It’s that time when we all tend to do some self-evaluation and consider what we want to accomplish in the coming year. It’s very common to make resolutions for personal growth. I think it’s important to set goals or resolutions for your business and parts of your business too! The following resolutions play off of a list of some of the most common resolutions people are making for 2009 but will benefit your business, website, and/or blog.
1. Lose weight.
Like many of us, our websites have gained a few pounds! It’s time to trim the fat. Steve Krug’s fantastic usability book Don’t Make Me Think devotes a chapter called “Omit Needless Words” to this subject. His third law of usability is:
“Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what’s left.”
For many of us this goal may be a bit far-fetched, but Steve is trying to make a point. Many webpages are wordy for whatever reason. The Internet is a different place. People don’t read your content for the most part; they skim, looking for specific facts and information. Make it easy–lose some weight! We’re not really talking about blogs so much here, but bloggers should remember that short, actionable content is the most effective. It’s time to resolve that you’re going to cut down on the fluff.
2. Go back to school.
Are you learning? Your website will suffer if you’re not. Guy Kawasaki writes in Reality Check:
“Learning is a process, not an event. I thought learning would be over when I got my degree. It’s not true.”
Reading is one of the most effective ways to learn, and your website or blog can benefit by your reading related books and blogs. Don’t be afraid to take classes at your local community college to become more familiar with subjects you don’t understand either. I know many people who’ve gone back for one or two classes just so they can get better exposure and understanding on a subject. (It’s also a great place to network!) Resolve to read a book or take a class related to your website or blog.
3. Spend more time with family.
In business or on the Internet, your customers and readers are like your family. Are you spending time connecting with them? Are you using social media such as Twitter and Facebook to connect with your “family”? Seth Godin writes in Tribes about Laura Fitton, a young mom from Boston who connects with thousands of followers (13,613 as I write this). Laura has built an entire consulting business by connecting with people (her “family”). The technology, says Seth, shouldn’t be the focus.
“The essential lesson is that every day it gets easier to tighten the relationship you have with the people who choose to follow you.”
Resolve to use the tools of technology to connect with your customers and readers; your website or blog will benefit.
4. Try something new.
Some of us tend to think “trying something new” means skydiving or sailing around the world, but it doesn’t have to be that extreme. Your site can greatly benefit from you doing new things and keeping it fresh. The advent of great tools such as Google Website Optimizer makes it even easier for you to try new things and learn what’s working and what’s not working. Freddy Nager writes in his book Claw Your Way to the Top:
“Business as usual can get awfully dull. A touch of novelty is . . . outright sense-awakening.”
Nothing bugs me more when I visit the website of a company I’m considering doing business with and find that they have a “latest news” section but the most recent item is over a year old. Whether it’s changing the font size a small amount or using different colors, resolve to do something new and different with your site at least once a month.
5. Take a trip.
Get out of your office! Meet some people, and talk about your blog or website. Join a local club or organization. The contacts you’ll develop and things you’ll learn are invaluable. Olivier Blanchard points out that you shouldn’t just join a group to “be there” but rather to “be committed to building something.” Geno Church suggests that a major reason to join comes from being able to offer leadership, especially in a new or developing group. He goes on to say it should be about sharing knowledge and being authentic instead of just seeing it as a
sales club. Amy Bomar says:
“Getting involved is the key to getting the most out of any association or group, so choose selectively!”
Trey Pennington says you should join a local chamber of commerce or club because you’ll form incredible connections with active people who are tuned in to similar interests. Jordana Megonigal agrees and adds that you “don’t join a Chamber to learn how to tap dance.” Whether it’s going to a tweetup at a local coffee shop or joining your local Jaycess to do charity work or forming a local Social Media Club, you and your website or blog will benefit. Resolve to take a trip outside your comfort zone.
6. Pay off your debts.
Financial debts aren’t the only ones to consider. In a New York Times article titled “The High Cost of Paying Off a ‘Sleep Debt,’” Lawrence Downes wrote:
“Not only does losing sleep sap your energy, darken your mood and impair your alertness, but it also invites other problems.”
Want to have a better website or blog in 2009? Better sleep habits are going to help. Don’t fight it out to stay up and finish a blog post; save the draft and come back when you’re well rested. Want to feel fresh and energetic? A great night’s sleep will do wonders! Resolve to stop racking up a sleep debt!
7. Get a better job.
If your website or blog isn’t working, consider doing something else. Don’t waste your time on a dead-end. Are you contributing to your field? Are you making a difference? The Internet is becoming a crowded space, but stick it out if you have unique ideas. If you’re trying to use shortcuts to make a quick buck on the Internet, you’re probably just going to end up funding someone else’s success story. If you can’t find a niche or take something to the next level, seek other outlets. You can even use Twitter to find a better job. And hopefully if you’re applying any of these tips, you’ll find that this tip isn’t necessary (or maybe you’ll find that you don’t need a “job” anymore). So, resolve to find a better job if you need it, or make your current job better.
Get started now!
- Remove fluff from your home page
- Register for a class or buy a book
- Comment on this blog, join twitter, and follow me
- Sign-up for Google Website Optimizer
- Join or help form a local Social Media Club
- Take a power nap (or if it’s late and you’re reading this, go to bed!)
- Find a better job
[Disclosure, I own all of these books. Amazon and oDesk links are affiliate links.]
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