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11,979Are Blogger Bio Pages Extinct? *
There was a time when you could visit a personal blog, click on an about me link, and find yourself quickly immersed in someone’s life story.
Perhaps it was only a few paragraphs, a photo, or even a short list of likes and dislikes, but it was a true about me page. It was an autobiography, and certainly a glimpse into the heart of the blog owner.
I am still compelled to click that about link when I visit a great new blog, however, I am finding more and more that the traditional bio pages I am accustomed to seeing, are disappearing.
What do I see now? Maybe one paragraph that would actually constitute a bio, followed by several paragraphs filled with information that was clearly written for PR, including in-depth traffic and social media statistics, a list of brands that the blogger has worked with, and detailed information on the types of products that the blogger is interested in reviewing.
Do I think that there is anything wrong with having a media kit, or gearing a page toward PR and brands? No, but that doesn’t mean that as a reader, I am not thoroughly disappointed when instead of an authentic biography, I see nothing more than a resume.
As a reader of your blog, I am interested in your personal story. I want to know what makes you tick, and even what makes your heart sing.
I also believe that in many cases, this is also what the PR and brands that bloggers are so eager to attract, are looking for as well. Remember, your personality is your best asset.
I guess my best advice (if anyone cared about my advice) would be not to lose focus of the fact that your blog, regardless of your niche, is really a representation of you. Keep the resume if you want, but don’t forget about the new reader, who really might just want to learn more about you.
Do you think a traditional biography is an important feature of a good blog?
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Completely agree. The vanishing About Me pages are just another element of the changing blogging landscape that is actually driving me away from blogging, both reading and writing.
I totally think an about/bio page is important to a blog. Since so much is interjected into what we write about, it makes sense to me that you would want a place where people can get to know you in one place- not just scattered in our posts.
I love about pages because it really gives readers a chance to see quirks and commonalities. I can’t tell you how many times I flipped out that a blog I love has a blogger behind it with the same favorite shows, a pug or loves my favorite movie! :)
I’m all for the about page!
I have an about me page and a pr information page for this very reason. One is for my readers who are interested in me and the other is for pr reps.
I’m totally with you! A blogger whom I’ve known for over a year now finally posted a pic of herself along with her ‘about me’ and it really helped to put a face with a name and personality. :) I know some bloggers like to be anonymous but I think sharing personal tidbits with our readers helps us connect to them. I try not to get too personal on my blog but I’ve been toying with the idea of putting more of myself out there. ;)
Great post topic Crissy!
I totally agree! I enjoy being able to discover new blogs and read about the person behind the words. I, too, have a separate “about me” and PR page. I am NOT my traffic stats! :)
I agree. Whenever I’m considering following a new blog, I always read the bio, and if there isn’t one or if it’s really, really brief, then I’m less inclined to subscribe. There’s nothing wrong with blogging as a business, but I enjoy it for the way that it allows women from all over the world to connect and form friendships. And like you said, even if you blog professionally, companies want to know about you and see if you’re the kind of person that they want representing their products :-)
I agree. It is good to see bloggers as human, not just as a “business.” Great post!
I really like the idea of having a couple of bio pages, one for PR and one for more personal details. For me, this is a bit tricky since I do not focus much on my personal life on my blog, but I see the benefit of adding interests, likes, etc.
Great post and topic to think about!
wow…i thought it was just me. it’s a total turn-off when a blogger’s about page is strictly about attracting sponsors/PR. i devalue everything i’ve read on their site when i see it. it certainly comes across as if they’re writing with one goal in mind and it certainly ain’t me. glad i stumbled across this post on twitter.
Mine still has about me and mine lol.. I am old school that way I guess
There’s a good point to be made there. I do have a new About Me page. It’s very true that if bloggers can blog about their personal lives, why don’t they have an About Me page?
I think why a lot of bloggers don’t post their lives is because they might feel ashamed because they don’t measure up to other bloggers out there. However, the About Me is where people always first look when finding a new blog. It puts a blog to a face.
Great post! I completely agree!
Yikes, you basically just described my bio page! I never thought about it that way but it makes perfect sense! I like the idea of adding a bio page for PR and a bio page of your personal story. Great tip!
Good idear! Someone told me I should make a separate personal blog for my own thoughts. Thinkin bout may doin that and linkin it to my website. You think that would be nice?
I still have an About Me page: http://lalagirl.org/about/
I probably should flesh it out a little more, though!
Great point. Jan and I are terrible about simply neglecting our about page. Considering its importance, we should pay more attention to it.
Yes, I believe a personal bio is important thought it does not have to be lengthy. I don’t everyone wants to know your whole life story but short blurb about who you are is a definite plus.
Earlier today I realized mine were completely outdated and just updated them.
I agree.
However, I think the reason people put them there is valid. Would you go out of your way to click on an Ad? Probably not. The About Me page is the 2nd highest hit page (behind the homepage) statistically. If that blogger gets one reader to read that other info and makes money from it, was it worth it? It’s debatable to the point of you may be driving away readers by putting money making into mix with reviews/ads/PR. But I actually recommend at least having a link to your PR from your About Me though for bloggers who want to make money.
Nice point of debate though. Thanks for the post.
Yes! I think a Bio page is important. I love seeing the face behind the blog and learning more about the person. If your blog is so-so and there is no interesting/exciting/engaging About Me page, I likely won’t be back.
Next to my homepage, my Bio page is the second most viewed on my site.
Bios dead? Not on my watch!
I could give a rat’s tail about SEO, I’m sharing my info with my peeps…
Check it out…(some of it may qualify at TMI!!)
http://www.anauthenticlife.com/?page_id=2484
Ugh, I feel the same way. I visited a blog the other day and the About Me page was basically a PR pitch- completely turned me off! I like to know who’s behind the blog and what they look like. I say keep your PR separate from your About… it just makes you look like all you care about is free product and not reader interaction, and if that’s the case you’re probably turning readers away (and probably prospective companies as well).
Well said. I feel about the same way,but think my post didn’t sound like that..
I’m absolutely enchanted by people. I want to know who they are, especially in a blogging context where the information shared is often so personal. Sometimes I feel closer to some of my blogging friends than I do my “real life” friends because we talk more. But I understand the whole PR side, I guess. Blogs have so many uses, and marketing is one of them, I suppose. That reminds me that I should update my bio! I think I forgot to add my last little kidlet in there. Whoops. ;)
I am a reader & have to say that i agree with you. I have looked at a many of blogs & seen all the things pertaining to PR’s. It hasn’t made me have a bad opinion about them i suppose,but it did make the feel doing RP’s is what the main concern was for them,if that makes sense. I would like to know about the bloggers too instead of seeing that because it doesn’t matter what kind of pg or blog it is i can feel somewhat more connected with them if i know a little about them. This is a very good post Crissy!
Thanks… I do not even know what is on mine. lol… Probably nothing. I will go put something, now that I know people actually look at it… :-)
It took me a long time to work on my About Me page. I would sit for hours and stare at an empty page. I finally was able to put something together that just tells about me. I went with a simple type approach to it but, thats who I am, I try to keep things less complicated. It did take me a long time to add my picture, I finally caved in.
As someone bloggers contact for products/stories and who seeks experienced bloggers I find this to be alarming as well. I want to know what the blogger is passionate about and what motivates them. It is harder to get that across through PR language. The About Me tab is what creates the initial connection with the audience…sad to see them slowing disappearing.
I SO agree Crissy! I have a ‘Contact Me’ page for the media kit/ business stuff. My ‘About me’ page is purely about me and my kids…although more pictures than words!
okaaaaay I updated my About page. :D
I have an about me page, but no picture of myself. One of these days I’ll find a photo that I am comfortable with and add it.
Wonderful tips! I couldn’t agree more:)
Have you stopped by my blog Crissy! I’d love for you to! :) I’d be honored in fact! And I’d love for you to tell me anything you think I need to change or add. I’m an eager learner. But one thing for sure, I definitely have an “About Me” section. ;)
Well put. I like to know more about the person, too.
I love reading the about me page on other blogs but sure have a hard time writing my own.
UMM. LOVE this post! I totally agree and personally am annoyed by how many of the blogs I used to love have become nothing but giveaways and sponsored posts.
I just found your blog because you followed one of my twitter pages and I had to come see who you are! About to go read your about page now!
I love the about me pages, there is so much more to know about a person than from what they post. I feel as if the about me page sortof frames the viewpoint of the blogger. Once you have a background, it helps to understand them better!
I always like to read the about me page and I always like it when I notice a book or movie that the blogger and I have in common. It usually valadates why I liked a blog to begin with too. It’s funny but this is the first post I have ever read on the bio page so I thought I was alone in liking it!! Great to find your site!
I love your “About” :) Very well written.
so interesting – never thought of anyone but the pr people reading the about page, will go add some personal info now!
As a new blogger, I completely agree. I may know know old school vs. “new” school, but I go to someone’s about page to see what their life is like, what perspective they are coming from. If you have PR info, have a PR page as well. You’ve also made me realize that my About Me page is pretty skeleton-like. I think some beefing up might do me some good!
Thanks, and so glad I found your blog through Twitter!
I think the about page and pr pages should be separate. If I am reading a blogger’s perspective on life, it’s important for me to know a little bit about him or her. I have a full bio page on my blog.
This was a good reminder to me to update my about me page! I like reading about me pages too!
You should visit my about me page… it really is all about me. I held nothing back :)
Well said. When I read a blog I want to make a connection with the person writing the blog. I find those who seem to be mainly focussed on commercial content end up losing me as a reader.
Totally agree! I have noticed the same lately!!!
Reading this was a great reminder that I need to update mine. :)
We look for “About” pages all the time when researching potential bloggers to work with. When done well, they can be a great way to get a glimpse at the blogger’s personality, writing style, maybe some info on types of projects that would be a good fit (like if you’re a vegetarian and we have a meat client or you have tweens and we have a baby products client, etc) and bonus if they give relevant site info (or even if they put that on a PR/Media Kit tab) like traffic and other projects worked on. Another very good thing to have is an actual email address, we love those!
I love about me pages and update mine when I think something new is relevant.
I like to think it is! I made mine the first tab on my blog :-) I also like to read other’s bios…it helps me know who is writing and how I can relate to them! I, in all honesty, believe that blogging should ALWAYS be about connecting with other people.
I think an About page with a traditional biography is essential. You learn about my whole life on mine and I won’t change that. PR stuff can go on the PR page.
Like you, I am interested in the person who is writing the blog – personal blogs who don’t have a picture or a person with a made-up name turn me off. I guess those are websites, then, but not blogs?
I also have a problem with blogs who makes it very hard to comment. I haven’t been by Dooce much since she made it so hard to comment. I don’t want to link to my Facebook account to leave a comment.
I totally agree. I have a paragraph at the bottom of my About that states where I have spoken etc. Everything else in my bio is all me, and my randomness.
Completely agree about the bio. You can set up a separate page for PR folks. Plus if unless you have the numbers, how do you know you are not disqualifying yourself from a brand’s campaign.