I’ve been on a serious “theme” kick lately. I mean: I feel like every blog should have a steady focus or theme…at least, if it’s a business blog. And if your business covers an array of different topics that all lead to the same ending, have you ever thought of having a monthly theme?
For example, I called one of my clients the other day and gave her my theme idea. She loved it and is running with it. (Check out Get Out Mom’s blog on Fit February so you understand more in depth.) By doing this, she is able to cater her Facebook posts, Twitter posts, make hashtags, and create a buzz around that particular theme for the month. In March, switch it up and so forth. (On a side note, I do not write Get Out Mom’s blog posts…I occasionally do a guest post, but I help on her creative team.)
When you do this theme stuff, your readers can rely on your posts and learn in depth about a particular subject rather than being jostled from post to post about random things. I also find that if you do a little planning ahead, topically (and typically), you won’t have as much apprehension or dread about actually blogging.
But this doesn’t have to only apply to blogging. You can use it in your business (maybe). Example: I’m one of the co-founders of Girls Rock! Indianapolis and sit on the Board of Directors. GRI is a nonprofit rock n’ roll summer camp for girls’ ages 8-16. The whole camp is based on building positive self-esteem and body image at a time when girls really need it. We use music empowerment, (ie: learning an instrument, making a band, learning about past female musicians) music and creativity as the platform for building a strong self.
We are about to go into our 3rd year of camp. So I thought, why not apply this theme stuff to Girls Rock!? By doing a theme every year, the campers can learn the same song of that particular era of music during instrument instruction (to learn chords, chord progression and song structure…after all, why not learn from the master songwriters?) Then, each day can be one of focus and intention.
Applying a theme can help overcome redundancy. In the GRI case, the campers will learn a different focus each year and have appreciation for all genres. They learn more than one band or group that was associated with that musical era. Then, the music workshops can be tailored to the era, etc… This allows for musical progression each year. It also keeps them wanting to learn more, which they know they will the following year. Keep your clients coming back for more. I know I want our campers excited every year.
Make sense? My challenge to you: Think about your blog or your business. What type of theme or monthly theme can you apply to keep it interesting and more importantly, educational?
