Most blogs have one. In fact, it’s a default page or widget in most blogging software. It’s the first thing I look for and check out when I encounter a new blog. Yep, it’s the “about” page.
The “about” page is pretty important to a blog. It gives readers and potential readers a snapshot of you and your blog. It also serves as a good reference in the future for readers to refresh on the details. Okay. It’s important. Good.
Content.
Location? Vocation? Pictures? Blog intro? Reading habits/philosophy? Contact info? Book reviewing policies? Links? There is a fine line to walk here between being informative and privacy concerns.
My “About” Page.
Here is how mine reads as of right now:
My name is Jessica, and I am a book addict. I read and read and read (as much as my career, family, and church will allow).
If you would like me to review one of your books, please leave a comment on this page or email me at thebluestockingsociety (at) gmail.com.
Not bad. Not too spectacular. To get ideas on how to add a little pizzazz to my “about” page, I did a quick tour of my blogroll.
Examples.
Matt at A Guy’s Moleskine Notebook has a list “about” page that lists his interests and activities and 100 things about him.
Eva over at A Striped Armchair has a lengthy “about” page which includes a general introduction to her and her blog and her reading tastes. Also, she links to memes she’s posted that tell a little bit more about her.
Chartroose over at Bloody Hell, It’s a Book Barrage! has a nicely crafted, alliterate “about” page.
Raych over at Books I Done Read has a rant of an “about” column that conveys all of the necessary information about her blog.
Dorothy W. over at Of Books and Bicycles has a brief “about” page similar to mine above.
Rebecca of Rebecca Reads and Karen at Sassy Monkey Reads both have conversational “about” pages that explain their personal book blog philosophies.
Christine over at She Reads Books has a comprehensive “about” page organized by topic for easy access, and she even includes a privacy statement.
Dewey over at The Hidden Side of a Leaf has an informative “about” page that was a little hard to find but full of useful information about her blog (and her extensive blog-community events) and her personal life. She has a little bit of the list thing going on there at the end, too.
Rants and Reads at The Novel World admits to struggling with her “about” page, but provides good information there.
The above examples are not exhaustive. There are many good examples out there, but these are the ones that kind of stuck out in some way to me.
Resolution.
Based on my own thoughts and my review of several blogs, I’ve established that I would like to revise my “about” page. Specifically, I am going to add more personal information like location and possibly vocation. Also, I’m going add a little intro to my blog. And, finally, I’m going to be more specific about my ARC/review policies.
I think it’ll be a work in progress, an evolution, if you will. The first phase in the evolution should occur in the next day or two. Be sure to check it out.
Questions.
What are your feelings about the “about” page? Do you have one? What do you include? What do you leave out? How often do you update or change it? (Including links to your “about” info would be helpful on this one.)
Do you check out other blogs’ “about” pages? Are you disappointed when there isn’t one? What would you like others to include?
{ 7 comments }
My about me page kind of sucks. It’s hard to create a ‘snapshot’ of yourself that way. It seems too difficult. It’s like trying to show your personality as well as provide some sort of credentials so readers will put stock in your writing. Any suggestions for help? http://www.blakecgriffin.blogspot.com
I love it when blogs have an ABOUT page. I like to know a bit about the writer, and a bit of the purpose of their blog. For example, if you’re just writing to keep a log of what you’re reading, then I won’t expect detailed reviews from you. If your purpose is to network with other readers, then I expect different types of reviews and other posts.
My ABOUT page is a little different … see, I don’t exactly have one. If you go to my home page, check out the top of my left-hand sidebar. I think that covers what everyone wants to know … do you agree?
byuistheshiz – You’ve got the basics there. I would just add a little more specificity to go along with your blog theme, i.e. add some stuff about your favorite movies. Also, you should update it occasionally so complaints and political opinions don’t get stale.
Heather – I really like all of the accessible information about your blog on your sidebar. The links are really helpful, and I get a good feel for what I can expect from you. I think my “about” page could use more of all of that. Thanks for dropping in!
I don’t have an About Me page, but it’s on my list of things to do. I should get around to doing one next week, when I have a bit more free time. I think I’ll come back here for ideas on what to include!
I like learning a little more about bloggers, about their reading tastes, about the reasons why they blog. I think that’s more or less what I expect About Me pages to include. As for what to leave out – anything you don’t feel comfortable sharing.
Hey, thanks for the link!
I do like visiting about pages. I think that they’re especially interesting because they can reveal much more about the blogger than said blogger’s writing does — and sometimes much less. I’ll often visit about pages but usually not until I’ve read a page or two of posts, and then I can compare who a blogger says he/she is with how he/she is according to the way the blog entire is written.
That’s a neat idea Eva had above, about linking to memes that have been competed. I may do that.
Interesting exercise to look at a bunch of “about” pages. Mine is pretty perfunctory, I know. I should revise it, but I kind of like the idea of people getting to know me through my posts instead of through an about page. But some initial information could certainly be useful. I can’t stand it when blogs have no about page whatsoever — I want at least a little orientation!
Thanks for the mention. :) The “About” section evolves from a two-line introduction that is usually required of a blog when submitting to any blog directory. So I decided to include a bit more info on myself and the blog to help readers determine if the blog is what they are looking for. It’s sort of a place where people can get their bearing.
Comments on this entry are closed.