What Not to Do with Your Interior Design Blog
Your Interior Design Blog
Starting an interior design blog is a lot like buying a house. You choose the neighborhood, number of bedrooms, style, colors, fixtures and finishes. Then you move in and get everything set up just the way you like it. And… after you’ve gotten settled, you’ll need to maintain your house, cut the lawn, repair any plumbing leaks, keep it clean, etc.
The same is true for a blog. You’ll decide on what platform, server, colors, layout, plug-ins, pages etc. Think of that part as moving in to your blog and setting up house. Then just like a real house, your blog will need regular attention and maintenance. Just as there are things you’d never do with a new house, there are things you would never do with a new blog as well. Here’s my list –
How Personal is Too Personal – It’s a fine line. First and foremost, remember that your blog is available for the entire world to see. As a result, be aware of details that you communicate (or reveal) to your readers. It’s ok to be friendly and personal, but always, always, always, remember it’s a business blog. Your readers want to know you, but they don’t want to know what you had for lunch.
Good Content – This is short, sweet and crucial! This alone will determine whether your readers will stay on your blog and read it or leave it.
Consider your Audience – Who do you want your interior design blog to be viewed by? Remember the internet does not filter users. If you want high end clients, you’ll want to speak to them and create a blog layout that will resonate with them.
Customer is King – Use words that are familiar to them. Try not to use slang or industry terminology that your readers wouldn’t understand. Would they get “FOB”, “lead time” or “8-way hand tied springs”? Maybe, but maybe not. Better to be confident that what you write will be easily understood by the average viewer.
Clean not Cluttered – Be careful not to ‘over design’ your blog. A simple blog without ads, moving parts, or patterned backgrounds will only enhance the look of your style and keep your readers eyes focused on what’s important… you and your content!
Make it Easy – When choosing a font, be sure it’s easy to read on the screen. Articles in your blog are meant to be read online. Use a clean, easy to read font.
Ask for feedback – Your reader knows best what they want. Their reaction and suggestions can only help in making your blog more attractive to them and other readers.
Barbara,
Thank you for the timely information. I have just launched my own blog http://www.makinsachange.com/blog/ and I am glad to see that I am on the right track. I particularly like the suggestion to keep the content short and simple. I often see blogs that run on and on when the point would have been much more impactful in fewer words. My rule of thumb has been to try to keep it to around 350 words. The only exception I had was when I shared an actual article written in another publication. Nonetheless, I believe that keeping the word count down is a challenge but keeps the writer sharp and the reader interested. Good work!
Hi Linda, Thanks for your nice note. With so much coming at us on a daily basis (marketing and otherwise) I know I rarely have time to sit down and read long articles. Like many people today, I’m a ‘skimmer’. I review bullet points and skim things to see if I want to stop and read things more in depth. 350 words is a good rule of thumb for online reading – just enough meat, yet quick and to the point! Great job on getting your new blog launched!
Bang on! Thanks for the friendly reminder. Any quick suggestions for my blog as it is currently?
Hi Laura… you have a great blog! And it looks like you’ve been blogging for awhile. Yaay! Good for you.
I really like the images you select and reading the quick comments about each one. You’ve done a fabulous job!
One thing I would do is add a professional photo of you on the front page. It would personalize and allow us to see who we’re ‘hearing’ from. More and more, people want to know who they’re ‘talking to’ online. Keep up the great work and let us see your smiling face!
Barbara 🙂
Great post and will use the info on our blog for our company. Thanks for the pointers and great advice.
Thanks for the reminders. The longer I have been blogging, the shorter and sweeter my blogs get, (I hope.)
Hi – great comments on blogging. I have been thinking about starting one but hesitated due to lack of technical knowledge. I will check out the info you posted on how to start one and see if its a good idea for me!