Be completely honest, some people will hate you, some will love you.

“I think” is such a powerful phrase, instantly diluting whatever comes after it. They really pounded this into us in law school, the value of leaving “I think” out of your statements. Its a hard habit to break, but for someone trying to build an authoritative voice the effort is worth it.

How do you repair a broken perception? Can you repair it, or is it time to delete the blog and start again at a new address? Can you start again, or does web.archive mean past mistakes will hurt you forever?

I know I’ve a few challenges with my voice: first, I’m English and have a “typical English” slightly-sarcastic/sharp sense of humour that doesn’t always translate; secondly, I’m pretty blunt, for various reasons – sugar-coating isn’t natural for me and sometimes I forget to add it; and finally, I’m working for social change on a few axes, which of course means that I’m dissatisfied with the current mainstream.

In the past I’ve tried asking a few readers who have sent critical comments “how would you have done it?” but I’ve not had a positive response. Any suggestions how else to do this?

Nick

Being more confident and paying more attention to the way that people perceive me on my blog is something that I have not been doing enough of. I am going to work on making more of a point to do so.

I too like the emphasis on voice (partly because I don’t have the money to do much about blog design – so mine are pretty much standard designs).

My major struggle with voice is to ‘put myself in’ and not sound self indulgent while doing it. I hope by adding personal examples I can stay focussed on content and also give people something more personal to feel connected to. I think it is probably a feeling of connection that brings people back to our blogs.

The tone that attracts me is direct and personal. Authoritative because they know their stuff and can talk about the specifics. This is different to trying to sound authoritative just by giving judgements and opinions. So I don’t think that using ‘I think’ is always a bad idea. It sits better with me (and curiously helps build people’s authority for me) when they show they are giving their personal view or opinion.

Hi Ryan,

Well, the number of comments people leave is often an attempt to just do a kind of spam advertising. Just putting a comment on as many blogs as possible so they get noticed.

I do think some blogs that are unsuccessful do pretty much the same things as those that are successful. There may be things like being the first into a particular niche, or maybe even just luck.

As far as design goes, I think simple is better. Nothing turns me off more to a blog (or any other website) than having to work at navigating, straining my eyes to read the content, and be constantly interrupted with annoying pop-ups and flash animations that make the site load slower.

While blogging is accessible to a much wider range of people, it is still important to hone that craft to a point where your writing feels and reads as credible, because no matter what other elements comprise one’s voice, people won’t read writing that isn’t credible (or more accurately, doesn’t seem credible – even if it really is).

Seriously enjoyed your recent Twitter series, by the way. Came in handy for a little project I’m working on ;)

I’ve noticed something about when I write – and that’s the mood I’m in and the tone of voice I use (in my head) when I’m writing. Sometimes I’ll notice that it sounds preachy (kind of higher pitched) and I then try and adjust this. I know this might sound a little odd – but most of us do it…talk to ourselves as we write.

Next time, try noticing the tone of voice you use when you write…see if it reflects the “voice” or message you want it to convey through your written words.

That is why so many people read blogs like Gawker.

Thanks in advance

1. Why is it that people are so often saying ‘great article’ or I agree’ or some other sycophantic lines such as that? Shouldn’t comments serve a purpose?

2. If everyone agrees with so many of your posts, how come all 33,713 rss subscribers aren’t generating six figure incomes too?

I don’t see how I could pull off writing different from my normal voice without it being noticed. I couldn’t fake a different style very well and why would should I anyway?

If I can’t succeed with my natural personality infused into my blog, it would seem like torture for me to try and change. You are who you are, and hopefully you will build up a readership that relates to your writing personality.

If not, then you’re in trouble and could be forced to change your personality and writing style whether you like it or not.