How would you go about crafting a Welcome post for your blog?
To craft your Welcome post, I'm assuming you've done some preliminary homework and established your social media guidelines. If not, then go to How Do I Start With Social Media Guidelines?At this point, I try to 'feel' the space I intend to create with my blog. Is it a living room? More of a kitchen table, a backyard BBQ grill? Or, perhaps a cozy fireside chat? Note that these are all places where conversation takes place.
Start, then, with a greeting. If your blog [or other social media marketing platform] is to be a conversational setting or virtual third place for gathering, then how might you greet or welcome visitors? What should newcomers know about? What about those who have been coming for a while? How do you get the two groups to interact?
Describe how the concept for your blog came about. Was it the result of a conversation? An Aha moment? What was the impetus for wanting to create a social media beachhead and commit to it and to the conversation that you hope develops?
Next, offer a 'tour' of your space. Will others be contributing or is this your sole space? What topics will you address? How do they relate to the overall purpose or vision for your blog? Do you anticipate any recurring series ideas? Expect things to evolve over time, but think about how you are adding value to your audience.
You should definitely address the 'fine print' or your social media policy or guidelines and set expectations for behavior. If you prefer not to include this in your Welcome post, definitely make it your second post. It's critically important to address how will you interact, what's on topic and off-topic, whether any topics are confidential, will you moderate comments, would you rather have specific customer issues addressed elsewhere, and how do your social media platforms relate to those existing customer service platforms... For ideas, read through How Do I Start With Social Media Guidelines?
To put you in the right framework for welcoming visitors, readers and future community members, I suggest that you read Jason Falls post titled How To Become Your Customer's Valentine. There, he explores how social media has brought humanity back to marketing - something that your welcome message should convey. He reminds us how important listening, honesty, trust, consistency and freshness are, urging us to:
1. Expect less, get more
2. Give incentives and rewards
3. Have daily briefings
4. Implement change
5. Keep costs low, benefits high
Welcome to the marvelous world that social media marketing has brought back to our customers and us!
What would you add to this post and to your Welcome Post?
Image credit: Wordle How Do I" by C.B. Whittemore
I recently came across your post and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that it caught my interest and you've provided informative points. I will visit this blog often. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYa, I have trouble making the first post to my blogs. In the end, I figured out that the best strategy is to just do it.
ReplyDeleteOmba, glad to hear you went and took the plunge. CB
ReplyDeleteGreat insightful info. Thanks for the read, I especially like the last paragraph and how you added
ReplyDelete1. Expect less, get more
2. Give incentives and rewards
3. Have daily briefings
4. Implement change
5. Keep costs low, benefits high
Great advice for others
Flooring Santa Clarita
Writing welcome posts is something I always struggle with. Mostly because, sometimes, I register a domain name on whim and I don't have a clear idea yet what how the blog will develop. I think writing a proper welcome post requires you to stop and think strategy for a while, and have a clear picture of where you want to go with your blog and how to get there. It's like the saying "fail to plan, plan to fail". That's very true.
ReplyDeletePress releases do work: they need the right angle and an appropriate hook.
ReplyDeleteG.King,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found meaning from that last paragraph. I'd love to hear how you implement these concepts.
Best,
CB
Nancy, welcome posts are particularly difficult because you haven't yet finalized the voice of the blog. By writing that welcome, though, you start to internalize the voice, tone and perspective. It's a humbling process and one that requires a great deal of introspection so you can decide on a vision and consistent path forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for adding your perspective.
Best,
CB
Priangandailynews,
ReplyDeleteHow do you see press releases working with respect to a blog welcome post?
Best,
CB
I often wonder how to make an interesting blog welcome. But, after reading your article above, I have new ideas to create a new concept on my blog that will be made later. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteZane Marquez, delighted to offer insights.
ReplyDeleteBest,
CB
Thank you very much for the insight. This will really help me out when I begin my blog soon!
ReplyDeleteKJ, you are most welcome. I wish you all the best in getting started. Let me know how it goes. Best,
ReplyDeleteCB
I've never even considered a Welcome post. I guess I better get to work on for my blog. Thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeleteSCV Computer Repair, you're welcome! Think of it as the equivalent of welcoming someone to your repair shop or to setting the stage for getting to you know. Let me know how it goes, too.
ReplyDeleteBest,
CB
traffic generator, you're welcome. Let me know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteBest,
CB
Thanks for the info...creating a successful blog really is an art, you've gotta connect and provide enough valuable content to keep your readers coming, it's important to focus on topics your really passionate about.
ReplyDeleteSam, you are so right. It's important to use these tools to build credibility and trust. What better way than by starting off right with a sincere Welcome Post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you!
CB
The type of welcome really depends on who your audience are. But if it's a post, it's going to go way down the time-line and disappear pretty fast, so don't concern yourself with it too much !
ReplyDeleteRob, it may be early in the timeline, but it doesn't disappear.
ReplyDeleteIt may not be your most trafficked post, nonetheless, it sets the stage for interaction with visitors. It makes you think about the purpose of your blog and the topics you plan to address.
Thanks for commenting and good luck with your blog.
Best,
CB
This is a really great and insightful post. I've never read anything about this topic that was presented as enlightening as this one. What you said about the welcome page as a place where conversation should take place and it can be likened to a space in our home. That was an aha moment for me.
ReplyDeleteExecutive Business Coaching, I'm so pleased that the post clicked for you. Remember, this is 'social' media and the personal interactions matter - as they do when you have people over to your house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding to this conversation.
Best,
CB
CB, good explanation of the basics of welcoming. Though, I rarely come across someones first post. It is usually well into the life of the blog that I discover it. So what would I add? I would add video to my welcome post.
ReplyDeleteVirtual Spokesperson, what a great suggestion! I love the idea of adding video to a welcome post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Best,
CB
We agree with Virtual Spokesperson and C. B. Whittemore - the idea of adding a video to a welcome post is a great one. Very unique and personal. We like it!
ReplyDeleteSMM Perth, have you come across good examples of video welcome posts?
ReplyDeleteBest,
CB
Thanks for the great share!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, US Database! Let me know how your Welcome Post comes along.
ReplyDeleteBest,
CB