I understand your position all to well because it is my natural inclination too. It’s so much easier to promote others than it is to promote yourself. Amy has prodded me about my call to action and I’ve followed her recommendations in a way that fits me. The results are amazing. I wouldn’t expect you to have a “buy now” CTA, but you are doing your visitors a disservice by not having a “subscribe to my blog” one. Your posts are always educational and insightful. But, if someone lands on your “About Me” page, they may not realize that they will miss something special if they don’t subscribe.

Well Amy on the subject of being a bad dog ~ I wouldn’t quite say subliminal, however both my blog and our company website are for reinforcement rather then initial attraction. Maybe you can call it subliminal, as there IS a very “designed” focus and “method to my madness” which embellishes much of my Personal Branding through the years and my current positioning.

Our design clients are ALL referral or have seen something we have designed/built. Maybe I should change this and be more aggressive with a “buy now” yet this is not really in character (my Design partner even less then I). I have been pleased with our modus operandi; because when potential clients contact us for our design services they are in essence already sold on us (INCLINEDESIGN). So our sales and marketing efforts become focused on selling a specific design to a client after we have collaborated extensively and already been retained.

Our corporate consulting opportunities happen (and have happened for 15+ years) much the same way. Current situation is an example; I raised funds & mentored the CEO over 10 years ago. I get lured into the corporate space on account of long standing relationships.

I know you and I do things very differently, yet the absence of an “OVERT” call to action was intentional. That said you may approve of my 15 second pitch (handwritten) which I posted on “dedicated to the elevator pitch” ~ Thanks for your on going comments and conversation on twitter, all greatly appreciated.

@Hacool ~Heidi, I would love you to imitate! It wouldn’t really be an imitation, as it would come out quite individually you. I am visualizing your spectacular wildlife images, each one representing a letter in your name. Socool, no Hacool ~ Go for it

@GetResults ~ John, I was really moved by your comment as I realized you had understood exactly how very difficult this was for me. In writing a post like this, I absolutely didn’t want to go on an ego trip, hard not to when it is About me. I was motivated to give more than just a superficial view and to give real insight into what makes me tick!

ON #brandchat @Brad42Fish (commented) “Overall, I like. But one thing stuck out to me: you have two taglines. They’re both good. Pick one.”

I’ll answer Brad’s comment here (I need more then 140)

You are so right ~ point well taken. Well, just like I instruct clients not to do, I have fallen in love with both of them and though I am usually decisive to a fault, I really am in a state of ‘analysis paralysis’ about this Both good you say, but which one is better? I had it well justified until now (I’m good at marketing to myself as well;-) justified that I should keep both, as I convince myself INCLINED TO DESIGN is like COKE and BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN PEOPLE is the tag line … THINGS GO BETTER WITH COKE.

INCLINED TO DESIGN is a shorter better headline, as far as headlines go and came first. BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN PEOPLE ~ DESIGNING SUCCESS, came second and is perhaps more all-encompassing and descriptive of my role in life, especially my careers life.

Should it be FORM or FUNCTION? Or should it just be DESIGNING SUCCESS?