You hear everywhere that in order to stand out as a blogger you need to speak (write) with your own voice. But what’s my own voice you may ask and how can I find it?
With the huge amount of blogs out there, there is no doubt that you do need to find your own voice, because that’s what is going to make you sound different than the other thousands of bloggers on the web. As a matter of fact, the word “voice” applies very well as an example of what we mean by “your own voice” in the figurative sense.
What is Your Voice?
Have you ever marveled at the fact that each human being has a specific and unique voice? I know I have marveled at this many times, myself. Our voice is so unique that we can recognize someone we know by their voice just as well as we do by their face. As a matter of fact, sometimes you may meet someone who has changed so much or maybe is wearing a disguised that will prevent you from recognizing their face, but you will always recognize them by their voice.
Indeed, our literal voice is a very good example to illustrate what your blogging “voice” should be. You’re blogging voice, if you can find it, will be as unique as your literal voice. Basically, your voice is your overall personality and who you are.
By defining who you are you will be able to find your blogging voice and use it in your writing.
How You Can Find Your Voice?
Do you have a hard time finding your voice? The best way to find your voice is to start answering questions like these…
What type of person am I? What am I good at? What is my strength? What is my style? What do I like or dislike? What do people say about me?
For example, to take my own case, I like to tell stories. I like to give real life example when I explain something and I kind of like to tell things in a rather direct manner. If I had to answer the question, what do people say about me? I would have to say that people tell me very often that I am direct. Therefore, when I write about a topic I am pretty much straightforward. No beating around the bush.
I can tell that a great part of my voice is writing in a very direct manner. I kind of like to tell people what to do and what not to do. This is so strong in me that sometimes I have to catch myself and cool it down just a bit. However, I do not want to totally extinguishing it, because this is a big part of my voice.
Another asset that will help you find your voice is your background. Where are you from? How did you grow up? Who were you as a child?
In my case, just like Onibalusi, for example, I am a foreigner. English is not my native language and I have never tried to hide this fact. On the contrary, it’s part of my voice.
Are you good at teaching things? I’m not asking if you are a teacher, but if you can teach. Not everyone can teach, not even every teacher, but if you have teaching skills try to use this quality to find your voice. When you write your blog posts, adopt a teaching voice if you like to teach.
Again, to take my own example, I like to teach people about what I know and do, and I love to give them a step by step on how to do it. Due to his successful experience, Onibalusi likes to tell people what he thinks and has no excuse for it. He is direct and loves to give great tips to his readers. That’s his voice.
Bring to mind what you like; what you are good at; where you are coming from and who you are. Mix all that with your own knowledge and experience, and you will be able to find your voice.
Your voice is YOU, and do not be ashamed of it or try to change it, because it’s what makes you UNIQUE. Just like your physical voice is unique, so is your personality as a whole. Use this uniqueness in your blogging and you will be different than anyone else.
So, what is your voice? Please, do tell us in the comment area.
I couldn’t agree with you more Sylviane. We are all unique in our own way and we just need to stay true to who we are when we blog as well.
You enjoy telling stories and I do too. I just know that I’ve had experiences as well to most of the things others have written about so I can relate to some of it. That’s what I share in my comments.
In my posts I share my experiences of what I’ve learned and some of that I’m able to relate to what I’ve learned over the years. People are able to connect with you on some level or another through what you share that has been spoken through your own voice.
Don’t try to be something you aren’t because over time you won’t be able to keep up with it all.
Wonderful post and topic Sylviane and thanks for bringing this up. It’s so important to our overall success.
Enjoy your week.
~Adrienne
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Thanks for your great comment Adrienne. I know that you are writing your own post with your own voice as well. Just tell it like it is and so are you videos. I really like that.
Thanks for coming by as always, Adrienne.
Have a great week.
Thank you for sharing these great points and tips I will be sure to use them to help me, I am sure this is going to help a lot of people. Great post.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your comment. I am glad if this is helpful to you and many others.
Have a great day!
Hi Mika,
Yes, your blogging voice is vital. There are so many blogs out there. Having your own voice is what makes you different.
Thanks for coming by and have a great rest of the week!
Hey Sylviane– great topic.
While it may seem hard to distinguish yourself from the millions of blogging voices out there, think the best place to start is to just BE WHO YOU ARE. Trying to be something different will come off as fake and not genuine, and people will spot it immediately. They may not know what it is, but something just won’t seem right.
And they’ll go somewhere else.
Thanks for broaching this very important topic!
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Hi Bob,
That’s very true. If you are trying to be someone you’re not it will not come out right. We can only do this for so long, I guess, until something happens 🙂
Thanks for coming by. Really appreciate it!
Hi Sylviane,
I couldn’t agree more! Too many people focus on trying to sound like their blogging idols, when if they’d paid more attention: they would notice that their idols got there by having a distinct voice.
Sometimes, finding your voice takes a little time so it’s also important to give yourself the breathing space to get there. Thanks for sharing over at Bizsugar.com.
Regards,
Niall
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Hi Niall,
Welcome here! I am glad you found your way here!
You’re right, if one can’t find their voice right away, may be can’t decide what they want to bring out, it’s better to take it easy and see what gives. However, as someone commented above, all it takes is being oneself. We are unique, so being who we are can help us to find that blogging voice.
It took me a while when I first started blogging seriously. I was so confused with all the blogs around that my first few posts seemed cheap. I had to take a step back and realize that it wasn’t me and I was writing for someone else instead of myself. Once I knocked out that mystery I never looked back.
For some it takes them years to just find them self yet alone their voice, but it can be done. I think when people remember to just “be themselves” they begin to get it. Besides, I would get bored it all the blogs sounded the same.
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Hi Sonia,
I remember you talking about the subject of not knowing exactly where you wanted to go with your blog when you first started, indeed! I think that I read that on a guest post of yours.
Well, I know that you have now found your blogging voice. I love your blog, and you allow a lot or guest bloggers expressing themselves, which is part of your blog’s voice as well. That’s a great combination.
Thanks for passing by, Sonia and have a great rest of the week!
Wow, this was a really interesting take on the subject! Really, how many articles do you read about voice voice voice and they are so abstract. But yours is… as you say… direct, step by step, with things you can actually do and hang your hat on! I never really thought about it this way, I always just… wrote stuff. But this is definitely something to think about, especially drawing on your background, which can be so diverse and rich and really give you a completely unique perspective.
Ok, now I have to go ponder this for a while! Very good points and yes, I do love the cat 🙂
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Hi Carol,
Well, thanks for your great comment, and thank you for the nice things you said. Really touches me from a great writer like you.
Even though you may “think” that you just write stuff, I can tell you that you blog does carry your voice. Believe you me 🙂
You posts are very explanatory, full of deep information, well written, very professional, and clear. That’s what I’ve caught so far 🙂
Personally, there are some blog writers that I like to read better than others. A few of them even kind of get over my head sometimes, because of their style. But whatever the situation may be, it’s all good to be each different from the other, isn’t it?
Cats? Yes, they are part of my voice – NO doubt. I loves cats. I am a cat fanatic since I was 2 years old. Thanks for liking my kitty pic here 🙂
Thanks for coming and have a great week!
Hey Sylviane,
What a wonderful topic that is so helpful for so many! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard people balk about blogging because they are not confident in their voice or how they would convey a message.
I was one of those people initially, truth be told.
I actually sat down with a voice recorder and started dictating to it what my ideas were. Then it dawned on me how simple it was! All I needed to do was type up what I had so easily and effortlessly spit out of my mouth. (Bad visual, I know! lol)
We want to be true to the voice we have. The most simple way is to not overanalyze it so much if you’re like I am!
By the way, I love that you are confident to tell people what to do and not do! I think that your confidence is such a great gift. It’s one of those things that gives you good posture in what you convey to your audience! – And also a gift many covet!
Thanks for the fantastic insight!
Cat Alexandra
Hi Cat,
If there is anything good about getting older is the accumulations of self confidence. If I had the self confidence I have now when I was 20 I would have made a killing 🙂 So, in any case I use that today.
Excellent idea to tape yourself, I have actually not think about that one, great you mentioned it and add such value in your comment. Your blog has definitely its own voice now and that’s the beauty of it 🙂
Thanks for coming by, Cat and have a great day!
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A very true post Sylviane. This is definitely a post that makes you think. You mentioned how you marvel at peoples voices, that is one thing i have actually never thought about. It truly does make everyone unique. Your post is some food for thought.
Hi Sarah,
I feel very good when someone tells me that my post make them think or help them in any way. In a very humble way, I feel that I did something of value.
Thank you for coming by today and have a great rest of the day!
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Hey Sylviane,
I agree with you – it is really important to have a unique voice on your own. Many bloggers today try to teach and mimic the experts of our niche – which I think is a bad idea. It is not about being someone else (My personal opinion is that should stick with what works with us – and at the same time try to find new techniques that may work better). You are who you are. If you want to achieve something, you need to identify the purpose/motivation and convert it into a need so that you can take action to achieve it.
Thanks for the awesome share, Sylviane!
Jeevan Jacob John
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Hi Jeevan,
Yes, trying to mimic someone else is, indeed, a bad idea. It’s always better to be oneself, no matter what. That is also the only way to attract readers to our blog and the best way as well.
Thanks for coming by, Jeevan and have a great rest of the week!
Ah Sylviane, this is music to my ears! You couldn’t have written this post in a better way. We all have our individual voice. If we try to be something we are not, people can see right through it in a moment.
I used to be shy about speaking in public with my strong Brooklyn accent. But guess what? People loved it! They resonated with me because I was who I am. The same goes with writing. I read so many amazing blogs aren’t perfect when it comes to spelling or other things.
I love reading story telling blogs. Although it isn’t my writing style, I enjoy it. Basically, our voice comes from our heart. We want to write something that we feel is important to benefit others.
Thanks for this post, I’m sure it will encourage people to express what they want in their own individual way. That is what captures interest.
Donna Merrill
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Hi Donna,
Thanks for coming.
Well, You mentioned a very interesting, point. Some people feel embarrassed because of their accents, but that ridiculous, because there is no such thing as an accent superior to another. Only maybe in people’s heads.
I am so glad you are over that, Donna. I’m sure people love your accent. Nothing wrong with it 🙂
I’m very glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Have a great week end!
Hi Sylviane,
I couldn’t agree more. We do recognise people by the sound of their voices and we should bring “our voice” to our content and tell it as we would if it was being spoken.
I’m sure my wife sometimes thinks I’m losing the plot as i do on occasion talk to myself when writing. As I’ve said before Sylviane I’m not a natural writer…… but i am a natural talker and quite often i will talk the content through and type it as i speak, It can be a slow process but it’s how i roll 🙂
It’s very true that we should be ourselves in everything we do and we should always be true to ourselves. If we start pretending to be something we’re not others will spot that and it works against us. Not only that but when we need help or advice to make progress how will people be able to do that if they don’t know who we really are.
There’s that age old saying “fake it till you make” and excuse my language but what a load of ol’ pony. Fake nothing!!! Be honest, stay true to who we really are, learn and apply over and over and people will come to know us and assist us, should we ever need it.
Great HONEST post Sylviane, now where’s that pin board 😉
Have a great weekend and I’ll catch you up soon 🙂
Barry
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Hi Barry,
I agree with you, fake it until your make it, to me it’s only at “law of attraction” level which means try to act and feel as successful as you can and success will be on it’s way, but I wouldn’t fake being someone I’m not.
Since I’ve been living the the US I am often asked what are the differences between the French and the American, and at the risk to offend some people I’d say, well, the American can sound much friendlier on the outside, but I found out hat a lot of times it’s just a facade. Roughly said, it’s called “hypocrisy” LOL!
Thankfully, it’s not the case for everyone, no more than every single French person is rude 🙂 But it’s something I’ve realized over the years in the US.
Bottom line, try to be as good person as you can, in this selfish world, and you won’t have to fake it and people will love you for it. No mater who you are 🙂
Have a great week end, Barry!
Hi Sylviane,
For a beginner this is a daunting task.
Thank you for you article which has given me some specific tasks to think about.
So now to implement them!
Here’s hoping that when I find and express my voice, someone out there will find it attractive and usefull.
Your other articles, which I have peeped at also look amazing. So I am of now to read more of them.
Cheers,
John
Your own voice is who you are- the way you think, the way you feel, your stand on simple or even complex issues. This is why when you are blogging, it reflects your very own personality, don’t you agree?
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Hi Amy,
Yes, I agree with you totally. Your blogging voice is who your are and that goes for what may be shocking for some and pleasing to others. You’re blogging voice should reflect your personality.
Thanks for coming 🙂