James Doan - Just Minding My Own Business

The pursuit of an optimal user interface is not merely a task, but a commitment to excellence in the ever-evolving domain of website development and management. Recent experiences have highlighted the necessity of reassessing and refining the work undertaken on a website, particularly regarding its usability and overall user experience. Not long ago, I suddenly realized that I had not optimized the work that I had done on my website over the previous two days. This acknowledgement was a pivotal moment in the development process. It served as a reminder that complacency can lead to stagnation. While it may be tempting to overlook these shortcomings, especially when the majority may not recognize them, the knowledge of substandard work cannot simply be brushed aside. Ignoring the gap between the current state of a website and its potential can have significant repercussions. When individuals develop a habit of disregarding their own work, whether in a professional or personal context, th...

Having a strong web presence is crucial for engaging and communicating with prospects and customers. While an optimized website is a fundamental part of your online marketing strategy, taking it a step further can set your business apart in a competitive landscape. Blogging has emerged as a potent tool to not only raise awareness of your business, but also to position your company as experts in your industry. By consistently providing valuable content through blog posts, you enhance your credibility with your target audience and drive traffic to your website cost-effectively.

The art of pitching blog posts to editors has become a crucial skill for writers and marketers alike. A recent survey report sheds light on the common complaints of prominent blog editors, drawing parallels to historical grievances from other editorial fields. When it comes to pitching blog posts, editors face a myriad of challenges that have plagued editorial interactions for decades. The complaints echo those of magazine editors in the 1980s and journalists in the 1990s, showcasing a recurring pattern of missteps:

Maintaining a vibrant and engaging blog can be a challenging task. As time passes, older blog posts may begin to lose their relevance and appeal, leaving bloggers wondering how to breathe new life into their archives. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can be employed to update old material and make it valuable to your audience once again. One of the simplest yet effective ways to update old blog material is by refreshing the keywords.

When crafting an article, it's essential to maintain a balance between thoroughness and conciseness. However, if your work ends up being too long, there are several strategies you can employ to trim it down without sacrificing quality. Here are a few tips that will assist you in shortening your writing effectively:

There exists a delicate balance between expressing personal viewpoints and making broad generalizations that can alienate or misrepresent an audience. The challenge of being patient with people who project their own preferences onto a vast and diverse population is a common struggle in both writing and business operations. This issue is not only a matter of individual frustration but also has the potential to impact the success and credibility of written work and business endeavors.

I have written extensively about storytelling formulas, but there is one formula that is among the simplest, most memorable and most powerful. I will explain how it works in three steps. AND: Your goal should be to get your audience to agree with you by saying what they want and why they want it. BUT: Describe, in detail, one of the obstacles that stand in the way of fulfilling that desire.

It might be time to feature positive stories, whether on your blog, in your newsletter or on social media. This is especially true with all the bad news bombarding us around the world lately. Here are a few inspirational and heartwarming themes to get you started:

You understand the importance of having a strong web presence. With it, you can engage and communicate with your prospects and customers. Having an optimized website is an essential element in your online marketing strategy. But the competitive nature of business demands that you go even further. Blogging is one of the most effective ways to build awareness of your business. Position your company as the experts in your marketplace. Increase your credibility with your target audience. Provide useful content through consistent blogging on your website.

Blogs did not exist when I began writing. A recent survey report on blog post pitches lists many complaints of prominent blog editors. They parallel what magazine editors bewailed in the 1980s about queries from freelancers. They also echo what journalists in the 1990s commented about publicity pitches from marketers.   The all-too-similar complaints:

A study of over 3,500 avid readers in the U.S. and abroad showed an interesting fact. 91 percent of current or past book club members joined to gain exposure to books they wouldn't otherwise have read. I started wondering how exposure to a wider range of ideas might benefit certain businesses. If your customers are curious, they might appreciate you broadening their horizons. You could supply information or insights they wouldn't otherwise encounter. Then, I thought about ways in which you might emphasize this benefit.

Social Media drives 31% of all referral traffic. That’s a HUGE amount of customers that social media is driving to businesses. It is vital to take advantage of this referral-generating platform. Set up a Blog Post on your website Post interesting content on your Blog Post. This can include informative tips, articles, technology tips, current event happenings etc. Post interesting imagery/snippets of the tips/articles on Social Media and link it back to your Blog Post. Repurpose the content for alternate uses.

You may find it difficult writing blog post after blog post to meet a schedule. There is more to it than getting an idea from your reading, then putting it on paper using some sort of formula.  Your writing process should be like this: Get an idea and let it simmer for days or weeks. Wait for an insight on how to tackle the idea. Sometimes do more research before beginning. Write a draft.  Write in your own style. Don't use any formulas.

When one of my new associates asked me to look at her “About Me” page, I was no better informed about her than before. She filled the page talking about how the client's life would improve after hiring her as a virtual assistant.   It is a good idea to explain this at some point. But it's not what potential clients are looking for when they read an “About Me” page.  They would like to learn your background and experience. You explain why they should trust you.  This is where you should list credentials, work experience and proven abilities. Tell why your location, distinctive approach and personal qualities will be assets. People expect a photo, too.

I came across a promotional page of a new company recently. The six-line, bold-text heading featured all words capitalized (including the word “and”), followed by a video of a woman asking forceful questions in a hard-edged voice using large gestures. Her behaviour sounded aggressive, manipulative, and insincere. These characteristics were not related to her content, only to her manner. I recently came across some still images of a middle-aged woman in meditative poses outdoors in a garden. The content was presented under subdued headings, accompanied by a muted colour scheme and plenty of white space. An air of calm, harmony, and peace prevailed.

Nobody wants to get scammed. When people visit you online for the first time, reassure them. Remove their worries about the unknown. Provide as many of the following confidence-building signals as you can. Correct English. Studies show that typos and grammatical errors inspire suspicion.  Spellcheck and proofread everything. Functionality. All your bells and whistles need to work. Company background. People want to know who you are, how long you've been at it, your credentials or track record. Photos help, too.

You are composing an article for your website or newsletter. You think of a clever observation, a snappy metaphor or a penetrating insight.  Don't let it sit there in the middle of a paragraph, in the middle of an article or blog post.  Turn that piece of brilliance into what's called a “pull quote.” That is an extract within quotation marks that you also display on its own in a larger font. You place a pull quote either after the headline and before the main text or within the piece. Think of it as a photo or other graphic illustrating the text. There, the pull quote attracts skimmers' attention and readers' appreciation. It breaks up the content. It makes paragraphs and paragraphs of words seem less intimidating.

Too often, businesses will write their home pages as if readers arrive there with endless amounts of attention, good will and time. In fact, readers show up with two paramount questions in mind: “What’s this about?” and “Is this relevant to me?” Hence, enigmatic headlines and storytelling that only slowly gets to the point drive people away instead of enticing them. Give your ideal customers multiple quick signals that they should stick around and explore, including:

Effective marketers make regular posts of valuable content on their business blog. This will build company credibility and create a sound business reputation. A business blog can help project a company as an expert in a chosen business area. Customers feel more comfortable transacting business with a reputable company. A business blog can be an avenue to introduce company products or services. A blog is not about selling. Use your blog to mention new products or services. Then direct visitors to your company’s main website to generate more sales.

To help determine a good content strategy for your blog, you need to consider three points: The content must be relevant to your audience. What do they want to learn/know? What are they searching for online? How can you help them? Each post, page, and item on your website must speak to your target audience’s needs, not YOUR NEEDS. Your content is cohesive and adds value. While meeting the needs of your audience, make sure it  meets your own business goals. (attracting new clients, getting subscribers, etc).