websites: 1st person or 3rd?

[jamielynn]

So I am working on my little website and have noticed that most professional bellydancer's websites tend to be written in 3rd person-she did this, she does that.

As I was doing mine, I realized I was writing in 1st person, I did this, I do that.... Which do you prefer to see- a website that is more personal, ie written by "me" as opposed to written by "someone else"?

Is there a professionalism contained in 3rd person that is lost in a more personal account? I know it's subjective to opinion, but that's what I want-your opinion.

Thanks in advance, Jamie Lynn

[ANA_bellydancer]

One uses 1st person on blogs, chronicles, opinion articles.
One uses 3rd person on websites, scientific articles, news, critical reviews...

[Michelle75]

One uses 1st person on blogs, chronicles, opinion articles.
One uses 3rd person on websites, scientific articles, news, critical reviews...

Yes.

Third person also allows the person viewing the website to see the dancer as a professional, someone who can have a website designed for her(yes, we can make our own BUT the simple 3rd person wording, can give an apparence of professionalism). Is that even a word?.?.

[jamielynn]

That was what I was wondering, how much of 1st person seems like Do it yourself versus having a "designer".

[SatinWorship19]

This is such a stylistic and subjective thing.

Commonly, you'll see that bios, booking pages, teaching pages and other "informative" sections of a website are written in the 3rd person. This usually conveys a formal tone. If you're in doubt, opt for the 3rd person. It makes you sound like you've got "people."

First person isn't exactly unheard of in bios, however. I'm not sure I'd write it off as universally wrong, because I dislike any type of marketing advice that is prefaced with "always" or "never." It's just super tricky to do it well, IMO. Kudos if you can pull it off! I do think a universal first-person approach works best if your brand and style are more breezy, fun, and whimsical than "uber-serious artiste, extraordinaire."

Often, dancers might switch to the first person for FAQ's and I think this is an excellent opportunity to create trust and rapport with a warm, conversational first person tone. You want your audiences to still feel connected, even when you're laying out your "diva" clauses

As for professionalism? I'd rather see an exquisite, grammatically correct, relevant bio in the first person any day than a totally craptacular one in the third person. I think there's a lot more that factors into the professionalism of your copy than what POV it's written in. Good style and impeccable grammar go a long way, no matter which vantage point you're selling from.

[Zumarrad]

That's an interesting observation, Satin, because I'm putting together website information and the FAQ just feels better in first person. Similarly testimonials are all "you", and there's a place for second person use in certain kinds of soft copy ("You'll become more toned in your torso and more aware of your body's movements" sort of thing).

Elsewhere though I'd rather use third.

[SatinWorship19]

I'm with you, Zum. When I wrote my website, everything was third person, but I hopped right into the FAQ's with "I" statements without even questioning myself. It felt intuitive, to me, so I ran with it.

Second person can be really nice in Booking and Class pages, where you have something to sell. A couple of well-placed "you" statements can be a great call to action and a perfect way to draw readers in.

So maybe it's not as easy as using one consistent voice, after all. Or maybe a consistent overall style is more important than a consistent point of view?

[maurazebra]

I agree with those who are flexible. Each page, or even page section, will have a different goal and will require the appropriate voice.