Kate from Centsational Girl had a great idea to do a Growing Your Blog series this week.  Five of us will be joining in and we’ll each host a post at our site.  Today’s post is here at Nesting Place and I’ll remind you to check out the posts for the rest of the week at the other sites. Each day we’ll focus on one topic and we will each answer a question about blogging.   Today’s question::

How important is authenticity on your blog?  How do you communicate your personality with your readers?

Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick

I believe even though readers may not know you personally, they can still see right through the fake stuff. I try to stay true to myself and therefore true to my readers by just being ME. It sounds cliché, but I think it’s worth saying…again.

I worry that sometimes I may be too authentic (I say a lot of goofy things and share way too many horrible photos of the messes in my house), but I just don’t think there’s any other way to be. Anything else would be too exhausting. Be you and people will either love it or hate it. And if they hate it, you wouldn’t want them around anyway. At least that’s what I tell myself. :)

Jen @ Tatertots & Jello

The blogs I enjoy the most are those where the writers seem real. You don’t have to be a fabulous writer, you don’t have to be funny: I wish I were both of those. Just be yourself. Write like you talk: that’s a great way to make sure your blog reflects your real voice. It’s sometimes nerve-wracking to put yourself out there. Every time I push the “Publish” button, I still get nervous. No matter how big your blog is, you still want others to like what you do.

I’ve found that my readers like me sharing the not-so-great moments in life —  a really bad day, when my kids are being terrible, craft project failures, my messy home. Of course I love sharing the beautiful pictures and making everything look its best – but my readers love it when I post about my real life and messy craft room or kitchen. Even though it’s hard for me to put myself out there, I’ve been able to connect with so many people and have made wonderful friendships just by being myself and sharing my life.

Marian @ Miss Mustard Seed

I think authenticity is a big factor in the success of a blog.  Whether over the internet or in person, people are attracted to other people who are genuine and real and willing to show different facets of themselves.  I try to show my personality by writing the way I speak.  I don’t make it formal just because it’s in writing.  I also have made some videos and I don’t edit my personality out.  If I spill my pins all over the floor or if my son wanders in and flushes the toilet, I just leave those things in and let the viewers enjoy the humor of the situation with me.  I know my readers also appreciate when I show a dose of reality mixed in with the “beauty shots.”  It’s nice for them to know my kids are messy and my carpets are stained and my laundry is out of control and a life is really lived in my house.  The bottom line is that authenticity on your blog invites your readers to think of you as a friend.

Kate @ Centsational Girl

Authenticity is the #1 requirement for a successful blog and trying to be something that you’re not is a recipe for disaster.  The thing that makes a blogger great is when he or she shares their life in their voice in the unique way only they can do.  My most favorite bloggers are the ones that both inspire me with their beautiful images and amazing creations, but also keep it real by allowing their style, their thoughts, and their imperfections to show through. I’m typically more formal in my writing, especially with the how-to posts or reflections on design, but then I’ll bust out a more raw version of myself or reveal the personal side and readers respond to that too.  We’re all imperfect, we’re all human, and sharing those moments when we’re silly or dorky or when the world is falling apart around us forms that real connection with readers.

I once read somewhere that you should write like you speak, and even better, write like you’d speak to your sister or best friend, and that’s true. Language can be casual or formal, it’s up to the blogger, but the most important thing is to use your real thoughts and true voice that only you have to offer  – that’s the key.

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And back to me, The Nester

Authenticity online is one of those things you can’t always explain but you know it when you see it. Or in this case, read it.  Here’s one of my favorite comments from that Pinterest and Blogging post that I wrote the other day::

Kristen shared something authentic and vulnerable and my immediate reaction was “I ADORE YOU” to the point where I had to respond to her comment right then on my phone right then and spell words wrong, I couldn’t wait to connect with her because she had connected with me.  Something happens when people share something imperfect that we can relate to.  Don’t underestimate the power of authenticity.

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Instead of me talking more about authenticity, I thought I’d link to some of the most authentic bloggers I know of.   These women have the audacity to risk being their true, imperfect, relatable selves and tell it like it is in their own way.  So, naturally, I’ve met all of these women and can vouch that their online voice coincides with who they are in real life.

June @ Bye Bye Pie

Annie @ Annie Blogs

Heather @ Especially Heather

Emily @ Chatting at The Sky

Ann @ A Holy Experience

Ashely @ Handmade Home

 Tomorrow, we’ll be at Sarah’s talking about monetization.  I’ll be sure to remind you.

Is there a writer/blogger you think of when you hear the word authentic?  What does authenticity mean to you?  Why do we make it so complimicated?  {See what I did? I wrote complimicated instead of complicated in order to infuse a little of my authentic personality into my blog.}