Blogging is such an interesting phenomenon - fifty years ago people would never have imagined spewing their thoughts and opinions out into a public forum for all eyes to see (or read), and here we are with over 100 million (and counting!) blogs of all different styles and sizes dominating the internet. How far we have come in such little time is frankly mind-blowing, and yet it has become the norm. Blogging has created a medium for allowing self expression on a world-wide scale, no matter who you are, and something about that is quite fantastic. Not only can anyone create a blog, but they can write just about anything on it, and that's where things get interesting. Topics started out being quite basic - DIYs, diary entires and tutorials swarmed the interweb in a matter of minutes, but like all new markets, the world of blogging soon began to over-saturate and creators had to think much further outside the box than ever before. 

Although I'm fully aware that I can't speak for all blogs/bloggers out there, I've found that topics in general have begun to delve more deeply into the personal side of things, which for me at least, makes the whole experience of reading a beauty blog, let's say, that bit more interesting. I've touched upon this before, but there are only so many pink lipgloss reviews or monthly favourites posts that you can read without getting bored if there is no sign of a real person behind the screen, tapping away at their keyboard. That's what I think makes bloggers so special - anyone can write an article about a new beauty release, but only bloggers can add that touch of familiarity and uniqueness to every post they publish. 

How much a blogger wishes to share with their audience about their personal life is up to them, they can have posts that range from editorial and slimline to in-depth and diary-like, all within a weeks work. I often find those who shake it up a bit the most interesting - the blogger that can write the precise review with all you need to know and then go on to share an insecurity or personal achievement. Of course I'm not saying that you have to reveal your deepest darkest secrets to be an interesting writer - even your writing style can say a lot about you as a person - but occasionally taking that scary step and writing that post that you have always been scared of posting can be liberating, not only for you but for your readers as well. 

Over the last 12 months or so, I've attempted to do just that - writing up posts that I would never have dreamed of about insecurities, mental health issues, future hopes, and personal opinions that I feel have given you lot, my lovely readers, a better insight into who I am as a person and what makes me tick. In my experience, I find that once I get to know a blogger on a more personal level, I start to appreciate their work more because I feel like I can engage and relate to them - an experience which is extremely satisfying for both parties involved. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've really enjoyed producing more personal posts for my blog as I feel a lot more connected with you guys, and this has helped me realise how important it is to me for blogs that I read to have that personal touch - whether is be through weekly 'chit-chat' posts, heartfelt posts addressing important issues, or even the occasional catchup. Even the smallest step can be exhilarating, and I strongly encourage all of my fellow bloggers out there to give it a go. 

I'd be interested to hear what you guys think about this topic, because this is obviously all from my point of view. Do you think a personal element to a blog helps you relate to the writer better and therefore their content better? Or do you think that personal matters should be left at the door and bloggers should only write about what they specialise in? What's more, do you think theres a limit to how much a blogger should share about themselves? I'm honestly curious to know, so if you have something to say then please leave me a comment down below!

22 comments

  1. I definitely think that getting to know the blogger makes their content so much more interesting. Like you said, you don't have to share every single detail about you to do this, you can kind of get a sense of what the person is like through the way they write their posts.

    Adding a personality to your blog can make all the difference, since there're so many blogs out there, and if you let your readers know who you are then I guess they would recognise you and your blog instead of just another blog!

    Yet Another Makeup Blog.

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  2. This post is great! Even though I started my blog in 2012 (but since then a lot has changed) I am still not willing to show my whole face in a picture on my blog, but rather cover it up with my camera. It might seem odd to my readers, but I just don´t feel comfortable showing my whole face on the internet publicly. When I spent two trimester in England at a boarding school I really enjoyed sharing my experinces in two posts, but thats about it, I am absolutely certain that I would gain more readers if I would show my face and write about more personal things, but thats not what blogging is about for me. Maybe one day I will integrate blogging in my everyday life but for now it is just a little secret hobby of mine :)

    victoriatheresia.blogspot.com

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  3. This is a great post - you definitely need to be able to connect with your audience and really get emotional responses from them if you want them to keep coming back. I follow maybe one or two bloggers who literally just review products without sharing any personality (Temptalia being one of them), but for the most part I follow bloggers who I feel as though I'm able to connect with on a more personal level. I started up my blog as a beauty blog, and while it's still predominantly beauty themed, there's a lot more going on now; I have several lifestyle features, but I feel as though even the way I speak about the beauty products is more personal now. I don't think I could ever share "my entire life" with the world, but little snippets are pretty essential in my opinion!

    The best of luck for the New Year & I hope you have a wonderful NYE!

    Heather, porcelainbeautyx

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  4. A very interesting post. I always prefer to follow blogs were I feel I can relate to the topics that they write about. You do not have to share anymore then you feel you want to but it is a great way to make people interested. I like all different kinds of blogs with a variety of different topics. You always have a good mix of your blog. And I always look forward to reading your post.
    I hope you have a happy new year.

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  5. I love when bloggers take their blog in a more personable route. It has always been one of my goals but I've been scared to do it. Happy New Year, Isobel. Wishing you the best <3 x

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  6. I completely agree with you. I think when a blogger is able to share bits of their own personal life, opinions, etc it allows you to connect with the person behind the screen. It is always my goal to really get to know my readers and other fellow bloggers :) xx


    Emily // ahemitsemme.blogspot.com

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  7. I like to really get to know the person behind the blog, don't know if that makes me sound like a creep haha! But I just think people should share what they feel comfortable with, I think if a blogger only wants to share the happy moments of their lives then why not? I really don't like when people accuse them of pretending everything is all rosy, I mean why should they have to share really personal stuff with strangers on the internet? x

    Josie’s Journal

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  8. I totally agree with this! I personally love it when bloggers speak openly about their life and experiences, as quiet often the person on the other end of the screen will be able to connect with what is being said. I think being honest about one's life helps dispel the belief that we only share our 'highlight' reel on the internet.

    Tessa / Bramble & Thorn

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  9. I think a personal element to a blog is great! It really helps to connect to the reader, and not everything in life is always happy clappy so there's no need to try and always portray things that way :)

    Kate xo // www.beautybabbles.com

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  10. Personal content helps me relate better to the writter and it actually makes me like the blog more, since it becomes more interesting, you know? what is the next post going to be about? we never know! hahaha. besides I think we all have had that "feeling" of knowing someone without actually doing so, and i find that feeling really interesting and tbh awesome. (speaking of awesome have you read the "book of awesome" - Neil Pasricha and its sequels? if not give them a try! knowing we can all relate to such simple things no matter who we are is pretty great! ...point being thats the kind of "awesome" feeling im talking about).


    Got a little side tracked hahaha, anyway... while I really like when bloggers share a little bit of their lives with us, i can't help but wonder, don't you find it creepy? I mean we know as much of you as you want us to, but you dont really know anything about us :/ what do you think?

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  11. Your blog is yours, so only do what you're comfortable with - it's like me, I love fashion but I don't like my body in photos so I steer clear of it! Remember that your blog is for you, do only do what makes you happy :) x

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  12. Thanks for your comment Heather! I'm glad you've been able to branch out on your blog and that you're enjoying it! Just do whatever you're comfortable with, but a bit of personality always helps readers connect :) x

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  13. It can be a scary prospect indeed, but sometimes it's so liberating to just get things off of your chest - it's like ranting to your best friends! Thanks for your comment Coco, I hope you're well and I hope we get to know each other better soon :) xx

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  14. Exactly! Some blogs can be a bit too 'artificial' for my liking. That doesn't necessarily mean that always being happy is artificial, but just taking about your everyday life (both ups and downs) can be really refreshing :) x

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  15. Thank you so much Kelly, it means a lot! x

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  16. Haha of course not! It's human nature to be nosey ;) That's true, is people only want to share the 'highs' of their life then that's totally their choice! I just like getting to know the person behind the blog, and I don't mind sharing the lows as well as the highs :) x

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  17. Great point Tessa - we're all human so we should share our experiences if it can help others (only if you're comfortable doing it though!) x

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  18. Yeah I love getting to know my fellow bloggers :) x

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  19. I do - I always tend to prefer blogs when I know the blogger on a more personal level. Oh no, I've never read those - I'll have to add them to my reading list! I don't really find it creepy because I only share what I'm comfortable with, so although you know more about me than I do about you, I've allowed that to happen, if you know what I mean? I'd love to find out more about all of my followers though! x

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  20. All you gotta do is ask! I don't think any of us would mind telling u a little bit about ourselfs ;). x

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  21. Agreed, I've also recently started to branch out from not only beauty posts, but more personal and lifestyle posts as well. I never used to read lifestyle blogs but now I really appreciate the more personal posts, because who knew I could relate to so many other people on the internet? :)

    Sheri | Behind The Frames

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  22. Tell me something about yourself then ;) x

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