Comments on: Reader Feedback: Personal Blogging

By: Shawn Blanc

Shawn Blanc — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 03:07:53 +0000

Having the personal posts mixed in gives your other posts more personality and flare because we have a better idea of who’s writing them.

I say go for it. It will make reading glennwolsey.com a little better.

By: Jay Robinson

Jay Robinson — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:39:43 +0000

I say go for it, Glenn.

I am a radio DJ and people really respond to the personal touch. The site *does* bear your given name.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:04:42 +0000

Hi Glen – I’ve only just discovered your blog, and it’s great as it is.

But you know, there’s plenty of design resources and news sites out there that I could surf – but blogs offer me something a little different – a window into a real persons life.

Keep up the good work. :)

By: Chanpory

Chanpory — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:07:37 +0000

Glenn, it’s certainly a dilemma. I struggle with this on my own blog.

I believe sharing personal opinions/anecdotes and writing content with large appeal are not mutually exclusive. Do I want to know what color socks you’re wearing today? Perhaps not. Do I want to know your opinion on technology or the demise of Digg.com? Yes. If it relates to the broader topic, your opinion is relevant and helps us to know you as a person.

I do disagree with the notion some have about blogging as a purely personal endeavor. Blogs are inherently meant to be read, by others, by an audience. You could of course make it password-protected so only you could read it, but then why just not have a Word document on your computer.

By: anon

anon — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:38:04 +0000

Glad I could help Glenn. You and I have more in common than you realise. (except im a few years older). keep up the good work. I’ll be in touch.

By: Tyler Kieft

Tyler Kieft — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:47:21 +0000

People want to know more about the mysterious Glenn Wolsey.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:30:57 +0000

I started reading for your personal takes on things. I like your perspective sometimes and if things outside of what you normally write about build that perspective they obviously are relevant. It also provides a bit of insight to how you think about things.

It also helps when feeling a bit blocked to have more options to go to for subject matter. Variety makes for less frustration for the writer and makes it interesting for the reader.

I also don’t think it has to be opinions, it could be anecdotes about the experience you have with what you have already written about or make it a think-a-loud about some of your decision making.

By: Kristiano

Kristiano — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:18:58 +0000

As long as they don’t become borderline narcissistic, I see no reason why not.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:14:00 +0000

I think posting about your personal life would add something special to your blog. I find it interesting to read about other people’s personal lives. I feel as though it helps me deal with things in my own life. We can learn so much from other people, if we all just listened to one another.

By: Keenan

Keenan — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:14:20 +0000

I really like personal posts.

For one thing, enough blogs out there already re-state the news that we all get from TUAW or Gizmodo or wherever.

Also, I think that more personal posts might even attract more readers. In my opinion, it’s great to kind of get to know the blogger in between all the more “technical” posts.

Finally, as everyone has said, it’s your blog, your domain name, etc. Do what you want and the readers will follow.

By: Edward Scherf

Edward Scherf — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 06:24:12 +0000

Personally, I would love to read more into the mind of who Glenn Wolsey is. There’s nothing better than reading great content and knowing the mind that wrote it. It’s a great connection to have with your readers.

By: zzap

zzap — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:34:15 +0000

I think more personal would be a nice idea. Opinions are great, and I’d be interested in reading yours.

By: Glenn Wolsey

Glenn Wolsey — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:50:25 +0000

Great! Thanks for all the comments so far guys, keep them coming.

By: Indraneel

Indraneel — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:35:14 +0000

honestly, I read the posts that show your voice in them. That post that just got dugg is honestly terrible. Though lists are good at times, posts like that are god awful. No offense intended, but you just put pictures up. Any baby with a brain could’ve done that. But most of the time you have some really great content, and I’d love to see more of your voice shine through. so +1 digg to the whole personal idea. w00t glenn!

By: DeathAxe

DeathAxe — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:34:55 +0000

Yeah go for it! Opinions blogs are great

By: alej744

alej744 — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:15:02 +0000

By the way, I wouldn’t mind if you posted a little more ;)

By: alej744

alej744 — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:13:32 +0000

Your blog.
Your content.
…I’m staying.

By: wphj

wphj — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:05:53 +0000

Everyone else has pretty much said it all.
Do what you want!

By: Kiro

Kiro — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:54:59 +0000

I think it’s a great idea! Because I own a blog and have been blogging for about a year now, I’ve noticed, like you, that you really can’t post news and such all the time. And some times, you just need to blow off some steam or put something on the web. I usually don’t go to that extreme but hey, it’s been done. xD

Opinions are important. People want to know what other people think. Blogs are one of the best places to read that. And from what I’ve seen it will increase that little graph you see of how may visitors you have =p.

You already have your “fan base” so now you can entertain and enlighten them even More! Don’t worry about it. We’ll stay here and we’ll look forward for the non-personal stuff too. I for one can’t wait.

Good Job and Good Luck!

By: definetheline

definetheline — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:42:53 +0000

I totally agree with anon, and also want to add that every blog in my RSS feed reader can say that the Apple TV is released, or something like that, but I really enjoy it when one blogger, instead of just reporting, puts a spin on it and gives his or here opinion in a very cool, fun to read way.

You have that talent Glenn, just because you’re starting to get popular doesn’t mean you have to forget the reason you blog!

Keep up the great work!