The following is a guest article contributed by Small Business Research Analyst Bill Post.
The Learning Channel’s television show “What Not to Wear” features intensive makeovers for fashion-challenged folks, such as a real estate agent who wears mini-skirts and belly-revealing tank tops to work, a stay-at-home mom who wears pajama pants to the grocery store, and an accountant who wears all black and combat boots.
Almost always these fashion transgressors explain themselves by claiming they don’t care what other people think—they like what they wear. And if somebody doesn’t like it, well that’s their problem. There’s nothing wrong with that live-and-let-live argument, but as the hosts Stacy and Clinton ask their subjects week in and week out: what message are your clothes and appearance sending to other people? To clients? To potential employers?
What message is your blog sending?
If you’re blogging just for fun and you truly don’t care whether anyone reads it or not, then by all means let it all hang out in any fashion you like. But if you are interested in interacting with readers, impressing clients, attracting new customers, and increasing your reputation and brand recognition, you may need to take a look in the “dreaded 360-degree mirror” and look out for these fashion faux pas.
Drowning in Neutrals
When people wear only beige, light beige, and dark beige without any bright colors or accessories they send the message to the world that they are just trying to blend in and go unnoticed in the sea of people. There are so many blogs out there that you’d better stand out and give your readers something to focus on, a visible, unique, and eye-catching message that makes your blog stand out from the crowd. Quickly and clearly tell your readers who you are, why you are, and what you have to offer them. Introduce yourself by choosing a name for your blog that speaks to your purpose, giving your posts clever titles that are relevant to that purpose, and coming up with an attention-grabbing tagline that states your purpose as an abbreviated mission statement. Place that tagline in a visible location. If you are still in a web identity crisis, and you’re not entirely sure why you are starting a site or a blog, do some soul-searching BEFORE you build your site. No one has time fo
r plain vanilla.
Too Much Black
You know the attitude. Don’t mess with me. A blog without an interactive component sends a message that you have plenty to say and you don’t care who doesn’t agree, that you have no desire to listen, change, adjust, or interact with anyone. To soften your look and make yourself more approachable include platforms for interaction between you and your readers: social media and links, the ability for readers to make comments, links to other people’s blogs and sites, and a way to contact you. Make yourself available and approachable. Give helpful information. Share.
Too Many Accessories
Bangle bracelets, animal print scarf, multiple strands of beads, huge earrings, and hair styled six-inches off her head. With so much going on there is no one thing to focus on, and people would rather avert their eyes. Less can be more, but that “less” better be good. Think little black dress plus some knock-out diamond earrings. Everyone is focused on the one shiny thing. Let your blog offer one really great thing, whatever that message or product is. Let it be the over-riding guiding force at all times and present it in a non-cluttered elegant way so that no one is distracted by irrelevant accessories. Focus on your best asset and message and let it shine.
Ill-Fitting Clothes
Clothes that are too tight, too short, or that hang on a person like a trash bag do not inspire confidence. People wonder if the person knows their clothes don’t fit, if they ever look in the mirror, or if they even know themselves enough to know what their own bodies look like. It’s a sad thing to watch someone who’s uncomfortable in his or her own skin. Be yourself—your best self. If you and your business are lighthearted, use plenty of humor and conversational language. If your identity is hard-nosed and all-business, present a professional and direct tone that fits. Design your blog with your identity in mind. Choose fonts, colors, and graphics that fit the real you and your message.
Use the opportunity to make a great first impression right from the start with a best-dressed blog and your visitors will stick around to hear what you have to say. Don’t just throw on what’s easy or what you’ve always done. Think hard about your message and present it in the most flattering way. Show the world your best self and share what you have to offer. You may be surprised by how much positive attention you attract when you put a little fashion sense into your blog.
About the Author:
Bill Post, Small Business Research Analyst, has been providing research on issues of concern to small businesses for 123Print.com Business Cards for three years. Prior to his involvement with 123Print, Bill was a small business owner himself, providing marketing and branding services to other small businesses in the Washington, DC metro area. Before working with 123Print on Business Card Templates, Bill spent several years in the fast-paced corporate world.
Image Credit: Funki Sock Munki
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