Why it is so important to stay authentic online…
The Chief Blonde plays a game of Chubby Bunny with her kids…a little photoshop contrast
Confession: I photoshop my face sometimes…
Ask most any fashion blogger over 45 and they will admit it, we photoshop. Ask most any blogger who regularly posts pictures of themselves…they photoshop if beyond a certain age. A lot of the beauty bloggers over 45 on Youtube get work done…whether it be Botox for the forehead or Restalyne for the lips.
Why would I do that? Isn’t that inauthentic?
For me, the answer is no. I want to portray myself at my very best on my blog. When I am in the BRIGHT sun, my wrinkles look OH SO pronounced. What WOULD be inauthentic, in my book, is if I said “I don’t photoshop”. Many of the beauty bloggers on Youtube will always indicate what they have had done so their readers aren’t mislead…I appreciate that…don’t you?
When I am doing any kind of picture that isn’t fashion, but want to make sure my readers know that what they are looking at is untouched, I always note that the photo is not retouched. For example, in the photo below I am showing the effectiveness of a root touch-up product, my readers knew there was no touch-up because I said in the body of the article .
What else do I do as blogger to stay authentic?
How do I make sure my readers know the real ME, the authentic ME, the Genuine ME? How do I reveal my authentic self, true self?
I never do negative reviews on my blog. Why? Because I don’t want to waste my space or give ink to products that I don’t like. I want my readers to know that if I blog about something…I or my family really like it. I even wrote about my policy in this article here: Negative Product Reviews: As a Blogger, How Do I Handle? However, I let you know why I don’t do them and I link this article often so my readers understand.
Another thing I do to stay authentic, is that I let my readers see me in various life situations. So they know that I, like them, have my moments.
The Chief Blonde keeps it real by showing herself getting her BLONDE hair dyed (lol), walking and talking about bladder leakage, trying out aerial yoga (are you kidding me?), and talking to her readers about her rosacea.
My Readers have told me!
While I strive to be authentic and genuine, it’s my readers who just say the sweetest things to confirm that my approach is working. Here’s a few comments that have been left on the blog:
Your blog does not need improving. I always enjoy it. Love your photos and fashion.
~Sandra W.
You are by far my favorite blogger! Honestly, the first time I saw your page I told my husband see there is life after 50. ~ Pamela J.
Why is it important to stay authentic online with your readers?
As a shoe lover, I admitted to my readers that I took 11 pairs of shoes to a 3 days conference!
It’s really quite simple for me…I want to show and explain my real self so my readers and the brands I work with so they know I have integrity and they can trust me. I have seen this to prove out as the same brands come back to me over and over to do opportunities and hire me as an ambassador. Readers who read me when I was just a teeny tiny blogger are still around to this day. Authenticity works!
Just me and the AUTHENTIC Mr. Darcy (aka. Colin Firth) hanging out!
How you can be more authentic online
Consider getting a .ME domain name! Huh? What’s that?
Domain.ME is a domain name provider that allows anyone (personal and/or business) to create a unique, safe identity online with a domain ending in .ME. There’s nothing that says YOU like a website that has your name or personal brand attached. In my follow-up post to this one, I will give you all the reasons why a .ME domain name is just right for you to create your Authentic Self online.
Have you seen all of our Domain.Me posts or our last Domain.ME ?
But in the meantime, head over and get your .ME domain name as the perfect way to stay authentic online. Who doesn’t want a domain name that illustrates exactly who you are, both personally and professionally?
So let me know…
As a reader, share with me why and/or how you stay authentic online?
Blog Note: This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal domains that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I wish I could get rid of all my wrinkles that fast! 🙂
I just love your blog posts! You’re so honest and fashionable and awesome!!
I am not a blogger but I can say I like bloggers who just stay true to who you are. Just being you is what makes your blog wonderful. I love this blog.
I think it is great that you are so authentic with your readers online. Since I too am a shoe lover I especially like that you admitted to your readers that you took 11 pairs of shoes to a 3 days conference!
I strongly believe that you have to be authentic to yourself and everyone else because I want to know the real you and if I don’t share the real me then the friendship isn’t real! I will often answer questions honestly that are usually answered with: yes, that looks good! love that outfit! or nice hairdo! Believe it or not, people really do appreciate the honest answer. I don’t pretend to be something I am not and have the attitude that you can take me as I am or not take me at all.
Stay real and keep up the good work!
I stay authentic online by not editing photos for anything but lighting. Everything else it totally me!
Your honesty is refreshing! I never think about real people using Photoshop for profile enhancements.
I stay authentic by telling the truth, but I do not share personal information online.
It’s just part of who I am. One of the strongest lessons I learned growing up was that people were going to judge you regardless, so why waste time trying to impress them?
I like the concept of not having a negative review. Well, positive thoughts will gain positive rewards.
For me, life is too short & time is to precious to be anything but authentic! I’m not sure I’d recognize myself made over or made up!
I think being authentic is great. I try to be as authentic as possible online. I think more people are drawn to that anyways and you can always tell when someone isn’t being authentic.
I do not think there is anything wrong with doing things that make you feel better about yourself. I think the key is to be honest about it. It is important to share your experiences.
I laughed, smiled and virtually thanked you for this. Such a real read! Loved it, thank you!
I stay authentic by sharing a weakness or reality about myself. So nice to see that being real is finally accepted!
I think we all try to put our best foot (or face) forward. Being authentic doesn’t mean you can’t look your best.
You make a good point about showing regular parts of yourself and day. I feel the same. It easier to connect with others online like this.
I stay authentic by writing about my life, my family, and about things that interest me. There’s no point in being fake, especially online. If people like what I have to say, they can keep reading, and if not, they can move along.
Love this post!! It got me thinking that while I do edit and photoshop my pics a little, not a ton, I’m not sure my readers realize that. Even setting up the perfect picture is a chore and not always as glamorous as it appears online. – Katy
oh you are so right if readers could see my bedroom after a 5 outfit shoot, it would make the cringe. Love ya Miss Katie! Shelley
So true! It’s easy to tell when people are really being themselves online – will have to look into the Me domain