Is it better to write your profile using first or third person?

1. 93

   Jeremy Gillposted 9 years ago

   Is it better to write your profile using first or third person?
   
   First person seems more personal, but third person is arguably more professional. Which would you suggest?

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2. 90

   Rochelle Frankposted 9 years ago

   I think it is an individual choice, and may depend upon the type of writing you do or the image you wish to convey.
   I prefer third person for my own, but one of the great things about HubPages is that you can always always edit.  You can change your mind, and your text.
   
   You are right about the "Personal vs, Professional". It depends on what you want to project.  I have written "professionally" -- ie. been paid to write, and also published a children's book, so I thought third person worked for me.
   As I said, it's not written in stone. You can change it if it doesn't seem right to you. I don't think it makes much difference in scores, views, earnings and such.

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   1. 93

      Jeremy Gillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your wisdom, Rochelle. I agree; mine is first person for now, but as I develop into a more professional hubber, I may change it to third. And congrats on your book!

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   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   first person, I always say something about myself, I don't refer my username name as third person

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   1. 93

      Jeremy Gillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the input, peach. I can see advantages to both perspectives, so it's hard to choose. Still, it's probably not worth fretting over; the content is what really matters.

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4. 61

   sunilkunnoth2012posted 9 years ago

   Though it is an individual choice and there is no hard and fast rule regarding this topic, knowledgeable people are of the opinion that using third person style is more fine and professional. I follow that advice.

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   1. 93

      Jeremy Gillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I appreciate the advice, Sunil. I'd like my readers to feel comfortable and like they really know who I am, but I don't want to appear unprofessional, either.

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5. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   Since you're trying to establish a relationship with your readers, I personally prefer first person. It just seems more personable and non-threatening. If a profile is too formal, people will either be bored by it, or they'll think you're too stuffy. Since most of the hubs here are personal interest, it definitely feels like an informal first person will catch more readers than one in third person.

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      Laurie Viposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree and was going to say the same thing

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   2. 93

      Jeremy Gillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the input, M.T. and Laurie. I definitely want to sound personable.

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