This could be filed under “tragicomedy.” Or not. All depends on your point of view.
Background: The WordPress Worm struck the old Area 224 site. It struck quite a few sites. Here’s a great write-up on what happened from an appropriately named site: I’d Rather Be Writing.
Long Story Short: Now was the time for us to pull the trigger on a new look – “theme” in WordPress vernacular – for our site. We went with the Thesis Theme. We’re uploading old stuff and writing some new.
Our Point of View: Well, it’s early. Like, we’re only 12 hours into our new look, and we’ve sketched out some of what’s to come – whether or not we are able to get our data from 48 hours ago back, or whether we are forced to use some stuff that’s a little older.
During this relaunch, I’ve been going back and forth with fellow vagabond entrepreneur and web analytics guru David Dalka.
David has strong opinions on a number of internet marketing things, like SEO and helping big brands best allocate their marketing budgets for the new realities of user-generated content and social media marketing. David was the first person to email me and implore me to upgrade from 2.7.1 to 2.8.4 – something I had already started doing, but just a smidge too late.
But this comment in one of his emails struck me:
“…I should smack you for thinking about themes right now…”
I see his point – forest from trees, strategy vs. tactics, all that fun stuff. But in this case, I’m not sure I totally agree. Here are a few reasons, but I’d love to hear your arguments – for/against/neutral – about the role of “themes” and blog look in your marketing.
Reasons I should NOT be smacked, IMHO:
- The old look was a little boring.
- Thesis is THAT good. Take a look at some of the brands and people that use it. Like Chris Brogan. And Danny Sullivan.
- This theme – or any theme – allows me to actually think more strategically about Why Area 224 is in Business.
That last one is key to this firm’s ability to thrive in this new economy – as it is the single most important question any business person must ask.
Forcing me to ask that question of my own business brought me to a couple answers. Social Media Marketing is where Area 224 has been focusing. Realtors and Coaches are two industries we’re working a ton with. We do consulting work with some big brands. And I’m on the speaking and event circuit (or I’m in the process of creating my own circuit).
An either/or moment? Either rebuild the old site or launch a new one. In this case, the theme I had been lusting after for a year but hadn’t pulled the trigger on? Well, this was time. And the elegance of the theme helped me relaunch AND refocus my efforts at the same time.
What did you learn this weekend?