent them a document with my home address. Smart. The Portrait Guide included a contract that clients have to sign in order to book a session. The address was on it, so people would know where to mail their contract and deposit. Now the Portrait Guide is separate from the contract. I don’t mind my clients having my address, but not potential clients! It was just a dumb, naive move on my part. People who live in our area have a pretty good idea of the part of town we live in just based on the places we frequently visit. And I’m okay with that, but it doesn’t seem smart to have my actual address out there.
I don’t write much about our extended family anymore either. I realized that this blog is my space to share my story, not theirs. And I don’t want them to ever feel uncomfortable about being on the web for all the world to see. Anderson and I are totally comfortable with it, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is.
Also, I try to be careful with specific schedule details. Have you ever seen a “day in the life” blog post? Those freak me out. “At 10:00 am I go to spin class, then at 12:00 pm I pick little Ron Jon up from preschool at ______ ______ School.” Too much info. There are crazy people out there. This is where I think the whole being a mom thing kicks in, because I never really thought about this until Kingston was born. I’m also cautious about real time check-ins. Usually if I post an Instagram picture that says we’re at Mochi (one of those frequent hang-outs I mentioned) we’ve really just left Mochi. I think it’s just a little creepy to tell everyone where I am.
The last thing I’m careful about is sharing personal family stuff that needs to stay between us. Like if we’re dealing with something really difficult as a family or even just something fun we did that I don’t feel like sharing with the world. Sometimes it’s nice to keep things between us, you know?
At the end of the day you really have to decide what feels right for you and/or your family. As long as you stay true to who you are your readers will appreciate whatever you put out there, even if it’s just a little personal update here and there. But if it feels like you’re trying to be someone you’re not, it turns people off.
And I HAD to share a few more pics from our family shoot. Want to see about 500 more? Click here!
THANK YOU THANK YOU so much for answering this. I agree with so much you said and plan to start writing a personal post each week. You have no idea how much this advice helps me!
Hey there! I’m new to this whole blogging thing (just started my blog about a month ago) so this is really helpful, thanks!!
Also love your photos!!
Hey Barbara! I’m so glad it was helpful for you. Thanks so much for visiting Pink Coffee. 🙂
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. ?
You should participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I will advocate this website!
Hiya! I simply would like to give a huge thumbs up for the nice information you have right here on this post. I will probably be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.
Good post. I learn one thing more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It’s going to at all times be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and follow a little something from their store. I? favor to use some with the content on my weblog whether you don? mind. Natually I?l provide you with a hyperlink on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
I simply wanted to compose a simple word in order to express gratitude to you for all the marvelous tips and tricks you are giving at this site. My prolonged internet research has now been compensated with incredibly good facts and strategies to write about with my relatives. I would repeat that we website visitors are very fortunate to be in a wonderful website with many wonderful professionals with good opinions. I feel very blessed to have used your webpage and look forward to some more awesome minutes reading here. Thank you again for all the details.
Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks However I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don? know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss downside? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this moreover ?taking time and actual effort to make a very good article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and not at all seem to get something done.
This actually answered my problem, thanks!
The next time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to learn, however I actually thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you would fix for those who werent too busy on the lookout for attention.
There are some attention-grabbing time limits in this article however I don? know if I see all of them heart to heart. There’s some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as well
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any method you may take away me from that service? Thanks!
very nice put up, i definitely love this web site, keep on it
I found your blog site on google and examine a number of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. In search of ahead to reading extra from you later on!?
You made some respectable factors there. I appeared on the web for the difficulty and located most individuals will go together with with your website.
I was very pleased to seek out this internet-site.I wished to thanks to your time for this wonderful learn!! I definitely having fun with every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
Aw, this was a very nice post. In thought I want to put in writing like this moreover ?taking time and actual effort to make a very good article?however what can I say?I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get something done.
I’m often to running a blog and i actually admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for brand spanking new information.
Thank you a lot for providing individuals with a very wonderful chance to discover important secrets from this web site. It is often very nice and also packed with fun for me personally and my office mates to visit the blog nearly three times a week to read through the fresh guidance you have. And lastly, I’m always contented with all the dazzling techniques you serve. Selected 1 points in this post are basically the most impressive we’ve had.
you’ve an important blog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog?
The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can repair if you happen to werent too busy in search of attention.
It is best to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I’ll recommend this web site!
There are actually a whole lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice level to carry up. I provide the thoughts above as normal inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you deliver up where crucial thing shall be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round issues like that, however I’m certain that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both girls and boys feel the impact of only a moment? pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to find someone with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this web site is something that’s wanted on the web, somebody with somewhat originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the web!
Would you be desirous about exchanging hyperlinks?
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to find any individual with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the net, someone with a bit of originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the internet!
This really answered my drawback, thanks!
very nice put up, i actually love this website, keep on it
Nice post. I study one thing tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It is going to always be stimulating to learn content from other writers and follow a bit of something from their store. I? favor to use some with the content on my blog whether or not you don? mind. Natually I?l provide you with a link in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
My husband and i felt more than happy that Michael managed to complete his basic research through the precious recommendations he grabbed from your web site. It is now and again perplexing just to possibly be making a gift of tricks people today have been trying to sell. So we see we now have the blog owner to thank for this. The main illustrations you made, the easy web site navigation, the relationships you aid to instill – it’s got most remarkable, and it’s leading our son in addition to the family do think this matter is cool, which is certainly really indispensable. Thanks for all!
Can I simply say what a relief to search out someone who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know easy methods to convey an issue to mild and make it important. More individuals must learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre not more widespread because you undoubtedly have the gift.
Would you be desirous about exchanging hyperlinks?
Would you be serious about exchanging links?
Would you be concerned with exchanging hyperlinks?
This really answered my downside, thank you!
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing somewhat analysis on this. And he in truth bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If potential, as you turn out to be experience, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It’s extremely helpful for me. Massive thumb up for this blog put up!
A lot of thanks for all of the hard work on this web site. Gloria really likes setting aside time for investigation and it’s really easy to understand why. We all hear all of the powerful mode you deliver informative secrets through this web site and therefore boost participation from visitors on that area so our girl is always understanding a lot. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the new year. You’re performing a powerful job.
A formidable share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you grow to be experience, would you mind updating your weblog with extra particulars? It is highly helpful for me. Large thumb up for this blog post!
After study a couple of of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I really like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website listing and will be checking again soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
This really answered my problem, thank you!