Comments on: Three Words You Should Forget

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:06:41 +0000

Hmm, I remember reading that one too. Quite a balance – to actually make your message relevant to your readers while demonstrating your own authority.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:23:14 +0000

I don’t think it’s a sex thing, and I agree with Meghan too.
But here’s the problem:
People that think about themselves, obviously talk about themselves.
But what about the people that think about the readers and talk about themselves? Why do we assume that people who try to provide value can do it well? I don’t think it’s just about the focus, it’s about the practice as well.

By: Holly Hoffman

Holly Hoffman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:14:05 +0000

I’d love to hear some more male opinions. Women often relate to one another by sharing experiences and feeling a connection through that I’m-not-alone! story.

Could this be a male/female perspective difference?

I think Meghan sums it up nicely – WHO are you thinking about when you write it? Your readers or your self?

By: Meghan McCormick

Meghan McCormick — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:18:46 +0000

Despite the fact that blogging and social media make things very personal and lots of times designed to showcase yourself, I think the key here is adding value for the reader. What does the reader get from reading what you wrote? Does your post scream: “Look at how great I am!” or “Waah! Please feel sorry for me!”

Maybe it’ll take a few “I’s” “Me’s” and “Myself’s” to convey your point, but if you’re creating content bigger than yourself, content that provides meaning, understanding and value for your reader, I say do what you gotta do with personal pronouns.

It all boils down to intent.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:15:41 +0000

I see what you’re saying, but then I could show this post from Brian Clark who backs up what I’m saying:

http://www.copyblogger.com/the-two-most-important-words-in-blogging/

Again, it’s all about the goals.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:13:05 +0000

@Holly
@Sam

Like I told Susan, I don’t think we disagree actually. It depends on the goals. The examples that Susan gives are great, since they represent different objectives in social media.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:12:03 +0000

Like Susan, I have to respectfully disagree. Most of what I write on my blog is about me, experiences that I’ve had, things I’ve dealt with, and the reason I’m willing to talk about myself and share is because I feel that I can relate it to others and hopefully help them. I also feel that talking about your own experience gives you some credibility. For example, I’d been writing a lot about appreciation and never really explained why I was so into it. So, I decided to write a very personal post about my friend who passed away last summer because honoring his memory is what motivates me to appreciate. I wanted people to know that I wasn’t just spouting BS about appreciation for no reason. So, while I see your point, I think that when it’s done right, writing about yourself is okay.

By: Holly Hoffman

Holly Hoffman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:28:10 +0000

I’m with Susan – when I’m talking (or blogging) about a specific topic, especially as it relates to an emotional experience, I’m careful *only* to talk about my experience with it. I cannot speak to everyone’s experience, and one “you feel X when Y happens” may not be true for a reader, thus negating the entire post/point. Besides, I’m not sure the reader appreciates me projecting my experience onto theirs. It takes away from the uniqueness of the experience.

And while not every single experience is unique, not every single experience is the same.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:13:39 +0000

I see your point but I’m on the fence about this.

Here’s a counterargument that I read awhile ago:
http://selfmadechick.com/2008/01/06/the-one-word-that-help-my-blog-grow-to-800-subscribers-in-17-weeks/

By: Susan Pogorzelski

Susan Pogorzelski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:26:28 +0000

I think I see what you’re getting at — the groups of twenty-somethings and mommy-bloggers blog with the goal of sharing experiences and so relating and using first-person and stories are an extension of that? But then there are others (maybe those who offer advice, reviews, etc) who would have a better impact from not adding themselves into their posts? Kind of like, focus on the product you’re offering and not the writer?