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Keeping It Real
One of the things that I've tried to do with this blog is keep it real.
I want to be myself, candid, honest, and transparent. It's a challenge frankly.
When I am working on a competitve deal, I always wonder if I should blog about the company or not. When one of our companies is being sold, you won't hear about it here until others have broken the story and maybe not even then.
When news comes out that we've sold our house for some outrageous amount, should I comment on it? Should I post photos of my beautiful daughters on the web? Increasingly the answers to questions like this are no.
There are some of you who have been reading my rambling thoughts here since October of 2004. And I expect you'd all say that I've been filtering more and more as the years go by. And so it's a challenge to keep it real.
I've done a few things to address this challenge. First is I'm twittering more and more. I think it brings a personal dimension to this blog that I didn't have before. And I am going to talk about personal issues more going forward (like the posts about mid life crisis last week).
I know one thing for sure. This blog has to have a personal feel or its just another windbag pontificating about technology and we already have enough of that on the web.
You can do your part by keeping the amazing comments coming. I know when a post works and when it doesn't by the comments I get. If I couldn't have comments on this blog, I wouldn't do it anymore. Its a conversation after all.
Comments (32) | Posted May 6, 2007 in Random Posts
Comments
Raise a pint of near beer for me.
Posted by: jackson | May 6, 2007 12:33:04 PM
with the upcoming elections i think you'll find *plenty* of opportunity to keep it personal, and real.
Posted by: Greg | May 6, 2007 12:47:48 PM
Finding that balance between subject and personal is a challenge for all bloggers. I agree that finding a way to weave personal reflections and touches into the mix adds to the overall whole. So keep on keeping it real !
Posted by: Eric Berlin | May 6, 2007 12:53:09 PM
There's a line and I think you walk it pretty well. You shouldn't talk about personal stuff that might cause issues for people involved with you. But you should continue to share glimpses as you would any group of acquaintances.
Part of what brings credibility to your blog are your personal perspectives; otherwise it's just another VC blog with VC perspectives. I think I said this a few years ago here, but I imagine your deal flow and your deal discovery methods have greatly changed since you started blogging.
So how many deals come through blog introductions? Meaning, how many times are you referred a deal by someone who has either gotten to know you through the blog, or because they know your tastes and interests so referred a friend?
Press on, as usual. It's such a great resource.
Posted by: Charlie Crystle | CEO, Mission Research | May 6, 2007 12:54:17 PM
居然能看到这里来,也许你不认识这些字,但只是觉得很巧
Posted by: 滑板少年 | May 6, 2007 12:59:26 PM
I actually first found your blog from one of your music posts, and only after examining your musical tastes did I start reading the other posts and realize that i was interested in the other stuff as well. It was certainly Fred as a whole that made it worth reading.
That said, I think you should write about what you feel like writing about that day, not force yourself to write (or not to write) about certain topics.
If you're so excited about a new company that you want to write about it, perhaps before anyone else has even, I think that'll be a great post, whether it is an investment or not.. Of course, you should disclose if it is, but that doesn't mean you can't be proud and brag about its accomplishments!
And if a gossip blog posts about the sale of your house, and that's not something you feel like discussing, then don't.
Transparency isn't about sharing every aspect of your life. It's about being honest with what you do share, and I think you do a great job of that.
Posted by: Daryn | May 6, 2007 1:07:34 PM
Fred,
As an aspiring entrepreneur, as well as someone who loves good music and New York City, I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed reading your blog.
That said, I can empathize with the difficulties you encounter in determining how much of your personal life to share in these pages.
For years I was the co-host of a morning radio program in New Haven, and being honest with the audience was always an integral part of the show.
After getting married and having kids, I discovered that revealing one's personal experiences while repecting the privacy of those around you is always a delicate balancing act.
For what it's worth, I think you're doing an excellent job.
Posted by: Bruce Barber | May 6, 2007 1:46:32 PM
I agree with the person above who said they started with you by seeing that you liked some of the same music and then realized you agreed on some other things. I found you and follow you that way as well. I don't think you have anything to worry about here, especially since you are even asking the question. A good rule of thumb for me is: will what i'm about to put in someone else's space, contribute?
One of the problems with all these new avenues is, they become opportunites for too many egos already starved and out of control with me-me-me syndromes. I don't get that sense from you and I don't think you'd reveal too much of yourself that would put your family or associates at risk. A lot of your life is none of our business and should remain so, but that line is your responsibility. My grandfather always said: "it's important to be able to know when and how to hold your water". I think you have that.
Posted by: David Gray | May 6, 2007 3:13:02 PM
Recently started a blog after many years as a spectator learning from you and others. Has been an interesting path to go down balancing personal with purpose and how much information to share while being credible and authentic. The personal stuff adds the depth to keep readers returning - at least for me. Keep at it...
Posted by: Robert | May 6, 2007 3:13:03 PM
In the spirit of keeping it real and personal, like a nice pot of stew, here's a dash of Appleman seasoning, added for no particular reason:
O Karma, Dharma, pudding and pie,
gimme a break before I die:
grant me wisdom, will, & wit,
purity, probity, pluck, & grit.
Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind,
gimme great abs & a steel-trap mind,
and forgive, Ye Gods, some humble advice --
these little blessings would suffice
to beget an earthly paradise:
make the bad people good --
and the good people nice;
and before our world goes over the brink,
teach the believers how to think.
-- Philip Appleman
Posted by: Crawford | May 6, 2007 3:22:32 PM
Fred -
It's a challenge finding that right balance in your writing. I still find your blog informative and entertaining. Over the past year or so I've had to watch the topics I cover and worry about how something might be misinterpreted.
Just keep writing.
Rob
Posted by: Rob D | May 6, 2007 4:08:22 PM
"When news comes out that we've sold our house for some outrageous amount, should I comment on it?"
Yes! I wanna know what kind of broker commission is negotiated on something like that...and how it feels to see a couple extra zeros on a closing check. Compare/contrast it with the feeling of buying your FIRST house together...etc
That's part of why we are all here, Fred.
Don't ever feel guilty about your success! Only assholes that don't know you will think you're bragging.
The rest of us just want to know the good and the ugly that comes with it... and hopefully learn a little on how to get there (and then deal with it) ourselves :)
Posted by: Andy Swan | May 6, 2007 4:35:12 PM
I seriously did want to hear about the house. Real estate is the only true joy of New Yorkers.
Posted by: Ari | May 6, 2007 5:34:32 PM
I am not sure how long I have been reading this blog. At least two years, I think. It was after the election and I remember Fred analyzing his drop off in cite traffic.
A few points of note:
1.) I like reading this blog because I like to be entertained... if all I wanted was the latest deal closings and new techno gadgets I could battle it out on any one of a number of msg board forums and/or mundane blogs.
2.)I like New York. It is were I will be moving in a month or two (after I find a job) after I graduate.
3.) I really would have rather of not known the sale price of Fred's house. Being curious of nature, I couldn't help but google it. Now, it has me a little intimidated to post here, frankly, on most topics. I have not decided if that is a good thing or bad thing yet.
Anyway, I look forward to more of your "real" type posts, like music and cool shops in your neighborhood.
Posted by: Jamie | May 6, 2007 6:31:03 PM
Fred
You're apparently a guy who's passionate about his work, his family, music and New York. I say "apparently" because I only know you from this blog - but that's what I see coming through, and that's what makes this blog different to, say, Rick Segal's (another VC blogger, who I also enjoy reading, but for different reasons). For all it's 'remoteness' (I'm half a world away physically) this medium is notable particularly for its 'personal-ness' - it would be terrible to lose that. ANd New York real estate is way beyond my means anyway!
Posted by: Ric | May 6, 2007 8:50:41 PM
You always talk about online "identity". How can you have a deep social experience on the web without some personal sharing? Just remember your reach.
Posted by: Lindel | May 6, 2007 9:53:52 PM
It wouldn't be the net without the weirdos.
Posted by: cyanbane | May 7, 2007 1:23:06 AM
Hi Fred,
I´ve been reading this blog for at least 3 years, so I can testify on the evolution of the content and the topics. I remember when, a couple of years ago, you posted abiut not feeling safe divulging personal information the web, and I agreed with that. On the other side, in the last months we have seen an increase on the number of tools that enable you to do exactly that, and as far as I´ve seen you are an entusiatic user (flickr, twitter, mybloglog etc).
We can say that you are broadcasting many details about you, your life, your business and your family on the Internet. On the other side, being a wealthy and high profile person, you attract lots of attention.
Could some unwanted attention come from this? Sure it could: the Net is a reflection of society and probably it would be good to consider this when using it. For example, when I was living in Brazil I was careful not to divulge any personal info, because of the fear of kidnappings.
On the other side, lots of info it´s already there. If I want to see the price of your house (don´t really care, this is not "lifestyles of the rich and famous"), I go to Zillow. Want to see who you are connected to? Linkedin. If I want your contact details, they are probably available on Jigsaw. Etc...
So, the information is out there, if you want it or not. Dealing with this could become a challenge in the future: I daresay that, if I was of a criminal persuasion, I could gather enough info on you, directly from the Net and using social engineering tactis starting from data gathered here, to be able to successfully impersonate you.
That looks dangerous to me, and there´s surely a great business opportunity in solving this problem: how people can satisfy their urge to broadcast info about themselves without exposing them and their families to danger?
Cheers,
Giordano
Posted by: Giordano | May 7, 2007 6:22:05 AM
I find that 'being real' on my blog doesn't require giving people visibility into the details of my life. It's about being honest with people, and giving them a glimpse into who I am as a person - what I care about, what I hope for, and occasionally the things that really piss me off. (That kind of openness is something I strive to do better, since I know I have a tendency to be one of the technology 'windbags' Fred was referring to.)
If people feel they need to know what school my son goes to school, who's on my client list, or what my house is worth to better understand who I am, they have it all wrong. I try not to define myself by specific material things, and readers of my blog shouldn't look at me in that way either.
I appreciate that these issues change in nature and intensity with the scale of the audience you reach with AVC, but I have never viewed your blog as anything but a direct, open conversation.
Thanks,
-john
Posted by: John Mahoney | May 7, 2007 7:12:48 AM
keep it up, fred.
it's a very cathartic-visceral experience for the reader also - and it does make one think more about one's own thoughts and thought processes - the simple act of blogging one's musings is a great form of creativity-expression.
also, now and then a seemingly trivial comment/aside may inspire someone to do something great.
i am off to palo alto tomorrow morning and i shall be twitter'ing and flickr'ing on a regular real-time basis, for my wife/family back in the uk, friends, colleagues and anonymous friendly voyeurs - it's a nice feeling of connectivity, especially when travelling extensively on one's own ... am sure this topic has great potential in the ares of therapy for the lonely, etc, not just us pseudo road-warriors (lol). would love to start a project on that some time.
discuss?
Posted by: carl rahn griffith | May 7, 2007 9:37:55 AM
Fred,
I always thought that you were taking an unnecessary risk putting pictures of your family on your site. On the other hand, you are right; they are part of what allowed me (and other readers) to feel a personal connection to you.
I believe this is one of the great transitional moments in our culture in regard to privacy -- In the post WWII era, we pretty much replaced village culture with celebrity culture. In Village culture, we gossip, connect with, and know about the personal lives of our neighbors and the people in our village. In celebrity culture we have exchanged this for knowing about the personal lives of professional celebrities, and know relatively little about our neighbors. And so the artificial connection I feel toward, say, Paul Newman, feels stronger than the real connection I have with my neighbor.
In exchange for the benefits of celebrity, society has decided to completely erode the rights and expectations of privacy for celebrities. In the New York Times this weekend (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/opinion/04gould.html)
Emily Gould of Gawker wrote that whatever we choose to do to celebrities (completely violate their privacy, send Paris Hilton to jail for no real reason, etc...) is essentially fair game because after all, they *chose* to be celebrities.
Now here's my point. What Gould misses is that on the web, everyone has the potential to become a celebrity. And I mean that in the worst way possible.
Hence the conundrum: you put your personal information online in order to connect, to become more like a neighbor. But instead you may start to get treated more like a celebrity. You become fair game for whatever indignities that society cares to inflict upon you and your family, because after all, you "deserved it" by co-mingling your personal life and professional life in a public way. For the crime of presenting a picture of a "real" whole human being.
Thats the real risk here; its not just that you could potentially have some negative consequences from your disclosures (weirdos, etc). Its that when you cry foul, some people will inevitably argue that you deserved what you got, because to them you began to "feel" like a celebrity.
Posted by: KidCroesus | May 7, 2007 10:14:21 AM
Mr. Wilson - Please, please, please keep the 'real' quotient healthy. That's what I enjoy most about your posts (short or expanded). As for the family pix... I too eventually took ALL my family pix off Flickr. None of us want to have THOSE kinds of regrets later.
All the same. I hope there is some 'happy place' that keeps you writing about what you're passionate about (even if it's just the music or politics or deals or vacations... or whatever).
Enjoying it from Tulsa!
Posted by: Gerald Buckley | May 7, 2007 10:45:37 AM
Actually Fred - i tend to veer more towards the notion of authenticity as the key to what i now follow. Take Techcrunch and maliks stuff - in the beginning it was the individual reporting - now its a group of writers i dont know, have little opportunity to get to know or even desire to. I used to read OM and TC because i had context with the writer beyond what he wrote. Lose that, and you lose me.
Its part of a larger flight to authenticity that the read-write web is sparking. Maybe i plagarize Umair or some other provocative thought leader, but it has become increasingly more difficult to hide - or to fake or to lie. The web has flattened entire distribution channels.
All you have to do is pick up time magazines most recent issue (may 14th 100 most influential people) The first article addresses this. Wolfowitz wont get away with it, Al gore is now installing solar panels on his carbon footprint, mark foley, randal tobias and other self righteous public figures are paying a heavy price for their failure to understand that pubilc life is increasingly a two way medium. Here's hoping that this paradiym continues to flatten a broken political process.
But it all speaks to authenticity - that starts with one. I read yours and other individuals because its just that. TC and OM lost me when they presumed that the value i derived was the actual content - well sure but more importantly context. Keep Blogging!
Posted by: mark slater | May 7, 2007 12:37:36 PM
as I would say if I called Loveline with Dr. Drew - "long time listener, first time caller"
I think you strike a really good balance, and some of the personal things you mentioned (kids, house stuff) could stay private and you would still keep it real.
Posted by: Shreyas | May 7, 2007 7:37:29 PM
This is my first visit to your blog, I liked it immediately with this, and I quote,"just another windbag pontificating about technology." Excellent.
I also like to be personal and transparent on my own blog. I agree that it's a challenge.
I hope to stop back to yours!
Barb
Posted by: Barbara (Xerraire) | May 7, 2007 8:16:01 PM
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