26
How a Great Reputation Can Hurt Your Business
Perception is a great thing when you’re branding yourself. You want people to see you a certain way, and you need to convey what you can do at a glance.
What happens when that perception hurts you – even if it’s a good one?
We’re known for great designs and rocking content. We provide all the handholding people need. We’re flexible and friendly, and we embrace feedback. We’re also very good at our jobs, and we’re able to gently tell clients suggestions on what we feel is best for their goals.
In short, we have a long list of happy clients. So what could go wrong?
Revolution Magazine, unfortunately. It’s a great theme with the perfect solutions for many types of businesses, and it’s well built with clean coding. It’s adaptable and it offers a wealth of opportunities.
Too much of a good thing? We’re starting to think so.
For some time now, customers have been coming to us asking for a Men with Pens design. They want to look good and they want us. Fantastic. But they also often want a customized Revolution Magazine theme. Why? Because it works.
At first, that was fine. Then it became a problem.
Everyone wanted a Rev Mag theme – and why not? It has plenty of potential. But we know that differentiating is important for success. We know people can use other themes – there are a slew of great ones out there, and we have the skills to work with any WordPress theme clients choose.
“Is Rev Mag all you do?” Naomi from Itty Biz, the small business marketing expert, bluntly asked the question. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. You guys do kick-ass work. But it looks to me like Rev Mag is all you can do.”
Ouch. We love you too, but damn, girl… ouch.
Then she tossed in the kicker. “And if I think that, then how many potential customers thought the same thing – and walked away?”
Wake-up call. That undesired perception, that Rev Mag specialist image, hurts our business. And we didn’t even ask for that specialist title. We don’t promote Rev Mag specifically, we don’t push it… but the damage is done.
Our fault? Misbranding? Poor image? It’s hard to tell. We suggest themes to clients that meet their needs, and Rev Mag is often not our first choice. In fact, lately, we haven’t done any Rev Mag customizations at all (of course, we did others).
But we’ve customized one Rev Mag too many for people, and the perception now boxes us in.
Alright, that’s our problem. How does this relate to you?
Well, specializing is great, but make sure that clients know your specialty is not all you can do. If you want to earn different types of gigs, work on all sorts of projects, then you need to make it clear to customers that you’re flexible – and that you can adapt to their needs.
How are we going to correct the situation?
One, we’re writing this blog post to tell everyone we rock at customizing ANY WordPress theme.
Two, we’re overhauling our content over the next week to make sure our content reflects that.
Three, we’ll continue to suggest blog themes that meet our clients’ needs best – not just the ones they think might work best.
Of course, we’ll continue to offer Rev Mag customizations – because it truly is a good theme. The challenge is on us to make each Rev Mag theme we customize look different from the next.
We’ll meet that challenge easily – and with pleasure.
Help spread the word!
Welcome to our community. Kick back, put your feet up and join the discussion.
68 Responses - Leave your comments too!
Go ahead. Leave a Comment!
-
-
-
James is reading:
-
-
Taylor is reading:
-
-
Social Hookups
-
Good to hear you do more than Rev Mag, I was wondering the same thing Naomi was …
*But*, I love the theme you guys set up for me. And so do my readers. It’s Rev Mag, but that’s what my site really needed. No regrets! Thanks again –
Dave
Dave Navarro’s last blog post..5 Tips To Recharge Your Body And Mind Overnight
Heh. Glad I’m not the only one out there that was wondering about this.
I mean, I know you boys can do more than Rev Mag, and it is a great theme; but it looked like the Pen Men were exclusive to Rev Mag there for a while.
@ Dave – your site (and the rest the boys have done) looks great, and works for what you’re doing there. Definitely no regrets, I’d say.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..The Dangers of Success
Around New Year I also had to do a bunch of Rev Mag customizations. They turned out looking not-to-shabby, but I was tempted to just keep using it cos damn, that code is clean and easy to work with. I think realizing how much I wanted to use it here, there and everywhere made me step back a bit from it.
Maybe too much of a reaction, cos I haven’t used it too often since (the sites I slapped it on earlier are still rocking it, of course). I haven’t done so many mag-style sites since then, otherwise I’m sure I’d have used it more.
You guys do create great Rev Mag customizations.
Joel Falconer’s last blog post..Marketing Lessons from Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy
“Well, specializing is great, but make sure that clients know your specialty is not all you can do.”–Good point.
I think it does help to have a specialty and be well known for it (which allows you to differentiate yourself), while still clearly being known for doing other things well, too (which allows you to not get too fenced in).
In this case, I bet the main reason so many of your customers want a Rev Mag theme done by the MWP is because the MWP site itself is Rev Mag and it looks really good and is doing really well. It does seem that once you guys launched your new site with Rev Mag that this theme became all the rage.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, or something like that.
Anyway, for MWP readers and potential customers out there, the Men With Pens customized a site for me that I think looks really good–and it WASN’T on Rev Mag. It’s on Rev Pro Business. Check my site out for a clear example of what James and Harry can do beyond Rev Mag.
I’m lovin’ it.
Jesse Hines’s last blog post..How to Become a More Clear and Concise Writer by Reading Road Signs
Balancing variation with creating a trademark look and feel that people can recognise and buy into is a tough game to play. I think you guys do it better than most!
Want my advice? (You’re getting it anyway!) Your headers and delicious RSS buttons are great — just apply those to a growing portfolio of themes (and perhaps some of your own) and I think you’ll maintain that unique look that has people scrambling for your contact form, whilst creating a more diverse range of work at the same time.
As the adapted ‘car we drive’ adage goes:
“We are not the themes we customise.”
Nick Cernis’s last blog post..The Challenge: Read One Book a Week
Nick makes a good point. MwP banners and RSS buttons are top-notch. Keep those flowing out over a variety of themes and the problem is solved.
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..The Dangers of Success
Like everyone here, I like the Revolution stable – I just updated my site using Revolution (not Mag) and I’ll join the happy chorus of Rev converts.
You’re worried about too much of a good thing? Fair enough. Sounds like your strategy to remedy things is a sound one – good luck.
Oh boy, Thisis the very thing had held me back from jumping for the last two months. I didn’t know how to discribe what I did want, but I did know what I didn’t want and it was that Revolution Magazine look. Being concerned that this is what PenMen sites all looked like I was looking for something else to bring to you to show you. ( I was pretty sure Harry could figure it out if I could explain it)
Luckily after a chat, I found out that the perception was wrong and that Harry is all sorts of amazing so on we go!
If you had some examples of sites that you have done (Shrunken- a bunch on a page-) that showed a lot of diversatility I think you could knock that out.
The main thing is, I STILL wanted to work with you and was willing to find a way to get around that issue.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Taking Time for Time Out.
I’m shocked so many folks want Rev Mag. I find the design confusing. Honestly, if I didn’t love you guys so much I probably wouldn’t visit your blog. It is fine if I visit daily and only want the newest post of the day. But when I want to see yesterday’s post? It is always like a big hunt. Probably my dyslexia.
Anyway… I do hear your bigger point. I have branded myself in the past year as the law firm blogger. Previously, lawyers called me up and said, “I hear you’re the chick who can do anything.” Now the call and say “I hear you’re the best personal injury blogger there is.” (Lately, many of my clients’ blogs are personal injury.) I am not displeased with this, but I do see how I’ve let my good work for certain big mouths who love me paint me into a hole. It isn’t a bad hole, but if I ever decide to go back to writing corporate bankruptcy, I might have a harder time.
Amy’s last blog post..Can You Write Away the Block? How About the Burnout?
I loved this post, because it argues against that “specialize, specialize, specialize” advice writers are always given. (And that I never want to follow.)
I’m a kick-ass speechwriter, but that’s certainly not all I can do. Just the other day someone I’ve known a long time told me he hadn’t thought of me for a particular kind of assignment because “that’s not what you do, is it?”
Good writers are good writers; they’re flexible. And if they’ve been at it for a while, there’s probably not much they haven’t done sucessfully. Thanks for making the point.
See, you guys proved our point – more than three of you who are close peers, colleagues and friends who *know* what we can do still held the perception that we’re Rev Mag specialists.
(WHY DIDN’T YOU PEOPLE TELL US SOONER??! aRRgh!)
And Wendi proved that specialization can cause hesitation (glad you stuck with us – you chose a beautiful theme to work with.)
We are overhauling most of our content and site to clearly convey what we do (yes, people, we are WRITERS, too!!) and possibly showcasing screenshots of sites we’ve worked on.
That is, if the bloggers ever freakin’ launch their blog live…
The funny thing? On “Our Clients” page, only two of those banners went to a Rev Mag site.
@ Nick – Your advice (unsolicited or requested) is always appreciated. I agree that “trademark” elements do make a Men with Pens design recognizeable (like our funky RSS buttons), and using those on a wide variety of themes is important.
James,
Well… you’ve already heard that Naomi wasn’t alone. I never found a conversation that worked into politely, but Naomi probably doesn’t wait for appropriate interludes. I was worried for your brand perception, though (“the Rev Mag customizing guys”), ’cause that’s what I worry about for a living (other people’s, not yours).
I like MWP/Rev Mag in some ways: very slick, very “guy,” very different from the standard. Design-wise, I like, and you can extend that to other Rev Mags around. But like Amy, I do miss conventions that make navigating blogs more auto-pilot, so I can focus on content and not on “where’d they put that darn thing?”
Branding-wise, one other issue is that when there were fewer, Rev Mag meant YOU to me (sorry, Brian): cocky, confident, you’ll find your way around because you know you want to. Now with more Rev Mags in the classy MWP style, you don’t own it as much here at MWP.
You do have a great reputation. Grab the steering wheel and check your course, you’ll have your direction back in no time.
It took brass ones to write this, BTW. As always, I’m impressed.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Steal Dave Balter’s Secret!
Amy,
You just described my issues with it, and I thought it was my dyslexia too. So maybe thats it. Maybe its fine for others but for me its crowded and confusing to find anything. That explains why its popular for the majority.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Taking Time for Time Out.
Good way to correct a misperception!
I have to confess, like the others I also wondered about this. I didn’t think that Revolution was all that you could do, but I did wonder if it might be all that you preferred to do.
In fact (while I’m confessing), I was briefly worried that if I turned to you, then you might try to persuade me to use the Revolution theme over any other theme. Nice to find out that your business is not boxed into modifying just one theme! (Even though we’ve discussed other themes.)
I think that this is a good wake-up call to all of us to remember that what our customers don’t tell us can be just as important as what they do tell us.
Laura Spencer’s last blog post..How to Get More Business out of Your Business Blog
@ Kelly – We figured that from every negative, there comes a positive and a lesson to share. Since our focus is on helping others have a better business, it would be remiss of us to not point out mistakes to avoid.
Not that the situation is a mistake on our part. That’s the kicker. It wasn’t a situation we created (we think), but simply a perception that developed that we need to correct.
And what better way to correct it than tell people exactly, bluntly, directly and openly, what we can do?
The conversation with Naomi brought up a bunch of perception pointers that we’ll be blogging about over the next few days. Worthwhile lessons all around.
@ Laura – Very good point. It’s like I always say to clients when requesting their feedback: Please be as honest as possible; we can’t improve if we don’t know what we need to work on.
All confessions are welcome, by the way. Do you have an interesting ones that involve parish priests and pent-up desires? Those would be intriguing…
It’s interesting. When I decided to change themes, I really liked yours, but I didn’t want to be a copycat, so I chose Revolution Tech 2.0 instead and liked it. Unfortunately, version 3.0 got rid of a couple of the more distinctive features (while adding other good ones), so now my site looks more like yours than I had originally intended. Thats the way it goes I guess.
John Hewitt’s last blog post..Six Suggestions for Sustainable Writing: Inspiration from Frank Herbert’s Dune
@ John – The bigger question may be… does it *work*?
One thought is that because we all run in the same circles, we may tend to see a particular theme more than others. In truth, there really aren’t that many Rev Mag themes in use out there across the billions of sites. We do see it more in our niche because it responds well to our needs.
I guess one size doesn’t fit all. The layout should be a servant to the unique site and not the other way around.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..Being Happy for Others Makes You Happy
Not a serious suggestion, but you could always raise the price of a theme every time you do a new one of that type. I mean, an evil economist would say that’s the logical response to rising demand for a particular theme, right?
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Free Ebook: Memoirs Of A Gaijin
For what it’s worth, I just thought that bloggers are going through a “Rev mag” phase (remember when everyone had to have a version of Cutline? Or the Copyblogger theme?) and you guys were going where the market was at the moment. (Although having played around with Gardner’s Downtown Java theme on my previous blog, I will admit his code is beautiful.)
FWIW, I think newbie bloggers are always going to be highly imitative at first, and part of that emulation is going to be “I want a blog that looks just like all the blogs I admire!”
In short, I didn’t think of it as a branding problem on your part. I figured you were tapping a particularly bountiful income stream.
I like what Bamboo said:
“The layout should be a servant to the unique site and not the other way around.”
That’s a post topic right there–choosing site designs after we’ve decided on the site’s purpose, rather than choosing a cool-looking style because it looks good.
Jesse Hines’s last blog post..How to Become a More Clear and Concise Writer by Reading Road Signs
@ Jesse – One of our key customer service points is to ask people what their needs are FIRST and if we feel they’re choosing something simply on looks or what everyone else is doing but not fitting the theme to their needs, we talk them out of it. Gently.
And they *always* thank us for it.
James,
I can vouch for that. You guys are pretty direct (while still being gentle) when you think your client is heading in the wrong direction.
It may be a little jarring at first, but as you say, it’s probably usually received with thanks, especially after some real thought on the matter.
When I worked with you guys, there were a couple of instances where I had an idea but you and Harry pretty clearly told me that I should do something else–respectfully of course–and, truth is, you guys were right.
And I still thank you for it.
Jesse Hines’s last blog post..How to Become a More Clear and Concise Writer by Reading Road Signs
Oh, I know how you feel. We got stuck into a Joomla loop for a long time. I think it’s a good cms, but got burnt out and frustrated with it. It’s probably taken a solid 2 years to start moving away from it and get clients into other things.
I think doing theme customizations is ok and we also do it sometimes, but I really prefer working with clients from the ground up. I think that all businesses and blogs are unique and it’s really hard to reflect that when everyone is looking the same. True that not everyone has the budget for that though.
Naomi Niles’s last blog post..Featured in ?100 Awesome Webmaster Blogs by and for Women?
Good comments today, folks.
I have to say that the most difficult part of our job is talking people out of designs that won’t work for them.
Like Kat said, newbie bloggers don’t always know what they want right off the bat, and even some seasoned bloggers still don’t know. They only see what works for everyone else and they think that would work for them too.
Back when James and I were newbies, we were almost the same way. We looked at a lot of sites before we settled on this one. It’s a painstaking process of ignoring the cosmetics and digging deep to figure out the function beneath it all.
Sometimes it’s a matter of taking the best elements from a bunch of different themes and combining them into one. I’ve always told James, “Take what you can use and toss the rest.”
That’s how truly innovative designs evolve.
Harry I agree with you on innovating designs and with your comments on what people perceive will work for them.
The process of working to discover the best solution, at this time, for each and every client is, I think, where its at. Define functions and then define form.
The great thing is that designing and developing websites is an iterative process. You publish something see how it works for a while and then revisit the drawing board–repeat.
Bert Mahoney’s last blog post..Happy 3rd Birthday
@ James
Does it work?
The people seem to love it. It looks much more professional. That’s the plus side. The minus side is that the older, uglier, less professional looking site generated about 25% more click-throughs on my ads, so revenue is down. Pluses and minuses.
John Hewitt’s last blog post..06/26/2008 Writing Jobs and Links
Sorry James, I’m not Catholic.
Laura Spencer’s last blog post..Should Business Bloggers Be Restricted In Their Use of Quotes?
My comment is this: if your hopper is full of clients waiting for a Rev Mag makeover, how can that be hurting your business? It might not be the perception you have of your own company, but it’s the perception of your clients that counts. Perhaps you stumbled upon a niche without realizing it, so why not work that niche?
Of course if the hopper isn’t full, then perception may be a problem. But otherwise, why worry?
(Besides, it is a pretty cool design…)
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post..Are You Being Wronged? Using Passive Voice to Get Results
Looks like you redeemed yourself with the awesome, kickass re-design of FWJ.
Thanks guys, you rock!
@ Graham – We certainly aren’t worrying about work, don’t get us wrong. But I think that sustainable, long-term, down-the-line thinking is crucial to any business. I don’t foresee us running out of projects in the least – but we do want to make sure that people *do* see us as the go-to guys (not to be confused with go-go guys) for all their needs. That’s just smart business.
@ John – The drawback of a sleek design is a savvier audience – good if you have a business gateway blog, bad if all you want is click-throughs, perhaps. Not sure about what makes people click Adsense or not, and I’m still figuring that one out. Strange, strange world.
@ Laura – Hm. Do they have alter boys in other religions?
@ Harry – That was a fantastic comment. Worth noting.
@ Brett – See, there’s an issue that I object to. Reinventing the wheel is great – reinventing your design every six months is unnecessary workload and effort. A good blog design should be sustainable despite the trends and always look good, period. It shouldn’t have to be continually redone, which ends up showing a lack of consistency. I think there are other ways to showcase design than always slaving over trying to overhaul your blog. Do it once, make it good, make it last. Save time and money.
@ Deb – Your design just looks sweet. Even I have to admit it. What was great about your project was that we suggested something, put it together and then WE said, “No. This isn’t it. Start over.” The results are spectacular and we’re glad you trusted our judgment.
Deb’s site does look great, so kudos to you on that. I have found the Sandbox theme to be a great “blank canvas.” It is the basis of Remarkablogger and Gateway Blogging.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..3 Time Bomb Tips for Business Blogging You Must Know
I just checked out Deb’s design. And, I agree. It does look nifty. A very clean look.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..Being Happy for Others Makes You Happy
Hi James,
True enough about the long-term business planning. But I think your reaction right now might be more about the surprise of how your clients perceive you. I think this in itself is an important lesson!
And yes, I can certainly see how being perceived as the “go-go guys” could hurt your business. I tried go-go dancing 15 years ago, and it wasn’t pretty then. (I vaguely remember be escorted to the door, actually…)
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post..Are You Being Wronged? Using Passive Voice to Get Results
You guys did a great job on Deb’s layout – it looks awesome!
Chad’s last blog post..The Freelance Writer’s 5 Laws of Attraction
* James
I actually thing the problem is clear. Ads were on the left before (a “hot spot) and blended with the navigation. They are on the right now (not as hot), and aren’t really a part of the navigtation anymore. The problem is clear, but the solution is not so obvious. I can’t really move them to their old location, at least not easily, and the other “Hot Spots” that google identiefies don’t really work for the format.
John Hewitt’s last blog post..06/26/2008 Writing Jobs and Links
Add me to the “Is that all they do?” list. Good to hear Rev isn’t the only tool in the box.
Rob in Denver’s last blog post..Recently overheard in my house
Graham,
Here’s the thing about being seen as Rev Mag customizers: what happens when Rev Mag is “out”? Or overdone? How many people here today mentioned thinking of MWP, and reconsidering, based on believing it was all they like to work with? Where do the incredible writing skills of the Men go, in becoming “the guys who do cool things with Rev Mag-based blog design”?
Focus is an excellent thing. Being known as a one-trick pony isn’t. Being defined by your audience differently from your intentions is a first sign of trouble. The Men will have that perception tweaked in no time.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Steal Dave Balter’s Secret!
Do you guys think it might depend on the business, too, regarding this type of honing in on a niche? I freelance edit and I’ve never specified what, thinking that would keep things interesting for me. Instead, it’s made me quite miserable: I end up working on a lot of stuff I really don’t enjoy. When talking to Naomi about this, and when I decided I wanted to edit only fiction (rather than all the academic stuff I tend to get) she suggested “laser” targeting a group: not just fiction, but a very specific kind of fiction, say first-time Harlequin romance writers (just kidding). If I have some great marketing and all that, editing only one very specific type of thing I see a need for should work. (I trust Naomi. It will work.)
I guess the thing is, I actually want to be very specialized. I do write, and I can advertise that, too, but again, I want to write only certain things, like blog posts of wannabe probloggers from India (just kidding. These are Naomi playing around!). If you don’t want to be limited and you do other things, yes, make sure you don’t focus too much on one thing, which I think Naomi was bringing out because she knows you do more. At the same time, I don’t see much of a problem, if you’re successful at it and *you’re advertising your other stuff well,* with specializing in something.
Ugh, did this make sense?
steph’s last blog post..Working on It
Kelly: but MWP advertise all their other stuff! Maybe this blinders-on thing, this “we thought you only did this” was a result of not actually taking the time to check out what else they offer? Nowhere does it say Revolution is all they do. Even if their mistake is doing a bit too much of it (even if it’s what clients want and it’s en vogue now and when it’s not, MWP will have a repeat client), the fact remains, I think, that if you advertise well what all you do, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. No?
I hope I’m not being too ignorant here. I don’t actually know anything about all this.
steph’s last blog post..Working on It
@ Steph – See, that’s the thing. It doesn’t matter what we did. The perception is there, and the onus is on us to break it.
Laser targeting is excellent – but how laser do you target? What happens when you become the girl who does harlequin, and no other romance writer wants you as an editor because they’re with Nuits Bleues Cult or Snatch Your Panties Publishing?
@James and Steph – There’s laser, and then there’s microscopic and overly-limiting. “Romance editor” might be too broad, but “Erotic Fantasy” might be just right.
When I think of all the sites MwP have done, the Rev-based themes are all that come to my mind, and I can see how this could be damaging. The more variety you get in that department, the faster that notion will disappear from our minds. You could always forgo customizing of anything extant and roll your own. I’m doing that currently with a client and it’s going to be one of the best designs I’ve ever done.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..3 Time Bomb Tips for Business Blogging You Must Know
ROFLOL Snatch Your Panties Publishing.
Steph,
I know, there’s plenty of other evidence around here. Perception is a tricky thing that way.
You can’t make it the client’s job to investigate you enough to understand you, because potential clients are busy folks. They aren’t going to do that work. They have to understand how you help them, or they’re on to something (someone) else who seems to suit their needs. Being too scattered is confusing, but so is being too pinpointed.
Later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Steal Dave Balter’s Secret!
@ Michael – Never mind Laura and the priests… do YOU have any interesting revelations to make?
@James – Absolutely NONE.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..3 Time Bomb Tips for Business Blogging You Must Know
Finally, my genius is recognized.
A couple of things:
1. I would like to add here that I said “one trick pony”. I think that is a far more interesting turn of phrase.
2. Vindication is wonderful.
3. Thanks for the love, etc.
Naomi Dunford’s last blog post..Random Home Business Thoughts – Who is DINHO?
Um, Snatch Your Panties? Really?
And I thought this was such a reputable publication.
Naomi Dunford’s last blog post..Random Home Business Thoughts – Who is DINHO?
@Naomi – Was.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..3 Time Bomb Tips for Business Blogging You Must Know
@ Naomi – I’ll second Michael. We were doing JUST FINE THANK YOU until you came along.
And I’ll admit. I edited out a LOT of the “What the fuck is wrong with you? Is that all you can do? Jesus, James!” to make you sound really nice and sweet.
Oops.
@James: AHAHAHA!
@James and Michael: Thanks for the tips, guys! I guess the trick will be discovering just how far I can go and when to pull back when targeting (Er, which in itself sounds like erotica writing…) Because if I *were* in the romance biz, I would NOT want to miss out on Snatch Your Panties!
Luckily, I know just the person to help: she’s brutally honest, incredibly talented, and often shirtless to boot!
steph’s last blog post..Working on It
@ Steph – The domain’s free and up for sale at In Motion… I highly suggest you buy that and do a little laser targeting.
Hell, even I’d work with an editing house called that.
I have the same issues with the design/navigation as Amy and Wendi. Which is why, sadly, I have never actually read anything posted before I started reading MwP.
I’m also one of the people who thought that Rev Mag was all you do… mainly because most of the blogs that you have done that I read (Brett’s, Dave’s, etc.) are in that style. So from the point of view of just looking at the ones I read and not actually going through your portfolio, that’s the impression I get.
(Along those same lines of “Is that all you do…?”, guess what? I don’t actually eat sushi for every meal, and I do cook food aside from sushi!
)
Allison’s last blog post..Pepper Tuna Roll
Even though I knew you did other things, every customization I saw by you was RevMag. However, I look forward to seeing others. Your banner design service rocks, too (everyone, check out the cool banner Harry did for my site).
Sharon Hurley Hall’s last blog post..Balancing Writing Jobs
Hi James,
There’s no doubting Brian Gardner’s talent, and although I’ve not worked with his Revolution theme, I did use his Vertigo theme for quite a few months when I started out.
Thanks very much for your recent comment on my blog. Much appreciated.
David Airey’s last blog post..The value of trustworthy subcontractors
Why don’t you just ask the people whose blogs you’ve customized for permission to cite them as examples of all the different work you’ve done (you can cite them under your “Guns for Hire” section or in right-hand-column)? Also, the drive-by you did this past Sunday says they cost $30.00, while under your “Guns for Hire”, “Our Web Design” section it says they cost $25.00.
Marelisa’s last blog post..Creating Your Dream Life: Your Thinking Style
My wife asked me this question a while back – shortly after Cath Lawson’s site you guys designed.
She asked me if this was the “only template you guys did.” I of course knew you did much more and corrected her, but she’s a good example of someone (back then) who didn’t know much about you guys and this was her perception.
I think you hit on a big point, James, in your comment above. In reality, you guys haven’t designed all that many Rev Mag templates out there as compared to the billions of other templates being used online.
I think like you said, showcasing some of your work will really help. Just make sure it’s clear to us here on your blog post’s pages.
Since we’re talking about design, if I can be honest, I tend to agree with Amy in that I find this template to be a bit hard to navigate at times. To me, “Guns For Hire” goes with the theme you’re trying to push but maybe it’s too clever and not clear enough.
But hey, I guess I’ll comment on that stuff after you do your rework (if you’ll be asking, that is).
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..How To Buy A House Like A Real Estate Investor: Part 8 – Good Terms vs. Low Price
James: Snatch Your Panties is available? It DOES seem the good Catholic girl thing to do…
steph’s last blog post..Freedom Fighter
@ John – The other problem that comes to mind is that showcasing our designs so heavily ends up misbranding us as a design business only. It’s to walk the fine line that we offer both – good looks and a great read – that becomes touchy.
Guns for Hire stays, bro
Sorry.
@ Marelisa – Our clients are featured on our clients page, so starting to list them in side bars becomes redundant. We do have some other stuff we’re going to do, though.
Thanks for picking up the pricing error. Corrected.
@ David – Brian’s talent is pretty clear, definitely. His coding is what I cut my teeth on, so I thank him for being so careful with it. Compared to a few messy coding jobs we’ve seen, he makes it look easy.
Good to see you here, by the way. I’m honored.
@ Sharon – We’ve only actually done four in our life – two for clients, two for us (and if I’m forgetting any, my apologies). Heh. See?
@ Allison – I don’t believe you. All you eat is Sushi. All you can cook is Sushi!! Sushi sushi!
On a side note, everyone, we’re not saying we’re some extreme failure case. (Just in case y’all were worried.) Quite the opposite. The perception issue isn’t a major failing and can be seen as a plus in many ways. We’re not panicking or rushing out to rip down our design. (It stays. Sorry everyone.)
But it definitely is cool to hear everyone’s honest feedback. Always a plus and this post is definitely turning out to be a good one. New faces, great comments, nice discussion, a little philosophizing and problem solving… love it.
Keep in mind, though, that the point of the post is to have people learn from our mistakes. Take a look in the mirror. Think about how people might be perceiving you. Is it what you want? Is it different than what it should be? Then take steps to correct it.
@ Steph – I kid you not. Girl. That’s one damned catchy name for a romance writer/editor.
“Whatcha reading?”
“Oh, the latest Snatch your Panties.”
“Oooh really? Those are really hot… I have their last one. It’s a real page turner.”
I can see it. Seriously.
@James – Ahem. I mean, damn you Pen Man, you discovered my secret! And since my whole life revolves around sushi, I don’t think I can be friends with anyone who doesn’t like sushi. Although I’ll make an exception for you, James.
You silly, silly Pen Men.
Allison’s last blog post..Pepper Tuna Roll
I’m looking forward to what you guys come up with.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..How To Buy A House Like A Real Estate Investor: Part 8 – Good Terms vs. Low Price
@Allison: Hey! I like sushi!
@Harry – Which is why I can most certainly be friends with you! We just have to do something about the other half of the Pen Men. Although you are still a silly Pen Man. There’s no getting out of that one.
Allison’s last blog post..Pepper Tuna Roll
Oh gosh! Trust Naomi to be the one to come out and say it. But clearly a good number of us were thinking it – including me.
You gotta be grateful for people like Naomi who tell it like it is.
Equally, and as others have already said, bravo for taking that on board and tackling the misconception head-on. For what it’s worth you’ve made me rethink my assumptions about the Pen Men’s design services.
Rebecca Leigh’s last blog post..Mix it up for fun and inspiration
Stereotype designers they have made you guys…
Kind of a problem many actors face to my mind.. they do a good role and then get stereotyped in to doing it… from experimental they become the formula…
I guess what we need to do is constantly keep track of what we are doing.. step aside each month to see what we ahve done over the past few weeks and see if we are becoming repetitive in what we do.. think of ways to break the mould if we are set in one…
I guess that’s what it all boils down to.. being constantly aware of what one is doing…