If you’ve ever seen a rocket pre-launch cycle for NASA shuttles, then you’re in for a surprising treat. The energy, the anticipation, is overwhelming to anyone watching. Really, the multitude of technicians running last minute diagnostics are just listing off every detail that needs approval before the launch. “Power, check. Systems, check. Fuel, check”. All the different systems and sub-systems get a last good look through before we hear the glorious words, “Ready for liftoff”. This week I am feeling that energy for my new blog. Last week, I blogged about LexBlog handing me the keys to my very own blog. Just like a teenager with a new car, I was ready to take my new blog for a spin. However, while I was ready to jump in and go, I was surprised to find that I needed to go through a pre-launch cycle of my own.

I was given the same product as any basic customer and offered the same materials. The website comes a bit “pre-built” meaning, the website has a few pages waiting to be filled in with my original content. While I’ve used other blog builders before, what I liked was how LexBlog approached the blank pages. Instead of blank, each page had how-to guides for changing, removing, and adding content. They had links to process documents and contact info for more help if needed. I spent a few hours quickly reading through the steps and changing things as I went. In an afternoon, I had a full functional website with logos, images, content, and even a comprehensive disclaimer (nice to have). I even was able to pick a domain name of my own. Instead of having my website name with “wordpress” or “blogger” in the middle of the URL, I was able to have my own! 

So far, I have yet to come across any deal breaking issues. I did want to add a custom font of my own, but was unable to embed it. Granted, I have never had a SaaS (software as a service) let me; that wasn’t anything new. I also found that I had to google definitions for many things. I’m not new to SaaS website builders having done primary research and my thesis on them, but I am definitely new to this level of control. Most SaaS won’t let you change as much as LexBlog lets me. It made me feel like this was my first time around the block, but really, you get more than most when it comes to LexBlog.

I decided that I would take this week and really polish the website. I also just started twitter this last week and wanted to make sure that the website could easily add social media buttons. (It can). I really wanted the blog to be able to shine on LinkedIn and again, it can. I am just about ready to start blogging and building my network of knowledge professionals. Before I jump in, I’ll need to make sure I have my pre-check in order. I’ll need to make sure I have checked for random unwanted content, correct contact info, and all the little widgets in place. Normally, I can hear these conversations in the office. The Success Team does a ridiculous amount of work getting blogs ready for launch.

If anything, I really hope to add value to the cannon of Rhetoric, but also, to help those who may not be aware of the daily implications. I’m not quite sure what a blog will do for my career, but I have met with several attorneys that claim that their career is built by owning a blog. For them, they need to show that they are a real knowledgeable human being with something to offer. Instead of “fake it until you make it”, they are more in-line with “make it, until you make it”. In other words, make valuable content and they will come. I’m excited to see what attention my blog will bring.

So here’s the plug. My new blog is scheduled to launch next Monday, February 25th, 2019 with my first post covering pseudotransactionality in the work place. Each Monday, I hope to cover a piece of Rhetoric theory and, each Friday, I plan on writing about the practical implications. You can find the blog at everydayrhetoric.com or just email me at cgrim@lexblog.com. 

Thank you to the wonderful people at LexBlog that have helped me to start my blog. I would have never imagined to have something so cool and energizing. I am very grateful for the opportunity.