OK, this is perhaps the most stupid post ever written, an example of my highly developed ability to pick up on the most insignificant things in the world and go philosophical about it…
I was recently interested in the ways bloggers write their ABOUT feature. It is quite a revealing section that suppose to put the reader in context. Whenever I discover a new blog, I always check their about page as I like to know who is the person behind the words. Now, just as the blog itself is a self expression technology, the ABOUT page is a self-presentation management tool [ i.e. how do I like people to perceive me and my blog through this section?] so bloggers are quite conscious about the tone of voice and content of their ABOUT section.
Looking at these pages I noticed that apart from general varieties and personal touches in tone of voice and content, there are two major trends. Some bloggers write in the first-person about themselves while others write in the third-person about…themselves.
Let me give you two examples from 2 of my favourite blogs:
First, Faris:
and now my mate Karl:
I find it quite funny, to be honest. Writing about myself in the third person is hilarious. It feels incredibly royal. [Now, before you all go karate on me, I'm honestly not being judgmental so don't take me too seriously on this one - it's a free world, friends, and everyone should write however they f**king want, really you can write in the fourth-person-plural if want to! 
]
However, blogs are such a beautiful tool for being oneself and we all write in a pretty straightforward, honest and direct way about ourselves and the things we care, love or rant about…so why would anyone write something about himself in a very formal, serious, detached, third-person form?
And while I write this post I realised that it might be a cultural thing. I bet that if you take 50 American bloggers and 50 bloggers from the UK, you’ll find a great majority of third-person form on the left side of the Atlantic.
Hmmm…
Any insights are greatly welcome!
Comments 8
I wrote mine in 3rd person for a couple of reasons
1. My blog is a targeted blog to marketing type folks. It is written in such a way that anybody can copy and paste it without re-writing it. If I wrote it from the first person, it would not make sense in other applications i.e.: conference bio, magazine article, etc.
2. I use the same bio everywhere, My blog, LinkedIn, Other marketing community blogs I work on.
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Posted 21 Feb 2007 at 5:52 pm ¶Hi there!
;-p
Posted 21 Feb 2007 at 6:05 pm ¶If anyone pulls the royal we on me I just give them a dose of Pirate third person. Never fails to bring a smile….check it out and don’t forget to try it out
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-14115.html
Posted 21 Feb 2007 at 6:05 pm ¶Asi thanks for reminding me that I need to update my About Me page
As for first vs. third person, my Daily Fix bio is in third person, and I close with this: “He also likes to write his bios in third-person.”
Posted 21 Feb 2007 at 6:31 pm ¶â€œHe also likes to write his bios in third-person.â€
Nice touch.
Posted 22 Feb 2007 at 3:19 am ¶I’m with you, Asi. First person is the way to go.
One of my least-favorite things about “marketing” blogs is the corporate headshot. And again, along with the third person voice, I think this is more of a US thing. I don’t really get it. I think it’s really tacky. That said, it is a free world and you can do what you want.
Posted 22 Feb 2007 at 4:29 pm ¶Don’t forget that it’s almost a hygiene factor to project stature in U.S. business. Less a matter of free will and more a cultural driver. I think if you have trouble with U.S. nuance then I’d advise you to stay clear of doing business in China.
Posted 22 Feb 2007 at 7:25 pm ¶The third-person-female-plural rules!
Posted 26 Feb 2007 at 10:15 am ¶Post a Comment