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A few weeks ago, I was out with a friend of mine and one her friends. When he got to know me, he asked if what I blog about is really what goes on in my life or fiction…
Sometime back as well, I was speaking to someone else who mentioned that certain bloggers feel the need to act ‘Some-typa-way’ when in public – because readers and followers expect certain ‘standard’ from you…
Hmmm
So this brings me to the question is that okay? Do bloggers really have to blog about their real life? Can I not be creative and paint my dream picture of what my life should look like to the public? Can I be fictional as a blogger – even within more personal niches like fashion, beauty and lifestyle?
If no – why? and If yes – why?
What’s your stand?
Hi. My name is Anulika, I am new here and I own krizteeyn.wordpress.com. I think it is a necessity to be real with your audience because it gets to a point when you have this personal bond with your audience and it will hurt if they get to see you are different from that persona they are so close to. No matter how embarrassing it is, it is essential. I used to be really embarrassed with myself. I felt like my not so glamorous lifestyle made me less of a blogger than those who put out a glamorous lifestyle. All that matters is that you love what you are doing, you feel at peace, you are not constantly looking over your shoulder and your audience gets you.
Hello Demi how are you doing? 😊
Today’s topic is really important and it doesn’t get addressed as often as it should.
Personally, I believe whatever you’re blogging should be non-fiction except you expressly state it or your niche is fiction stories.
It is very important for your posts to be real because it stands a better chance of being original.
When your posts are real, you wouldn’t feel the need to behave differently as you do naturally (of course it goes without saying that you’d comport and present yourself in an acceptable and professional manner when having meetings that have to do with your blog).
Posting something real means you’d be more able to empathise with your readers and connect with them.
Hello Anulika, great points you have there
Hi Anulika! Thanks for joining us today.
I get what you mean hun but… what if there’s a part of my life (hypothetically) that I don’t want to reveal or let’s say for example my pictures look more professional if I always take them at someone else’s house? – I never say the house is mine or anything but because the way I portray things, people assume it’s mine… or if I borrow outfits to shoot with as a fashion blogger is that wrong? Do I have to say ‘by the way, I borrowed the items I’m wearing’?
Nope it’s not wrong shooting at where you think will be a better location or even wearing clothes that isn’t yours.
You don’t owe it to your readers to tell them that.
The primary purpose of blogging is not to showcase your lifestyle but to write and present helpful content…
Hi Deji! Thanks for joining us today again hun! I totally get what you mean but as always, I’m going to play the devils advocate lol…
What if I’m a story teller? Must I say it’s fictional? Doesn’t that take the suspense out of it? Sometimes it’s the curiosity of people wanting to know if it’s true or not that brings them back no?
Can’t I just add some maggi and pepper to make it more interesting lol?
Eudy
First of all, you have to understand that some people ask these questions out of SPITE. Of course you can be fictional.
For me, I am not a personal style blogger. I blog about fashion trends and tips ( more like i run an online fashion magazine). I see myself more as a writer though. I recall a number of people being like “Hmm, why is it that i barely see you in these pictures? I had to explain that I wasn’t into personal style blogging.
Thanks Deji.
Great! @Deji – So it’s not to showcase your lifestyle which means as long as it’s helpful content, even if it’s not true, isn’t really what I do daily – but it’s helpful – even if it’s based off my neighbours experience but you as a reader somehow think it’s about me or the way I am all the time… then it’s fine yes?
Daniella Bature
Hi everyone. This is my first HTT in a while. Been a hot minute. hope everyone is great. I’m loving this topic, please carry own guys, I’m all eyes.
Hi EUDY!!! Welcome back hun.
I totally understand your point of view and completely get that – I myself have written articles for online fashion blogs about trends I have never tried but ones I’m able to analyse and spot as top trends and so on…
In that case, let’s assume everyone knows me as a really good trend spotter – but maybe in real life I can’t really afford all these glamorous trends I talk about… There’s a tendency for me to want act some-typa-way no just to keep up appearances so my credibility as a style trend spotter isn’t lost… Maybe borrow a few items here and there to attend X event or so on… That surely can’t be wrong can it?
Hey hun!!! @Daniella It has indeed been a while. Nice to have you here hun – Feel free to chip in at any point o. Don’t be a bystander :p
Hello Danielle and and Eudy…
I think as a story teller, you should state whether your story is fiction or otherwise…
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