I wrote a post about a presentation I was going to be doing for another organisation. I couldn’t even decide on a title so said jokingly (very tongue in cheek) “they’re screwed” in my post and asked readers for their input for ideas for the presentation. I occasionally might use this saying in speaking as a joke because anyone who knows me well knows that I work hard to do my absolute best. One of the organizers saw it and took it how it was meant; the other was really offended (understandably so). Lets be honest I had slipped up — I don’t want people thinking that I take important tasks lightly, don’t work hard to deliver the goods or can’t be trusted to do what’s expected — because that isn’t who I am. So I kept the words in the post but went in, added additional words to explain better.

@Kevin Definitely “voice and projected persona, and sometimes they mesh together and sometimes, they do not”. Often it is a mixture of what we perceive we are conveying as opposed to how it is interpreted by others. In f2f conversations the people’s body language provides clues as to they are responding and interpreting what we are saying — we adjust accordingly our conversation to handle their body language response. I’m not sure if you have worked with people who are visually impaired; but social interaction and conversations for them are often harder because they aren’t able to read the visual clues.

Though there is overlap between how you have described ‘voice’ and my view of it, there are also some distinct differences. You alluded to some of those when you said, “written text can easily be misinterpreted”.

I question whether there is merit in attempting to define the term ‘voice’ to such a fine degree as you have. I also question if there is a “need to be very careful with our voice”. In being very careful with our ‘voice’, far from being authentic, there is a real danger of being non-authentic. We have to ask ourselves “what are we trying to convey here?”

Taking care with my ‘voice’ could mean that I attempt to be someone that I’m not. If I falter I may be found out, as in the witness who attempts to weave a story of lies that becomes difficult to maintain.

But if I’m not mistaken, you are also likening ‘voice’ to something linked deeply with the integrity, thinking and feelings, possibly the psyche, that the writer possesses as well as accompanying emotions and imagery. I’m at odds with the acutance of that idea of ‘voice’.

I can understand how a writer may want to maintain integrity and perhaps even the feelings by what you call ‘voice’, but the emotions and imagery that a writer may wish to convey must necessarily be different if there is to be some recognition that the ‘voice’ belongs to a human being. You alluded to this in part when you said, “we should also share aspects of the mundane and human sides of ourself”. I’m not suggesting that by using different ‘voices’ a writer could possibly convey a schizophrenic aspect that could be perceived, but there is even potential for this to occur legitimately.

What’s more, a writer can legitimately use more than one ‘voice’ and with good effect. I am well aware of my own ‘voice’ as a writer when I am addressing students, for instance, quite different than when I’m addressing teaching colleagues.

Ka kite

My thoughts are “Voice” is the emotions, imaginary and feelings we convey mainly in the text we write. Blogging is about creating our own unique, authentic voices that distinguishes us as who we are and what we stand for. We do need to be very careful with our voice because 1) the visual image people have of us will depend on the level and types of interactions and whether it is based solely on text and 2) written text can easily be misinterpreted (as can what we don’t say can be misinterpreted). For example what we think as humor may be wrongly interpreted.

Branding is about online identity. Its how you want people to see you and be able to relate to you. If you don’t like the term brand then exchange with online identity. My personal belief is it’s important to create a constant online identity so any activity you are involved with is immediately recognised as you. I also believe that it’s better to have an identity that people can relate back to as a real person where possible. I personally find it easier to connect with people that use their real names (or what I hope are their real names ). Definitely wish I knew all this when I first started out because dswaters does cause some identity confusion.

When we create online identity we need to provide as much information as possible to help people recognise us as real people. People are more likely to connect once they have developed relationships; being seen as a real person helps relationship building. Text only creates one layer; photos help them visualise in their mind what we look like; videos enhance the image because they can now visualise your mannerisms, sense of humour and how you say/do things. With written text in posts we should also share aspects of the mundane and human sides of ourself so people see that human side (like how Britt told us about how he was going to make outdoor furniture on the weekend).

Okay so getting back to building our online identity when commenting. Make sure your voice is consistent with how you post — try not to let yourself down by saying something inappropriate in a comment that you wouldn’t say in a blog post. Sign comments where possible with a consistent identity. For example when I use blogger I use the Name and URL option where possible. If that option isn’t available I sign my comment Sue Waters and insert under it the name of my blog and its link. You can also edit your blogger profile to link to your blog. I also changed my Edublogs username dswaters to Sue Waters so people can easily know who I am and don’t have to search too hard for who is this person.

@Alice, @Kevin – I have used the term ‘voice’ in the context of diction in the text of a comment (or post). I concur with you, Kevin, that it tends to define the writer. The brand that is associated with the ‘voice’ has the potential to connote the ‘voice’ of the writer. I see it as much the same vein as the author’s name in relation to the known works of the author.

But the connotation that many have of the words ‘brand’ and ‘branding’ is perhaps unfortunate.

Ka kite
from Middle-earth

Thanks, Matt, for giving the view from outside.

Adios
Kevin

In terms of blogging, however, if you view it as a personal act and view customers as secondary then I see your point. I also see my blog commenting as a way of reflecting, questioning, and changing my opinion rather than propagating a position like branding might imply.

I see your brand, Kevin, if you must have one, as one of discovery both with technology tools, writing experiments, music, rock and roll, etc. You tend to approach topics from a lens of discovery and learning. And teaching as well, however, you don’t come at topics from a pretentious here’s the way it is as much as try this out with me, here’s what I’ve learned.