You Are Your Own Brand
A joke about brands
I’m sure I’ve written directly or indirectly about this subject in the past but some things bear repeating, so here goes. You are your own brand when it comes to blogging, streaming or podcasting (other forms of content creation are available). It doesn’t matter if you write exclusively about some niche market subject or produce videos solely about a single aspect of fandom, your personality will inevitably bleed through into the content you post and your audience will sooner or later pick up upon it. Humans are social creatures and we are naturally curious about each other. I certainly am. I follow numerous blogs and a substantial part of their appeal is their individual and unique styles and personalities. I will happily read blog posts or watch videos about subjects I’m not especially interested in because I like the content creator and the way they express themselves.
Globalisation and the internet tend to make us think that we’re all broadly living the same life and to a degree that is true. We all go to school or hold down a job, have family and friends and eat, drink and sleep. What I love about blogs is the way a simple post can inadvertently highlight regional, social and cultural differences. This can be innocuous as a brand or product that there is no direct equivalent where I live in the UK, to the complexities of local government, social etiquette and the tumultuous waters of national politics. These are the things that make you blog engaging and give it a distinct personality. It can lead to comments, conversation and friendships. You have to be an especially anodyne writer to remove all traces of nuance from your prose. Why would you want to do that anyway?
A branding iron
On a less light-hearted note, often a blog can be an invaluable source of insight into the daily struggles that many face. It comes as no surprise to me that numerous bloggers have personal issues, difficult circumstances and family problems that they’re dealing with on a daily basis. Often a blog provides a platform for some self-therapy and catharsis. A means to clarify one’s thoughts, decompress and try and rationalise what is going on in life. Furthermore, sometimes a supportive comment left can make the difference between someone having a bad day or getting through it. I believe that it is important to be aware of each other’s life and that it’s not all one, happy and level playing field. What is normal and everyday for me is not the default for everyone else.
So despite what you may think, your blog is a window into you as a writer, even if you reveal very little about what you do, where you live and your own personal life. You end up with an online persona that may be a true reflection of you, or a stylised caricature. You can if you see fit, curate and control this to a degree. So do not underestimate the significance of this. You are your own brand and it can serve you well. A question that has been raised during many previous Blaugust Festival is “I want to write about something different but I’m not sure if readers will like it”. This usually stems from someone writing about a single subject or a specific aspect of fandom and then finding that they want to spread their wings and try something else. The good news is that you can. Not all but the majority of your readership will read posts that are different from your regular content. Again this comes down to the fact that they’re invested in you and your style of writing.
A popular brand
Naturally, there is an element of caution associated with the notion that you are your own brand, as much as all the positive aspects. Some bloggers find themselves producing other online content as well and end up maintaining a sense of brand continuity. For example, there was a time when Contain Moderate Peril produced daily posts throughout the year, along with a weekly podcast. In such circumstances, always think about how you express and conduct yourself online. Especially if you are trying to generate revenue from your material. Be mindful of associations and affiliations because mud can stick. But these are just common sense considerations. Overall, there are more upsides to being your own brand than downsides. I certainly enjoy the more personal rapport I’ve built up with those who read my musings, over the last decade or so. Hopefully the fact that you’re not just perceived as a faceless blogger will help encourage you with your writing.
