About that About Page
As the end of the year approaches, plenty of writers and bloggers (myself included) are planning for the coming year and looking around at their blog. If you’re like me, you might be thinking, “I need to clean this joint up!” Or maybe you’ve decided to take your blog or website in a new and better direction.
While you’re making those tweaks and updates, make sure you have an About page – and update the one you’ve got.
Why Do You Need an About Page?
It’s nice to think that everyone who follows us on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media platforms hangs on every word we write. We’d love to believe every one reads all our blog posts and follows our every move.
For most of us, that’s not quite how it works.
When your website gets new followers or increases page views, it’s most often because they found you at random. Maybe they searched for something and your blog came up. Maybe one your Twitter friends retweeted you, and this person clicked out of curiosity.
Once you get into a blogging groove, the vast majority of people will discover you through a search engine or a curious click from social media. They won’t know you or your backstory. Essentially you’re a stranger to them.
The way new readers get to know you is through your About page. This page lets you skip the awkward conversation part of meeting new people and get to the heart of exactly who you are.
And contrary to what you might think, it can be literally anything and in any format.
Introduce Yourself
The simplest explanation of your About page is that it should be a few sentences about who you are and what you do. That’s also the bare minimum of what it can be.
Truly, it’s your introduction.
While you probably don’t want to go back to the day you were born or how you walked uphill in the snow both ways to get to school as a child, it’s the place to share anything that’s relevant about who you are in this space.
A few things to include:
- Who you are in this specific space – pen name/psuedonym/your personal history
- Why you’re blogging or why this website exists
- The cast of characters who show up frequently – your partners, lovers, etc.
- Anything about your background that you think is relevant.
Your about page should answer a few questions about you and your blog: Why did I start this blog? Why am I sharing this specific story or part of myself with you? Who are the important (and relevant) people in my life that you’ll meet here? What do I want you (a total stranger visiting my website) to know about me and this space you’re in?
First Person vs. Third Person
I have and likely will continue to write about myself in the third person on occasion. My Eroticon speaker bio comes to mind. But it’s not my favorite thing to do.
Third person feels impersonal and removed. It’s what most of us use when we want to appear or feel professional or important.
On your sex blog, I recommend first person. This is your space, your voice, and your story. The about page should be from you, a person, not some nameless, faceless entity writing on your behalf.
When you go with first person, don’t forget to introduce yourself. “My name is Kayla Lords, and I’m going to share all the kinky details of my sex life with you…” is a possible first line.
Ultimately, choosing between first and third person is a personal choice, but if you’re asking my opinion, go with first. Be you, in all your messy, sexy glory.
Tip: Have someone who’s judgement you trust read through it and let you know how it sounds. Often the people who know us best can also best describe us – to ourselves and others.
How Long Should It Be?
I’ve read about pages that were a single paragraph and told me nothing. And I’ve read multiple paragraphs that felt like a slog.
Ultimately, the length of your about page is up to you. As long as it conveys all the important information about who you are and what people might expect on your website, it’s the right length.
Here on The Smutlancer website, my About page isn’t that long. It includes an explanation of the website and a bit of background out me as a person.
Contrast that with my About page on KaylaLords.com.This is the third or fourth version iteration of it. And if you look at it, it’s filled with lots of information. Why? Because I do lots of stuff. (And frankly, I need to update it.)
So how long does your About page need to be? Long enough to get the point across and give newcomers a feel for who you are and what they can expect from you.
Your About Page Isn’t Set in Stone
When we’re putting together a website and hoping people will visit it, we worry about every single detail. Because this is often a person’s first experience with us, we want it to be perfect.
It happens with About pages and with blog posts.
But if you’re not careful, that need to make it perfect will paralyze you.
Everything about your website can be changed, including your About page. As you grow and learn who you are and what your blog is about, your About page needs to be updated.
Your first attempt at any part of your website won’t (and probably shouldn’t) stay the same forever. You can always update your About page – once you learn more, once you figure yourself out, and anytime it stops being relevant.
For anyone worried that your About page might not be perfect when you hit publish, publish anyway. Make it your best but remember you have an edit button.
As someone who has agonized over trying to write about myself in an About page, I feel your pain if you’re going through it. For those who are happy with theirs, feel free to share your tips and tricks in the comments below or on social media. And if you haven’t thought about your About page since you started your blog, it’s probably time to give it a closer look.
