FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 17: A constuction work sign is seen during a repaving project by the Florida Department of Transportation on February 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. States across the nation are hoping that with the signing of the $787 billion stimulus bill by President Barack Obama today that they will see an influx of federal money for infrastructure projects and to help the economy recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
I apologize I have not posted more often lately. I’ve had a difficult time writing and sharing lately with you guys mostly because I’ve been questioning my motivations with this blog and the idea behind wisdom and beauty 101 simply hasn’t been resonating with me anymore for a while. I’ve found my ramblings and last posts to be so random, disorganized and sporadic and I’ve been wondering what purpose does this all serve and is it worth it?
At the same time, I feel at this point in my life, that I’m looking to focus more my energy on what’s most important and currently that is developing as an artist, that is as a music writer, pianist and teaching. While I enjoyed what I’ve accomplished in this blog and what a great learning experience it’s been, I feel I’m ready to expand in a new direction and so I’m currently working on a new blog that would more centred around music.
However, a lot of questions still arise since I’ve decided to create this new Blog/Website and I want to ask your imput on just one of these questions :
Should there be a clear divide between personal and professional blogging?
What I loved and then eventually bothered me with wisdom and Beauty 101 was that the posts I shared were generally personal and covered a wide range of different interests of mine. And that’s who I am in reality : I’m a notorious share bear (virtually as well as physically) and I’ve always prided to be a diverse, multi-interest person (see one of my favorite blogs on multipotentialites created by Emilie Wapnick for more on this subject). However, as I’m looking to expand professionally as a musician, I’m wondering if it is best to keep the personal sharing and my other non-musical interests in a different space altogether even if for me, music is as much a part of my life of all the rest.
I’d love to hear your take on this so don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below and of course, more to come on the new blog/website which will premier July 15!
Wisdom and Beauty 101 
This is a good question. Blogging grew as a means to personalise news. In professional contexts, a blog is used to convey reflections and opinions that a press release cannot – The PR agency, Edelman, that pioneered corporate blogging, used it to humanise the company (usually through the top directors personal musings on corporate affairs). Greenpeace often chooses the blog format to respond to issues in a less “official” context than the press release. People appreciate blogs and look for personal flavours on professional subjects. While I try to shy away from expressing my private life issues, I get the best feedback on my blogs when I get “personal”.
Find the right balance with what you want to share personally that has professional value. Other artists may be feeling the same thing but may never have dared to express it!
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Great question, Clarissa. I think sharing is wonderful and helps your readers identify with you as a person. It makes you seem more real, which actually adds to your credibility. I think it also makes your writing more engaging. I’m so tired of “professional” blogs in which people pretend to have all the answers but share nothing about themselves. I think the key is keeping your stories focused. They can be as personal as you’re comfortable with, as long as they relate to the rest of the material. Does that make sense? That’s how I operate, anyhow. I get super-personal on my blog, but not about anything and everything — just about what relates to the message I’m trying to convey.
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