Have You Told Friends And Family About Your Blog?||7 Bloggers Respond
Have you told friends and family about your blog? Did their reaction affect your writing style or the things you write about?
If your answer to the question is ‘No’, then you are somewhat on the same page as me when I first started my online journal (blog).
I had just graduated from the university and wanted a space online to share my thoughts without worrying about who was reading. I did not tell anyone about it, I did not have to reply comments or worry about numbers. This was my idea of blogging at the time.
Fast forward to current day blogosphere and the story is different. Blogging has a whole new meaning and have metamorphosed into a proper career for some. It is now being taken way more seriously and bloggers are making it ‘BIG’.
This should clearly be a huge incentive to tell friends and family about your blog if you have one, but a major worry have always been how friends and family will react when they know you share personal or not so personal stories online for the whole world to see.
Most of them do not get it. They wonder why you have to always make videos, take pictures of your meal before eating, hold mini photo shoot sessions at the places your visit, take pictures of products you use and why you won’t stop typing on your keypad during a family hangout.
If blogging means a lot to you, then doing all this (creating meaningful content) becomes part of your daily activity. Friends and family will likely notice and will want to share their opinion about your ‘favourite thing to do’.
Friends and family can be the biggest supporters of your blogging journey, they can also pose as your biggest discouragement and this is the part that get most bloggers sceptical when it comes to sharing their blog/content.
I went on a short trip some months ago to visit my parents in-law and while sorting lunch with them one day, my father in law said:
You have a blog…. or is it a website…. I visit sometimes.
I thought that was a pleasant surprise. Before I could reply, he went on to ask about the rationale behind it and of course I was very happy to explain. In excitement, I mentioned what had transpired in this bloggers group.
From the response of other bloggers, It was good to find out that a couple of us get a fair share of support from family. However, the story is not the same for everyone as some bloggers get little or no support and have decided to keep their blog away family and friends.
Basically, i like to think that bloggers fall under any of these three categories when it comes to sharing information about their blog with friends and family:
- Bloggers who have told Friends and Family about their blog.
- Bloggers who have no plan to tell friends and family about their blog.
- Bloggers who leave subtle clues and are indifferent about who finds out.
What category do you fall under?
Bloggers who have told Friends and Family about their blog.
As mentioned earlier, you would expect that close friends and family will find out you have a blog especially if you are always found in your ‘element’. For example, taking pictures of your outfit, carrying flat lay props, unboxing pr packages e.t.c
Naturally, they would want to know what you do and after telling them, two things are likely to happen. You either get their support or you are discouraged. However, It is more favourable when family and friends understand and even become your biggest supporter.
Biba blogs at royalbiba and she agrees that friends and family can turn out to be huge supporters when you tell them you own a blog. In her words – ‘Everyone knows about my blog. My mum watches me take flat lay pictures, my uncle reads my blog and is very emotional about it‘.
Lifestyle blogger, Destiny of Dee Awata also shares the same opinion. She mentioned that all her sisters know about her blog, blog related activities and are a good support system.
To be precise on the type of support you could get from friends or family, Beverly of Beverly’s Beauty Book mentioned that her friends and family know about her blog and she uses their phones to subscribe to her YouTube channel/blog. She also added that her mum is willing to pay for her domain name and hosting whenever she is ready.
Just as every decision we make have it’s consequences, telling friends and family about your blog has it’s downside as well. You may have to filter the things you write about especially when you know it may upset them.
Beverly understands this too and jokingly adds that she is allowed to blog about any topic except ‘boyfriends’ until she is 25 years old.
Negative feedback from friends and family when they find out about your blog remains a major concern as you lose the chance to fully express yourself once you remember a member of the family might be reading. Does this not defeat the whole purpose of blogging? What if you like to share very personal stories on your blog?
Apparently, it is also possible that friends and family can find out new things about you from your blog. Fashion blogger, Matreekah of Styled by Matreekah says that her boyfriend complains that she is more expressive on her blog than with him.
Do you fall under this category of bloggers? Do you get negative or positive feedback from friends and family?
Tips: Since one major disadvantage in this category is being hassled up about your content, here is what you can do:
- Avoid writing stories that affect family or friends directly.
- You can switch things up by changing names instead of personalising them.
- Understand with friends and family if they prefer to stay away from social media.
- Once you are sure of not breaching any privacy rule, share links with them and ask for their opinion.
- If you will share personal stories, make sure you won’t get angry if you hear about it elsewhere.
Bloggers who have not told Friends and Family about their blog.
It is hard to think that one would keep away something they love from friends and family but there are bloggers who have decided to keep it that way.
This is understandable especially when you know you might get feedback that will cripple your creativity and stop you from totally expressing yourself.
Lack of support is usually a major reason for bloggers in this category and New mum / blogger, Vanessa of Nessytalks shares her experience.
In her words – I try not to write so much about my birthstory. In the past, I have been told to delete my blog and even told what content to delete.
An experience like Vanessa’s would make a blogger decide to keep his or her blog away from friends and family. Although, I still think that family reaction will definitely be the least of your worries especially if blogging pays your bill.
Some bloggers also just want to remain anonymous and one of such is Turquoise. She blogs at Naija Fresh Graduate and shared her opinion on keeping her blog under wraps. In her words – No member of my family, friends and even boyfriend know about my blog. I can share any story and not get caught.
However, this category leaves you with more cons than pros as you lose out on readership/support from genuine friends who would like to support. You also have to keep certain activities away when you are around friends and family. How long will one keep hiding though?
Lifestyle blogger, Amaka who blogs at Mind of Amaka says she is reserved and keeps her blogging (flat lay) activities away from prying eyes. She is of the opinion that being monitored stagnates a bloggers journey and most people do not support bloggers until they become successful (start making money).
Tips: People blog for different reasons and as long as you are not blogging to intentionally hurt friends and family, this narrative (keeping your blog away from family) might change with time. Here’s how you can get family to support your blogging journey:
- Send blog links directly to those who understand and will genuinely support your creativity.
- Let them know what you write about and why you like to write.
- Discuss what you stand to gain from blogging.
- Let them also know how they can help. Once people are comfortable with what you do, they start to support gradually.
Bloggers who leave subtle clues and are indifferent about who finds out.
Interestingly, I fall under this category of bloggers as I will not shove my blog and blogging activities in anyone’s face. However, if one finds out, I am always glad to talk about it. To a large extent, this has also helped me manage my blogging expectations because human nature kind of pushes one to feel entitled.
This has it’s disadvantages but aggressive content marketing leaves one with high expectations and if not managed well, a blogger can be discouraged. Naturally, if you send a link to 10 people friends, you expect that they all click the link right? The truth is that, only 4 of them might do so.
I strongly respect personal space and would totally avoid awkward situations like this one – A blogger once shared that she got discouraged to share blog links after she was accused by a close friend of ‘begging’ for comments online and asking for likes.
Apparently, she posts links continuously and her friend found it uncomfortable. So much for being a friend right?
While such feedback can be very discouraging, it is important to consider your method of delivery when telling friends and family about your blog. Are you asking nicely? Are you feeling entitled? Do you take them on a guilt trip if they fail to read and comment?
My Mum and father in law found out about my blog because I left subtle clues online. They both made supportive comments about it and visit when they want to. So does every other person who have seen my blog and sent private messages to me. I can easily share links directly with these people because we have had conversations about it.
This is really just my preference and might not work for everyone. Depending on what end result you’re looking to achieve, find what works for your blog and stick with it.
Tips: Every blogger would love friends and family to support what they enjoy doing but it is important to use the right approach. Here are easy ways to leave subtle clues about your blog:
- If you are like me you do not want to stampede your contact with links, send a more personal message, talk about your blog and leave a link. It will be appreciated than a general broadcast message.
- If you are not particularly obsessed with numbers and comments, leave subtle clues for friends and family to run into.
- Leave a link to your blog on your choice social media profile/status.
- Check your blog using a friend or family member’s phone.
- Share link with like minds. This definitely yields result.
- Create a facebook page for your blog and invite friends and family (keep the page updated with new content).
- Engage with friends and family that read your blog.
- Leave your blog link under your email signature.
- Mention your blog in conversations.
Blogging is very interesting and the part where you worry about reaction from friends and family is just a phase. By being hardworking, consistent and relevant, you can gradually grow into the phase where you get their support regardless of what you write about.
Share your thoughts in the comment section
How did you tell your friends and family about your blog?
Do they read your posts often?
What kind of support do you get from friends and family?
I will love to read from you
39 Comments
Debs
From day 1 that I started blogging, I told the whole world. And so far I have watched old critics become fans and admirers. And I’m learning so far from new critics. It’s not being easy baring yourself out to people who know you even more personally but it is good for growth.
Phaytea
Lol at ‘I’ve told the whole world’. I’m sure you’re enjoying the perks too.
Thank you for reading dear
afolakeolagunju
Everyone knows about my blog. In fact I hound and stalk them to read whenever there’s a new post up. ??
Phaytea
Lol.. I can imagine.. ??
Sike Gbana
When I started blogging, only my friends knew about it. I intentionally kept it away from family especially because I didn’t want any fall in my grades to be attributed to “that thing I do online”. However now, I share my blog on all platforms and my family has been surprisingly supportive especially my mum.
Phaytea
That was a smart decision… I’m sure I would have done same. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sike
Habibat Yusuf
Nice one dear. I love the way you put everything together in your blog post.
Phaytea
Thank you Biba☺
Salma
This was an insightful and interesting post! Loved it. I think I’m part of the indifferent ones. I don’t really care who knows or not. Some of my family members know and some don’t. It never stops me from writing about anything I want.
Phaytea
Hi Salma. This is me as well…The clues are just there for people to find and I’m happy to talk about it if I am asked. Thank you for reading?
Pinch of Chel
I did not tell.my friends and family initially, but right now everyone knows I blog and I pester them to read my posts
Phaytea
Same for me too… still haven’t gotten to the stage where I pester them though. Thank you for sharing your thoughts
thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany
I started to write a blog at the suggestion of some of my friends and previous co-workers. Although some of what I write is a bit personal, I would never write anything that I wouldn’t want to share with someone that I know in “real life”.
Phaytea
True… I remember reading that on your blog sometime ago and you sure do put out content to keep your friends updated. Thanks for reading☺
Sim
I told everyone about my blog and shared links with close friends and on my whatsApp status so that the not-so-close friends would check it out.
My entire family know about my blog and my dad has volunteered to pay for my self-host when I am ready. My mum basically helps me arrange stuff for my flatlays. My cousins stand at strategic points with the lights and cardboards when I decided to take pictures at night.
my mum subcribed to my blog via email, created a blog just to follow me (increase my followers) and get to like my posts.
one of my sisters is the chief sharer of my blog links on facebook. The other one has a blog where she only re blogs my blog posts and blogs about nothing.
my remaining 3 siblings read occassionally.
All my close friends are editors. They privately inform me of any grammatical or typographical error as quickly as possible.
Everyone has been super helpful although I have had to change some names and stay away from some topics because of family and friends. Some times I feel like being annonymous is a great idea cus of the freedom it brings.
Phaytea
Wow…That’s an A Team right there. Everyone is so supportive. It’s okay to think about how your articles will affect friends or family. That’s you being considerate. Thank you for reading Sim?
Carol
All my friends and family know I have a blog..some support me 100% others do not…I have given up now and just talk to the ones who support me about my blog ?
Phaytea
This is just fine for managing expectation. I also prefer to share blog activities with family or friends that show obvious support . Thank you for reading Carol.
Carol
You are welcome Phaytea ?
Matreekah
Phaytea well done girl! You actually broke this topic down into bits. Blogging to some people means that you have to start making quick cool cash immediately and if you happen to complain that you are broke, you get the side eyes.
When I told my friends about me starting a blog, I actually got the support I needed but some doubted me and thought I would get bored with time. Thank God I was able to prove them wrong.
As for my family, my siblings are cool but my parents still don’t get what it is and it is really affecting the level of my content creation: taking pictures, scouting for locations and attending bloggers events. Still trying to look for ways to convince them that it is all for the better.
Phaytea
I totally understand… people tend to support when they start seeing the benefits. For more support, you could try asking your parents to contribute to a topic you want to write about. They’ll be happy to read after your written the post. That’s what I do. Thank you for reading dear?
Oluchi
Love the juice in this post! I’m of the category of “don’t ask, don’t tell”. My blog isn’t a private journal, but still I never mention it to anyone explicitly. You find out, good. You don’t, good.
If I need to make a point to someone and I remember I have written something elaborate on it on my blog, I’ll send you a link and ask if you could indulge me by reading. That’s how most friends got to find out about my blog. Some don’t even know it’s mine, they think it’s “some link of some post” I sent that’s similar to my POV. sometimes I care to clarify, sometimes I let it slide.
Just lately I’ve tried being more open on the bloggers forum, even at that, it’s only once in a purple moon ?
Phaytea
Thank you for reading Oluchi. I easily fall into this category as well…..and your last paragraph, that’s me right there ?? Thanks again dear.
Shirley Corder
Thanks for this, Faith. My blogs (two) are out there for the world to see. I promote every post on FaceBook. Once in a very blue moon one of my family will make a comment, and sometimes I ask one of them to specifically read a post I feel is relevant to them. But basically, I get very little support from them. They see me as an author and I think they regard blogging as a waste of time. Thankful Thursday Week 20 and how to make blogging friends
Phaytea
Hi hi…. Good to have you here again… A good number of bloggers get that exact feedback from family. I guess Author sounds more professional than Blogger. We are here to change that narrative though. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Ma’am.?
Zaynab
Waoh… Interesting write-up. For me, everyone knows I blog and are very supportive. My family and friends are my loudest cheerleaders. I tell everyone who cares to listen despite the fact that I am not consistent with it. In fact, I have gotten writing jobs from friends.
The only thing was I thought my dad didn’t know about it until he commented on a personal story I wrote blaming him not making me learn our language. He was not even a second angry and accepted the blame while we laughed away.
Another time, he asked why I haven’t written in a long time. Now that I know he keeps tab on my posts, I am quite careful about sharing some things and I am still nursing the idea of an anonymous blog ???. However, I love and appreciate their support.
Phaytea
Your dad basically replied in the comment section? If that isn’t sweet, I don’t know what is….. You do better when you have people support you… Thank you for sharing dear??
Jasmin N
What a lovely read!
My mum reads sometimes & my grandma. Grandma is always suggesting new blog post ideas ?
rachaelstray
My friends and family know I blog. They’re supportive.
gemmaorton
I don’t talk about blogging much. Some of my friends and family know I blog, even though I don’t think they all know what that really means. The ones that understand are supportive. I do get some odd looks when I take a lot of random photos!
Jennifer
I used to be one of those people who kept my blog under wraps out of fear of sharing myself. Only my husband knew about it. My family, friends, and coworkers didn’t know at all. Then one month, I decided to pull the band-aid off and share it. I created a blog post about sharing my blog post and then posted it to my personal Facebook page. So many people were very supportive. And so many others had no clue what a blog was. So much for my fears!
Katja Knox
I actively pestered every single poor soul I know when I started blogging. And asked them to share my content. I still do. Sometimes I feel sorry for all the hard work I’m asking them to do to spread my content. Then again, I’m not.
Katja xxx
http://www.katnapped.com
Phaytea
Haha..i can imagine… why are you my friend or family member if you won’t share my content right ? ??
Phaytea
Its fine as long as they don’t discourage you
ellenbest24
I told at first, then when one of my sisters said ‘ When are you going to stop playing st writing and join the real world’ I stopped saying anything unless I was asked.
Phaytea
I guess those kind of comments can be discouraging.. That’s one of the reasons I only talk about it to anyone who is really interested. I definitely share with likeminds
The Daily Sunlight
I am low key here blogging with only few people who knows whos behind my blog x) No one really knows about this. I actually don’t mind this. I am good where I am. The less peolpe know, the better ;S It is funny because I was going to do a similar post. Basically the same kind of post but just to know if people tell their family and friends abt it or not ahhaa ?
This is really great. My heart was beating a little faster when I read the beginning because I could relate haha ? Thanks for sharing this ?
You Can Always Start Now
I have told some friends and family. I am selective as I know from past experience some family & friends will disappoint me and take away from joy of blogging. It is knowing your audience.
Phaytea
I know right…. That experience isn’t something i want to go through as well so I stick to telling only those that run into my blog and ask.. Thanks for sharing