@deairby  I write in my own voice (first person POV) and sometimes include an anecdote about my family or friends or a client (with their permission). I think it is important to let people know you’re a real person who has a life outside of writing a newsletter.

It kind of depends on what niche you’re in, too. Some are more geared towards relational content than others.

For the most part, I stick with straightforward, tips-based newsletters that focus tightly on one topic. It seems to work. My readers don’t really care about me; they’re more interested in reading tutorials and learning practical info that answers questions they have about blogging and social media.

@deairby

My ezines are written in my voice (incredibly intelligent, hysterically funny and shockingly irreverent) but I don’t share personal information in them.

It could be that I started them so long ago. My first newsletter for flyte (which was PRINT) was published in 1997. Things weren’t as social as they are now. (I think one of the features was explaining emoticons, of all things.)

Although the tenor of my ezines hasn’t changed, almost all my other communication has. When I write as Rich Brooks, I inject personal stories. When I write as flyte, less so.

I see someone like Amy Porterfield and how she injects herself in every post and it certainly makes the information more approachable, IMHO.

@deairby I agree with @laurachristianson your own voice is good. But I think how much personal one injects depends on the market you seek. @donpurdum mentions gender and I think that does affect the “how” and “how much” personal info you share, but again it’s market based to me.

In B2B, less personal and more focused on providing solid content of interest. But in consumer-driven, the personal can be very effective in creating that connection with your audience.

Know you audience, and let your instincts and knowledge guide you.

good idea about the sending to groups, Thanks @debbielynnava

@jeniferswanson what a good analogy about vegetables and reading “dry” posts! I think too many people still approach web writing like a term paper–but people don’t like to read online that way. Often they only have a bit of time at that moment so it needs to be clear and easy.

@deairby – I am in agreement with everyone here.  I write in first person and make sure I sound approachable, but I don’t share anything personal.  I think the closest I get to personal is when I send holiday greetings.

I do have my photo on my newsletter so people “see” the real me.

However, with all that said, I think you can definitely share a small tidbit once you make your big move about it being successful and trying to get settled in.  You could somehow tie that into your business and still have a business aspect to it.

Good luck!

thanks for the input, Lisa, Jenifer, and Joan @lisaschulteis @jeniferswanson @joanmuschampfagnani