It seems like the most successful bloggers often have their identity revealed.

Thanks for the post, it confirmed a lot of the thoughts I was having.
Ryan´s last blog … Investing in What Matters Most… Your Belly

I am a believer in having the About Me section, whether a blog or a website. It makes it more personal, more believable, more one on one, if the writer can connect with the reader.

Although good content can do this, the old addage about an image is worth a thousand words still applies. I do agree however, that one does not have to post their own image, although it would be preferred. I personally don’t like the Avatars.

I have seen several images where a photo is somewhat blurred. Just enough to give you a sense of what the person looks like, but not enough to be recognizable up front. Photo Editing can be ones friend. I personally wouldn’t use an image not of myself, but who would know if you did?

My one caution though, would to be careful to post anything about your personal information or location.

1. Use a screen name, never your real name
2. Use a State, but never a city
3. Don’t post photos of friends, relatives or family, unless it is password protected.
4. Guard any other personal information with your life. Address’s, localities, Doctors, phone numbers, SS #’s etc.

*The reason I state this last bit of info is that a gal on a military chat I belonged to, used her real last name and her city. A stalker tracked her down weeks later and caused her a lot of distress over several months, ending her moving lock, stock and barrel. If it can happen on chat, it can happen on a blog or a website.

As far as a description of yourself, just use generalities.

“I am 23 years old, (Oh how I wish), I wouldn’t use single, but if your married and have kids…put married with three boys, 2 girls, live in Idaho, attended college (Never list it) and graduated with a BS Degree. Experiance is….blah, blah, blah, but again, be careful what you expose.

Great post as usual…;)

Great article! I was just writing one myself on why ppl should include a profile for their blog when I stumbled upon your posting. I hope you don’t mind that I cited your post in my blog.

Here it is:

http://cbblogsuccess.blogspot.com/2008/12/do-i-really-need-profile.html

If you’d rather I not mention you then I’ll take out the reference.

Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
CB Webmaster

You bring up a very good point on this and that is, “if we are genuine, we are most likely also honest in what we have to offer a reader which also makes our site less intimidating to not only practice the advice but also more comfortable to do business with and buy the services or products offered.
I have made a note to make a priority of adding some more personal info (and photo) on one of my new sites I am launching.
You have also given me an idea that I am going to experiment with. If it works out, i will report back as to what it was and how it worked.

Thanks again!

I’m strictly there for content, not to “make friends”..who’s to say the picture we put up is even really us when we see a picture or if we’re using our real name.

I liken blogging to being on stage, I’m a performer, I have a stage name…that person is not necessarily me all the time. I do not blog anonymously on my main blog, Valerie Morrison, is my real name and that’s my face on my blog.

However, I recently set up a blog though where I don’t give my real name. It’s there for entertainment purposes only…it’s liberating in that I can speak freely. I can’t do that on my other blog.

I do reveal as much as I can about myself on my main blog though, but depending on what type of blog you have, it doesn’t always matter if you blog under your real or fake name.

Good post, food for thought.