Blogging and Profanity | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

I was wondering what constitutes profanity to you on a blog and how it effects how you view the blog(ger).

I am thinking about writing a second blog based in part on the life lessons my Dad taught me. I would like to put a picture of his coffee mug as the banner, as I continue to use it as a reminder of things he taught me, but it's a plain brown mug that says "Damn I'm Good." Once it is explained to people they easily grasp the sentiment and philosophy behind it, but I'm worried it may be too initially off-putting.

Since I don't use profanity in my general speech (unless there's severe PMS or a freshly stubbed toe involved) it would be the only incidence.

Any feedback?

Andi I don't consider that offensive at all.  If you were using profanity every other word it would be a different story.  I think that is a good way to catch people's eyes as Eugene stated

I recently wrote a post entitled "I Am The Neighborhood Bitch. And I'm Fine With It" It's one of my most commented nongiveaway posts to date. 

I was originally hesitant to use that title. But I realized that it was appropriate for the content of the post so I went with it. I think that the majority of readers are not going to be put off by the occasional use of profanity. 

Language should always be consistent with the general/tone voice of what you write-  I'm sure you've heard of "Sh*t My Dad Says," which was a hugely popular blog- if anyone's offended, they won't read but chances are being authentic will be more appealing to the readers you do attract, ya know?  The point isn't to try and appeal to everybody, but to really reach out to the ones who already would read your content and optimize their experience with your content!

I curse on my blog from time to time- nobody's sent angry comments or prayed for my soul, but I know my audience and I write how *I* want to.  Don't be afraid to be yourself, people will appreciate it!  Ash Ambirge at the Middle Finger Project is a great example of this :)  

BTW I totally want a mug that says that, it cracks me up!

sooverdebt said:

Personally, I lean the other way. If you're going to say "ass" then say it – stuff like @$$ drives me insane. If you're not comfortable enough to spell it out, maybe you should rethink it. 

I have a horrible mouth in real life, which I try to tone down on my blog. But if a post calls for a word here and there, I don't shy away from it. Adults can handle it, especially something as innocuous as "damn."

Ditto!

I think damn is barely considered profanity any more.  I rarely use profanity on my blog because I rarely use it in real life. If a post calls for it I will use it and I have no problem linking to blog posts with profanity in the title. One of my favorite blogs, Mr. Money Mustache, uses profanity in a humorous way that I find entertaining. I wouldn't shy away from using the coffee mug in the banner at all.

I think profanity shows authenticity, and people will respond positively. If that's not how you normally talk, it'll come off weird or forced and people will notice.

I'd rather run a site where 50% of readers loved me and the other 50% hated me. Better than having 75% of people ambivalent.

I think you'd be fine with this.  

If using profanity scared people away they wouldn't have read my Tenant From Hell series.  By the end, I think that every third or fourth word was a curse.  It's still the most popular series on my blog.  That and my send off to Bank of America.  At the end, every sentence began with a curse.

If it's authentic and fits the tone of the article, use away.  People will understand the emotion.  If it's just randomly thrown in there or has no fit with the content or context of the rest of the article, then don't use it.  Your photo is fine.  My work mug says "How the Hell Did I Get to be 30?"  They crack up every day.

Update: Thank you so much everyone! Only in Yakezie can you go to bed worrying only about the negative of something and wake up to encouragement, support, and good advice. I think I'm over-sensitive because I used to use profanity, a lot, strung together in colorful ways that many people had never considered before. Since I'm around a lot of kids and families now I really try to keep it under wraps. But, last night I may also have realized that I curse a bit more than I thought. Like the f-bomb I dropped at 3 AM at the cat. Oh, well. I'm a work in progress.