Points of View in Writing: How to Choose the Right One for Your Blog

Every time you write a blog post, you’re trying to connect meaningfully with your audience. But have you considered whether you should use first-person, second-person, third-person, or perhaps a combination of the three?

If you want to fully engage your readers, it’s important to understand different points of view in writing and when they each work best. Here’s how to choose the right one for your blog.

First person: me, myself, and I

If you’re a solo entrepreneur and you are your brand, then authenticity is essential to your success. Accordingly, you may want to use a personal touch when communicating with your readers. The first-person voice can be very effective for just this reason, allowing you to share your experiences conversationally or tell a story from your own viewpoint.

When used correctly, the first-person POV can create an immersive, intimate reading experience. First-person also allows you to adopt a distinctive style. If you’re looking to form a close personal bond with your readers, then a first-person approach may be the ideal choice.

Second person: it’s all about you

When you’re creating content with the goal of serving your audience or improving their lives in some way, then the second-person voice is often the best choice. It speaks directly to your fans, putting them and their concerns at the center of the conversation. The second-person point of view is especially effective for instructional content, such as “how-to” blog posts.

If you solicit blog and content ideas from your audience as a way to engage them and build a community around your brand, you’ll find that the second-person voice is a natural choice for the content you write. After all, you are responding to their suggestions for topics to explore on your blog, so it only makes sense to use “you” when continuing the conversation.

Third person: an objective viewpoint

Although many bloggers prefer to take a personal approach, some content creators do use the third-person voice. It is considered the most formal and detached viewpoint, allowing the writer to remove themselves from the equation and simply present information in an objective way.

The third-person point of view often shows up in academic writing, and it can be successfully used for thought leadership posts, as well. Although the third-person wouldn’t be the best option for a fitness blogger sharing her personal journey and how it changed her life, it could be a fitting choice for a science writer explaining the results of a recent study.

Choosing the right POV for your blog

As we’ve seen, there are several points of view in writing that you can use when blogging. The first-person voice connects directly with the reader and is perfect for sharing authentic personal stories. The second-person puts the reader at the center of the conversation and is great for instructional content. The third-person voice lends an air of objectivity and is often used for academic subject matter.

When choosing the point of view that fits your blog, consider the goals for your site as well as your audience’s unique tastes and preferences. By picking the right voice, you can create a meaningful bond with your audience and keep them coming back to read your latest posts.