Saturday, July 28, 2018

Book Blogger Hop No. 136: Bloggers' First Names Promininently Displayed on Their Blogs



Welcome to the Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @





This Week's Question

Do you agree or disagree with this
statement: "A blogger's first name
should be in a prominent space
on his/her blog"?

(Submitted  by Elizabeth @





My Answer

This is certainly something that can be pretty frustrating. Since we bloggers (whether we blog about books or not) belong to a blogging community, it stands to reason that we would all want to know how to identify those who are nice enough to comment on our posts. So, in principle, I would tend to agree that bloggers should make it easy for visitors and commenters to find out just who they are, and that this information should either be visible in the blog's sidebar, or on an "About Me" page. 

Having stated this, I can also understand that some bloggers might prefer to remain anonymous, and thus, not use their real names on their blogs. This could be for any number of reasons, and is something that should be respected. However, such bloggers could nevertheless use some sort of name -- perhaps a nickname, or "pen name", or whatever. It just becomes pretty awkward to address someone by their blog name, lol. Like, "Hi, A Night's Dream of Books!" Lol. 

Of course, no blogger should feel COMPELLED to use their real name, but a nickname, I think, should be good enough. In my case, I would use "TwilightDreamLover", if I had a mind to. That's how much I LOVE The Twilight Saga! Lol. Or, in honor of my OTHER literary love, I might use "HermioneWizard", or some such thing. :)

When I first started this blog, I DID use "TwilightDreamLover" for a while -- a VERY short while, though. I then decided to use my real name ("Behar" is my husband's last name). So, for this blog, I am really "Maria Behar", which I figure is easy to remember. Besides, I still have dreams of writing a book someday, so of course I will want to write with this name. (Although, who knows, I might decide to use a pen name, lol.)

Sometime back, I had my Blogger profile information in my blog's sidebar. Then I decided to create an "About Me/Contact" page, which is where I now have a short bio, as well as a picture. 

I also have a "signature" at the end of most posts. You'll see it at the end of this post. The one exception to this is when I do a blog tour post. In that case, I always include the tour company's button at the end of the post.  

I have to add that I really don't mind if someone doesn't use any name, not even a nickname. Yes, it does make things a bit awkward, but what I do, when I get a comment from someone with no name other than their blog name, is to address my reply as "Hi, there!". I think this works just fine!

Naturally, it's a different story entirely when a blogger is emailing a publisher or book tour company for an ARC to review. Then they need to use their real name. But that's between the publisher and/or the book tour company, of course.

Bottom line: I think that bloggers should feel comfortable doing what works best for them. Yes, having access to a real name or nickname is nice, but if a blogger chooses not to use one, then they will be "Hi, there!" to me. Lol. 
  
By the way, one blogger I know uses the nickname "J9". This blogger doesn't want their employer to know that they blog, for whatever reason. So I address them as "J9". If they had chosen to go by their blog name, though, then you all know how I would have addressed this person.  :) 




What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your 
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one 
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!  
 





8 comments:

  1. My name is woven into my web site’s URL. I’ve started to wish it wasn’t, as nobody can spell my surname, so fewer people visit. There are certainly some visitors to my site whose profiles only have a single name or a pseudonym, but since they have been kind enough to comment, I don’t worry too much about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sue!

      You know, I hadn't noticed that your name is part of your URL. I've always thought of your blog as "The Great Raven", which is one heck of a GREAT name or title for a blog, btw! You also have your name at the bottom of each of your posts.

      I really don't mind that much if people don't have a first name, or nickname, or pseudonym on their blogs. As I stated in this post, when I reply to a comment from such a blogger, I address them as "Hi, there!" Using their blog name feels much too funny and awkward. Lol.

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Hi, Erica!

      glad you loved my post, and agree with the points I made in it! :) :)

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  3. TERRIFIC answer and totally agree, Maria.

    I know we together went searching for someone's name one time. LOL!! :)

    It always seems proper to address the person.

    I call them by their blog name if I can't find their first name. :)

    So happy to see your answer.

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Elizabeth!

      Thank you SO much for the compliment!! <3 <3

      Yes, I remember that. It was hard to find, too! Lol.

      It is indeed much better to have a name to address a blogger with. But if I don't see one, I don't call them by their blog name when they comment. It's "Hi, there!" for me, lol.

      Thanks again for the compliment, and for your lovely comment!! HUGS!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete
  4. I agree with you that it's the right of the blogger to decide how they should be addressed - but it is a lot easier to interact and relate when folks use a name:).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sarah!

      Glad you agree with me! Several other bloggers on this hop had thoughts along the same line as me, too.

      On the other hand....yes, it IS a lot easier to interact with visitors who comment on posts if they use a name. It doesn't have to be a REAL name; it can be a nickname. If not, you know my rule -- "Hi, there!" Lol.

      Thanks for commenting!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)

      Delete

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