When a new reader shows up to your blog and decides to stick around, it’s usually because they’ve seen your stellar headshot but then where do they go?
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I’m so glad you asked.
Nine times out of ten they go straight to your ABOUT page. About pages are the highest visited pages on any blog. So, YES, they matter.
If you want to keep a reader on your site you must tell them why they want to be there. You don’t ask, you don’t suggest, you tell. Give them a map, so to speak, and guide them around your blog, starting with your About page.
When you are writing an About page there are lots of methods and formulas out there. Some say write a numbered list about yourself. Others say be super personal and add lots of pictures. Still others say add links around your site, to your best work.
All good tips. All can be effective. But how do you guarantee that a new reader follows the map, stays on your site?
Let’s do some role playing and discover how you can keep a reader right where you want them.
My name is Jenny Newreader. I just found your blog. I see you have a great headshot that makes me want to know more about you. Now I want to see if I can connect with you on a deeper level. Here are my questions to see if I can do just that. Think of these as the key points on the map.
Do I know your name?
- It’s not enough to have a picture of yourself on your site. You need to tell people your name. Your first name is fine. Just get it out there so an immediate connection can be made. People connect with people, not blog titles.
- I have seen a lot of bloggers worry about using their real names online. Here’s my two cents about that – 1.) If you want to be a hobby blogger and only want your in-laws and second cousins to read your blog, don’t use your real name. 2.) If you want to be a success, use your real name. Clear enough? You’re either all in or you’re not. Make your choice and don’t complain to me when you try to have it both ways.
- Exceptions: The exception to this rule is if you name your blog something “like” a name. My favorite example of this is my friend Paula who blogs at AKA Jane Random. Sometimes I forget her name isn’t Jane. I go to tag her on something and I’m like, dude, why can’t I find Jane? The other exception is if you have a legit, legal reason not to share your name. That’s a no brainer.
- The point is, hiding for the sake of not upsetting your mother-in-law is no reason not to have your name on your About page. C’mon, be bold. Put yourself out there.
Can I feel your passion?
- If you write a blog you should be passionate about your subject matter. No matter what it is, you’d better be able to convey your strong feelings about it. There is nothing worse than reading an About page where someone says. My name is Sue and I have two kids. I’m a wife and I like blogging. Whoop-de-doo.
- If I’m going to spend time reading your blog, I’d better know that you putting your heart into it.
- Use descriptive words and make me fall in love with your subject matter too.
- Basically, don’t be boring.
- Think about visiting the Louvre in Paris or the Sydney Opera House. When you visit you’ll either pick up a brochure or already have a guide book pointing out all the best aspects of the site. It doesn’t say, “Well, we have beige carpet.” No, it says, the architecture is modeled after xyz or the best place to take a photo is… Do the same thing. Put yourself on display and point out all the best parts, from your brain to your ability to roll your tongue. Sell yourself BIG!
Do you care about me?
- Remember, I’m Jenny Newreader and I’m looking for help, or a connection, or new information, or all of the above. Make me feel like I matter. Your About page should be about me, not you.
- I hear a lot of blogger say, I just write for myself. Whatever! If you were just writing for yourself you’d be scribbling on notebook paper and hiding it in your sock drawer. The first step is to admit that you write with the secret fantasy that your words will go viral and that some literary agent will call and offer you a 7 figure book deal. Admit it.
- Ok, that may be extreme, but the point of writing a blog is to share and connect with others. Use your About page to tell a new reader how you are alike, how you might be different, and how you can meet in the middle. Show them you care.
- Again, it’s not about you. It’s about your readers.
Why should I be reading your blog?
- What do you have to offer me in the way of solving a problem I have, sharing new information with me, or offering me a new perspective on something? Give me a reason to keep reading.
- The best pitches for why I should read your blog are confident, comical and compassionate. Hit hard, make me believe you are an expert. Don’t be a sissy.
- Do not use pansy language. This means, don’t ever say things like “If you are interested, you can read more here.” Lame. Or, “I hope you like my site.” If you do I’ll say “Do you like your site? Because it sounds like you’re not sure yourself.” Not good.
- Tell me why you write, what you write about and why it matters. Take a risk and be bolder than you feel.
What do you want me to do next?
- Let’s say I make it through your About page and I like it. I like you. What can I read next? How can you and I make a deeper connection? You’ve got to tell me. Remember, the map?
- There is nothing more infuriating than a blog that leaves it up to me to go find more. This is such a simple fix. Just tell me.
- Add a few hyperlinks to some of your most read articles. Create a Start-Here page for readers to get a feel for your body of work. Give me a sign-up form for your newsletter.
- Be my tour guide not just the ticket taker.
Here are my favorite sites for digging a little deeper into this topic of About pages:
Remember, About pages are meant to change and evolve, just like you. This is one page you should keep fresh and updated. Don’t try to do it all in one day, you can’t. But work on it, then re-work it and then come back to it at a later date and work on it again.
Need help with your About page? Please don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments.
Photo by chelsea ferenando on Unsplash
Photo by Alvin Balemesa on Unsplash
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