Blog Design Recommendations by Thrilling Heroics

My blog is going a major revamp process, including a redesign, subject-matter change, and a focus on my core knowledge area. This site has been up since 2000 and started as a forum to keep friends and family up to date on my life. Since then, it’s evolved and gained a fairly substantial following and readership.

Recently, Cody McKibben of Thrilling Heroics sent out a call for help to promote his consulting business. As part of that contest, the winner would receive an hour of his consulting services. Contrary to my track record for winning contests, Cody pulled my name out of the hat and announced the official results.

Summary of the one hour consultation

Before our phone conversation via Skype, Cody asked for a set of questions and what type of consultation I’m looking for. I asked him to review this blog, provide some thoughts on the design, format, and content and assist me with a strategy for growing it beyond its current state.

• Start with a premium template. I was already using the Thesis theme on WordPress and was a step ahead. Thesis allows of easy customization to the design and format.
• Develop a brand. While my existing design is attractive, it’s not memorable. Cody suggested redesigning the header graphic, including using a personal picture of me somewhere on the front page.
• Enhance the about me page. Cody liked the elements of my about me page but suggested moving the elevator pitch to the top of the page.
• Consider removing Google ads. Because I wasn’t really gaining any significant revenue from Google Adsense, Cody suggested removing it to keep from alienating loyal readers.

Upcoming changes to the blog

Over the course of the next few weeks, and likely next few months, the writing will change to three core topics:

• Management Consulting
• Business Development
• Travel

These are three key areas of a consultants work life. I’ll focus my content specifically on those three areas. The travel section will likely spur some interest in the blog and keep it from becoming too “boring.” Within these three areas, I hope to provide video screencast tutorials, step by step tutorials, video posts, and more. The primary focus is to provide original content, that’s not a rehash of existing content found on the web.

Tagged as: blogging, Management Consulting, site updates, social media