Few things in this world are more disappointing that a blog without an About page. Many times have I been lured by links, comments, or avatars to interesting posts on interesting blogs, where I clicking on About, only to find my curiosity dashed to pieces by “This is an example page” or some other default message.
A blog without an About page is a blog without a clear identity. It’s hard to get interested in it and even harder to follow. Even if it reads well, you’re not quite sure what to make of it, whether it’s just an experiment by someone who’s too busy to take blogging seriously, or something left unfinished.
The About page makes many bloggers uncomfortable. After all, not all of us want our pictures on the web. But then you don’t have to post on that page a photo of yourself or write your biography. You just have to leave on it a piece of you.
There are as many examples of About pages as there are bloggers. Some are straightforward, others subtly avoid any personal details while managing to remain interesting, and others say a great deal and say it bluntly. It’s always good to come across an About page that reflects the voice of the blogger, however quirky they may be.
Here are some inspiring examples of About pages. They are very different from one another, but they all have that something that makes you want to stay a little longer on their blog, to read at least one more post.
- https://susielindau.com/about/
- https://aopinionatedman.com/harsh-reality/
- https://ladyfi.wordpress.com/about/
- https://cristianmihai.net/about/
- https://thegirlinthehat.wordpress.com/about/
- https://wordsaretheweapon.wordpress.com/about/
(And no, these are not all cronies of mine – I don’t know all of these people.)
boy with a hat 
Thanks so much for including mine! I will check the others out.
It’s quite a blast. 🙂
Here is my newest blog’s about me page. Hope you like it. https://customsclassics.wordpress.com/about/
I like classic cars, too, Dennis, not that I drive them, though. I’d like to get one one day, but I imagine they are hard to maintain, right?
No harder than you want to make it, actually. Also, you do need some mechanical inclination. If you have that, maintenance and repair is a little easier.
It’s precisely that that worries me – the mechanical inclination, or lack thereof.
Ok, Vincent. I’ll take you up on your challenge. I herby put out my about-page to be publicly scrutinized. http://www.mortenflorens-haugerud.com/home/
Thank you for reminding us about the importance of this. It also made me think about the “about-page” I carry with me whenever I meet new people, in real life. Who do I precent myself to be? Or even deeper: Who am I? Do I try to adapt do be liked? Do I make any compromises? Well, I guess that is another post, book, blog or life to be lived …
Society is indeed like a mold and we usually adapt to it, without even realizing it. Perhaps we are the clearest version of ourselves only when we are alone in silence, and everything else is role-playing?
Reading this post made me smile, because writing the About page was the hardest thing about setting up my blog. My main job involves me writing about other people and making them (hopefully) sound wonderful. I love writing about others and showing them in their best possible light and I find the words usually flow without a problem.
However, I find writing about myself incredibly difficult; I can stare at the screen for hours and the words just won’t come out. No matter how I phrase things, the words always feels inauthentic or awkward to me.
But, I agree, an About page is important. So I created one. I even included a photo and my name. I try never to look at it, though. It’s too uncomfortable!
I like your about page. But it’s a bit hard to get to, being hidden behind a button – on the desktop version of the theme at least. 🙂
I think an about page is a sort of a “Why should I care?” background about your blog topic. I think you did a great job – especially for one who prefers life *behind* the camera and focusing attention on others.
Those of us who are more “word” people than image people need descriptions etc. to engage us, and appreciate a creator willing to provide context with an introduction to him or herself. I tend to prefer to *share* thoughts and perspectives, not wander around in isolation as I stare at images in mute silence.
I don’t hang out on sites with photo after photo (or graphic) sans caption, and I know I’m not the only one. Despite what you read in the popular press, visual dominants are not as prevalent as many popular “gurus” say. Visuals anchor thoughts – they aren’t meant to replace them – and the many documentaries on art and artists show just how much the public loves the backstory.
The Chernobyl post I “liked” was amazing in that regard, btw. I wouldn’t have spent the time I did were it not for the descriptions. I was truly fascinated.
xx,
mgh
Thank you so much for your thoughts, and compliments too! Much appreciated!
You are most welcome. Nice site, btw.
xx,
mgh
I love to check out the “who” of the blogs I read. Always adds another dimension to the writing. My learning curve is high as I learn to navigate wordpress.com but her is my “About” page, I think?? It is under weekly construction. https://en.gravatar.com/patriciaplaypost
You’re close Patricia, but that’s not quite it. The About page looks something like yourblog.com/about. 🙂
Thanks!
*here*
When setting up my blog, I really didn’t know how to set my about page. Then I decided who cares about it, I am here to write not talk about myself.
I have an About Me
Oops hit “reply” before I was done typing. Hate it when that happens. Dangers of blogging on a phone. I have an About page, but it needs some work. It’s more like an overgrown garden at this point. Good post! I shall check out the examples. 🙂
I love a good about page – it gives a window into the person behind the blog. It’s like going to school on the weekend or seeing a dog walk on it;’s hind legs…
I’m not so sure about weekend school, but a dog walking on its hind legs, well, that’s quite a treat. 🙂
I’m on mobile, but my blog is therosegarden.co 😊
My About page is my most edited page to date and changes to that would be a consistent thing for (hopefully) years to come. https://thecoffeebeanbrain.wordpress.com/about-the-brain/
Hi Vincent! Thanks for this opportunity to showcase our about page. And thank you for reminding us its importance.
Here’s mine http://www.cnnsoapbox.com/about/
Dear boy with a hat community, please feel free to comment. Thanks again!
like you, i visit a person’s About Page to see if i am interested in Following them. and, like you, i was a high-school dropout. hope you like my About Page: https://libbysommer.wordpress.com/about/
You’re right. I always look for the “About” page when I come across a new blog. And before following. That being said, here’s my About page:
https://riotsbyfreedomwriter.wordpress.com/about/
I agree the author page or about page is important! I appreciate you sharing mine on!
Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
The importance of a good “About Page!”
Note: Comments disabled here. Please visit their blog.
Found you through OM. I so agree on the lack of the About page. I check for it every single time I get a new follower. If there is nothing there, I just move on…it’s frustrating. This is good advice to the new blogger. Also…don’t forget to get a non-generic avatar, no matter what it is ! ☺
https://vanbytheriver.wordpress.com/about/
I worked my way here from Harsh Reality, and I’m glad I did. Finally shamed me into fixing mine to be more relevant- thanks for that! Also, pleased to meet you! Fine place you’ve got here. 🙂
I tip my hat to you. 🙂
Cheers to you, too!
Here’s mine…
https://voicesofsteph.wordpress.com/about/
Reblogged this on and commented:
Enjoyed reading your blog. All the best in the world…
Great post. I don’t like it when I can’t see anything about the person behind the words either. I also wish they’d set comments and likes “on” for those pages. THEN there is linking their blogs and websites to their gravatar profiles. I frequently click on a gravatar in a comment or like to see more about the person, and I can’t get anywhere else. I rarely have the time to google to locate, so connection dies there.
My landing page is fixed (20 most recent articles in a list on the sidebar, links to more at the bottom of each article). It has more info about me than most people have the patience to read, but I actually have TWO “about” pages, linked to each other at the top of each.
One is a more serious Trainer Bio, and the other one is tongue in cheek (tho’ mostly true), and a lot more fun. (Check it out here: https://addandsomuchmore.com/2011/03/01/hello-world/) Anyone who is familiar with ADD/ADHD/EFD will immediately relate, no doubt.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
What energy you have!
When I was younger I was a dervish. These days It comes and goes, unfortunately.
xx,
mgh
I always check out a blogs about page, I love learning about the actual person who’s making the blog.
I made my about page pretty soon after I started my blog. It could probably use some improvements, along with the rest of my blog, but I’m not sure what to do with it.
Here’s a link to my about page
http://captainjillsjourneys.com/about/
I would appreciate feedback on my about page. My focus has been to share the purpose of my blog. I don’t share much about myself. I would like to hear other’s perspectives on this. Thanks in advance. https://wordpress.com/page/flashlightbatteries.wordpress.com/1
So “about page” at my house hat boy….guess you’ll just have to READ my blog to figure out who i am. No? Thought not. Soooooo, Booo ha ha ha and a low weird echo of such.
My blog has no purpose other than to entertain and inform ME. As ever, your friend ~~dru~~
Ooops that was supposed to be NO ABOUT PAGE, no Cliff Notes but I’m willing to bet that my individual DNA is all over my blog. ~~dru~~
I too get disappointed when I open an “about” page leading to the “this is an example page”. I like to know a little more about the blogger before scrolling around or considering hitting the”follow” button even if it doesn’t give very personal information. Here’s mine, if you’d like to give it a look 😉
https://cyranny.wordpress.com/about/
I don’t take myself seriously, blogging-wise, but I think people enjoy themselves in the Cove 😉 you’re welcome to join in anytime…
Thanks for the good read, and a great day to you!
The about pages are quite often the window to the blog’s soul and, for me, answer the ‘who, what, where, and why’ reasons for the blog itself. About pages help me get to know a little more about the blogger’s purpose, personality and motivation, etc., as well as helps me decide if I want to delve into the rest of the blog.
I write a humour blog about sometimes serious things or about my many (mis)adventures and blunders; sometimes I write about the new things I have tried or about my life in general after being found under a really big cabbage patch leaf (mostly a true story 😉 ). Sometimes I even crack open the tequila for a weekend tequila share so please do feel free to join me in the cabbage patch. The more, the merrier!
Here is the link to how my blog got its name: https://talesfromthecabbagepatch.wordpress.com/about-the-cabbage-patch/.
As well, here is the link to my ‘about’ page: https://talesfromthecabbagepatch.wordpress.com/about/
I found your blog via https://cyranny.wordpress.com/ and I would like to thank you for this incredible opportunity to share our about pages. I look forward to checking out the other links provided in the comments for not only inspiration but to get to meet/know some other bloggers.
Not your typical “About Me” page. Maybe worth a look. Maybe not. https://placetorememberblog.wordpress.com/about-me/
Writing the ‘About’ page was more difficult than I anticipated. Check mine out, any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated 🙂
untamedwildfire.wordpress.com
I am no expert. This is the message I got from your About page. You have clear beliefs but I would like to hear more about what makes your journey through life unique. I thought your art was lovely. Has your art informed your life? The format of your blog was easy to read. Best of luck. Blogging is a fun adventure.
Thank you for that, will see what I can do! 🙂
I love getting feedback. If you look at my about page, let me know what you think. Happy blogging.
Checked out your page. I absolutely love your ‘About me’ page and your poetry has got me hooked. I adore your way with words. Bless you and I wish you every success. Will definitely be keeping your site at hand.
Oh my. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing to follow. I look forward to following your blogging journey as well.
Hey, I am late may be but giving you a chance to read one more about section and make any comment.. oops.. Take a look please http://www.talkaholicme.wordpress.com/about
I appreciate reading your web sites. Regards!
Good post! I too always refer to the “About” page.
Hey Vincent! Great post, MASSIVELY useful advice and link examples. This is precisely what I was looking for when I was trawling wordpress last night for help with writing this nearly impossible yet essential component of the blog. It inspired me to inject a little more character into my page, which was formerly a little cold and distant. https://unravellingyarn.wordpress.com/about/ Thanks again!
Reblogged this on DF!World->Daddy Felix is your Digital Friend, Business Partner and Solutions Provider and commented:
Glad to be acquainted with your blog. I love what you wrote.
I absolutely CANNOT figure out what happened to my about page. When I changed themes I saw “about” but never clicked on it. I just clicked on it and nothing is there! Now my home menu says the names of old blog posts. Oh my. I have no idea how to navigate this! Where did my about page go!!! How do I add it back to the menu!!!! I have been looking at tutorials and yet I just keep messing up my entire blog lay out. Can anyone guide me? I’ve had my blog for 2 years and I have wondered why no one has commented on the about page after i put a new theme up! I can’t even find that my about page even existed…it was there once!
https://bethanykays.com/about/ I think I finally found out how to make my about page viewable!