Great. Now we can chat.
He starts out by stating that every blog has an "unwritten social contract between the author and the readers" and continues with a simple paragraph that inspired this post.
And the challenge is that it’s invisible. It’s built based on every blog post you write, every comment you reply to, every link you share. It’s your unstated, but powerfully communicated, commitment to meet the expectations your actions promise.
He then ends with the question I'm not sure I can answer.
Question:
What sort of social contract do you have in place with your blog readers? What do they expect from you?
A similar question was asked during Bloggy Boot Camp, asking us to determine what makes us unique in the blogging world. I remember thinking that I am often told I am unique (I'll pretend it's a compliment) but how do I make my blog unique? Will it work to infuse my multi-layered personality and many interests into one place? Or do I need to focus on one thing and not expect my readers to pick and choose what they prefer and ignore the rest?
I've already tried juggling a personal blog and a homeschool review blog and I failed miserably. My hope in combining the two was to bring together my multiple personalities in one place and find varied readers who may share only one or two of the same interests but don't mind skipping over those that don't apply.
I don't fit in one box but does my blog need to? Or is there room for a blog that combines homeschooling and reading and fiction writing and the occasional Steampunk photo shoot and whatever else strikes my fancy? Can I make my blog a reflection of my unique and crazy life or will that just drive all the "normal" people away?
These are questions I ask myself and find no answers. Jon Acuff's post was a good one and I have to ask: What sort of social contract do I have in place with my blog readers? What do you expect from me?
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