“They just don’t make ‘em like they used to”
We’ve all heard our elders use this line; usually in reference to any variety of mass-produced goods like cars and appliances. In many cases it’s true. Automated assembly lines have, in many ways, sacrificed quality in the name of quantity. But one thing you don’t hear is the same complaint about time.
Time as a measurement of duration has remained unchanged from its humble beginnings. However, what can be done within the confines of time has been in constant evolution. Perhaps time is not what it used to be.
As strange as it may seem to wage time against itself, 60 seconds in 2012 bear little resemblance to the same stretch in let’s say…the 1950’s. Heck, a minute today doesn’t even compare to a minute in the late 90’s.
Remember downloading digital media on your dial-up modem? It could take hours or days to download music. All the while creating problems in the household like missing important phone calls because you stayed online overnight or getting booted when someone picked up the phone.
Today, an artist’s complete collection can be downloaded in under a minute and an entire feature length film may take just a few.
We now come full circle and unveil just how this relates to strategic blogging, online-marketing, advertising and ecommerce. Depending on how fast you read, it probably took about 60 seconds to get to this point. In that time nearly 700,000 internet search queries took place, more than 70 internet domains were registered, over 600 videos uploaded onto YouTube, 695,000 people updated their status on Facebook and over 1500 new blog posts were submitted.
That’s how fast the digital world is working these days; a bunch of imaginary cogs and gears perpetually winding, spewing information and digital media faster and faster and faster.
Every 60 seconds, millions upon millions of changes occur on the internet.
So how do you compete? How do you get this massive swarm of internet travelers to take a detour and visit your site? What makes your blog different than all the others?
With all the click-happy internet users out there offering only 10 to 20 second s of their time before they decide to stay on one page or continue to another, you really have to WOW them. You have to offer something that the other guys don’t have:
PERSONALITY!!
You want your voice to ring in the ears of everyone who hears [reads] it. You need to separate your blog from the thousands of others. Where other blogs lack quality content or a splash of flare, that’s where you need to strike and give your readers the best of both. Think of blogging as making friends. Only these friends have hidden agendas. But remember…you do too.
Know your niche: Know who’s reading your blog. Or at the very least who should be reading your blog. Finding and establishing a unique niche for your blog is the very start to creating a strong identity.
Content Style: If your market demands a formal or professional presentation, then that’s what you need to offer. On the other hand, if your target audience is more laid back, keep your blog light-hearted and fun while still maintaining the highest standard of quality.
Appearance Match: Unless you stole your design altogether from another site, your theme is most likely unique in a variety of ways. But does your design and theme align with the content and approach of your site? It may take an outsider’s perspective to get an unbiased answer so ask a friend or family member to peruse your website and give an honest appraisal. Don’t take anything to heart because accepting constructive criticism is the best way to improve ourselves and what we do.
Logo & Domain: Take time and really consider these items. Is your domain unique enough to stand out but easy enough to spell and remember? A great domain will not only make your look like a true professional but it makes sharing easier among your niche. Also examine your logo. You may again need to ask a friend or family member for an unbiased eye, but have them consider two things:
Would I recognize this logo if I saw it again?
Does it convey an accurate message to what it represents?
As stated in past articles, blogging poses many challenges and opportunities that can make it fun, strenuous and sometimes overwhelming. But hang in there. If you have a great product, service, general concept, philosophy or idea the blog will develop with time. You just have to be willing to put in the leg work and tweak things here and there. And if you need help tweaking, feel free to contact Web Chique Marketing with any of your questions or concern.
