The Value of Adding a Personal Touch to Your Blogs
Personal touch—it’s a simple concept, but it’s one that can make all the difference when it comes to engaging your readers, building relationships, and ultimately growing your blog or business. In today’s market where content is constantly being churned out (by humans and machines) the value of connecting with your audience on a personal level has never been more important.
So, my friend, I ask you – are you a hobbyist blogger or a small business owner looking to boost customer loyalty? Personalizing your blog content can unlock better customer engagement, more loyal customers, and stronger relationships with your audience.
Sound good? Let’s dive in and talk about how you can make your blog posts more personal and impactful!
Need a Checklist? I've Got You Covered!
Good news, my friend! To make it even easier for you, I’ve created a free checklist you can download and keep right on your desk! After reading the blog, grab the printable PDF below so you’ll have these 5 personal touch tips at your fingertips whenever you’re writing your next blog post.
Here is the form!
First - Personalization is Key
As a blogger or business owner, personal touches are more than just a nice gesture—they’re essential. The ability to connect with your audience and make them feel like they know you on a deeper level is one of the most powerful tools in your content creation strategy.
When you write with a unique voice and incorporate personal stories, readers don’t just see your content—they see YOU. This authenticity creates trust and fosters a deeper connection with your audience, which is a huge advantage whether you’re trying to sell a product, build a successful personal brand, or simply share your passion.
It’s easy to get caught up in the overwhelming noise of content marketing, especially with all the automated tools available. However, don’t forget that human connection is at the heart of every successful marketing campaign.
And yes, this includes blogs!
Need a bit more convincing? Take it from Neil Patel, one of the biggest digital marketing experts today!
“Personalization is the key to standing out in an overcrowded digital space. It’s no longer enough to write generic content; you have to connect with your audience on a deeper level.”
Is AI Taking Over?
So, is artificial intelligence (AI) taking over? It’s an understandable concern with how things seem to be going.
With platforms like ChatGPT generating entire blog posts, it’s easy to assume that AI is the future of content creation. Many bloggers and business owners are already using AI tools to streamline their content, relying on machine-generated text to handle everything from SEO writing to customer service bots.
While AI can certainly help with aspects of content creation, relying on it exclusively is a huge mistake!
According to Rand Fishkin, Co-Founder of SparkToro, with AI use increasing, “the human touch has become a rare and valuable commodity. People crave authenticity, and that’s something machines can’t replicate. If you’re not engaging your audience with a personal touch, you’re missing the mark.”
At its core, AI lacks the emotional depth and empathy that readers need. Blogs that only rely on AI risk feeling impersonal, robotic, and detached. The human touch—the essence of personality, experiences, and emotion—is what AI cannot replicate.
Does this all feel a little familiar?
This industry change of direction reminds me of when many popular chain restaurants replaced much of the server’s role with technology. I’m sure you’ve been to a restaurant where you order and/or pay your bill on a tablet, leaving very little personal interaction with the server.
Sure, this may be attractive to some people. However, restaurants that continue to include the personal touch that humans crave will always stand out and be a comfort to restaurant-goers, especially when they become fewer and fewer.
This is a trend occurring again and again in recent times.
Benefits of AI in Blogging
That said, AI is not without its merits. It can certainly aid in content creation, but it should complement—not replace—the human element (that’s you!).
Let’s look at a few ways AI is helping the blogging world and small businesses:
- Time-saving: AI can generate ideas, write drafts, and optimize content for SEO, saving you hours of work. It’s kind of like having a 24-hour accessible personal assistant.
- Consistency: When used wisely, AI can maintain a consistent tone and style, which is valuable for ongoing content creation.
- Personalized product recommendations: For e-commerce sites, AI analyzes customer behavior to suggest relevant products, enhancing the customer experience.
- Customer service automation: Chatbots powered by AI can handle basic inquiries, offering quicker responses and freeing up time for your team. Keep in mind that they can also lack in this area. They’re still not human.
- Analytics and insights: AI tools can crunch data from customer behavior and website performance, helping you adjust your marketing strategies accordingly.
The Limits of AI for Blogging and Business Marketing
Sure, AI is a powerful tool, but there are clear limitations that you should be aware of.
Below is where AI falls short when it comes to blogging and small business marketing:
- Lack of emotion: AI simply can’t replicate the emotional nuance or empathy of a real person, leaving blogs feeling hollow.
- Predictability: Machine-generated content can sound generic and predictable, lacking the unique style and creativity that sets your blog apart.
- Missed opportunities for personal connection: AI can’t interact with your audience in a personal manner or create those deep, personal connections that are crucial for building loyalty.
- Inability to respond to specific audience needs: While AI can analyze data, it lacks the ability to adapt to shifts in your audience’s pain points or respond to changes in their behavior with the same precision a human can.
Blogs Need a Personal Touch
The truth?
No matter how advanced AI becomes, blogs need your personal touch to truly resonate with readers.
As AI tools are becoming more common, those who continue to emphasize the human element will stand out! Personalizing your blog posts helps you craft unique perspectives, build customer relationships, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Here’s how adding a personal touch can improve your blogging efforts:
Boost Customer Engagement, Satisfaction, and Loyalty
Yes! It does it all!
When you write with authenticity and inject your personality into your blog posts, readers are more likely to engage with your content. Personal touches make your audience feel heard, appreciated, and connected, which translates into loyal customers. We all want that, right?
Personalized content helps you build lasting relationships, creating a sense of community around your business blog contents.
“Content is not just about selling products or services; it’s about telling stories and building relationships. Your readers want to hear from you, the real person, not just from a faceless brand. The more human you make your content, the more likely your audience will trust and engage with you.”
— Ann Handley, Author of Everybody Writes
Stand Out Among the Competition
As more and more people turn to AI for content creation, businesses that continue to embrace their unique voice will have the competitive edge!
Consumers are becoming more discerning and are looking for authenticity—something AI can’t replicate. Your personal stories, insights, and unique perspectives are what make your blog stand out, and that’s something you can’t automate.
5 Easy Ways to Personalize Your Blogs
Lucky you, I have some practical tips for adding a personal touch to your blog, even if you’re using AI tools to assist with your content creation.
1 | Personal Platforms
Your blog is your platform, so make it personal! Don’t just write about generic topics—share personal stories, your family life, challenges you’ve faced, or lessons you’ve learned. Make your audience feel like they’re getting to know the real you, not just the business.
Bonus Tip: Aid your blog’s success by using social media– the best realm to share more personal topics!
2 | Using Customer Data
While adding a personal touch is key, it’s also important to use data to guide your decisions. Understanding your audience through analytics and responding to their behavior helps you refine your approach, creating content that resonates and drives better results.
Here’s how you can better understand your target audience:
- Analyze customer behavior through website analytics.
- Pay attention to the types of content that drive engagement.
- Respond to customer feedback on your blog or social media channels.
- Categorize your audience based on interests, behavior, or demographics for more personalized content.
3 | Be Conversational
Use a casual, friendly tone that makes readers feel like they’re having a conversation with a real person. Ask questions, engage with comments, and make your readers feel heard.
Bonus Tip: A personal note at the end of each post can make your audience feel appreciated!
4 | Discover Your Voice
One of the most important elements of a personal touch is discovering and embracing your unique voice. When you write your blog posts, let your personality shine through—whether you’re funny, inspirational, or conversational, your tone should reflect who you are.
Don’t try to mimic other bloggers or copy corporate jargon; instead, focus on being genuine and authentic.
If you’re just starting, it may take a little time to truly discover your voice, but once you do, it’ll make a world of difference! People will begin to recognize your writing style and, more importantly, connect with you on a deeper level.
Bonus Tip: Don’t be afraid to evolve. As you grow as a blogger or business owner, your voice might evolve, too, and that’s okay! The key is to remain consistent in being true to yourself.
5 | Show the Human Side of Your Business
Don’t be afraid to let your team members shine! Share their stories, introduce them in your blog posts, and let readers see the people behind the business. It helps create a human touch that AI can’t replicate.
