Okay this one of the posts I wish I had read BEFORE I started blogging. I, like most bloggers, just jumped in with both feet not knowing what the heck I was doing. I figured, how hard can it be? I jumped in without checking the temperature of the water, without putting a swimsuit on, or even checking the depth of the water. I just did it, and that certainly is one approach.
Long ago, I learned something about myself and Mr. CH from doing some DIY projects in our home. I always assume the project will be easier than it is, while Mr. CH always assumes the project will be more complicated and difficult than it is. We are usually both wrong, since the reality comes out somewhere in between. Blogging’s like that too. It’s not rocket science, but there are a few tricks to use along the way to make it go more smoothly. This is one post from my Blogging Basics series.
Write an elevator speech.
Why write one?
Because you will be given some opportunities, and they are going to ask for a brief description of your blog. You may not have time to write one and get it to them when they need it. If you don’t have one, or you don’t have a good one you could miss an opportunity. Once I wrote mine, someone asked for it within a week. I was asked for a brief description of my blog, and I had one. I honestly use it all of the time.
What if you aren’t a blogger?
If you have a dream of doing something or you have a side business or hobby, go ahead and write one. You will be surprised at how often it comes in handy. And if you share it with your other people, they will remember you when they hear of an opportunity that would fit you perfectly.
For bloggers, the FIRST thing I would do is write an elevator speech for your blog. This will affect all of your other decisions. Will you write about decor, DIY, being a mom, exercise?
Here is my elevator pitch.
The reason I say write it first even before deciding on your blog name is because I think it will help you determine the best name for your blog.
I knew that I was going to write about the ranch, but the direction became clearer after I started writing for a few months. I planned to write more about everyday life at the ranch, and about fun places we had been, and more about recipes. Now I write mainly about decorating and DIY.
I think the name ends up working well for what I write about. It is the name of a place, our ranch, so it didn’t limit me to just painting projects, or just DIY, etc. The down side is that I am guessing some people who don’t like cows and horses won’t check out my blog because of the name.
If they don’t make it to my blog, then they won’t even know it’s really more about shabby Farmhouse French design. So maybe Cedar Hill House or Cottage or Farm would have been better, but now ranch it is. When I bought my domain name I thought of switching to house or cottage or farm, but since all of my readers knew it as a ranch, I decided I better leave it alone.
And for the most part, I have stayed true to my tag line – Texas Living with a French Accent. At one time, I decided that others might not share my love of all thing Texas, and I wanted to be more inclusive and changed it to Country living with a French accent. It just sounded flat to me. Why not just call it country French then? I decided later to change it back to Texas Living with a French Accent. The ranch IS in Texas, and that is part of its charm and identity. It IS what it IS. Maybe some people don’t like Texas, but I felt that is is best to just own who you are. The people who like you will stay and the others will leave, but that’s okay too.
Deciding now what you will write about is important because it will help you determine what your blog name will be. My dear blogging friend Kathleen has a fabulous DIY decor blog, BUT what is the name of her blog? Charm Bracelet Diva. She laments that the name doesn’t really describe what she writes about now, but the name is established and it’s hard to start from scratch with a new name.
So it’s okay if you switch direction later, but putting some thought into what you will write about now can save heartache later.
Want to share your elevator pitch? Feel free to leave it in the comments.
Did you miss any of my Blogging Basics? Catch up here.
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Great post. I should have thought about my name before I started blogging too. Hugs, Marty
I gave my blog name some thought, before deciding.
We spend a lot of time on our back porch.
The porch was actually an afterthought when we were building our home. As it turns out, it is one of our favorite “rooms”.
I do a lot of thinking, reading, eating, and planning, while sitting on the back porch This leads to musing about our life…thus Back Porch Musings.
I am always surprised by the number of blogs, that came along, with porch in the name, since I first named my blog, way back in March ’07. I like to think I am an original, though.
Happy Easter, Anita!
Hi Anita! Your always so helpful and this post is no exception! I don’t have a blog but I think about it often. I’m doing my “ground” work and enjoying several blogs for the time being! Thank you again for the suggestion you gave me to use Hometalk…it has worked out well for me. Have a Blessed Easter, back there in Texas! I can remember the beautiful blue sky and big puffy white clouds (a child’s view from the back seat) as we drove through on family trips from California to Mississippi.
June
Bring on more Texas cows and horses with French accents!
I’ll work on my elevator speech in the meantime.
Bliss
Funny, I named my blog before I ever wrote a word, but oh my does it ever fit me! Your are right I am sure, so I am just glad it worked for me.
Blogging has brought new friends and so much pleasure.
Well, I love “Cedar Hill Ranch”. I believe it’s all inclusive. And, I love your blog. Thank you for all of the information you share. Lynda
Anita, thanks for this great tutorial and all the helpful hints, tips and advice. I enjoy reading your blog as there is always something informative, useful or beautiful to see. Thanks and have a blessed weeked!
Great advice Anita! In fact I have someone wanting my bio right now and I keep putting it off. I hate writing these things! Maybe I’ll just copy yours… tee hee hee! 🙂
Hi Anita! Great post and when it came to naming my blog I knew it needed to have something about music. Since I played the piano – Note Songs just fit. Have a blessed Easter to you and your family.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Great advice, Anita. I’ll work on my ES. ‘-)
I picked the name of my blog giving some thought to what I wanted to share. I think it still fits the content of what I share ~ the extras in life that are food for my soul. Happy Easter! ~ Sarah
Anita…your post is SO helpful and timely as well. I’m in the middle of changing my blog design to reflect the direction I’ve gone in over the past four years of blogging. Blondie’s Journal was going to be just that…a journal of my life and everything going on it. And it still is very much that, except the focus is on decorating, home projects, cooking and life in a city house and country cottage (we have two homes). I think it’s important that when someone clicks on your blog, they can see at a glance what it’s about. So I’m struggling with that as you did with calling Cedar Hill a ranch or cottage or farm. Any suggestions for someone that feels sort of spread out on what they blog about and how to condense it?
XO,
Jane
Anita,
Wishing you a very Happy Easter!
Jemma
I do love the Texas aspect of your blog and I love the word Ranch in your name! Wonderful advice. I need to update my elevator talk in a bad way. Thanks! ~Kristie
I have not done this yet! Hmmm okay off to write my elevator pitch 🙂
Thank you sharing.
xx
Anne
Anita,
I LOVE the name of your blog!!!
I LOVE every article you post!!!
You hit the “nail on the head” with your Elevator Pitch, dear friend!!!
I gave a great deal of thought to my blog name and Elevator Pitch before I actually posted my first post!
Moving to this side of the Prairie was only a part of the Journey…every day is a Journey On Crooked Creek!!! Even my blog design mimics the privacy fence! 🙂
Thanks for all that you put into your blog!!!
Have a Blessed and Glorious Easter!!!
Fondly,
Pat
ya, got me thinking! Which is a good thing. Since I have been “thinking” about where my blog journey is taking me. I love blogging. I enjoy making new blogging friends. So, great post.
Happy Easter!
This is such great advice, Anita. Thank you for sharing!
XOXO,
Meredith
Good advice, Anita. I’m going to do some thinking on this. Happy Easter!
Jeanette
This is a great post, Anita! I have thought about changing the name of my blog ~ when I first came up with it, I knew I wanted blue in the name since that is my favorite color but now sometimes I think ‘A Pocketful of Blue’ is a little too cutesy. I have thought about changing it to ‘Practically Blue’ (I have several reasons for choosing the word ‘practically’) but hat doesn’t really tell anyone what my blog is about so maybe it should be ‘Practically Blue Home’ or something like that. If you or your readers have any thoughts or ideas I would love to hear them!
So true, a name is so important and should reflect what is to be expected when people hop on over to your blog. The only downside is that when you change (and your blog changes) the name might not be a perfect fit anymore. I chose a more neutral name for my blog (Cocalores) because I love how cheerful and colorful it sounds, even though it doesn’t give away that I blog about DIYs, creative projects and stuff like that.
Still, blogging newcomers often don’t take the time to consider all of the implications, and I guess it’s really important that they read posts like these before =)
Anja @ cocalores.blogspot.com