Summary: <br> <br> <br> <br> Last time we talked about having a playground. A place to relax and try new things. A place where you can experiment and be a little messy until you figure out how you want to use that space.<br> Consistent at Your Core<br> At the same time, be consistent at your core.<br> <br> Not that you look exactly the same everywhere you go. I mean, that’s not even realistic. Think about it in practical terms: Sometimes you’ll be speaking at a conference and dressed in a professional outfit while other times you’ll be doing a live video feed while walking your dog. It’s appropriate and expected to literally look different and to exude a different tone in one space versus another.<br> <br> But somehow I should have no question I’m listening to the same person. Everywhere I encounter you—online, at a conference, or in line at Starbucks—I should sense that you are essentially the same.<br> <br> Whether you’re dressed in your best suit for a photo shoot or sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows with friends, be the same core you.<br> Consistent with Content<br> Maintain consistency in content, too, to avoid blindsiding readers.<br> <br> That doesn’t mean you write the exact same subject using different examples over and over. That would get boring. And tedious.<br> <br> Instead, write under the broader themes you’re known to explore. If you’re a lifestyle blogger, you might have a few subtopics you write about: travel, photography, food. And let’s say you write about those things with a frugality focus: money-saving travel tips, how to get the most out of your DSLR, meal planning on a budget.<br> <br> Readers love your articles. You’re saving them money and you’re a little bit sassy when introducing a product or destination. They follow you for updates.<br> <br> If you suddenly start writing about politics in a cynical tone, your audience will wonder what’s going on. You don’t sound like you and you’re not delivering them subject matter they’ve expected from you.<br> <br> Now, you’re free to write whatever you want, and you may choose to leverage your platform for a higher purpose.<br> Why Do Readers Come to You?<br> Just keep your audience in mind...your readers. Why do they come to you?<br> <br> If you’re the frugal travel blogger and suddenly you start spotlighting luxury hotels that cost $600 a night, and you toss French phrases around as if you’re wearing a beret and drinking champagne, readers who have appreciated your tips for backpacking across Europe and choosing the best hostel will feel like your content isn’t for them any longer.<br> <br> But let’s say you won a luxury trip where your hotels would have cost $600 a night. Your readers might enjoy seeing frugal you marveling at resort living. You could position the luxury outing as Budget Traveler Stumbles into Wonderland.<br> Writing Coach or Arborist?<br> If someone comes to my website or listens to my podcast week after week expecting something related to writing encouragement, instruction, or inspiration, they’d feel confused if I suddenly offer a clinic on tree trimming. I might be an amateur arborist perfectly capable of leading a clinic on tree trimming, but my readers would be scratching their heads. “That’s weird. I come to Ann for writing input, not tree trimming advice.”<br> <br> If, however, a big part of my brand is sharing stories from my personal life, perhaps my readers already knew I’m an amateur arborist, so if a comment showed up on social media about my recent neighborhood tree trimming seminar, it wouldn’t be a total shock. (I’m not an amateur arborist, for the record, so don’t ask me for tips. But I do make excellent steel cut oats, and if you ever want to know my secret, <a href="http://annkroeker.com/2008/03/25/overnight-crockpot-steel-cut-oatmeal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the instructions do still live on this website....</a>
