Last week on Content Mastery Action Day, an Action Club member asked me about turning her blog into a website (or "blogsite"). The process is as simple as adding pages, and yet simple is not easy.
I can't finish my website because I don't know what to write
This same problem has plagued so many talented business owners, resulting in "Coming Soon," screens or blogs/websites with the address: "www.butpleasedontgotherebecauseitsnotfinishedyet.com."
Inside, this creates a sense of pressure, embarrassment or even shame, and that can seep into your confidence level about all aspects of your business.
Outside, this creates the impression that your business itself is undeveloped, under construction or temporary.
You can build a website around your expert content
Hopefully you've been concentrating on writing relevant, masterful content and publishing it on a blog. That blog is a great place to create or enhance your online presence with the most current details about your business vision.
Take your blog, add some pages and voilà! You have a blogsite (blog/website hybrid) you can easily update.
On most popular blogging platforms such as Typepad (the one I use and recommend) or WordPress, adding a new page is as simple as adding a new post. Check with your VA, designer or other web specialist for more details.
Simple writing tips for your key blogsite pages
Writing your About page - We covered this topic in last week's call, Writing an Online Bio. Action Club members can download the recording, handout and worksheet from last week's call. The key to an effective About page is to put yourself in your visitors' shoes and imagine what they need to know about you in order to take the next step in your relationship.
Writing your Services page - On your main Services page, give a broad description of each service, with the option to click through to more detailed pages for each individual offer. This gives everyone an overview without overwhelming someone who is just exploring. Want an even simpler option? Suggest that visitors contact you for the details. You can always add those detailed pages later. This is about getting it done!
Writing your Contact page - To minimize spam (unwanted email), use a contact form (such as Wufoo like I use on my site, Contact 7 for WordPress or a Google Docs form) instead of displaying your email address. Visitors can fill in their contact details along with their questions or comments, and it is sent to you just like an email. Include a postal address and phone number on your Contact page to enhance your trustworthiness as a "real person."
Writing your Welcome/Landing page - To welcome your reader to your blogsite - perhaps for the first time - I suggest you write a specific message for them (versus your latest blog post). Again, put yourself in your visitors' shoes and help them know they are in the right place.
You can either create a "featured" blog post that will always display at the top, or you can set up your blogsite so that visitors to www.yoursite.com will "land" on a Welcome page.
Later, you may want to branch out into some other optional pages where you can promote your special programs and events, products or free resources.
For now, starting with these four simple pages will turn your blog into a blogsite, building on your expert content and solidifying your blog as the home base or "hub" of your online presence.
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