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 would probably photoshop some of my pictures if I knew how to do it. Somehow that is one of the things I never looked into. So if you see my pictures they show all the wrinkles that this 76 year old face has developed.
This day and age when so many people are fake and technology makes it so easy to be someone you are not, it is very refreshing to see someone practing and being authentic and real.
great post, thanks for sharing
I love how open and honest you are! There are too many fake people and things in this world so it’s refreshing to find someone like you. Thank you.
I love the picture of you riding on the little mechanical horse – that’s so cool!!!
You can do it too! Your family will die laughing! The Chief Blonde
Wow this was really interesting to read!
I like that you show the “real” you!!! I try to show my true self, even if I tell everyone that I color my hair blonde now, that it has darkened & turned a lot more gray & admit all of the other things about not being perfect!!!
Love this post Thanks for sharing.
Love to take photos looking good
Great article.
Great post! Being authentic is being you. True to yourself. Just be honest with your readers, and we will respect that. We all have photos that we look at and go….that is not how I look. You are honest in your retouching. Even though, I’m sure your readers don’t think you need it, you have to be true to yourself and your readers. You do a great mix of that! Thanks.
You are very authentic, truthful, and fun! I love the recipes you post and the awesome informational posts you share with us.
I am always authentic!! Real people are really the best people aren’t they?!!?
I think that you are indeed authentic and it’s a pleasure to read your writing. I hope that you continue for a long time in good health!
Well, I try to be authentic in my replies… I never even considered that people would photoshop their stuff. Call me naive.
I love your blog and there isn’t anything I would change. I like your “realness” approach and that you don’t fake the funk. As women over 45, we have wrinkles, we have bladder leaks, we have gray hairs that require constant touch ups, AND we have full lives! Thanks for keeping it real.
You rock Alice! The Chief Blonde
It`s hard to be authentic online.
I don’t blog, but try to be truthful without giving too much personal information online.
I agree it’s so important to stay authentic. I differ a little with negative reviews though. If I bought something and didn’t have a good experience with it, or if I went to see a movie and it was scary for my kids, I’m going to be honest about it so people know whether or not it’s worth their time.
Love your authenticity! 🙂
Love this post! I love that you are so real and honest!
I stay authentic by only writing about topics that truly interest me. I say no all the time to people wanting to guest write or even brands wanting to run ads for things I don’t like. Authenticity is so important when building a brand!