Ok I want to try something different with the next #Blogchat. I seriously do appreciate all of you that make #Blogchat so amazing each week, so I’m constantly trying to figure out ways that we can leverage the power of #Blogchat so that its regular participants can benefit.
So what I want to try is this: With the next #Blogchat, I want to have us all review and advise three different people on their blogs. What we’ll do is each 20 mins we’ll all examine a different blog and give the blogger ideas and advice on how they can improve their efforts. And ideally, I’d like to start doing this once a month, on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
So if you’ve just launched your blog, and maybe you want some feedback on the visual look of it, we could help you! Or if you want some advice on the type of content you are creating, etc, let us know! If you want your blog to be considered for one of the THREE review slots at the next #Blogchat then leave a comment to this post giving us the URL of your blog, and exactly what you are concerned with and the areas you want feedback on. If you want to know what everyone thinks of the information on your sidebars, let us know that. If you want to know what you should be writing about, tell us who you are trying to connect with. If you want feedback on your post titles, let us know.
What I’ll do is pick 5 or so finalists, and set it up so everyone can vote on them this weekend, and the Top 3 will be selected for our #Blogchat review blogs! How does that sound? And I’ll have a blog post up on Sunday announcing the winners and reminding everyone of what their blogs are, and how we can help them in our reviews. Then at next Sunday’s #Blogchat, we’ll review a new blog every 20 mins!
How does that sound to everyone? I see this as a way for us to harness the power of the #Blogchat community to improve our blogs and make them better 😉
PS: Remember if you want to have your blog be considered, you have to leave a comment to this post telling us the URL for your blog, and what area(s) you need and want advice on!
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone that has submitted a blog and since so many of you have, I am going to pick FOUR blogs to review tomorrow, instead of three. And to address the ‘we need more time to review the chosen blogs’ point, I am going to pick four later today, then announce which ones were picked, so everyone will have a day to review them. So please make sure you leave a comment if you want to get your blog in the mix!
Wouldn’t it be good to give participants who want to give an opinion a day’s notice for the three finalists, so they can do an in-depth reading of the blogs?
Yes, I’d like my blog: http://www.joyofdirectmarketing.com reviewed here. Maybe @amyafrica can look at it or @wilsonellis and @mackcollier @Heidicohen @BruceSallan @TomPick
I would LOVE to be considered for the blog review! I work for a fashion start up that launched back in January in Pasadena, CA and we’ve been having so much trouble driving traffic to our blog. I think we have great content; so I’m not exactly sure what the issue is! Our target market is older, sophisticated women in Southern California. Also I’m not in love with the design, but I suppose it is consistent with our overall style (website, e-mail blasts, etc.).
URL:
http://blog.TRUUdesigns.com/
Thank you so much for your consideration. 🙂
Best,
Gabrielle
([email protected])
@loisgeller @TomPick@wilsonellis @MackCollier @HeidiCohen@brucesallan Lois can you give us a bit more direction on what areas of the blog you are wanting us to take a closer look at? Do you need advice on how to get more comments? More visual impact? Something like that!
@RickWolff Rick that’s a good point, I’ll try to get the post up with the finalists as soon as I can on Sunday for this month, and for next month if we do it again, I’ll get the finalists up by the day before, so everyone has a bit more time to review the finalists.
Count. Me. In. Great idea, @MackCollier . My blog: http://socialbutterflyguy.com/
What I’d like help with:
1. Design. It’s a WordPress Thesis Theme. I loved it 2 years ago when my blog launched, but it needs a refresh. I just don’t have the skills to do it myself nor the cash to pay someone as this is a personal blog.
2. SEO Stuff. Again, I’m using WordPress and it has some built-in SEO stuff, but I need help!
3. Content: As my tagline says, “It’s all about people.” My content is – for the most part – about people, but I worry that it’s all over the place.
4. Frequency: I was in a rut awhile ago, but finally got on track again. My last few posts have been some of my most viewed/commented in the past 2 years. But, I’m still struggling with the right balance on frequency.
Does that work? Need more?
Pick me. Pick me. Pick me!
DJ Waldow
Director of Community, Blue Sky Factory
http://twitter.com/@djwaldow
@djwaldow BAM! Great feedback DJ, if anyone else is thinking about submitting their blog, make sure you give a lot of information like DJ did here. Awesome, thanks man!
@MackCollier Bam. Only way I know how to roll, Mack. Crossing my fingers! FWIW – Don’t think that I won’t submit my blog every month till it gets selected!
@TRUUdesigns Thanks Gabrielle, you’re in the mix! Just curious, what don’t you like about the design or what are you most concerned about? What do you like about it?
@MackCollier @loisgeller @TomPick @HeidiCohen@brucesallan
Mack–I’m happy to participate but I need time to look at the blogs. Happy marketing, Heidi Cohen
@MackCollier @TRUUdesigns Ack the design is just so bland, honestly… not enough attraction for the eye. I’m sure you’ll agree once you take a look!
@MackCollier @loisgeller @TomPick @HeidiCohen@brucesallan
Hi Mack,
Great idea! I’m in and happy to review blogs. Please email me with the ones you want me to review so I can prepare.
Mack-Awesome idea! Thanks for doing this.
I’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to have my blog http://www.cutlerdave.com reviewed.
I’m relatively new to blogging and also hoping the blog can help with my job search so feedback from the experienced pros could benefit me greatly. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on any or all of the following:
Design/layout: is it clean and visually appealing? Anything specific I should change?
Content: I’m a traditional marketer transitioning more and more into the social media space. I’m trying to demonstrate knowledge and understanding but also cater to the fairly large percentage of my readers who are still quite unfamiliar with most aspects of social media. Am I accomplishing that balance?
Comments: What can I do differently to elicit more comments?
Any other general tips or advice would be welcome and appreciated.
Thanks!
Dave Cutler
http://twitter.com/CutlerDave
@CutlerDave Thank Dave, you’re in the mix!
Love to have my blog reviewed on #blogchat:
http://toddrjordan.com/thebroadbrush
1) Sidebar -> is it relevant/interesting to my blog’s focus
2) Landing pages -> serious help needed here. What can I change/add/delete- HELP!
3) Contact page specifically.
Thanks a million for this opportunity @MackCollier .
Cheers,
@Tojosan
@Tojosan Thanks Todd!
Hi. Awesome idea. Does this apply to self-hosted blogs only? I haven’t moved the one I would like reviewed over to a “real” domain name yet. Thanks.
wow, what a great opportunity, I would love to have my blog reviewed – I am hoping to get feedback on whether you think it has relevant content, if it’s organized well and most importantly if you think the tone of our writing is compelling. http://www.TheOnlineMom.com
And THANK YOU! I can’t imagine how valuable this would be for me.
MONICA
I’m a fatalist I think. My blog is http://[email protected]
I think this is a great idea and I know I need the help. I am a wholesale sales rep and I would definitely appreciate knowing what I need to change. Thank you. mabyn
I would love to have my blog reviewed by others! I’ve been blogging for almost a year and would like to take it up a notch. I seem to get several hits, yet not as many comments or subscribers. Feedback I’d like stems from all aspects of the blog: sidebars/format; content; direction for posts. I’ve been using my blog as a vehicle to get my name out there and network in the field of education. It has been an amazing experience. I’ve loved the support and inspiration I’ve received from so many along the way!
I’m using WP.com and would also love feedback on other options. I’m a self taught blogger learning from so many others!
My Blog: http://learningisgrowing.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
@KathyPerret
I would love to have my blog reviewed!
http://FeelsLikeHomeBlog.com
1. Set up – My primary concern is whether I should change things around to make it more like a magazine with channels than a plain old blog. There are a few things I dislike about the design – things don’t always line up just so, the links are either all underlined or all not underlined, and the theme disables threaded comments.
2. Overall design – Is it appealing? Again, thinking about switching themes to Thesis (or something all together different) but a little intimidated by the work it would require.
3. Advertisements – It’s necessary for me to monetize, but I worry that I have too many ads on the page.
4. A landing page – I’m thinking about adding a static landing page. Good idea? Bad idea? I used to have a landing page with snippets of articles, but some readers complained. They wanted a full post on the landing page.
5. What’s missing? I worry that there’s something I’m not doing that I should be doing. I don’t know what it is. Is there something important missing?
Thanks for the opportunity!
I would be curious to find out if I am putting out any relevant content. Plus, I would love to hear if you have suggestions on how I can improve my writing, delivery and presentation. i write mostly about things I experience and I throw in a few videos for fun. In my former life I was a TV News producer. http://www.seethinktry.com
@starry_girl the blog doesn’t have to be self-hosted, you can be on WordPress,com or blogger or TypePad or whatever!
@Monica Vila Thanks Monica!
@mabynshingleton Thanks Mabyn, can you give us a little more direction on what specifically you’d like us to look at? Which elements or maybe if we could only look at 3 things, what would they be?
@TaraZiegmont Thanks Tara, great feedback!
I’m honored to submit Fearless Competitor http://www.fearlesscompetitor.net.
It’s over five years old and is very popular (featured on the Eloqua blog tree and in syndication/on the Kindle)
Throwing mine into the mix – Rick: Caffeinated, http://www.rickcaffeinated.com – sounds like fun, can learn lots no matter who gets picked. – thanks!
Adding mine for consideration: Midwest IT Survival, http://midwestitsurvival.com – I’d like to get feedback on how others perceive my blog, is it credible, does the writing inspire confidence in the topics discussed, for first time visitors, what is their initial take, basic feedback desired. – John
Thanks for this, Mack. Love this idea. My blog is: http://goinswriter.com/
I’m a writer who’s trying to grow a platform so that I can eventually sell books and get hired for freelance work. I’d love some feedback on the general design and navigation of my blog, but I’m more interested in the content: What do you think I should be writing about? Is there key content that I should be pointing to or creating?
@jeffgoins Thanks Jeff, nice feedback!
What a great idea and opportunity. I would love a shot at it.
My blog is http://www.newdaynewlesson.com
I would like help with:
1) Tagline. Right now it is too long. Have some ideas but nothing that I have said wow about.
2) Getting more subscribers. I have been blogging for over a year now. i have about 100 or so subscribers. I would like to up that.
3) Monetization- I have recently thought about monetizing, and put up amazon-though it is not doing anything and am not sure I like the concept. What ideas do you have and would you hold off till I have more subscribers?
3) Design-would love a revamp-can’t afford it right now. Any suggestions? I like the fact that there is the most recent post on top, then favorites and popular and then summaries of other posts underneath.
4) Post titles. Generally I put the “lesson” I have learned as a title. Do you think it would affect the concept of the blog (lesson learned each day) to get creative in the titles?
5) General-what would improve the experience of reading the blog.
6) Length of posts. I do all different lengths. Is that good , bad…doesn’t matter.
I am sure I will have lots of other questions as well.
Would love to have a shot at this great opportunity. Thanks.
Mack,
@LisaPetrilli highly recommended you in her recent post about the launch of her blog last year! Her timing was incredible!
*All forms of social media are new to me in the past 6 – 9 months.
*And 99% of what I know I have learned online from articles and blogs.
So I’m looking for help in discovering what I don’t know yet and for overall feedback regarding content, writing style, increasing awareness & key measurements. http://www.gianaconsulting.com/blog.php
Chosen or not, I am looking forward to learning Sunday night on #Blogchat!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Chery
@MackCollier @mabynshingleton My blog is intended to assist Retailers find products they are looking for. The land of wholesale seems to be mysterious and it shouldn’t be. I work for a Dallas showroom plus I represent manufacturers directly. I mix the two depending upon what I want to write about. When I find a product or line is “hot or selling well” I am spurred to write about it. I’m not real sure how people are even finding my blog. I’ve googled some of my keywords and I can’t find it. 🙂 Three things… Mack – I honestly just feel lost. For me it would be the first three things that stand out to you as terrible. lol Signed, clueless
We’ve had our multi-author blog up and running for a couple of years now, and (for the most part) been pretty steady about posting. Not seeing the kind of traffic we’d like, and engagement has been way been way below what we would hope for content that (I think) is pretty meaty! Would love community thoughts on this. http://www.castcommunicationdesign.com/blog/
@MackCollier 1. How to gain readers- I’m pretty targeted. 2. It may be too busy. Should I find another design? 3. Is writing in this style okay or should I change it….and, if so, to what?
Okay, that is three… Thanks again for the consideration. I agree with what others have written…no matter what it will be a fun thing and great way to learn.
Sounds like a great idea!
Cool idea Mack!
I get nervous when I have to stand in front of the whole class, but I can’t pass up this opportunity! I use my (blogchat inspired) blog as a self-marketing platform. I am a web developer and designer. While I am not actively looking for a job right now, I will be soon. My question is: After looking at my blog, would you hire me? http://guitarwithrob.com
What a GREAT idea, Mack! Little nervous about asking for critique but gotta learn to grow & improve. My wife and I have a blog targeting families of senior adults that has been up and growing for over a year. We would love to get some feedback and suggestions. We are at http://SeniorCareCorner.com and your consideration is very much appreciated..
I write what I hope are humorous and or helpful stories on my blog about the fun and absurdities of gardening, I wanted your advice on my content and anything else that strikes you. Also anything to spruce up “archives” page. Thanks. By the way, this is a great idea like a lot of your readers have already told you.
http://web.mac.com/sinai/Site/Blog/Blog.html
This is a really great idea Mack. I write about whatever comes to mind; be it social media, marketing, tech stuff…maybe that’s the real problem with it. Should I focus on one area or does it offer enough compelling content as is? Hmmm… I’m hoping we can figure that out.
http://www.bsitko.com
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Great opportunity Mack! I write a blog for my current (and perhaps future students) informing them about developments in social media marketing and giving them small tutorials. I would like to know whether the blog is easy to read and understand. Also whether it is interesting enough so that people return to it occasionally. The blog is here – http://ashwinmalshe.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
What a great idea Mack, and a great opportunity. This is a relatively new blog, it is intended to take the political load of one of my others which had deviated from it’s original mandate. The purpose is to spread the word on serious and stupid politics and politicians, as well as a platform for my opinions in relation to same. Many posts, but not all are introductory paragraphs from other politically sourced blogs and sites, referencing the source for further reading and info. There is a satirical element and I tend to be a tad cynical in my writing style. A further element of the blog is to offer news access from a round the globe, newspapers, blogs, etc. I am not selling anything and have no advertsising nor commercial content.
What I would be interested in knowing, 1. Is the design clean enough? I like widgets; 2. Are the titles enough to attract interest? 3. Are my Saturday Satire posts a good idea/theme? 4. Are there any ideas where I could improve. 5. I have no SEO, none of my blogs do; why, basically because I don’t understand it.
http://avshithappens.blogspot.com/
Thanks for a grand opportunity, AV (@whopaysthepiper)
I’d love to get feedback on my new blog/website. I’d love to hear more about:
1. monetization 2. platform – I want to eventually write a book for Christian women. 3. Need focus. I’m a freelance writer, mom of five and want to grow my traffic.
http://janudlock.com/blog/
Mack,
having read your final call on Twitter I decided to join the the blog review.
My concerns are as follows:
1) Attracting more readers.
While I have made some progress in the last couple of months and manage to address some 1000 readers a month I’d endeavour to have that amount per week.
I just do not know how.
2) Content, look and feel
I am focused on a specific type of (predominately) legal content. My goal is to have that content read and comprehended by non-legals. I chose a clean WP theme and have a rather sparse usage of images.
3) Engagement
I encounter difficulties in engaging my audience: I receive only very few comments and fail to attract subscribers (both via RSS and email).
I need some tips how to remedy this state of affairs. Equally important, I am reluctant to deploy tools which I have seen on other blogs and which are constantly displaying annoying invitations to subscribe or leave a comment, .
Thank you, Mack
BR,
Emil
Hi Mack, what a fantastic initiative there.
We are just getting started with our corporate blog for Buffer and would love to get the expert views of you and the #blogchat community.
We aim to provide great Twitter Tips mostly: http://blog.bufferapp.com
Great idea, Mack!
Perhaps a checklist could help in the future: people could have a “things to think about” guide to inform their voting decisions.