The Voice! No it’s Not a Reality Show...But You’ll Want to Find It!

One of the many pieces of advice I’ve learned while reading “How To” posts here by seasoned bloggers was to write in your own voice.  

Now.. what the heck does that mean?  For many here, it seems to come Get your voicenaturally.  You can read their post and come away with a feel for who they are.  

My BARFF Roger Mucci is one who does just that.  Read what he writes, and he’ll readily admit it’s often about nothing, and you feel as if you’ve just had a conversation with him.  And, having met Roger in person and spoken to him on the phone, I can tell you this...what you read is what he is.

We write these posts for people to read.  And, if we’re lucky, those who read what we write will like it well enough to follow us or subscribe to our blogs.  Otherwise... why go through all of this??

talkingWriting in your own voice means be yourself.  “Speak” to us as if we were talking over a cup of coffee (or adult beverage).  If you tend to be more formal in your everyday speak then write that way.

If you tend to speak in a more casual or off the cuff manner, then write in that tone.  Obviously there will be times when a more formal tone is necessary or when you need to lighten it up a bit.  

Two things to remember regardless of your type of voice:

1. Casual, formal and all points in between..... grammar and spelling do count.  Your blog is a reflection of you, so be sure to proofread and check your spelling.

2.  Content matters.  What makes you continue to come back to someone’s blog?  Exactly.... you’re interested in what they have to say.


It’s Not Always What You Say,

But How You Say It.


So, come on...let’s hear from you!

 Kathy Streib 

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48 Comments on The Voice! No It's Not a Reality Show..But You'll Want to Find It!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAY
08
2012
653,365 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I couldn't agree more.  When I am forcing myself to blog, my blog sucks.  When I am just being myself, it's pretty darn good.  And much easier.  
5:17am • #29
1,501,247 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kathy...

It takes a while to find your blogging voice, and a lot of trial and error. But once you do, the words just start to flow!
5:23am • #30
706,416 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy that alone is the best saying of the day "it is not what you say but how you say it".  I think the important thing is to be able to write clearly and concisely to get your point across in a way that the reader understands and will want to come back to read more. Congratulations on your feature
5:37am • #31
465,757 Points 9 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Kathy-Congrats on the well deserved feature.

roses
6:17am • #32
731,093 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy, this is very good advice. Thanks for the reminder.
6:28am • #33
1,330,738 Points 189 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kathy, I think there are actually TWO voices. Writing in your informal having a cup of coffee informal voice, and THEN the voice that emerges of WHAT you predominantly want to blog about all the time. THAT second voice emerges I have seen after about writing 50 blog posts.
6:33am • #34
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Good morning, Kathy, excellent information here! Especially the content, grammar and spelling part of it!!       
8:49am • #35
293,173 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy, Very good advice. Some of us just need to tune our voices to hit the right pitch ; ) Quite often the written word is very different from the oral one.
8:57am • #36
548,816 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy:

It is hard at the beginning to find your voice.  I tend to be more formal in my everyday conversation.  When I write I sound stilted.  Still working on that.  As far as grammar and spelling are concerned, even when I use spell check and grammar check, I still sometimes find errors in my post.  I just keep checking.
9:16am • #37
202,641 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I'm having a difficult time trying to figure out how to write in any voice but my own. I certainly down't write with a French accent or a southern drawl ableint I like both. I would have a difficult time removing me from me whence writing. 
9:28am • #38
527,843 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kathy - content is still king, but it should alwasy reflect "our voice".  Also important - spell it right, say it right - check it over for mistakes. 
10:40am • #39
1,032,482 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jane- isn’t it interesting that there are some people who can write about almost nothing but we still want to read their posts.

Susan- are people still doing that?  I agree, I don’t think I’d want anyone to write for me.

Kevin- thank you.  It’s work to write these things.  I know it comes much easier for others.

Leilani- I think it’s one of the only ways we can get to know someone since for the most part we’re not meeting them in person.

Cheryl- We love your voice!!!

Debbie- that’s the best way to do it.  Writing is hard enough.  If you have to be who you aren’t then it’s even harder.

Sally & David-I think of the columnists we read and why.  After we’ve followed them we feel as if we know them.

Fernando-I agree.... there’s no right or wrong voice as long as it’s yours.

Christiansen Team- you’ve hit the nail on the head.  Your personality can really come through.

Richard- it took me a while.  I am not a natural writer but deciding to write as I am rather what I think I should be has made it easier.

Scott- so very true. I don’t want to have to “pretend” while I’m writing.

Sharon- wow! thank you!  Red roses... you made my day.

Michael- I know that when I was beginning here at AR I kept reading posts about writing in your own voice. It really makes sense.

Gary- very interesting.  I’d never thought of it that way, but.... how about a post on it?  

Sandy- I think no matter our voice, we need to keep it professional!

Donald- well there are some “words” that are a part of my real voice, but not appropriate for a post, if you get my drift!

Evelyn-I go back and read posts that I think I’ve proofread and find errors.  Not a strong point of mine.  Don’t worry about being more formal... if that’s how you are.  And, I bet over time you’ll find your voice which will include that formality with more ease .

John-well from what I just read of your comment, that’s a great voice.

Barbara-yes, we do need good content! Without it, our subscriber list would start dropping.



11:10am • #40
1,057,134 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Since mid-January my blogging has been mostly about my farming communities, which makes it easier to have a "voice."
11:52am • #41
1,032,482 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jim- I think it does.  It's a lot easier for me to write about local events and areas. 
12:50pm • #42
702,682 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have to agree. I think it's a real shame that some people profess they are professional telling us all about their weekend & then it's littered with misspelled words, bad punctuation.  What happened to 2nd grade & all that stuff they drilled into our heads?  We've even got spell check for dummies here on AR!

Be authentic.
1:40pm • #43
448,150 Points 72 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
You can definitely get a feel for the blogger's personality by reading several of his posts. Always be true to yourself. If others don't like it they will either tell you their opinions or ignor you.
6:09pm • #44
1,032,482 Points 239 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lyn- I try to proof read everything as well as spell check but some do slip past me.  That said I have seen a lot of posts littered with misspelled words. 

Debbie- I think if you try to write like you think you should it will be a hard task.  
6:26pm • #45
MAY
09
2012
499,366 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Kathy, excellent post.  And you are right, many regular bloggers have a "personality" that comes right through their posts.
3:02am • #46
1,024,215 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I think you are right.  We have to be ourselves.  
8:36pm • #47
MAY
13
2012
423,521 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great advice Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your Voice with us, you always have something of value to say.
12:44pm • #48

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Kathy Streib-Home Stager-Palm Bch County South Florida - 561-914-6224

Delray Beach, FL

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