Mixing The Business “You” With the Others
This blog is about being authentic. But it is also about business. And thus, I split it up again.
The decision has been hard. Very hard.
I’m glad to put my personal stuff back over here because I don’t have to think so hard over there. I love just popping on and saying “read this”, “watch that”, or “let me bleed emotionally in front of you in the hopes that you will learn faster than me!”. It’s how I started blogging.
But then I built an online business and how much ME to share got confusing. How to divvy it up got confusing. Frankly, my highest traffic has been split between business and personal posts. But, after consulting with the Queen of Red Shoes and Her Knight-in-Wordpress armor, I decided to reside in two distinct locales.
And then I had lots of conversations with Josie, who is training to be a therapist, and who was (rightfully) worried about just how transparent to be online. So then I started worrying about that too because I’m studying to get into grad school for the same damned thing.
If you Google me, I am in an odd assortment of places. I don’t mind this but some of these places would be off-putting at best to a therapy client (!).
Before I combined blogs, I consulted (via quick emails, comments) with Danielle LaPorte and Colleen Wainwright, two ladies that I felt had mixed the personal with the professional well. They both understood my concern:
I’m a bleeding heart liberal. My dad calls me a communist. I remind him I’m a socialist. Some of my clients are, or might be, incredibly conservative. And I have to earn a living.
And they said it was a personal decision.
I would NEVER hide my politics, gender, partner, etc. for money.
The question came down to interest.
Are the people who want to hire me interested in my love life?
Probably not. They might be interested in my writing ability (that is a big might) but are far more interested in how I can save them the pain of the behind-the-scenes tech stuff.
And even as I write this, I feel a bit sick. Because many of my most loyal readers and friends come here, not there, for my thoughts on these human foible issues. That blog is more “me” than this one because it encompasses the many things I care about: design, spirit, sex, love and Mad Men.
So bear with me friends. I would imagine in the next 2-3 years, this whole thing will be completely different. But hell. Will we even be blogging then?
POSTSCRIPT: Today, the day after I published, I found these two posts via Twitter:
vlog post via @fabeku: You can be all of it
post via @jmoriarty: Bland Romance – Losing a client but regaining some perspective
Clearly this topic is one that many, many of us (judging by comments elsewhere) struggle with and, well, some just don’t. So. These two boys have just caused more head spin for me. Thoughts?
9 Responses to “Mixing The Business “You” With the Others”
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Yours, mine and a post on Joanie Rich’s blog are covering this same subject of professionalism, boundaries and writing, from different angles.
Thanks for your own willingness to be transparent – your posts are always thoughtful and well-expressed whichever online space they’re in. I hope you’re feeling less sick about the issue than you were … these things take some feeling-through to evolve and resolve.
I’ve just read Chartrand’s post as well, and now I’m sellotaping my jaw back together. Strewth.
Josie x
You’re right Kelly. It’s a struggle. I think of it as a balancing act between revealing enough about yourself for people to relate to you without oversharing (killing your privacy).
There is an intimacy that grows over time with your readers if you get that balance right and that’s what keeps people coming back for more updates.
-M
We are on very similar paths, you’re spot on. My silliness in doing flashmobs and pranks, showing up on the news in hot-pink underwear and a kilt, just aren’t the things clients look for as a rule.
But I reason if they don’t want the fire, perspective, and passion that drives me to do these things, they would be better off with someone else anyway. And some clients DO like it, and they’re the ones I enjoy working with.
I’ve also split and recombined my blogs many times. I keep separate ones just for topics (personal v business) but both are out there for anyone to find.
Cheers!
I’m interested to learn what “strewth” and “sellotape” are! Yes, I was one of just a few people who voiced my concern over building a business, and extremely loyal following, based on a falsehood. But hey, that’s me.
I’ll head over to Joanie’s now. Thanks for being here, Josie!
Hey Michael!
Yes. A balance is the key issue and I think, like cat juggling, that balance is precarious and requires lots of vigilance! After reading watching Fabeku’s vlog post and Jeff’s blog post, again I doubted myself. I really need a week to sit and think about a lot of stuff. Alas, that is not in the works anytime soon.
Hugs,
Kelly
Hey Jeff! Thanks for popping in…
The fact that you’ve split and recombined many times gives me some comfort. Now, off to check you out in hot-pink underwear and kilt. I think kilts are soooo sexy!
There’s this line in the sand of being authentic that I call the “hot mess” line, in honor of Perez Hilton. It’s tricky to keep your personal self visible on the business blog but not spill over into that area where people think, “You know, I’m not so sure I’d want to do business with him/her.”
There’s a big difference between transparent and naked, I’ve also heard it said.
It’s great that you’re giving it thought. I mix both together, but do my best to keep my “drunk guy running around with corn chips up my nose” photos off the net. : )
Chris Brogan…´s last blog ..One Big Traffic Secret
Chris,
I’m honored to have you here. Guess that Disqus update was a good thing…
I’m profoundly disappointed that I will not see this photo of you with corn chips up your nose. Of course, there is always an option of NOT putting corn chips up your nose, or, like Jeff, not wearing hot pink undies and a kilt. But that sounds like zero fun at all.
I love transparent vs. naked. I think I’m transparent on the business blog and very, very naked on the others. But it speaks to personality. I’m this way in real life. Lots of people aren’t. I think it will always be a balancing act that needs to be reconsidered as your business morphs.
“Strewth” is an exclamation – like Crikey, or Cripes, or Gosh!
Sellotape is a brand name for sticky tape.
And you’ll know you’re not the only one voicing that concern.
Very glad to be here – glad you are, too!
J.x
Josie´s last blog ..Heart- soul and water- Conversations from the sea