Comments on: Watch a First Time Reader Use Your Blog [DAY 17 31DBBB] http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/ Make Money Online Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:03:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Paramendra Bhagat http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-3/#comment-4767955 Paramendra Bhagat Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:08:21 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4767955 Solid tip I have not tried yet. Solid tip I have not tried yet.

]]> By: Anna Banana Kruchten http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-3/#comment-4702155 Anna Banana Kruchten Tue, 12 May 2009 17:56:43 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4702155 Darren Thanks so much for you invaluable tools on the 31 day blog challenge. I read day 16. Thought about it and used an experience I had as a broker last week and wrote a blog. It was a winner. Got my first gold star and I've received over 50 comments so far. Best ever! This stuff works if you do the right stuff! Anna Banana Darren

Thanks so much for you invaluable tools on the 31 day blog challenge. I read day 16. Thought about it and used an experience I had as a broker last week and wrote a blog.

It was a winner. Got my first gold star and I’ve received over 50 comments so far. Best ever!

This stuff works if you do the right stuff!

Anna Banana

]]> By: Amy http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4686193 Amy Mon, 04 May 2009 12:31:51 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4686193 This was a very interesting task. I got some great feedback, with the most suprising being that, along with the problem solving and advice I give on my blog, they wanted more real-life stories from me. I thought that was interesting as we always talk about our blogs being a service to others or add value to others. I guess there is a certain balance that is needed. I also need more pictures in my post. I completely agree with that and am currently dealing with technology limitations, but I will be doing that also. The feedback was mostly postive which was good. Also, the person who reviewed my blog decided to feature my blog on one of her post! Yay bonus! This was a very interesting task. I got some great feedback, with the most suprising being that, along with the problem solving and advice I give on my blog, they wanted more real-life stories from me. I thought that was interesting as we always talk about our blogs being a service to others or add value to others. I guess there is a certain balance that is needed. I also need more pictures in my post. I completely agree with that and am currently dealing with technology limitations, but I will be doing that also. The feedback was mostly postive which was good. Also, the person who reviewed my blog decided to feature my blog on one of her post! Yay bonus!

]]> By: ExcitedByLife http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4681513 ExcitedByLife Fri, 01 May 2009 11:16:12 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4681513 We found this task to be very useful and enjoyable. There is something satisfying when someone reviews your-baby and in anticipating the feedback, also sometimes we are too close to our work to see what is lacking. We chose not to watch the reviewer, mainly because people tend to behave differently when they are being watched. We also chose a friend to review our site since relatives can be overly-harsh - especially if you appear to spend more time on your blog than with them. <strong>Summary Of Comments</strong> site takes too long to load (we were unaware of this as our computer was caching web sites) relate stories more to daily life. Make it more personable domain name is easier to remember (excitedbylife.com) needs more color We found this task to be very useful and enjoyable. There is something satisfying when someone reviews your-baby and in anticipating the feedback, also sometimes we are too close to our work to see what is lacking.

We chose not to watch the reviewer, mainly because people tend to behave differently when they are being watched. We also chose a friend to review our site since relatives can be overly-harsh – especially if you appear to spend more time on your blog than with them.

Summary Of Comments

site takes too long to load (we were unaware of this as our computer was caching web sites)

relate stories more to daily life. Make it more personable

domain name is easier to remember (excitedbylife.com)

needs more color

]]> By: Steve http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4673844 Steve Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:31:02 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4673844 It was weird hearing a guy tell me I did not have enough information to lead people to read more of my articles. He commented that I should link more within the blogs. I had never thought that was a big deal but after this I guess I need to add more linking. Thanks for the article. It was weird hearing a guy tell me I did not have enough information to lead people to read more of my articles. He commented that I should link more within the blogs. I had never thought that was a big deal but after this I guess I need to add more linking. Thanks for the article.

]]> By: Marie http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4671602 Marie Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:06:27 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4671602 I had a few family member do this for me, but was uncertain if they were being truthful or just being kind. So, I decided to tweet about it and ask if anyone had he time, could they please just look at the website and give me honest feed back. A few people came through for me and I'm honored that they took their time to make suggestions. Great advice! Thanks for helping us to think outside the box. I had a few family member do this for me, but was uncertain if they were being truthful or just being kind.

So, I decided to tweet about it and ask if anyone had he time, could they please just look at the website and give me honest feed back.

A few people came through for me and I’m honored that they took their time to make suggestions.

Great advice! Thanks for helping us to think outside the box.

]]> By: Keith Jenkins http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4671008 Keith Jenkins Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:09:42 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4671008 Nope, I added the contact form to my blog just this afternoon, way after I received an e-mail from Stan. Stan must've gotten my address from the bottom of the 'About' page on my blog (it was tucked way way down on the page) - good job Stan in finding it! I replaced it with a contact page today. No worries. Stan, I'll reply to your e-mail separately. Cheers, Keith Nope, I added the contact form to my blog just this afternoon, way after I received an e-mail from Stan.

Stan must’ve gotten my address from the bottom of the ‘About’ page on my blog (it was tucked way way down on the page) – good job Stan in finding it! I replaced it with a contact page today.

No worries. Stan, I’ll reply to your e-mail separately.

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Stan Webb http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4670988 Stan Webb Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:44:33 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4670988 Keith Jenkins: Ooops, my inquiry to you was totally innocent. I had used the contact form on your page and I do not have your email address. The default address for our blog is 'Editor Access'. Yours truly Stan Webb Keith Jenkins:

Ooops, my inquiry to you was totally innocent.

I had used the contact form on your page and I do not have your email address. The default address for our blog is ‘Editor Access’.

Yours truly
Stan Webb

]]> By: Ark Lady http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4670854 Ark Lady Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:05:45 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4670854 I had two people give me feedback. Just saying something is nice doesn't quite help but check out this beauty (and BTW I changed my website over to a blog so it will make sense when you read part of it): * What were their first impressions? Interesting, informative and inviting. Nice clean presentation. The videos draw you in like you're on a Treasure Hunt. * What did they first think your blog was about when they arrived at it? No introduction, so I wasn't sure what to expect * Did they find it easy to read/navigate/understand? I wasn't sure if I had arrived at the Blog when I clicked on the Animal Blog link, until I scrolled down the page, as everything still looked the same as the site's landing page. I did this twice, from the Blog link at the top of the site and from a category on the right side. I thought I was still on the main web site Otherwise it was very easy to read, navigate through, and to understand. * What did they ‘feel’ when they first arrived at your blog? Easy and inviting, the colored type and photos add alot and the bullet points and references give great added value so that I would want to write this information down or forward it to friends. Oh I am a dummy and here I thought that it was just colored type and now I realize that those are hyperlinks. * What suggestions do they have on how you could improve your blog? Have the blog links take a person to an anchor where the actual blog begins so there's no confusion. Underline the hyperlinks for dummies who don't know better, or bold the hyperlink type. * What questions do they have having surfed your blog? No questions as you have listed action steps as well as resources on the Blog article I looked at. * What words would they use to describe the design? Clean attractive, easy on the eyes. Easy to read. * What are the main things that they remember about your blog 10 minutes later? What great information was there. * What suggestions do they have from a user perspective? Have a title at the top of each Blog entry that identifies this as the Ark Animals Blog. Just for clarity. I had two people give me feedback. Just saying something is nice doesn’t quite help but check out this beauty (and BTW I changed my website over to a blog so it will make sense when you read part of it):

* What were their first impressions?

Interesting, informative and inviting. Nice clean presentation. The videos draw you in like you’re on a Treasure Hunt.

* What did they first think your blog was about when they arrived at it?

No introduction, so I wasn’t sure what to expect

* Did they find it easy to read/navigate/understand?

I wasn’t sure if I had arrived at the Blog when I clicked on the Animal Blog link, until I scrolled down the page, as everything still looked the same as the site’s landing page. I did this twice, from the Blog link at the top of the site and from a category on the right side. I thought I was still on the main web site
Otherwise it was very easy to read, navigate through, and to understand.

* What did they ‘feel’ when they first arrived at your blog?

Easy and inviting, the colored type and photos add alot and the bullet points and references give great added value so that I would want to write this information down or forward it to friends. Oh I am a dummy and here I thought that it was just colored type and now I realize that those are hyperlinks.

* What suggestions do they have on how you could improve your blog?

Have the blog links take a person to an anchor where the actual blog begins so there’s no confusion. Underline the hyperlinks for dummies who don’t know better, or bold the hyperlink type.

* What questions do they have having surfed your blog?

No questions as you have listed action steps as well as resources on the Blog article I looked at.

* What words would they use to describe the design?

Clean attractive, easy on the eyes. Easy to read.

* What are the main things that they remember about your blog 10 minutes later?

What great information was there.

* What suggestions do they have from a user perspective?

Have a title at the top of each Blog entry that identifies this as the Ark Animals Blog. Just for clarity.

]]> By: Elena http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4670683 Elena Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:32:48 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4670683 This is a great idea. It can be hard to find someone who is objective enough to give you feedback but it just takes patience to find the right person. You can't improve on insight if you only have one opinion. It's definitely next on my list. This is a great idea. It can be hard to find someone who is objective enough to give you feedback but it just takes patience to find the right person. You can’t improve on insight if you only have one opinion. It’s definitely next on my list.

]]> By: delicate flower http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4670451 delicate flower Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:39:23 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4670451 I just the review of my blog... I think my reviewer was probably not my typical reader and a tad put off by my sometimes risque posts.. which was good in that it gave me a different perspective. So, good feedback and then looking at others as I have in the last day or so w/ that same 'reviewer' eye has been helpful. I'd love additional feedback, maybe from more men? http://www.delicacies.wordpress.com my email: delicate54flower@yahoo.com I just the review of my blog… I think my reviewer was probably not my typical reader and a tad put off by my sometimes risque posts.. which was good in that it gave me a different perspective. So, good feedback and then looking at others as I have in the last day or so w/ that same ‘reviewer’ eye has been helpful.
I’d love additional feedback, maybe from more men?
http://www.delicacies.wordpress.com
my email: delicate54flower@yahoo.com

]]> By: Keith Jenkins http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4670017 Keith Jenkins Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:54:24 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4670017 I received an e-mail from a Stan Webb (whose comments are above) asking me to check his blog. He didn't mention where he got my e-mail address from and his e-mail address stated "Editor Access". I don't know what that is. Did anyone else receive such an e-mail? It could be completely innocent but thought I'd check first because I didn't release my e-mail address on this page. [<strong>Lara Says:</strong> You DO have a contact form on your blog, Keith... could that be it?] I received an e-mail from a Stan Webb (whose comments are above) asking me to check his blog. He didn’t mention where he got my e-mail address from and his e-mail address stated “Editor Access”. I don’t know what that is. Did anyone else receive such an e-mail? It could be completely innocent but thought I’d check first because I didn’t release my e-mail address on this page.

[Lara Says: You DO have a contact form on your blog, Keith... could that be it?]

]]> By: Nancy http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669869 Nancy Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:33:21 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669869 I would love any critiques for any of my blogs: http://www.abridescookbook.com/blog http://teachingsundayschool.blogspot.com http://onlinestoregivitup.blogspot.com I would love any critiques for any of my blogs:

http://www.abridescookbook.com/blog

http://teachingsundayschool.blogspot.com

http://onlinestoregivitup.blogspot.com

]]> By: Keith Jenkins http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669435 Keith Jenkins Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:14:38 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669435 Hi Darren, That's a fantastic idea! Will definitely try it out with some friends. Thanks again! Hi Darren,
That’s a fantastic idea! Will definitely try it out with some friends.
Thanks again!

]]> By: blog4movie http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669425 blog4movie Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:02:58 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669425 I have ever did it before, but the problem is sometimes my friends don't want to let me down, so they only say good things about my blog, so I start to ask some opinions from other people who I never meet before (by chat in internet etc), they can say anything that they want, but honestly sometimes I need more than two ears to hear their criticism :D, but it's okay, I will get used to for it :) I have ever did it before, but the problem is sometimes my friends don’t want to let me down, so they only say good things about my blog, so I start to ask some opinions from other people who I never meet before (by chat in internet etc), they can say anything that they want, but honestly sometimes I need more than two ears to hear their criticism :D, but it’s okay, I will get used to for it :)

]]> By: PShankar http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669374 PShankar Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:18:26 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669374 Excellent Information. I just started blogging for a month and I use google analytics and stat counter statistics to see how my visitors navigate around my blog. Excellent Information. I just started blogging for a month and I use google analytics and stat counter statistics to see how my visitors navigate around my blog.

]]> By: TammyQuitter http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669340 TammyQuitter Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:40:41 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669340 I think this is a great idea. Sometimes, you get so "enmeshed" in your own project that you just can't see it the way others do. UserTesting.com looks like a pretty cool (and affordable) service for this. You can also get paid to test websites. Anybody have any experience with them? I think this is a great idea. Sometimes, you get so “enmeshed” in your own project that you just can’t see it the way others do.

UserTesting.com looks like a pretty cool (and affordable) service for this. You can also get paid to test websites. Anybody have any experience with them?

]]> By: kern http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669294 kern Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:01:27 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669294 After reading this I solicited a fellow reader to help me. The points she made were eye opening! Thanks so much! Changes have been made, and if anyone wishes to look at the new site, please do and feel free to post. After reading this I solicited a fellow reader to help me. The points she made were eye opening! Thanks so much! Changes have been made, and if anyone wishes to look at the new site, please do and feel free to post.

]]> By: Sudeep http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4669081 Sudeep Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:52:01 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4669081 Thanks Dareen , It was gr8 idea that was provided in this article ... would be keeping that in mind Sudeep Thanks Dareen ,
It was gr8 idea that was provided in this article … would be keeping that in mind
Sudeep

]]> By: CGabriel http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/22/watch-a-first-time-reader-use-your-blog/comment-page-2/#comment-4668988 CGabriel Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:38:18 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=7200#comment-4668988 This should be a great exercise to try! The ideal group for me would be my extended family since they view blogs as something akin to medieval torture. They all know that I have a blog but wouldn't know the first thing about how to find it, what it's about...some folks just aren't into blogging, bloggers and blogs like everyone in this challenge. So, I'm getting this on here late in the game but I'd certainly welcome anyone to take a peek around <a href="http://blogharbor.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">Blog Harbor</a> and sharing a thought or three. And I'll be more than happy to peruse your blog. Christopher This should be a great exercise to try!

The ideal group for me would be my extended family since they view blogs as something akin to medieval torture. They all know that I have a blog but wouldn’t know the first thing about how to find it, what it’s about…some folks just aren’t into blogging, bloggers and blogs like everyone in this challenge.

So, I’m getting this on here late in the game but I’d certainly welcome anyone to take a peek around Blog Harbor and sharing a thought or three. And I’ll be more than happy to peruse your blog.

Christopher

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