This post was most recently updated on August 2nd, 2016
Rebranding Your Blog is a pretty drastic undertaking that requires serious thought.
You’ve probably worked pretty hard to develop a certain brand for your blog.
You always tried to be authentic and unique.
You wouldn’t be caught dead (pardon the pun) carrying on like some kind of a blogging zombie, right?
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Now, you’ve reconsidered your path forward and determined that it’s time to make a change.
It’s time to change the brand you’ve created and start down the road of “rebranding your blog.”
What’s probably behind this decision is your desire to improve and increase your business.
Growth is one of the main reasons that people usually reinvent themselves by rebranding their blog.
Here’s the first question they usually ask:
“How can I rebrand my blog? After all, people are so used to me being focused on ______________ (fill in the blank).”
The next question:
“What will people think of me for changing my brand, my style, my business focus?”
Well boys and girls, the truth about being a blogger, is that you are bound to come up with new ideas about running your business as you learn more about your niche.
If you are growing in your knowledge, training and coaching, then you will always be learning more about marketing, and alternative paths to success.
Even if you aren’t changing, you will have to face new trends and changing ebbs and flows in the marketplace that your blog serves.
Here’s the thing…
If your business was a new born baby, wouldn’t you expect that baby to start walking, growing and eventually leaving the security of home for that frightful first day of school?
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Your business isn’t any different than that.
It is your baby.
Even if you are an affiliate for company, you are still running your own blog in your own unique way.
It is your creation.
I’ve seen so many bloggers and marketers rebrand themselves because of this inevitable growth.
Heck, I’ve been doing it myself, too.
I didn’t always know I was doing it, because I never made any real drastic shifts in focus or style.
If you go back to the early days of this blog, though, you will see the progression of growth I’ve undergone as a blogger throughout the days, months and years.
This blog, in fact, has been rebranded via a very slow, imperceptible progression over the years.
Rebranding Your Blog Means Change
Change is almost always met with resistance.
People don’t like change.
That is the cold hard fact.
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So what may be stopping you from changing things along the lines of rebranding your blog, is the fear of that change.
Concerns like these may come to mind:
I put all this time in my business, now people are going to think I failed.
People know me as a _______ (fill in the blank) blogging expert, but now I’ll be trying to demonstrate that I’m a leader and authority in the _______ (fill in the blank) niche.
I’ve been online for several years and now no one will find me (if I change the name of my blog, or my blogging platform, for instance).
If there is one lesson you can get from this post it is that most if you are blogging with authority and conviction, people will follow you.
It’s that simple.
I don’t care what your brand is today, or what is was yesterday.
You just need to present it with passion, conviction and authority.
Your old crowd will follow you along the lines of your new brand, or if you undergo a drastic overhaul, you’ll be picking up a brand new crowd.
Are you ready for a change?
Has the time come for you to re-brand your blog?
Don’t be timid or fearful.
Do it with conviction and authority and you’ll be fine.
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Rebranding Your Blog: Case Study
Let me give you an example of this bright idea I have.
David and I went out to our favorite local “watering holes.”
It is a tourist town and summertime vacationers have started to pour in for the new summer season.
We just love to treat ourselves every now and then to a leisurely afternoon of sitting at this little outdoor spot having a drink and an appetizer while we watch folks pass by.
We are so used to ordering our favorite appetizers, but on this particular day we were met with a change.
Outside of the patio there was a “Lobster Roll” cart.
New, but not unusual to us because Maine is known for its lobster.
It is everywhere and the tourists love it.
We’re not so crazy about it and very rarely order it.
So we looked at the appetizer menu and all we saw was lobster.
Nothing else.
What happened to the regular menu?
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Rebranding Your Blog – YOU Are In Charge
The wait staff explained:
“Things have changed here. We only serve lobster rolls in the outside patio, now. If you want different appetizers, you will have to go inside.”
Oh no, I don’t want to sit inside on this beautiful sunny day.
I’m here for the ambiance more than the food.
Heck, that’s what I’m really paying for anyway.
So… not really a lobster fan, but I ordered a lobster roll nonetheless.
As we sat there, I noticed some people coming in and getting just as confused as we had been.
The wait staff kept explaining the “rebranding” of the patio, and, of course, others settled for the change, too.
I had to put my two cents in and talk to the manager.
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You see they were rebranding their patio business, and it was a heck of a good idea to do.
That Lobster Roll brings in $20 a roll for those who want to sit outdoors.
You could spend half that for the regular fare, but then you had to sit inside.
So, it created sort of an upgrade to the menu if you wanted to enjoy the more popular venue.
Great idea, and when presented with conviction and authority… folks consented, or they moved indoors.
Rebranding Your Blog – The Back Story
I found myself spontaneously interviewing the lovely manager to get her take on the rebranding experiment she had decided to undertake.
(I’m always an overzealous marketer, especially when I have my camera phone at hand, haha).
It’s a short video and I’m sure you will enjoy it.
It might be a few subtle changes here and there, like those that I’ve undergone.
This is inevitable as you grow and experiment with new things.
It may take a while for people to catch up to what you’re doing, but again, when they sense your conviction and authority… they will follow you along your new path.
You might be ready for a more drastic change, though, maybe even a total overhaul of your brand.
In that case, you’ll have a higher hill to climb and will probably have to find a new customer base.
But that could be the best thing for you.
It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish, and how much time and effort you’re willing to invest to make it happen.
If you feel like rebranding your blog can help more people while pulling in higher revenue… Go for it.
Don’t fret about what people will think, or what challenges lie ahead.
Just make it happen.
Rebranding your blog might be the best thing you’ve done in a long time.
Now, I’d like to have your comments below.
Have you ever thought of rebranding your blog?
Are you afraid to make the change?
-Donna
Twitter: ihsbvm
October 7, 2016 at 8:50 pm #
Yep, change actually causes things we often need. I am not big about change, dang I love stability and focus. Could be a side effect of a terribly distracted husband with ADD who changes by the minute. Lol, I need steady, solid rock stability.
Not sure biz,world is my cup of tea or even blogging. But it’s fun learning and listening and discerning
Paula recently posted..Steel Gray Clouds and Choppy Gray Waters
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September 18, 2016 at 2:08 am #
Donna, after taking the DO IT Workshop with Lesly and working with the other members of the workshop, I decided I needed to re-brand my blog. Re-brand my blog and combine (and thereby condense) three of my blogs into one. I had considered it a couple years ago and could not figure out how to make it work. After I had a fellow blogger create and design a new blog header for my ‘main site,’ it started to bug me I had three blogs to maintain instead of just one. Now, I pretty much know what I want it to look like and how things need to be laid out on the site. Thank you for this post as it has reaffirmed my feelings on my needing to re-brand me and my site! ~Adrienne
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July 4, 2016 at 1:27 pm #
Thanks for the great lesson about effective Rebranding Donna!
And what serious entrepreneur, hasn’t had a few windfall
ideas along their entrepreneurial journey?
And therefore, have come to the startling realization, they need to change, in order
to continue growing.
And I really liked your spontaneous interview of the restaurant manager.
She really explained what they had to offer, and why extremely well.You both
did a great job!LOL!
And as you mentioned, “change” (aka) “Rebranding” is something all entrepreneurs
have got to learn to embrace and fast!LOL!
I also downloaded your special report and I definitely look forward to discovering more of your marketing secrets and strategies Coach!Thanks!
Mark recently posted..How Extremely Savvy Entrepreneurs Put Their Best Lead Generation Strategies On Steroids!Part Two
Hi Mark,
Glad you liked that interview. My blog post was built around that. Well, you know me well enough by now that my mind is always on business and when I seen this, I thought to myself…..this has to be a blog post!
Offline or online businesses can learn from this because implementing a new strategy for our readers/customers can be a big change that we need to help them understand.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Busy Bloggers Are Underachievers
Twitter: ikechiawazie
July 3, 2016 at 12:31 pm #
Hi Donna
It is scary to change especially when you have taken so much pain and work to build an audience. However as you shared, change is necessary and you are right that at one point you will make changes.
When I started blogging, I combined two different niches together. However I soon had to make a change and it has been awesome; there are still changes to come in the future.
Thumbs and thanks for sharing. Take Care
Hi Ikechi,
Change will happen and fear will always be the stop sign. Never fear…but you know all about that!
Although we want to tweak our stuff here and there, it is amazing how people will follow you and all the new people you will attract.
I’m one of your loyal followers 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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July 3, 2016 at 10:19 am #
Oh, Oh, Oh …
Lions, tigers, and bears… worry not people about rebranding or expanding what you want to do, or starting new. I believe 1000% there is an audience for everyone online and if people like you, like what you offer, they will stay with you. Take one growth pill a day because change happens slowly (and change is a good thing). As you grow the signs of it will show themselves. Have faith in what you can do. I’m sure it will be awesome … awesome Donna
Hi Lesly,
“Have Faith in what you do” You are so brilliant my friend. I also like to take one growth pill a day. Indeed…life IS change so go with the flow and yes, there is an audience out there for just about anything.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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July 2, 2016 at 8:34 pm #
Great story to back up your subject here, Donna. I really enjoyed the little video, too. My only thought about the restaurant patio is; what if you don’t like lobster? What about those folks? They’ll be condemned to the air conditioned restaurant for the whole summer (LOL). I guess it’s a good way for the restaurant to guarantee $$ orders on the patio, though. Brilliant.
I’m not ready yet to re-brand. I’m going through some life stuff though that is interfering with my blog writing. Hopefully I will be able to get back to a more regular schedule in the near future.
I could see myself branching out into new or different topics though. I’ll look to you for inspiration!
Lisa Thomson recently posted..The Livin’ Is Easy
Hi Lisa,
Oh the power of marketing! I don’t like lobster myself, just ordered it for the hell of it. But had a drink with hubby.
Most tourists come here for lobster, but if they don’t like it they can have the choice of sitting inside an air conditioned restaurant. It is a brilliant move. It is a holiday weekend and even those who choose not to sit, are passing by grabbing a roll for $20 like it was nothing.
I hope all is well with you. When life stuff hits, it is so difficult to keep up with our blogging schedule. I know…been there too. Never fear about branching into new directions.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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July 2, 2016 at 2:02 pm #
Hi Donna,
Long time, no see.
This post really came at the right time. I’ve been at a crossroads regarding my blog. Should I change my niche, go with a sub-niche, get out of it altogether, etc.
No matter what I do, I’ll be using the same domain, same basic logo, which I can edit depending on what I plan on doing down the road.
I’ve had some things happen in recent months which took priority over blogging. I wrote a post it about recently on my blog. That’s one of the reasons I’m thinking about changing my direction and start posting to help others who have come across the same things.
Anyway, thanks for the great post.
Have a great upcoming week…….Chris
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Hi Chris,
I just read your latest blog and thank you for keeping us posted. I hope you are feeling a bit better.
I would say, keep your blog as you grow with it. Your last post described why you weren’t around so much. Write whatever you need to and keep referring a link back to that initial blog. Or explain why you are going in a new direction.
I’ve done it myself somewhere along the line. I was doing a lot of self help issues at the beginning because that is what I loved and still do. But as I grew, marketing became a strong passion and all those how to’s with that and blogging.
People kept coming…I’ve lost a few but gained so much more.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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July 1, 2016 at 8:53 pm #
Hi Donna. I had no idea that McDonald’s offered pizza at some point. And they are still struggling to stay relevant. They could try something really novel and start serving real food.
I have one question. Could you have gone inside and ordered the appetizers you wanted and brought them outside?
Anyway, I don’t consider what you have gradually done with your blog over time to be rebranding. You are still Donna Merrill Tribe at the same URL. I consider it growth. Like all of the personal development teachers say, if you aren’t growing, you’re dying. That goes for a business every bit as much as it does for a person.
The way I see it, and I told Adrienne Smith the same thing a couple years ago and she disagreed with me, you have to do what you want to do. You’re regular readers will likely stick with you. Even if you change your URL, if you handle the forwarding and everything correctly, your loyal readers will follow you to your new place. You have to keep yourself happy first. If you are unhappy, your readers and customers will soon be too because they will pick up on your energy and reflect it back to you.
Thanks for another great read.
Ben recently posted..What You Believe Matters
Hi Ben,
The answer to your question is no. I could go inside to order something but not take it outside to eat. It is structured this way as a segway to their new approach to marketing that Lobster stand. It has been about 10 days since I wrote this and it is a holiday weekend. The town is packed and there is a line to get a lobster roll by passers by. I would say it is a good idea on their part. Cha Ching!
I do agree with you changing because you want to. Look at Brenda above…she has changed a few times and her followers are still there. Why? Because she just let us know. Sometimes things went well, other times it didn’t but Bren never stops. Her business is growing and she is loving it.
My url is still the same, but I’ve grown over the years and have some followers for years, and others that are new. As long as we do what we honestly believe in we cannot go wrong.
-Donna
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July 1, 2016 at 1:35 pm #
Hi Donna!
You’re talking to me, gf! I love to change up my themes (as you know), however recently I started a new rebranding on my biz site. It was initially said to brand under my name which I feel I did, and now to rebrand under my business name, Virtual Bren. I love change, but sometimes I don’t think my readers can keep up with me. However, if we don’t change (evolve) to better ourselves, won’t we grow stagnant?
Love this article!
Happy Holiday Weekend!
B
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Hi Bren,
I can honestly say that I love when you change things. I don’t miss a beat because I follow YOU. And whatever brand name you choose, and there has been so many changes lol…..I’m there. I love the way you can do such a wonderful job of it all.
-Donna
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July 1, 2016 at 7:54 am #
hey donna,
You have described again your article with the help of such a great vedio,
I have seen many changing their blog name and themes,one That I know is amylynnandrews.com, she has done and now she is ranked very well after rebranding
thanks for sharing
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Hi Gaurav,
Indeed, sometimes we can change just about everything and it becomes a very popular site. It all depends how we set it up, have a marketing plan and so on.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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July 1, 2016 at 3:07 am #
Hey Donna,
Thanks again for making this post real by telling your story and adding the video to it.
People fear change but it’s inevitable especially if your business is growing. We do change or re-brand everyday but for the most part, they are minor changes.
Sometimes, big changes are made at the background without front-end consumers even knowing something has happened. They just experience a better service that gets them more attracted.
I have seen many bloggers change their domain name, logo, theme and color scheme. That’s a big and drastic change though but it comes as a necessity from their point of view and business strategies.
I’m on the way to change too. I just moved my blog from HostGator and the next visible big change will be the theme 😉
Planning big for my blog and it grows.
Thanks for a beautiful read this weekend Donna
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Hi Enstine,
Glad you liked that video I embeded here. Change is inevitable in life itself. When it comes to blogging, as we grow, the changes will be reflected on our blogs.
I too have seen drastic changes with some bloggers. They change everything without warning lol. It confuses me and I’m sure everyone else.
If we want to change, we do have to tell our readers and do things gradually. Your changing the theme will be interesting to see.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Hey Donna,
Rebranding can leave us in suspense. It can go both ways. Either it’s the best thing it can happen to your business or not.
But one thing I remember is what an old coworker said and that is everything that is real is subject to change. When it comes to our blogs, change is good. It helps us keep up with the times whether it be new tools, updates, or the “notorious” google algorithms.
For me it helps me dig further of what I want to convey and who I want as a target audience. With this focus it works out beautifully and you feel like you’re really bringing more “targeted” value.
Great share Donna! Have a good one!
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Hi Sherman,
It can work out both ways. But I do believe that “easing” into it works best. I like what your coworker once said to you because it is so true…everything changes…life is change and if it wasn’t it would be so borning!
Changes are also good to find your target audience as you mention.
Thanks for your input here.
-Donna
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June 29, 2016 at 12:37 pm #
Hi Donna,
Interesting story. I guess I’m a troublemaker. I would go inside and order what I wanted and bring it outside.
As you can see, I don’t do well with change either but it does have to happen at times.
Great interview and I’m sure she appreciated the free advertising for her place.
Have a great day.
Hi Monna,
Oh you wouldn’t be a trouble maker at all. This is too upscale for anyone to say anything. He He He. I was going to make real trouble that day Monna because there was a wedding going on and we arrived right at the cocktail hour. If I had on fancier clothes…I would have crashed it. David never crashed a party and I wanted to show him. Ahhh Maybe next time he he he.
-Donna
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June 29, 2016 at 7:52 am #
Hi Donna,
That’s so true, people do not like change, even when they know that it will be for the best. we are just routine animals.
I can’t think of any online business owner that hasn’t have had to rebrand at one point or another, so it good to be open and see when changes are necessary.
Thank you for the cute interview too.
~Sylviane
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June 29, 2016 at 7:44 am #
Hello Donna,
Rebranding is indeed important. I recently revamped my blog’s design, and I am noticing great improvement after that.
I loved your tips as usual. However, I am strictly against rebranding a blog again and again. I am seeing a lot of newbies changing their design every week which is irritating.
I am glad you shared some cool stuff on this matter. Thanks for it.
Enjoy the week ahead.
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Hi Atish,
Your new design is awesome. I too am so against rebranding a blog over and over again. I do see some that do that and it is so confusing for the reader.
I think some have the idea that if they keep switching, something will click. But you know as well as I that it takes time and consistency for things to work.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Hi Sylviane,
Indeed, we are routine animals. We don’t like the slightest change, but we eventually adapt to it.
I remember when you fine-tuned your blog; sort of rebranding, but you really got it to the point of clarity.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: cheryschmidt
June 28, 2016 at 10:24 pm #
Hey Donna, YUM YUM A Lobster Roll!! I had one of those once when I visited my nephew in New Hampshire. We flew into Boston and he brought us to the shop on the beach! It was Awesome!!
As for your post, I loved it! Perhaps after my little break from blogging I am sure there will be some changes coming..
We have talked about this before HUH? Always a work in progress..
Great Share My Friend.
Yhanks
Chery :))
Hi Chery,
Everyone seems to like it but me lol. I can have one ever few years but that’s about it.
As for my post, I so glade you loved it. I’m sure that after your break, you will be coming back with fresh ideas.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: ravichahar27
June 28, 2016 at 10:10 pm #
Hi Donna,
This is something people need to keep reading.
While running any kind of business, people should come up with new ideas every day.
I like the video you have embedded here.;) Re-branding of your blog is needed after a time interval. People think about the design and the way of handling their website.
Bloggers provide more services to their readers and try to improvise the content.
Thanks for this great post.
Rock the day.;)
~Ravi
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Hi Ravi,
So many people get caught up in design but it is a waste of time. As bloggers, we evolve and so does our blog and business.
We as bloggers provide services for our readers and the more we learn, the more we share. When we want to rebrand, we do have to ease into it.
-Donna
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Twitter: mitch_m
June 28, 2016 at 9:32 pm #
I’m not gonna lie, if my restaurant had done that without letting me know beforehand, especially if it’s a place I went often, I wouldn’t have reacted so well. I certainly wouldn’t have ordered the lobster since I also hate it, and probably would have gone inside for the foods I actually eat, but I’d have been irked and given thought to whether the food was enough to overcome the loss of great ambience. Lucky for me, I don’t eat outside! lol
As for rebranding… well, this is an interesting topic. I look at my I’m Just Sharing blog and believe that I never had to worry about rebranding it from where it started because I was all over the place and unsure what I wanted it to be.
However, I have a friend who for years wrote on the topic of leadership and then one day decided he wanted to start writing about internet marketing. It was confusing at first but I gave it a read. His problem was that it was suddenly off his original message, and he hadn’t worked up a new audience for his new content, yet he didn’t want to remove his old content. Within a few months he gave up blogging altogether.
It can be dicey depending on the audience and how drastic the rebranding is. I think of someone like Steve Pavlina, whose blog I used to always read until he changed his focus. Because he was already popular he could absorb the loss of people like me who were going there for one thing that stuck with him as he changed things. I see that he’s changed things again; some people have it like that. lol
Mitch Mitchell recently posted..Awakening The Sleeping Giant
Hi Mitch,
I reacted the way I did because I wanted to sit outside and have a drink. When I do have an alcohol beverage I do like to pick on something. Even though I don’t like lobster, I seen the restaurant was trying to rebrand. So me being me, I ordered it and David and I picked on it. The pickle was good!
I do believe that if we want to re-brand, we do have to ease into it. Just like your friend who changed up his blog so quickly and left his old stuff on it…that would be confusing.
When it comes to Steve, his following is huge and I guess he could absorb the loss. A quick change can be a turn off….a slow one works well.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: stellachiu97
June 28, 2016 at 8:03 pm #
Hi, Donna
Love the way you used the lobster case study to support re-branding.
Agree with you, rebranding is necessary for some blogs which have been in the blogging world for a few years. The home pages are crowded by all the banner ads; the home pages are so crowded that the pages look like junk yards.
I saw some blogs whose designs look worse after rebranding. In this situation, i am not sure people will continue follow them.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Stella Chiu recently posted..Drinking These 9 Amazing Fruit Juices to Tackle Your Weight
Hi Stella,
Some that want to rebrand in order to sell can make that mistake. They will load up their blog with so much junk and banner ads, it is a turn off.
I too seen some sites that have rebranded and it does look worse. If it is done that way, I am sure that people will not follow them.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: joyhealey
June 28, 2016 at 6:44 pm #
Hi Donna,
Loved the off-line Lobster Roll lesson. It’s a reminder that off-line and online business principles aren’t too far apart.
I’ve done “rebrands” of my blog in the past – although that’s maybe making too much of what I did, although it certainly seemed like hard work at the time.
And, for me, there’s the snag. Changing my blog round takes a huge amount of time out of the part-time working hours that I have available.
As you said to Sameer, it can become a procrastination technique.
I’m an inveterate “tweaker” and instead of keep fiddling with my blog and getting it to look exactly right, I think it’s more important for me to work on increasing my audience. That’s just me – bigger bloggers already have that sorted 🙂
Interesting post, but I think I’m staying more or less as I am for the moment.
Joy – Blogging After Dark
Joy Healey recently posted..Why You Should Start a Free Blog Now (Infographic)
Hi Joy,
I never did tinker with my blog to make it look nicer either. Indeed, it is more important to increase your audience. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it I say! So you are good where you are and that is wonderful.
I don’t think that we ever stop “tweaking” our blogs because the more we learn, the more we share and it is like evolving with it. It’s our “baby” in a way and it grows.
To change completely would be a difficult task. Slow but sure and informing your audience will be okay.
Glad you enjoyed my lobster gal he he he. Indeed, offline business is just like an online one. I had been in both and do see the similarities.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
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June 28, 2016 at 3:56 pm #
Hi Donna,
I’m with you on this one.
I’ve redesigned my blog a couple of times. I feel it’s just part of the evolution process for me. Sometimes you go with something in specific and as time and technology move on, you feel you just need to go with it.
I think it’s exciting to shake things up a bit, but it’s important to make sure your visitors will know it’s you when they visit if you’ve made any significant changes. That would be my only word of “caution.”
Cool topic Donna.
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Hi Dana,
If we are not evolving I think we are in trouble lol. I have seen the changes you have done and it is amazing.
It sure is exciting to shake things up. And yes, as long as we tell everyone we are morphing into something, we are okay!
-Donna
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Twitter: marquitaherald
June 28, 2016 at 12:42 pm #
I couldn’t agree more with your point about rebranding as an ongoing process, I just tend to think of it as a natural evolution. I believe anyone who follows blogs online has stopped following one for no other reason that we find the same old stories, same old look and after awhile it all becomes boring. When I went through my major rebranding project I chose to just shutter my last blog and launch a new one, certainly not for the faint of heart. But to make the shift I wanted to it felt right at the time. And, you are correct, people did follow me. So far this year I’ve been making a lot of subtle changes and now it appears there are even more changes in the works – looks like my theme for 2016! Thanks for the inspiration Donna. 🙂
Hi Marquita,
I do remember changes of your blog along the way. And yes…I was there before and now. That shift was an excellent choice.
I love your blog because it IS inspirational and we all need that no matter what niche we are in. Those subtle changes are great….I’ve been doing them also. Kind of fine tuning lol.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: saraharrow
June 28, 2016 at 10:39 am #
Lol love the rebranded patio, and I even love lobster rolls. But I will not pay extra to sit outside and eat! I hope it works out for them in the long term but I can imagine it will be tough in the interim period.
I’m currently mid-rebrand myself, and pulling everything into alignment – it’s a huge process for established businesses like ours and restructuring the site and the content… well it’s a full time job 😀
I love your reassurance that we can change our domains and people will still follow, it’s what we bloggers do best!
Sarah Arrow recently posted..SEO for Coaches: Finding Clarity With Your Keywords
Hi Sarah,
Thanks…I do believe the restaurant’s rebranding will work for them. Kennebunkport Maine costs the big bucks to vacation in. The tourists won’t bat an eye at the prices. Of course, one doesn’t have to eat a $20 lobster roll to sit there. We can always get a drink instead.
But it is the going rate even if it is sold out of a truck. Many tourists come here from New York, Boston, and Montreal. The hotel rates are extremely high and so is everything else in tourist season.
I’m seeing how it is going with your re-branding and yes it is a full time job. David and I are doing our tweaking at this end.
Indeed, we can change our domains and people will still follow because bloggers are very tight knit.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: iSameerJoshi
June 28, 2016 at 8:09 am #
Hey Donna,
Awesome! I am currently undergoing a complete re-branding and re-positioning exercise myself and boom! – I see this post of yours, which couldn’t have come at a better time.
I can totally relate to so many of the things you have mentioned, such as change (and the fear of it), resistance (mostly inner resistance, by the way). Actually, it is the stories we constantly keep telling ourselves that hold us back, even after the decision to change has already been irreversibly made – either by, or for, us. Hopefully by us 🙂
The story about the local restaurant as part of your “offline” work is really relevant, too. I rebranded one of my businesses outside of the internet (in the physical, brick-and-mortar world) and pretty much exactly the same things apply to rebranding it as you have mentioned about what applies to rebranding a blog. I can totally confirm that.
2 things are key in a re-branding exercise, I have found:
1. To sense if (and when) the time has come to change and re-brand, and to get the frequency of this right. What I mean by frequency is that doing it too often will keep the blog or business owner managing mostly only the process of rebranding rather than getting enough time to really focus on the business, so re-branding should be a carefully-arrived-at decision (which is why I love your post’s title that this is a “drastic undertaking” and requires “serious thought” – because it does!)
2. And the second one is the resolve to go through the re-branding exercise without the slightest of doubt, as an unfinished or partially complete re-branding could be potentially fatal for the business due to the confusion it could cause.
Awesome post. Thank you, Donna!
Sameer
Sameer Joshi recently posted..Why A Blueprint Is Key For Success Online
Hi Sameer,
Thanks for these great additions to the conversation.
You mention that rebranding too frequently distracts you from running your business because you’re always busy rebranding it.
That’s a much bigger problem than a lot of people may understand.
I have clients that come to me to rebrand their blogs, we go through the process with lots of time and energy spent.
6 months later, they come back to me to help rebrand it again… and then again.
Having seen this so many times, I’m convinced that this is just a stalling mechanism… procrastination.
They often don’t really WANT to do the hard work of running a business, so they stay in their comfort zone which is to tear it down and build it again and keep going through the same, familiar exercises involved rather than moving forward.
I think it’s a bit like the college grad who lands a job he/she isn’t really thrilled with, and the 9 to 5, the commute, the boss’ attitude is all getting them down, so… they go back to school for an advanced degree, or continuing ed, or advanced workshop… anything to get them out of actually doing what they’ve been trained to do, and just keep getting more training to do what they may well never do at all.
Donna Merrill recently posted..Are You A Blogging Zombie?
Twitter: blogrankseo
June 28, 2016 at 7:35 am #
Hey Miss Donna’
I’m Back 😛 Hope You Great, Thanks For The Mind Blowing Article, I’m thinking of doing a rebrand and this Article came up in Google (Great SEO work!). I’m so nervous about it though because I’ve had my (blog) for almost six freaking years!!
Keep Sharing,
Have a Nice Day Ahead,
Muhammad Tabish recently posted..What Should You Know About Direct Sales Businesses?
Hi Muhammad,
Wow…This came up on Google? I just wrote it. Thanks so much for that feedback.
Rebranding will take some time, but your followers will be there as long as you explain the transition.
If you do it slowly and ease into it, there will be no problem.
I’ve followed many bloggers that have done the re-branding and I’m still there. My blog of so many years has gone through many changes. People are still here.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging
Twitter: kim_willis
June 28, 2016 at 5:32 am #
Hey Donna,
Great story on re-branding. But it’s also a story on customer training. Customers need to be trained – ‘this is the way we do things here’.
As you have demonstrated with the lobster story, if explained properly, customers will accept change. If it’s a good change, they’ll embrace it no problem.
Of course not all re-branding exercises are a success. Sometimes they flop big time. Years ago McDonalds attempted to re-position themselves by offering a much broader range of products, including pizza. Needless to say, the change was a big flop. All the promotion and education in the world about McDonalds pizza wasn’t going to change customer’s perception of their beloved hamburger chain.
For bloggers, tweaking the design here and there, or even a complete makeover, can help to keep their blogs fresh and interesting.
Thanks Donna
Kim
Kim Willis recently posted..14 Marketing Mistakes That Most Businesses Make
Hi Kim,
Indeed, You are right on the money. Customer training is a huge part when we are re-branding. Just like the lobster story, we, as customers of that particular restaurant are re-trained.
On the other hand, it can flop like McDonalds pizza did. It has to be tweaked slowly when we are bloggers…the design..etc here and there and then the re-branding can begin. Will it be successful? That would depend on how well the blogger will do it. It cannot be apples to oranges, but a slow progression.
Thanks for your wonderful input. I appreciate it.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Piggy Back Blogging