Over the weekend I was at home and the temperature had dipped below 30F. I decided to fire up the ol’ woodstove. I had some writing to accomplish and I like the ambiance of the fire. I was on Twitter and did a little update about putting a fire on. My friend Heather from Maternal Spark responded about how nice an atmosphere that creates. Then, in response to a tweet I had done a little earlier asking for post ideas, she tweeted this:
Well, of course! Great idea.
It really did get me thinking. Short of putting a virtual fireplace and candelabras on your home page, how do you create an atmosphere on your blog?
We see posts all the time about blog design, where to put things and how many things to put there. I think there may not be any true right or wrong answer. I think it kind of depends on the blog, but there are come commonalities in setting up the right atmosphere on your blog.
For me, atmosphere = comfort. When someone arrives at my blog, I would like them to feel like this is a place where they could kick off their shoes settle back for a bit and linger in the conversation. In my mind, my blog does have a big fireplace with cedar and spruce crackling, popping and providing warmth. There are leather wing-back chairs with just the right combo of plush and support.
A pot of tea is always fresh-brewed and a silver tray on the table has an ice bucket, crystal tumblers and a selection of spirits and an antique cherry bookcase holds volumes of writings worth reading.
These are the things I see in my mind.
In reality, I do try and make my blog a cozy place. Not too much stuff going on, attractive to the eye and hopefully a minimal amount of noxious things like advertisements.
It’s safe to say that when I think of my blog, I think of my visitors. Yes I am here to provide information. Yes I would like to make some money from the advertising. Of course! But at the end of the day, I want folks to feel that when they come here, they’ve arrived home. To a safe place.
How do you view your blog? What kinds of things do you do to create the right atmosphere? For that matter, what kind of atmosphere do you want to create? Energized? Inspiring? Emotional? Maybe an atmosphere to put folks in a buying mood? It’s all good. Create the atmosphere on your blog based on the audience you want to attract. How could you go wrong?
This is SO interesting — I hadn’t really thought about atmosphere on my blog!
I think your tips for creating atmosphere above are brilliant, and effective. I also think bloggers first need to think about their goals for their blog. For instance, if you want to soothe harried souls, then you need to create that type of atmosphere. But if you want to motivate and “chop chop chop!” inspire, then you need a snappier, get-to-it atmosphere.
And your own personality plays a role, too. If you’re colorful and exuberant, then your blog should express who your are. If you’re quiet and subdued, then maybe your blog should reflect that (unless you want to be a totally different person online — and there’s nothing wrong with that!).
Thanks for this food for thought, George
Laurie
Quips and Tips for Successful Writers´s last blog ..How to Fail and Bounce Back as a Writer, Blogger, or Freelancer
Hi Laurie,
That’s why I think it is so important for folks to figure out how they want people to feel when they get to a website. If you want folks to buy something, make it a conducive atmosphere to do so. If you want them to come in and hang around for a bit, create that kind of atmosphere.
Personality does play a key role and that is one of the great things about this: You can be whoever you want and it’s all good!
George
Thanks so much for the shout out George! I feel all famous or something
Wonderful post, as usual. Thinking about atmosphere goes a long way towards developing ones brand too…it’s not just about feeling cozy but providing readers with a memorable experience helps set ‘who you are’ in their mind. It helps them to remember you.
Heather´s last blog ..The Humor of Motherhood
Heather,
Thanks so much for the inspiration! As soon as you tweeted it I was like, “Of course!”
I like the idea of providing a memorable experience. What a great way to stand out from the masses!
George
Great post, George. I’m reviewing my blogs to see if I’m creating the atmosphere I think I am. Thanks for the tips.
Shari Smothers´s last blog ..why a plan can help
Cheers, Shar. And thanks for stopping by.
I’m glad it prompted a little site review for you.
George
Great post! I write humor but my writing blog isn’t a chucklefest design-wise. I like to keep it soothing to the eye and (hopefully) not too cluttered; tasteful graphics, relevant content on the sidebars (no ads) and the posts interesting and funny. I may have to cozy it up a bit after this, may I borrow a match for the fireplace?
stacey´s last blog ..Chuck Norris has invaded the Zombie Dating Guide
Stacey,
I think that’s a pretty smart way to go. Atmosphere does not have to equate what you write about.
Comment Luv shows your last post title and if your site matched your writing, I would envision Sean of the Dead kung-fuing his way through your sidebars and comments section.
Thanks for stopping by!
George
I think you did a good job explaining the atmosphere you have in your mind for your blog…and you made me want to pull out some 30 year old scotch and huddle up around the fire for a few hours, there goes my weekend!
Matt
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..Win $150 from Smallbizbee.com (Sponsored by BizSugar)
Matt, That would be ok. What a fine way to spend the weekend, eh?
George
Frankly, it hard to come up with a perfect atmosphere for a blog. People have different preferences. I kind of focus on my content, after all, that’s what my readers came for.
Hi Walter!
Yeah, I don’t think it can ever be perfect, but we all try to create some kind of atmosphere. Otherwise our sites would be plain white backgrounds with 12 point Times New Roman…
George