Hopefully, if you have been blogging for more than a few months, you have already developed at least one answer to, “what do you blog about.”  Crafting your answer, and getting it down to as few words as possible, while still getting as much information across as possible is much harder than you would think.

My dad doesn’t know that I am a blogger.  He hasn’t asked.  He knows what my day job is – and that is enough for him.  I think I could see how the conversation would go.

Here are 5 (out of 10) things to keep in mind when you are telling others what your blog is about.

1. Who wants to know?

Are you talking to another blogger? A potential sponsor? Your best friend? A co-worker? Your mom? Your answer will definitely depend on your audience. Think about who needs the short answer, who needs the long answer, and who just needs to get the web address to check it out for themselves. You should have a tailored answer for each of your audiences.

2. Why do they want to know?

Your mom may ask what you blog about, but in truth, she has no clue what a blog is or why you do it, so where you start in your answer may require some background information. A sponsor really just wants to know if your blog is a good fit for their product, service, or cause. Your best friend just wants to know enough to share your blog with friends and co-workers.

3. Where are you?

Are you at a mixer for other local bloggers? A conference with bloggers from all over the country (or world)? A summer cookout with friends and family? At lunch with a co-worker? Where you are definitely has an effect on what type of answer you give. If you are in the company of others who you know aren’t the slightest bit interested (usually you can tell by the dull look they are giving you as you speak), but the person who asked can’t wait to hear more, pull out a card (because I just KNOW that you have one), give the short answer, and end with a hushed but enthusiastic, “let’s talk about this more later!”

4. Your latest post and your most popular post.

If you are at a loss for words when it comes to talking about your blog, or if you tend to go on and on until the person who asks wishes they could go back in time and “un-ask” you, talking about your latest post, and/or you most popular post can keep you on track. Tell them what you shared last, and what most people who go to your site like, and it will give them a good picture of what your blog is really about.

5. Your short term and long term goals.

Are you looking to build your community? Start conversations on your site? Get more guest posts? Write for a major news outlet? If you add your goals to your answer, that can make your answer stand out from the others if you are at an event that is for bloggers and other journalists, and make your answer more interesting to friends, family, and co-workers. The answer, “food and restaurants,” is a snoozer compared to, “food and restaurants… I am working on a YouTube show, and eventually I’d like to write for Food Network.” See? That answer is short enough, interesting, and memorable.

These are 5 things you can remember when answering the question, “what do you blog about?”  This post is broken up into two parts. Click here to read the OTHER 5!