Phillip Lenssen's post on applying lessons from Scott Ginsberg's The Power of Approachability is excellent reading. His list of lessons includes:
- Make your site’s first impression UNFORGETTABLE™
- Turn your inbox into a front-porch
- Capability of being reached
- Avoid communication barriers like full hands
- Powerful Smile
- Always have your business card with you
- Discover the CPI (Common Point of Interest)
My favorite among these pieces was from the "Powerful Smile" section. It's such an easy piece to integrate with a site and it goes a long way:
I’m sure this is one of the most-given advice, and easiest “social tools” to implement for anyone. A smile is the best indicator to others that you are approachable and ready to engage in a conversation. But just how do you make a website smile? (Except of course by using light and friendly colors.) Well, put up a picture of you somewhere in which you’re smiling.
I'm going to have to make that a part of the new SEOmoz site - Jim Boykin's done a great job with his photo. It's ironic that Scott's book cover looks so depressingly like a bad '80's movie.
Robert - Very true. I'll make sure to have at least 4 smiling faces on the front of the new site :)
As for someone who isnt extremely photogenic I may need to hire a model to stand in for me!!
Is that the same??
I do agree about trying to respond to all emails, even it is a short response it gives the customer a feeling they are not being ignored (this does not mean auto-responders!)
There are pros and cons to 'the face' -
Jim Boykin's site does make him seem approachable. It also makes the site lean a bit to the kitschy side, and gives the impression it's run by one guy. Which it probably is (so no harm, no foul, right?).
But it might be a mistake to try to build a reputable company/site around that. A better idea might be to swallow one's own ego and push the smiling faces of the heads of your different functions - still gets the smiling faces out there, but makes the company appear more like a company, less like a one-man band.