I decided to update my “About Me” page relatively recently. Mainly because I wanted an excuse to post really awesome pictures of the teenage version of myself. Or maybe just because the old one came from such a different voice than I have now. Or maybe because it was just time since I seem to embark on this project every few years no matter what. Either way – I updated it. And let me tell you, it nearly killed me.
I wanted to create a page that would give a first-timer a decent thumbnail picture of who I am and what this blog is like. However, I had a hard time deciding what was important to tell about myself. Well, that’s not exactly true, I had a hard time deciding what was important without writing a novel. My first draft would have printed to be about 50 pages long. I ended up having to debate with myself over what was About Me Page Worthy and what wasn’t. But it’s important everyone knows I have three tattoos and what each of them are! No, it’s not. What about the fact that I don’t like making left turns? Still unimportant. And after reading your blog for a week they’re bound to hear you mention it at least once. It’s a staple of yours. Well then I really must tell them about my addiction to office supplies. Why? Because knowing you’re a pen snob is necessary when reading your day-to-day writings? I don’t think so.
I think there is something to having an About page that never changes. I’ve read Dooce’s About page 100 times. I have no idea why, because it really doesn’t ever change. Maybe I find that comforting? I know that part of me tries with every About Me page rebirth to create a page that is timeless. Then I remember I get bored too easily and I need an excuse to change it because I would change it every few years EITHER WAY. Timeless or not.
So, timeless and never changing About Me pages? Not for me.
I think Miss-Britt’s About Page was the one I liked the most when I scoured my blog list for ideas. I like the voice of it and the conciseness of the information. Just a simple but well-written About page. One that puts my final product to shame because OH MY GOD…it’s still way too long. I just couldn’t condense it any more! It’s all very important information! The world must know about my obsession with wizards and vampires! THEY MUST!
Anyway…it’s done. I even updated NikkiZ’s age this morning to account for her being FOUR now. (eek.) And suddenly it occurred to me, maybe I should have written an entry about this first to see what other people think about their own or other blogger’s About pages? THAT would have been GENIUS.
Well, better late than never, right? Your answers may make me totally re-write my page all over again, and I’m okay with that. Feel free to answer any or all of these questions. Also feel free to post a link to your own About Me page, I’d love to check it out!
Do you read About pages on blogs? Am I the only one who does that?
If you do – what do you look for? Is there ever anything consistently missing you wish people would include? Like alias origins or URL background?
Do you have an About page on your own blog? Did you sweat over it like I did or am I a huge dork?
If you do – how often do you change yours? Is it timeless or do you get bored?
I don’t really have an about me page, just a little blurb on the sidebar. And I don’t know if I’d read yours in a very long time – after all, I already know about the left turns and the diet coke addiction and the love of butterflies
But I might just go have a gander now!
Good job! But for the record, I find the pen issue to be relevant.
Hmm okay I just read it. And I still love ya, so there you go
Seriously, though, provided a good snapshot of who you are: full of grace and humour.
Ohhhh, the irony. I’ve just been thinking over the past few days that I may need to update my about page. Vag*nas aren’t really my “thing” anymore. Well, I mean, technically. But, well.
Ahem.
Anyway.
The only thing I hurt worse than writing about pages is writing short bios.
Oh dear, I’d better go update my About Me page. I don’t think it’s been updated for years… (Will read yours first, for proper inspiration!)
Eh – I’m one of those who doesn’t usually bother with the about page. I only read them if I’m checking out a new blog and confused by something.
I make factual updates to my About page now and then, but otherwise I’ve pretty much left it alone since the beginning, except to add a disclaimer about my writing being my personal opinions unrelated to work, blah blah blah. I’ve been thinking about adding a statement about my stance on receiving PR pitches, but I haven’t gotten around to it.
I do read other bloggers’ About pages, though.
My About page is very short, because I figure people can get most of their information through the entries. I also have a hard time thinking of anything worthy enough to put there. If I like a site, I may skim their About page, but I don’t make it a point to sit and read every one I come across.
After years of on and off blogging, I just created an ABOUT ME page last month. I first just used by “100 Things” as my ABOUT ME page, but it was a running work in progress that I still never kept up with.
And yes, I do read others’ ABOUT ME pages. I wish mine was as interesting, but it will have to do
I love About pages, the longer the better, but please do update once in a while. At least keep the number of kids current. (You would be amazed at how many bloggers don’t.)
you know that you’re the only reason i ever read anyone else’s blog, so usually i read their entry and immediately hit their about me page. and so far they’re always a good read to me…
I always read About pages. In fact, I get turned off by a blog if all they have is one sentence. Give me information, people.
I haven’t updated it in a while. Sometimes I go back and read it and think, “Yep. Still true.” So then I leave it alone.
I think I went more for tone than info when writing mine. But I always like info in others.
I actually don’t have an about page specifically BECAUSE I sweat over it. I don’t know what to put on it, and every time I’ve tried to make one, it’s somehow managed to come off kind of confrontational.
I… have no idea how that happens.
My About page is like two sentences long. I keep saying that I’m going to update it with actual useful information, but that still hasn’t happened. So GO YOU! Maybe I’ll get around to it tonight, thanks to your inspiration.
I have an about me but I don’t like it. But I also don’t read others’ pages very often.
Here’s mine, and yeah, it could use a bit of updating: http://themetamorph.com/?page_id=285
I like it, but I don’t love it…I feel it’s adequate but not really wow. I like wow.
(Hm, maybe I should include that!)
Apart from just your normal updating due to whatever life changes, I think sometimes people just change in general. Yeah, what you wrote two or three years ago may suddenly not reflect who you are anymore. If that’s the case, maybe it’s something worth mentioning on your about page, like “I used to love or believe abc, but now I’m all about xyz, and here’s a link to the post explaining why, (if applicable.)” That might be more for the benefit of long-time readers.
Personally, I do read about pages, and will even re-read the about pages of bloggers I’ve been reading for a long time. I don’t think the about page is a deal breaker for most blog readers, though.
I love reading a blogger’s About Me page when I’ve first stumbled upon a blog. It gives me a sense of who I’m reading (crazy cat lady vs. single mom with 5 kids type of thing). I also tend to read (or re-read) an About Me page when I’ve committed myself to a blogger (a bit like a marriage ceremony, hehe) and being a regular reader. I’ve certainly read yours at least once over the years.
I sometimes read them, but not very often. I think you can tell more about a person just by reading their day to day blog entries.
I think I read them…but probably not often enough.
And I’m not sure if I have one. I’d better check!
I went to Pioneer Womans’ book signing here in Denver last night. She was SO kind and gracious and humble! I almost didn’t go because I was by myself, but went anyway and had a wonderful time. She’s amazing.
And so are you!
I am like Lindsey, iif I like a blog post or two then I will go check out the about page to see if she/he and I have stuff in common that could persuade me to keep reading more. I do not have a blog so no about page. If I did have one it would probably be long…
I do read the About Pages but after the first read, probably not again unless I think about it years down the road. My site’s About Me page is more of a very condenced resume of the singing I do, not really personal stuff.
I need to update mine again. I do read other people’s– esp when I really like their blog. I will usually read a few posts and then read the about to see who they are, what they blog about…etc.
I love about me pages! And pictures! It is usually the first place I go after reading a few posts of a new blogger who grabs my attention. I need to update mine.
I read ‘about me’, especially on a new blog I come across.
I want a bit more than just my name is xxx and I am mother and wife, for example. Photos would be nice, but not necessary if the blogger posts a lot of photos anyway.
I don’t think you need to change ‘about me’ too often, only when big life changes, like having a new baby, getting married, etc. and I don’t usually go back reading ‘about me’ if I have read it, probably get more information from reading the person’s blogs.
Hmmm, I kind of think the left turn thing and the office supplies thing should have made it in there is Sarah Dessen did (I love her as well…have you read Lock & Key yet? I think that’s my fave so far). They are both hallmark pieces of information that I think of when I think of you!
I love About pages, and in general, the more info the better! But mine is so outdated and apparently now it’s not even working (I just checked the link and got a 404 error)… so I need to do an update too!
Do you read About pages on blogs? Am I the only one who does that? Nope, any time I visit a blog for the first time, if I like the first few entries I read, then I definitely check the blogger’s About page out.
If you do – what do you look for? Is there ever anything consistently missing you wish people would include? Like alias origins or URL background? I’m not really picky about stuff like that…really, whatever people want to put out there is okay with me.
Do you have an About page on your own blog? Did you sweat over it like I did or am I a huge dork? I didn’t really sweat over it, because I’m not sure anyone reads it.
If you do – how often do you change yours? Is it timeless or do you get bored? It’s been the same for a few years now. I’d like to make it more readable (mine’s basically a bullet list) and interesting, but I figure it’s okay as is, too. As I said, I’m not really even sure my readers look at that page.
Hi! I finally decided to put together my own ‘About Me’ page thanks to your blog post!
http://tunaynamahal.blogspot.com/2008/03/more-about-me.html