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Converting Visitors to Readers with a Quality About Page
July 12th, 2007 by Matt HugginsHaving an about page is fairly standard for any given blog. However, many bloggers have about pages that don’t provide enough reason for the visitor to stay or return in the future. After reading some articles on the topic and viewing various well-written about pages, I compiled the commonalities in order to overhaul my own about me page.
In my effort to convert casual visitors into regular readers, I rewrote my about page in the following ways:
- Renamed the page heading from “About Me” to “About Matt Huggins” in order to promote myself and work on my branding,
- Included more information about my personal background and talents that permit me to write on the topics covered here with some authority,
- Provided additional details on why a visitor should feel inclined to stay,
- Linked to various posts and pages that demonstrate the type of content a reader can expect to find on my blog, and
- Encouraged the reader to join my RSS feed in an additional location on my blog.
The following is the content of my old about page. Take a look at my new, improved about page for comparison.
So you’re probably wondering, “who is Matt Huggins?†Why, he’s the guy in the picture over there on the right!
I’m a 20-something techie and self-proclaimed entrepreneur. I’m thirsty for knowledge (and money), and I’m trying to get out of the 9-5 job scene and into a comfortable work-from-home environment. I have visions of a few Web-based projects I want to complete, and I’m working hard to achieve these goals. If something doesn’t work after my exhaustive efforts, I’ll simply move to the next thing and keep working.
In the process of trying to get things off the ground, I plan to use this blog to provide updates on my projects. As I’ve been learning more about money-making opportunities on the Web and blogging — a continuously growing interest of mine — I’ll be including those topics here as well.
Which about page do you prefer? Which do you think will better help to convert visitors into regular readers? Think about what you have in your about page and whether your first-time visitors will want feel encouraged to return in the future.
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July 12th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Great new about page - there is a lot more to learn about you there. You should keep expanding it as your “vision and progression” ensues.
July 12th, 2007 at 8:56 am
It’s all about showcasing your brand through your blog by displaying information that will help the reader connect with you.
July 12th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
About page is the best idea for people know the blogger.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Haha! I just checked my about page to judge it according to your standards - and apparently Wordpress wrote it for me - I still have the crazy generic “this is your about page where you can put information about yourself”.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hi Matt
I recently revised my About page too. I also realized the About page is our first chance to impress casual surfer and convert them to potential repeat reader within that crucial few seconds.
I can’t agree more with the last 3 points you made, and I’m gonna think them through and also incoporate them in my new about page.
Do drop by my About page and give me your vaulable feedback.
July 13th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Haha, that’s funny Danielle. While I like the default WordPress sample page text, I think you could do a much better job based upon your previous writings.
Betshopboy, I like the about page you have now. I think it helps explain a little bit about who you are. It would be great if you added a little more on why the visitor should want to return in the future by offering examples of how your blog will benefit them. Otherwise, it’s all good info!
July 13th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Matt,
I had just seen an article of yours and so I’ve been reading a bit of your blog. I can’t claim to have taken any of your advice (yet), but I do plan on it when I get into the serious blogging community. Unfortunately I will soon have a two year hiatus, so I don’t want to put money into something for that short of a time. Thank you for this information though.
Dan, the Echo Boomer
July 13th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Thanks, Dan, I appreciate your feedback.
Let me know when you get back from your hiatus, and I’ll check it out!
July 13th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
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July 13th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I’ve taken the advice here and started working on my about page and added an advertising page to my blog. Thank you.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
[...] you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Since looking into making positive changes to an about page and partaking in a much appreciated interview with Christine of The Sapheyerblu Review, I’ve [...]
July 26th, 2007 at 8:32 am
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July 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
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September 8th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
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