How important is the ‘About’ page on your blog? #blogging
Over the past few years I have been running this blog I have made numerous updates to my about page, but just how important is this page and the information it contains?
According to Evelyn Parham:
“If I cannot learn more about your blog and about you (author of blog), then I usually do not make a return visit or add your blog to my reader. I understand that some people want to remain anonymous, but if you really want people to follow you and connect with you, you must give them a reason to connect with you.”
If you want to maintain some form of control over the details you provide then I agree with you and support your decision. As Evelyn notes above I still need a reason to connect with you and the details you provide on the about page is what gives me an indication on your authority on the subject you write about.
Evelyn continues saying:
“Blogging is more than just writing articles about those topics that you are most passionate. Blogging is about sharing and connecting with others. I am more likely to connect with you when I know more about you, your blog and can easily contact you. It is almost impossible for me to connect with you if you don’t make connecting possible.”
While I do not provide a direct link to my email address you can still find it if you read my about page – the reason I and many more do not give a direct clickable link is to prevent unwanted contact from vendors who are peddling something I have no need or interest in.
“Your about page and contact page is a lot like an online business card. If you are trying to remain anonymous or elusive, you are only hurting yourself and your blog’s potential.”
Even more than this, your about page can be seen by prospective employers as part of your online resume.
Brenda, writing on the workITgibraltar website, says that “statistics show that this is one of the most clicked on pages on a blog, so it is worth taking a little time to think about it and get it right. It is one of those pages which should be on your review list every few months so that it is kept up to date at all times.”
Darren Rowse, the highly respected ProBlogger, suggests you consider transparency, engagement, and using the about page to highlight key pages or topics on your about page, as well as the basic facts on who you are and why you are blogging.
There are many websites and bloggers offering tips on what to write on this page, but what you include on this page is entirely up to you, but you should consider (based on what I look for when I read one of these pages);
- Photo (and/or avatar),
- Background: why you speak/write on authority on the topic of your blog,
- Links to where I can find out more about you, either posts on your own blog or to your other locations and websites on the web,
- How to get in contact with you, either as an email link, comment or feedback form, or through a social network like Twitter or Linked In.
The below is from Six Revisions and is a good starting point until you develop your own style and figure out what you want to include or exclude:
- Who are you?
- What do you do?
- When did you start doing what you’re doing?
- Where are you?
- How are you accomplishing what you claim to do?
What do you think? What do you include or exclude on your own about page, and why? Please leave your comment below.
Image from Anna Hirsch
G’day David,
The ‘About’ page is the first challenge I give students in the blogging challenge I run twice yearly. It is where I leave the ‘Welcome to the challenge’ comment. It is also a great way for students to learn about being internet savvy and not leaving too much personal information.
This is a bit different to being an adult blogger writing posts for mainly adults to read. Your ‘About’ page is more for promotion – why blogging etc?
My guess is you want your students to write more than the “I have to do this” type of entry so why not get the students to use the about page to give an indication of not only what they are doing (and why) but also what they hope to learn and understand from the process?
Thanks for the comment, all the best, David.
Hi David,
This is so timely for me. I started a blog this summer and have totally neglected putting any other pages on it. I read recently that an “about” page is a good idea. And now thanks to you, I have a framework to go by.
Many thanks,
Debra
Hi David,
I am a student in EDM 310 class and a first time blogger. I strongly agree with the ‘about’ page is the most important part of your blog. If there isn’t anything about the person on the blog then I know I won’t read no further. Thanks for giving a checklist letting me know exactly what should go onto the ‘about’ page. I will be summarizing my visits to your blog with a post on my blog http://castleberryravenedm310.blogspot.com/ on September 11.
Thanks,
Raven
Hi David,
I am a student in EDM 310 class and a first time blogger. I strongly agree with the ‘about’ page is the most important part of your blog. If there isn’t anything about the person on the blog then I know I won’t read no further. Thanks for giving a checklist letting me know exactly what should go onto the ‘about’ page. I will be summarizing my visits to your blog with a post on my blog http://castleberryravenedm310.blogspot.com/ on September 11.
Thanks,
Raven
Hi. Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you think the same way I do – without the ‘about’ page, whatever you call it, it doesn’t show your audience much about yourself. While some may argue your posts and content will be enough I feel this is expecting your audience to spend more time hunting for the information than they may be willing to, therefore you will/might loose them.
All the best, David
Hi. Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you think the same way I do – without the ‘about’ page, whatever you call it, it doesn’t show your audience much about yourself. While some may argue your posts and content will be enough I feel this is expecting your audience to spend more time hunting for the information than they may be willing to, therefore you will/might loose them.
All the best, David
Hi. Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you think the same way I do – without the ‘about’ page, whatever you call it, it doesn’t show your audience much about yourself. While some may argue your posts and content will be enough I feel this is expecting your audience to spend more time hunting for the information than they may be willing to, therefore you will/might loose them.
All the best, David
Hi David,
I am a student in EDM 310 class and a first time blogger. I strongly agree with the ‘about’ page is the most important part of your blog. If there isn’t anything about the person on the blog then I know I won’t read no further. Thanks for giving a checklist letting me know exactly what should go onto the ‘about’ page. I will be summarizing my visits to your blog with a post on my blog http://castleberryravenedm310.blogspot.com/ on September 11.
Thanks,
Raven
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing my post. You have some pretty good links and I’ll definitely check out the others you’ve shared.
I include a little information about myself. But I make sure to let the reader know the goals and mission for my blog.
I think I need to make a few changes. :)
Take care,
Evelyn P.
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing my post. You have some pretty good links and I’ll definitely check out the others you’ve shared.
I include a little information about myself. But I make sure to let the reader know the goals and mission for my blog.
I think I need to make a few changes. :)
Take care,
Evelyn P.
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing my post. You have some pretty good links and I’ll definitely check out the others you’ve shared.
I include a little information about myself. But I make sure to let the reader know the goals and mission for my blog.
I think I need to make a few changes. :)
Take care,
Evelyn P.