WATERMARK

A common fear among new bloggers is the
fear of exposing personal information to the vast Internet audience.

It may seem that every other person on
the Internet is exposing themselves, literally and figuratively, in
ways that would make Jerry Springer blush. In some online circles, if
you’re not wearing a thong in your photo, something’s wrong with you.

Yet, in this environment, there’s also
an understandable drive and need to protect our privacy as well as
dignity.

We also want to save our jobs. We’ve
all heard those few high profile cases where people got fired due to
their blog content. (Remember the Delta Airlines flight attendant who
was sacked for posting silly photos of herself in her uniform
online?)

So getting started with a personal blog
in an environment where disclosure can often mean baring everything
and losing everything can be a tricky business.

I’ve been blogging on and off for a few
years, and also reading various blogs as well. In choosing how much
to divulge, consider:

1. Will this hurt your family and
   friends?

2. Will this put your job in
   jeopardy?

3. Most importantly: Is such a
   disclosure really interesting anyway?

I believe number three should be the
first and foremost consideration when sharing personal information.
Personal information done well can be the most engaging, intimate,
and powerful form of writing. Personal information done in an
indulgent, self-serving way is simply dull and pointless, and it’s
that sort of writing that is damn embarrassing.

One of my favorite blogs is Moments of
Adequacy, which is relatively unknown and written by a guy who is a
technology consultant, not a professional writer. I don’t even
remember how I found this little gem, but this guy is one of the
funniest writers I have ever read. Some of his posts are absolute
classics.

Recently, he separated from his wife.
He shared this on his blog. I’ve never met the guy, but because he
shares stories about his family, I feel a sense of intimacy with him
as writer. I appreciate that he has shared his personal life changes
with his readers. I don’t find it self-indulgent or dull in anyway.

Many of the stories he shares about his
family are rather humorous, and even when he’s making fun of his
kids, it’s a gentle ribbing that somehow manages to show their human
foibles (and his) without making anyone look bad.

On the other side of it, I’ve seen
blogs (and even professional newsletters) where people post crowing
pats on the back about their new baby or all the great things going
on their lives. I’m not interested in seeing a zillion photos of some
new baby for a family I’ve never met – only their closest friends
care (and even then, I’m sure many would prefer to not be bombarded
with all the “good news”).

I’m not saying families can’t use blogs
to keep in touch with friends and family, but make sure you make that
distinction before getting started. A blog targeted to the public
needs to have something more than just the news that you got a job
promotion. Frankly, we don’t give a damn. How does your job promotion
relate to our world? That’s what we want to know.

I think the key to posting personal
information to blogs – and making it work – lies in making it
entertaining, interesting, or poignant to the many strangers who will
be reading it.

If you can accomplish that, then no
amount of disclosure will be embarrassing. It will be appreciated and
cherished.

If that task sounds too daunting, then
stick to subjects you care about – the news, your hobbies, things
about the general culture that irk you, fashion trends. Things that
people with similar interests would be curious to read.

Regardless, the best advice I have
heard on this subject is to just get started. Write, and keep
writing. You and your blog will evolve over time. But if you’re
looking to just start a diary, maybe the old fashion version, that
sits in your drawer at home, is a better option.