Content Editor

Copy (verbiage): You may type verbiage right into the editor or copy and paste from another source. When pasting verbiage, ALWAYS use the clipboard button with the T to copy in as plain text. This will eliminate any formatting issues on your website, although you will have to bold, italicize, hyperlink and possibly add spaces between paragraphs once pasted in. Once your copy is in place, you can further format using the buttons above the content box. If your bottom row of buttons mysteriously disappears, click on the button that looks like a little keyboard (it’s called the “Kitchen Sink” button) and your bottom row of buttons will appear again.

Photos: This may differ depending on where you want to add the photo and the configuration of your website, but generally, to add a photo in the content area of your website. Simply put your curser in the area of the content box that you want your picture to reside, click on the picture frame button next to “Upload/Insert” above the content editor and follow the directions to upload an image. You may also want to rename your image when prompted with a search term relevant to the image and your page content. Keep in mind that your image will have to be resized if it is too large to display on the Web. You can use Photoshop, Paint or free online tools to do this.

Videos: To embed a video into your blog, the best way to do this for optimization reasons is to first upload the video to your YouTube channel and then copy the embed code. In the top right hand corner of the content editor you will see two tabs, “Visual” and “HTML.” Click on “HTML” and paste the code in the appropriate spot. You can click over to “Visual” to see where the box will appear. Then click on “Preview” on the right column of the page to see how it will look live. If you need to adjust the height and width, you can do this in the embed code in the “HTML” view.

Documents: Should you want to upload documents, such as a PDF, for users to open on your website, simply put your curser where you want the document link to appear and click the button next to “Upload/Insert” that looks like a starburst to “Add Media” and follow the instructions. Your document will generally appear as a link with the same title as the document so you may need to re-name your document to whatever you want your link to say before uploading.

All in One SEO Pack

At the bottom of the webpage for Pages or Posts you will see a container with the title, “All in One SEO Pack.” This is where you can create your page titles, descriptions and key phrases using words you think your audience would use to find the information on that page. The title and description is what search engines will display in relevant searches.

Pages VS Posts

Pages are the areas such as About Us, Contact Us, etc. on your site. Posts are generally blogs or other areas of special/featured content.

Additional functions

For information on additional functions feel free to contact us to schedule a private training session or inquire about our semi-regular WordPress Workshops.

Perhaps copywriting tips, photography do’s and don’ts, how to choose color palettes, etc.

We look forward to sharing your expertise!

Now, this advice does come with a disclaimer. There are always going to be people who pick things apart to a fault, but the general idea is to get a broad consensus that includes the opinions of people new to the website who could be potential customers. You could ask relevant friends and family or even take it one step further and ask for feedback on your Facebook page or other customer communication methods. In general, here are some questions you might pose:

1. What is the first thing you want to know about when coming to my website?
2. Is it easy to navigate and find what you wanted to know?
3. Is the design a distraction or compliment to the content?
4. What is your level of interest in the content provided?
5. What is the one thing my website needs that it doesn’t have?

First, make a list of what you think your customers want from you. Expert do-it-yourself tips? Resources? Inspiration? Coupon incentives? Human interest stories? Interaction?

Next, take that list and think about how you could offer such things thorough your newsletter platform. For example, if you think your customers yearn for interaction, showcase the latest wall post on your Facebook page by one of your customers and/or newsletter subscribers with a link back to your page. Or ask a relevant poll question and link to a social media poll or online survey.

Finally, make an impression. Don’t send plain text newsletters and if you’re going to use a template, use one that doesn’t look like one. While you’re at it, use LOTS of great imagery to get your reader’s attention and showcase your content.

1. Make your copy (verbiage) readable. Almost conversation-like at the level of your audience.
2. Use real photos. Not cheesy stock photos, real photos of you and your staff that are more than just smiling headshots. Show off your flair.
3. Show off your penmanship. For example, you can use images of your actual handwriting for things like your name on a bio or contact page.
4. Write a nontraditional bio. Employee bio pages can be super boring, or super interesting! Give yours some flair with tidbits that show off who you are as a person.
5. Tell the story of how your business started and any hurdles you’ve had to jump over to get where you are. Also talk about what makes your company special to you.
6. Expose your tweets. Adding the Twitter feeds of yourself and your staff can be quite humanizing to your viewers. Just make sure you have a policy in place about appropriate tweeting.

Okay, so maybe you DO take your business seriously and you ARE a professional in tune with what your business stands for, but don’t you think your customers should know that too? Others perceptions of your business have a lot to do with how its presented to them.

The number one thing you can do to improve this perception is to be consistent. Don’t use all five variations of your logo, pick one and use it everywhere. Make sure everyone has uniform business cards, your fonts are all the same and your website is up-to-date.

If you think it’s time for a fresh look, meet with a designer. Be sure you let them know all the ways you market your business and everywhere you use your logo so they can come up with the best possible ideas. It could be as easy as a logo update or complete overhaul with an evolved logo, fresh fonts and more interactive website.

Whatever you decide, it’s always a good idea to take a step back, gather all your marketing materials and see how you can improve moving forward.

1. Grab some hot cocoa and take a stroll to look at Christmas lights in a ritzy neighborhood and wave to people like you live there too.
2. Dress your dog up in costume. If you don’t have a dog, dress up your car.
3. Elf yourself.
4. Ladies, get a festive pedicure. Gentlemen, sport your holiday ties.
5. Strategically place yourself under mistletoe as often as possible.
6. Attend an ugly sweater party and really go for that winner’s prize. Hey, somebody has to win.
7. Don’t let the eggnog go to waste.
8. Hit the after-Christmas sales for next year’s festive decor.
9. Don’t take the lights down just yet, you got them up late after all.
10. Make sure you’re not in the bathroom when the clock strikes 12 on New Years. There are no re-dos!

So how do you keep their eyes on the message? Here are a few tips: 

• Keep your copy short and your paragraphs shorter. Chances are readers are going to skim the first sentence or two in each paragraph to find the information they are looking for. Break up your content so they can find information easily and obviously, the less content they have to dig through, the more likely they are to keep looking rather than move on from your website. Be concise and to the point.
• Avoid long sentences. Again, get to the point and make it easy to understand.
• Talk like your customers. If they are scientists, talk like a scientist. If they are not, don’t. You get the point.
• Organize your content expectedly. Readers should be able to easily navigate your website to find what they need. If you could get into your customer’s brain, where do you think they would look for certain information?
• Communicate the same message in different ways. Messages are hardly retained the first time so make sure you reiterate the important stuff with images, video, polls, etc.

So how does the event work? Basically you show up with an in-kind donation and we feed you for free at this holiday-style shindig. Fun, easy and festive!

Find out more and RSVP on our Facebook event page. See you there!

This is one big thankful shout out to all our clients, fans, followers and friends. Have a happy and full thanksgiving!

From the bottoms of all our hearts,
The Liquis Crew

P.S. Who isn’t hungry for pumpkin pie right now?