I’m skipping the last Blissdom session as I’m in thought. And when I’m in thought, I get distracted. I wouldn’t get anything from the session anyway.
The good news… I found out that a famous-to-me blogger reads me. And that she might be willing to hire me. Perhaps. Maybe. If we work something out – AND she wants me to guest post. Because she likes my voice. I’m not linking her because it’s not a done deal, and I don’t want to put words in her mouth – or pressure on her. But this is HUGE for me. 1) Someone who in my opinion is a success reads me. Sorry, but that gives me validation. 2) Potential new client woot! So… networking works.
But the bad news… I’m in a blogging identity crises. There was a branding session. After the session I asked a couple of gals who I trust and respect, and who know both my blog and other writing, what do THEY think when they go to my blog (in terms of branding and if it is correctly reflective of me and my voice.) I’m not going to link the ladies – I don’t want to put words in their mouth – and I’m not calling them out. I asked them both ’cause I respect them and I admire what they’ve accomplished. And they tell it like it is.
One said that I am not like my blog. That in person I’m bubbly and happy, and trustworthy. But they feel like my blog feels very critical (not that I’M critical of anyone, but the general feel I think). Another long time bloggy friend that knows me chimed in that it reminded her of a teenager’s poetry diary grown up. The other I asked said they would lose the cartoon girl.
They both put me in a quandry in different ways.
In terms of the angsty angle (content wise) – I’ve decided to own that. I’ve only ever written my thoughts and my life. I truly don’t necessarily like that I come across as that way. But perhaps the dichotomy of that perception, and my in person perception are parts to a whole. I can accept that, and I can own that. But what I DO NOT want is for anyone to think I’m hyper critical of them. Ever. Life is hard enough. We may disagree on some issues – but I’m not going to call anyone out or criticize them on my blog unless they do something to me or mine. So don’t do anything to me or mine.
I think part of her perception, however, might come from the graphic on my site, which leads me to the other problem. The suggestion that I remove the cartoon girl! Oy! I paid money for the girl. I have no graphic talent, unfortunately. So I have to pay other people. But I have definitely toyed with the idea of a bit more sophistication. However. That girl is EVERYWHERE… It’s my avatar on all the social networks! I do not have a good picture of myself to replace it with, and don’t know how to take a good photo. Just not a talent of mine (which irks as a blogger, let me tell you.) And everyone knows the cartoon girl. “OMG I KNOW YOU AND YOU’RE NOT A CARTOON!” Which is brand recognition.
Which brings me to my quandry… Would different graphics help match my true voice?
I’ve noticed a couple people are commenting more. Please – help me out readers… weigh in. Does the feeling of my “online living room” actually match the content I’m putting out there? Or would you go with a more sophisticated graphics ensemble? Does it match my voice, or would something smoother, softer, brighter, brasher, more low key (I could go on) match the writing? Even better if you’ve met me. PLEASE weigh in.
Sparks and Butterflies isn’t going anywhere. Sparks and Butterflies is me for very personal reasons. But perhaps I’ve grown out of the angst? Weigh in – comment away.
First – yay! I hope it works out!
Second – I haven’t met you in person but much of what you write here resonates with me and I don’t find it overly angsty. I think you should do what feels right and not what someone tells you to. You could ask the same questions of 10 other people and get 10 completely different answers.
If you like your avatar you should keep it. If you think you’ve outgrown it, take your time and find exactly the right replacement. I’ve heard so many times “use your own face for your avatar” but I don’t and I like it that way. My little icon is recognizable and it works for me. Do what works for you!
Like catnip, I like the avatiar-you’ve established it as your online ‘face.’ Who ever you use, if you decide to redesign, could easily use the avitar portion in a new design.
I personally don’t find you too angst-y. I think you’re a lot like me in that your blog is a place to get out some of the frustrations of the day to day, and then we’re done with the venting.
Yay on the ‘thing’!
Hi there,
I’ve been trying to comment on your special needs article over at healthy bliss and it won’t let me. Do you know why?
I have been thinking about this all weekend. I think the avatar is just fine – but maybe we can fine tune the rest to be more in line with the funny snarky sweet (yes, I said SWEET!) girl I FINALLY got to meet this weekend. I have been having my own identity crisis this weekend as well, so we will have to be a little angsty together.
It was great to meet you at Blissdom, and thanks for reading my recap of it. Since I’ve just discovered your blog, I’ll have to follow it a little before I have any specific comments. One suggestion I would make is to come up with a “mission statement” for your blog, much like you would for a business. I almost accidentally came up with mine while thinking about what we learned at Blissdom and writing my recap post:
For me, blogging is a way to process my reflections on life and share them with others in the hopes that together, we can journey through life with a clearer purpose and end up at our destinations surrounded by people who love us and who are cheering us on as we arrive.
Who’s up for the journey?
Isn’t it funny to get people’s opinions when they finally meet you? It always interests me how/if I’m different than I portray myself online. I have met some doozies…..
I think blog conferences cause identity crises.
I have no idea what my brand is and if I even care. Should I care? Megan and Ali say yes, but frankly, I enjoy sleeping and refuse to make myself sick thru fatigue in order to firmly establish a brand. I must have sleep.
Branding is such a business term and if your blog is your business, then yes, I suppose you have to play the branding game. But if this is place for you to explore yourself, pfft, what does it matter. I’m always reinventing myself, so how would I brand that?