Choosing to blog publicly, wise or not?

I originally wrote this piece in 2008 when I had only been blogging for a few months, at the time I was a self employed non-profit consultant and freelance writer. Fast forward several years and I run a small non-profit that is growing and finding myself wondering if I have made the best decision in blogging under my name. Yesterday, a local reporter contacted me using my blog email address and it dawned on me…holy shit. As regular readers know I recently made Babble’s list of top Mom bloggers debuting at #70 which depending on one’s career aspirations may have value or not. Right now it has no value since I don’t earn my daily keep as a blogger. That said, when so much of my work depends on making connections and a certain image, I do wonder is this going to blow up in my face at some point?

 

When I initially decided to blog the plan had been to remain anonymous since I basically wanted a space where I could let my hair down, not always needing to be mindful of exactly what I said but a place to just let it all out. However after sharing with a few folks IRl that I was blogging I made the decision to come out so to speak, being the connected person I am I put a link on my face-book page and in a few other places and well I just have to say that, that six degrees of separation shit is real.

Now unlike some folks out in the blogosphere, I don’t have an employer to be mindful of, I am self-employed and actually I do write in my real life for a local publication. (in my real life writing, I am also not nearly as casual as I am here either, so a lot of the essense of what I say gets diluted I think) This blog is the raw uncensored version of what I have written for the past 4 years, its me up close and personal.

I must admit today I found myself wondering if coming out though was a good thing when a local buddy hit me up that she had read one of my pieces and actually had some thoughts.. no, it was nothing bad but it did get me to thinking, um, is it a good idea to be out there especially when I live in a pretty white place and truthfully race factors in to a lot of my thoughts? On the other hand, I found myself thinking maybe being out is not a bad thing, yes there is a good chance I may piss someone off, on the other hand, anyone who knows me knows I rant a lot anyway and honestly I think some of what I post on provides a starting point to some good discussions.

This blog was born partially out of my frustration of needing to vent and shit, its cheaper than therapy. Anyway tonight’s post is a quickie since its time to get off the computer for the night and connect with the spousal unit.

I am curious though, for my fellow bloggers do you share your blogging with your real life folks or are you in the closet?

Have a good weekend!

12 thoughts on “Choosing to blog publicly, wise or not?”

  1. I’ve gone for anonymity myself. I’m a freelancer, so I don’t have to worry about office implications much, but I do wonder what it might do for my attractiveness level to potential clients if some of my clients knew what I blogged about and such.

    Even in a largely Judeo-Christian society, being focused on Jesus and God just doesn’t make a lot of people feel comfortable.

    Also, I kind of get overprotective of my family, so I figure limiting the people who know who I am to a bare minimum is best…and that’s pretty much my immediate family, less than 5 college buddies, and maybe two or three fellow bloggers I trust implicitly.

    At some point, much like The Field Negro, I may find myself outed, or like The Black Snob, may decide to out myself…but for now, anonymous seems best for my purposes.

    @ Big Man: I’m surprised you can stay anonymous at all. Even in the metro New Orleans area, how many people can there possibly be in your specific beat?

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