Cindy Szponder’s Tips

Principle 13: A Prepared Demonstration Means Personalized

“Don’t go out shooting until you have your ammunition ready.”—John Patterson

When I first read this principle I wondered how in the world I’d relate it back to blogging. After all, we don’t make sales presentations as bloggers. Or do we?

What is it we want to sell to our readers? Ourselves, our ideas. Also, our information, affiliate products, solutions, or membeship sites. That requires a presentation of sorts. And that presentation sits there on the computer screen blanketed by the blog theme we’ve chosen. What does that theme say about us and our brand? What impression does it make upon our readers?

Take a look at your blog theme. Is it clean, organized, easy to navigate, pleasant to the eye, professional (if that’s the image you want to project)? If not, don’t despair–repair.

Schedule some time today to give a cold hard look at your blog’s presentation style. Perhaps compare it to others in your niche. Keep what you like and change what isn’t working. If you need to, search for a new theme that presents your blog more appropriately.

Is presentation the only thing to concentrate on? Obviously not. If you have the greatest theme in the world, it will only be a hollow shell without compelling content. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the image is all.
Remember, you only have a few seconds to make an impression when someone new lands at your blog. Make those seconds count so those readers will want to return.