Blog Content: Are you personal… or all business?

Do you stay on track with your blog content and business goals, or do you share personal stories and events that are peripheral?

I got an interesting comment on a post I did beginning of June and I can’t stop thinking about it. The post was about staying on target with your business goals when you create content for your blog. Don’t Jerk Readers Around: 5 Tips for Staying on Track.

First Eileen said she didn’t agree with my premise that you might be jerking readers around if you’re not staying on track with your content:

“I’m not sure I agree with this. My blog niche is arts and crafts. Most of my favorite other artsy blogs do this routinely. One day they blog about what happening at home. The next they may share a tutorial or run a contest or review a book.”

Then Keenan said, “I agree with Eileen. Although you don’t want to be completely all over the map, changing up your subject matter is critical.

“Blogs represent people. They create connections to their readers through their personalities. When a blog stays on topic all the time, it begins to feel white-washed like any on or off-line newspaper or magazine.

“Personality plays a huge role in a blog. Blogging about those things that are part of the authors passions, likes, dislikes, opinions etc. allows followers to connect with the blog. It’s what makes blogging different than reading commercial news.

“Fred Wilson at avc.com is a perfect example. He will be all over the board, start-ups, social media, politics, (usually on the left), internet, telephony, etc. OK he doesn’t do food. 🙂

“Readers want to connect with blogs. Staying too on “topic” make this hard.

“Ironically, I blogged about this connect just today. It’s a unique part of being part of the blogosphere.”

For example, I’d like a place to rant about the 15-hour power outage I had yesterday that caused me to lose a day’s work. I’d also like to share about the consultant I hired who stood me up for 3 appointments.

But I won’t because it’s unprofessional to just complain, rant or whine without presenting a clear “reason why” these stories benefit you, the readers.

I’m reading 2-3 business books that are terrific, and I saw two really funny movies and a great match at Wimbledon. Our night-time rainy season has started and the hills are alive with greenery…

Do I blog about these events? I suppose I could, especially if there were a tie-in to my business or more importantly, if these stories could benefit you the readers in your efforts to master online content marketing through better blogging and time-saving tools.

I live in a gorgeous part of the world with near perfect weather. There are moments that take my breath away, like coming around a corner to discover a primavera tree  in bloom: the yellow shocks your eyes.

At other times, the quirks of the Mexican culture are sweet, and sometimes annoying. I don’t blog about this and maybe I should.

Anyway, I thought I’d ask what you think the right mix is. My current philosophy is if you can tie it into a tip or make it relevant to readers, then it’s okay. If not, don’t take up time. But maybe I’m being too business-focused. Maybe I need to lighten up and add some personal stories.

What do you think? What have been your experiences? Personality counts for sure, how much is the question.