Triune Designs Blog: Web Design, Development, & Marketing

David, over at Marketing Integrity, wrote a good post on the necessity of making your website helpful to potential church members (or clients/customers).

The only thing I would add to the aspect of being helpful on your business’/church’s website is being helpful for existing clients also.

This is where a blog, for example, comes in handy. Having fresh, helpful information on your website will provide an incentive to continue returning to your website. If customers or anyone else visits your website on a recurring basis then they have an increased chance of spreading the word about you and your site. That, in turn, increases your visibility.

Check out David’s post: Be Helpful

Here is a good article discussing the importance of your company’s blog.

Since there are so many social media options available, it is good to maintain some perspective. The post provides a good mental image (for Star Wars/Star Trek geeks like me) to help you maintain that perspective:

Your blog is your mothership. Don’t neglect it for lesser tools.”

http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/the-unconventional-guide-to-the-social-web/

The post also provides some useful thoughts on how to maintain your blog as well.

Here is the link: Your blog is your mothership.

The new social web is great! Individuals can communicate with masses of people in an unprecedented manner. You can easily broadcast your thoughts, conversations, and opinions on sites such as Twitter, Facebook or on your own blog. There is a problem, though, with not having many checks and balances before publishing your voice: your mistakes will be re-told by hundreds of people along with the accompanying evidence.

A Classic Example
I came across this blog article discussing a “conversation” on Twitter between a reporter and a marketing expert. I am not going to provide my opinion on who is right and who is wrong. The important lesson to take away from this conversation is that your words and actions can haunt you.

Be careful that you do not get into a tirade on Twitter. Beware of bashing someone on your blog. Watch out for saying something offensive on Facebook. You should always be strategic with your words, but on the Internet this is even more important. Choose your words carefully because you never know who is watching.

Quick Tips
Here are a few tips on how to lessen the chances of writing those words you will regret:
1. Count to 10… or 100… or 1,000. Regardless of the duration of time, take a break and step away from the computer. This is a classic rule to follow, but it does work.
2. Check your ego at the keyboard. Remember that the social web is all about relationships. As a result, you run the risk of getting your feelings hurt once in a while. That is a reality; accept it, deal with it, and be prepared.
3. If you need, take the conversation offline. If it is something that is really important to discuss, talk with the other person on the phone or in person.

Your Thoughts
What other techniques do you use to reduce the chances of having a major blowout online? Have you ever done this?

The photo is courtesy of Arturo J. Paniagua on Flickr.

This may just be the most important statement you can read with respect to blogging and web marketing – it is alright to make mistakes. Why is this so important? Because one of the biggest fears of entering into blogging is making mistakes.

I'm scared, Sarge. We're all scared son.

Rest assured, you will make mistakes. The nice thing is that in blogging, mistakes are alright and probably even a little commonplace.

• You will occasionally write a typo.
• You will occasionally write using bad grammar.
• You will write a post or two that you may disagree with after a while.
• You may accidentally use an image you are not supposed to use.
• You may write a post that does not make a lot of sense.. except to you.
• You may write a comment that does not make a lot of sense.

As you read other people’s blogs and as you write your own, you will see these mistakes occur from time to time. Know that this does not mean it is alright to be sloppy in your writing. Always strive to be a good blog writer, but also accept the fact that you will make mistakes. Occasional mistakes are part of the transparency factor. And transparency in blogging is crucial to building a solid community.

So do not stress out about hitting the publish button before proofreading your post five times. As you continue to write blogs, it will become easier. It will become easier to simply write your post, proofread it once or twice and then publish it for the world to see.

So, it is like I tell my son: have “no fear”. Relax and enjoy blogging. When you do, your posts will not be perfect, but they will be truer to who you are and they will be more enjoyable to read.

2¢ – Your two cents
Have you made mistakes on your blog? What other fears prevent you from writing a blog? What other reasons prevent you from writing a blog? What is the biggest mistake you have made writing your blog? How many times do you proofread your blog post before publishing. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I would love to get your two cents.

Photo courtesy of Gary Denness

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Chirstmas!

Thank you for continuing to read and participate with me in this blog.

Your community and fellowship has been a huge gift to me.

Photo courtesy of me (leoschmidt08) on Flickr.