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.
Recently there was a blog post that went viral because a blogger decided to let the world know that she had not been honest in her writing and posting. She went viral because as part two of her rant, she tried to tear down other bloggers. They all felt the need to respond, so everyone jumped on the band wagon and this blogger received a lot of blog traffic and social media attention. She achieved her goal of receiving maximum attention by being negative and dishonest.
I love attention. I dream of going viral all the time, just like most of my fellow bloggers! And I will only be happy gong viral if it is through honesty, and by being authentic. Like that adorable woman who recently went viral by filming herself opening a Chewbacca mask and putting it on. She was hysterically laughing the entire time and was clearly enjoying herself. Almost everyone I have seen discuss this woman is 100% thrilled for her. And you know why? Because her little video, not meant for distribution around the world when made, was 100% authenticly her! She was just being herself, and her “self” was wonderful, that is what the world has picked up on!
How do I stay authentic on-line? By being honest and only writing about the real, genuine me. I do not lie on social media. Mainly because it is too hard to remember something made up, reality and truth are much easier to recall! Plus, I am honest because that is how I was raised. Just write your truth.
It may be tempting to lie, to stretch the truth, to embellish. It is up to you how far you are willing to go, only you can decide where the line is, that you have crossed into dishonesty. Being your best authentic self always gets the best responses from the world as well.
Don’t make up stories, do not tell falsehoods, and certainly do not write negative things about people! I make it a point to stay positive, or not write! I am married 24 years and have a teenage son. I have a lot of negative I can reach for if I need to, but never on-line. We tell our son that once something is printed on the Internet, it stays there forever. We adults have to remember that as well. And, you want the real you available for everyone to know, not the fake you!
To stay authentic online be honest, be positive, and do not tear down others to get attention. And:
Lastly, get a .ME domain name as the perfect way to stay authentic on-line! Domain.ME is a domain name provider that allows all of us to create our own unique, and especially, safe identity online, with a domain ending in .ME.
Domain.ME is a great way to build your personal and/or professional brand. It is the perfect way to create an online persona that captures “You.” It is great for online portfolios and aliases for social network profiles, and great for blogs, especially because they are recognized for SEO purposes just like a .COM!
What a great conversation to have, it’s very important to stay authentic online. I have heard of these domains before, will have to go check it out and see how it can help me, now that you are talking about it 🙂
I did see the article about the negative mom. I did not click over to have a view, for just the reasons you noted. I would click over to see the Chewbacca mom. I heard another mention of her, but only slightly. Funny how the negative reigns supreme more often than not. Pity that’s true too. Ah well, there’s still a TON of us who prefer the authentic and the positive, and a big hurrah for it. 🙂
A great post. I don’t know why people have to be fake and dishonest… so frustrating. Loved the Chewbacca Mom… I watched it a few times and she made me laugh each time.
Authenticity is so important! And I totally agree about the Chewbacca Mom! She was awesome and I’m thrilled for all the opportunities it has brought her. As for the Dear Mommy Blogger lady, I’m not a big fan! So much hate!
Such a great topic it’s so important to be honest about yourself. I don’t know why still have a fake people
I could never be fake whether in my life, online or on my site. It just isn’t who I am. I am trying to teach the kids to be the same way. It just doesn’t make sense to me to be anyone who I am not.
I too think about how going viral would be a blast. And like you I think its important to stay true to who you are at all times and above all else. There’s nothing more sincere to me that being authentic. Hadn’t heard of .ME on line before-great to know-thanks for sharing
It is so important to stay authentic online. I don’t understand why someone would not want to do that. It just seems silly to me!
This 100% I have caught so many people in lies through social media and would never call them out on it but will always keep it in the back of my mind for future reference and who to work with. Being authentic is so valuable to myself and my readers I am sure that is why they keep coming back!
Absolutely! For anyone who wants to stay in the blogging business must be authentic!
I know one of the reasons you have continued to be successful is that you are completely transparent -what you see is what you get–and also you have convinced me to get a new domain ?
I think it’s always important to be who you are. You will always get more readers that way.
It is one of my goals this summer to use Domain.me.
I love what you say about supporting each other. You know I love that!
This was so informative! Thank you for sharing! It is very important to support each other!:)
I agree whole heartedly with you about being authentic!! If you aren’t being true to yourself your readers will see it and you will hate what you do
You are so right. We should just always stay true to ourselves and be honest. I missed the viral ranting blogger but I have seen folks publish shocking things before just for the attention it will bring.
I love this new domain idea! It goes so perfectly with the blogging lifestyle. If you aren’t authentic, your blog will die. That simple.
The Domain.me is so unique, just like me! This just may be worth a try…
That girl, TRIED to tear other bloggers down but from what I saw she made a lot of them come closer together instead! Which, if you ask me is a blessing. Someone else failure doesn’t have to be felt by anyone else!
I am going to have to check out domain.me for sure! Sounds great!
I would even be able to be inauthentic if I tried, lol. I should totally get a .me site because then it would totally all be about Mememe 😉
Presenting yourself as who you really are is so important!! Being fake online is just as bad as being fake in person.
I think this would be an awesome step towards making your brand stand out. People can get pretty creative with their domain names!
I always present my true self. Like you said, it’s too hard to remember a lie. If I wanted to make stuff up, I’d be writing fiction.
It is so very important to stay real and be your true self online and offline. Thanks for sharing this!
I’m right with you. I do try to stay real and to myself when online and off. What you see, is what you get. I will say, there is tons of dishonest ppl on line and I tend to just stay away.
I LOVED Chewbacca mom! It’s sad now negative things get lots of attention (thus why people do them so much) and positive things are often unlooked.
Very important to remember as you gain online “stardom.” Selling out is not good for your soul and wellbeing. In the end being true to yourself is the most important thing we have.
I love the Chewbacca mom video! I am glad she is getting some good things her way. Navigating social media is challenging.
Yes!!!! I have to be me. If you look at my blog you can see how eclectic I am, but that’s me. I am all over the place, lol.
I have a dot.me for my personal website. Staying authentic is so important. The woman who went all pissed about blogging clearly needed a different strategy. Her views went up but the damage she did most likely won’t be repaired.
It’s really important not to make up stories. We should realize that while we are sharing stories/information to our readers, we are also building our credibility. Credibility makes a post viral. How can we be credible? If we show authenticity and if we are honest with what we write. Great post!
I dream of going viral one day too, but only for bringing positive into the world. I would hate to remembered as the blogger that complained all of the time
This is such a great topic, people need to realize that it’s always bed to be yourself 🙂
Great message to share! It’s important to stay true to yourself. Most people blog to express their own voices and stories. Gotta stay true to you!
I heard some chatter about the blog post. Some folks in some of my blogging groups even engaged with the woman. I didn’t seek it out and didn’t see it. It didn’t sound like anything worth my attention.
I blog from the heart, if I’m not feeling it then I’m not writing about it.
I’ve watched the Chewbacca mom a few times and made me laugh. I am happy for all the opportunities that it has brought her.