More of the Ugly
I submitted my blog to a group of uh people for a review and they do what they say: Ask and you shall receive. I asked and I got.
Here are some of the reviewer comments:
It is pretty much sunshine and lollipops over there. Problem is, I’m not entirely sure what “over there” is. Is this a blog or a self-help site? What is the purpose? You’re all over the place.
The writing is… chipper.
It’s very Good Housekeeping-ish, chatty.
There are some chuckles. Chippy, cheerful chuckles. No one’s cackling with glee here.
It seems like she approaches this like a job, like a way to break into something. It’s all marketing and spit-shine and I want to hate it because it’s gutless.
We don’t get to see who Valerie really is. There are no relationships explored, no real memories shared, no meat, no dimension, no sexiness.
But for the love of Shamwow, find some focus, figure out why you’re blogging, what you want to gain, and who your audience is. If it’s a general blog about your life, be that and leave out all the money-saving crap.
Okay, now this is not all that bad, most of it is accurate, to a point. I was hoping they would tell me something I didn’t already know. I do lack focus and I am all over the place, that’s who Valerie is. I don’t get too personal on purpose.
The only thing I really want to change about my blog is the tagline: my rants and ramblings, I know that sucks. Here’s what I came up with: If you want focus, go stare at a dot, cause you won’t find it here.
Suggestions on improvements around here? Just as long as you don’t bash my writing cause I might actually tear up. I always said I wanted to write a column in a newspaper, too bad they didn’t read my post, Why I Blog.
on May 15, 2008 at 3:18 pm
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Ouch! That stings. I would never open myself up to that kind of criticism. It would take me ages to get over it.
I think your blog is quick-witted, entertaining and clever. So there.
Oh, and it’s also fun to look at.
Kat
Poetikat’s last blog post..I dare you to watch and not cry.
on May 15, 2008 at 3:27 pm
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“Chipper” beats “goobersome.” Your writing is good, and they acknowledged that. Personally, that’s all I would care about. As for lack of focus, if you can’t ramble on about a variety of topics in a blog (or Web site), then where can you do it? I do agree with the “Recent Comments” … comment. I never noticed that, but, yeah, it would be helpful to show at least part of the comment. Otherwise, I give you 3 stars!
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I Got Torn Apart so you don’t have to
on May 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
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Thanks Poetikat. Hope you got my postcard. Hey I’m new at this. I make stuff up as I go along. I mean I’m not getting paid.
Thanks JD. I refer to myself as the jack of all trades and master of none. That’s so true, I dabble in everything, I wake up in the morning wondering which hat I’m going to wear. The recent comment thing, that’s for my benefit, so I’ll remember to reply, my mind is bad. So forgetful. LOL. Uh, I also don’t know HOW to show part of the person’s comments..can somebody help me out with that. Just wait until I find out, I’m going to blog about it. Someone out there probably wants to know too..that’s what I’m here for I Do Things too. lol Thanks for my 3 stars JD, right back’atcha!
on May 15, 2008 at 3:54 pm
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“If you want focus, go stare at a dot, cause you won’t find it here.”
I think that works. Why not go for it.
As for having focus. Look… who’s to say what your blog should be but you. You get traffic. Someone is reading. People keep coming back. Go for what you know. Don’t be something other than what you want to be or who you are comfortable with. Keep doing you the best way you know how.
Urban Thought’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Apple Date
on May 15, 2008 at 4:03 pm
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Natural: I’m sure you’ll figure it out (and let us all know how you did it!) but as far as I know, the widget determines how your comments display. I don’t know if your current template/widget allows you to do that or if you’d want to try a different one. I can see the point of having it the way it is to remember recent commenters. I use mine for that too.
JD at I Do Things’s last blog post..I Got Torn Apart so you don’t have to
on May 15, 2008 at 4:03 pm
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Thanks Urban Thought.
I love that tagline. I focus at work and other places, you mean I have to do it here too? Not. I can’t…I need to get it out, whatever it is.
Nah, I won’t change who I am or what I post here, I only know how to be me. I can write profanity, shock people and be typical (that’s easy), but I choose not to. I CAN fix up the way the place looks around here a little though…I’m open to suggestions. If I can give it, I can take it.
Thanks JD. I’ll probably just eventually remove it. There’s one at the bottom I can peep at. I don’t know nothing about birthin’ no widgets!
on May 15, 2008 at 4:08 pm
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Honey, if you didn’t write well, you wouldn’t be in my RSS feed.
I just read the whole review, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t have recognised this site if they hadn’t told me which one it was!
It’s their job to pull things to bits, I guess, but I tend to just ignore the bits I don’t like and read the posts. I must admit I don’t like the eyes following you thing, but there ain’t nothing wrong with your content.
on May 15, 2008 at 4:23 pm
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Hey Jay and thanks!
The lady: me having fun with things I find on the web. lol. I’ll ask her to please look straight ahead when people stop by. She’s here on a visa anyway.
on May 15, 2008 at 5:37 pm
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I like your site! I don’t see why you need to change anything!
Monique’s last blog post..I Knew That Taking A Handful of Pills Would Not Be Enough
on May 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm
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Thanks Monique.
I already made 3 changes that look like minor improvements to the layout anyway, who knew? I was able to get something out of the review.
on May 15, 2008 at 8:25 pm
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Ouch! That had to hurt. I rated you an 8, so I don’t know what they’re talking about. Thanks for the warning; I won’t ask them to review mine!!
Half-Past Kissin’ Time’s last blog post..Turnabout is Fair Play
on May 16, 2008 at 1:36 am
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Your “blogging post” says it all
“I blog, therefore, I am.”
Don’t change a thing. It wouldn’t be YOU.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..What Happened To The Good Ole Days
on May 16, 2008 at 5:46 am
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Greetings Half-Past Kissin’ Time..Actually, I’m okay with the review and I did ask. I like to jump around (topic wise) and should have mentioned that this is not really a “personal” blog…I’m a bit selective about what I put out there.
Hey Barbara Swafford. I like a mixed bag. Not changing about what I write, but cosmetically, I could use some make-up, a little blush and some eye liner.
on May 16, 2008 at 8:12 am
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I’ve only just begun reading this blog, so I can’t speak to what these guys say, but god they would tear me apart too. Especially my personal blog.
Still…part of me is still curious as to what exactly they’d say whilst tearing me apart…
stephanerd’s last blog post..May Agenda Is No Longer Blank Slate
on May 16, 2008 at 2:34 pm
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Um. yeah…I LOVE your blog. Dont Change A Thing.
I love that you are “all over the place” about all different topics, its what keeps this blog FRESH….I never know what kind of story or piece of advice I may find over here.
“If you want focus, go stare at a dot, cause you won’t find it here.”
HILARIOUS!
xxoo
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Chris Rock
on May 16, 2008 at 5:06 pm
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There are as many types of blog readers as there are blog writers.
Some like the really personal stuff. Others don’t.
I like to read personal things if the writer doesn’t WHINE or MOAN.
I don’t really write personal stuff in my particular blog because my readers seem to enjoy reading about the Woods.
I’m a professional musician and sometimes write about my musical activities. Consistently, I receive far less comments than when I post pictures, videos and descriptions of the Woods.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you should write your blog for YOU first. People either like you or they don’t, just like in “real life”.
Cameron’s last blog post..A Walk Through The Woods
on May 16, 2008 at 5:09 pm
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P.S. The above may sound like a contradiction. I do write my blog mainly for myself, but also try to keep aware of what people respond to best. It seems that your blog attracts a lot of good readers — AND writers.
on May 16, 2008 at 6:39 pm
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I’ve been absent, yes, and I won’t go into detail about that. The review kind of got me to comment for the first time since March, Hallelujah! Firstly, I love your blog and that’s the honest truth; it’s a breath of fresh air. I remember the first time I found it, I went and made some popcorn and read all your posts, and I wanted more. You were brave to get the review, secretly I wonder what they would say about my blog but I don’t think I’ll be asking for a review anytime soon. I read all their comments, some were a little harsh, but you took it all so well which only proved to the rest of the world that there are still a few good people out there. I have to admit, I did go to the ladies blog that said she’d never visit your site again, and I hate to say this in public, but her blog wasn’t my cup of tea, which only proves “different strokes for different folks”. Yes to what Cameron said, we tend to be victims of writing more about what our readers like to read when we really ought to be more true to ourselves (we’re human). Too much personal stuff gets you into trouble – speaking from experience although I’d still like to know more about you. When you do write something personal you combine it with a little bit of humor, so I’ve noticed. Anyways I could ramble on….Really how do you give a brilliant writer advice? It’s all in the content, besides I like the way your blog looks, and if you really knew me, I’m not one to compliment. I like your work just the way it is and one day, when I grow up, I wish to be half the person you are, well in terms of writing, okay – you’re a nice person too, there I said it.
tondy’s last blog post..In the Cold I lay!
on May 16, 2008 at 8:22 pm
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Yeah… I don’t see what the whole “focus” thing is about. Your blog is you: full of variety. Anyways, all I know is: I enjoy dropping by here and reading what you write. Keep it up.
Also, I want to commend you (for what it’s worth) on opening yourself up to that kind of criticism. I never have because I’m afraid that people will say my site is crap… but anyway, good for you for being brave! I’m certainly not!
Jillian’s last blog post..Holy Matrimony
on May 17, 2008 at 6:26 am
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Stephanerd, thanks for stopping by, always nice to see a new face. I will stop by your blog to see who you are a little later. I guess I was curious myself, it was late, it was at night time, I said what the hey…
Meleah Rebeccah I won’t change being all over the place, but I understand being clear about things…if this is a personal blog or not…it’s personal to ME, but not too much about my personal life. I have to work that line in somewhere, I laugh every time! xoxo
Cameron, I like to get people talking and if I twittered along my personal life, you might be able to hear the crickets through your computer speakers, lol. Follow me everyday? I’m not that interesting. The people that visit here are great Cameron. I do write for myself and sometimes I write with other people in mind who might be reading…this is me though. I wonder what kind of instrument you play…hmmm…off to go see
Tondy, Tondy, Tondy! I’ve missed you! Been worried and thinking about you. The review didn’t criticize my writing and truth is, I did go to them, they just didn’t pull a blog out of thin air and rip it up. Some points were valid, I made a few tweaks and the rest is sunshine and lollipops. I respect those close to me who do not want to be mentioned here…and I don’t want to end up floating in the Hudson River. Tondy girl, there is only one other person who can make me grin from ear to ear like that…but you just did. For the days when I feel like a loser and less than, I’ll have to go back and read your comment. Thank you. XO
Jillian, I understand what was meant by focus…here, you don’t know which angle I’m going to come from and that’s me. I like to blog about everything and then I like to know how other people feel…I do lack focus, I have a money blog and a weight loss blog and haven’t posted to them in days. I can’t focus on just those things day after day after day after zzzzzzzzzzzz oh! day after day, I fell asleep. lol.
I said when the review came up, that I would put it up…it wasn’t “easy”, and I used what criticism I could…no biggie. They would love your blog, it’s the funniest humor blog I have ever read, post after post you deliver…don’t know how you do it.
Natural’s last blog post..More of the Ugly
on May 17, 2008 at 7:39 am
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See how much support you have? Pretty good list of comments for someone who’s blog has just been torn apart, huh?
BTW, I tagged you. Tee hee.
on May 18, 2008 at 11:57 am
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Everyone who stops by has always been great and supportive through their comments…i love the interchange.
Yep! Got your tag, I think I can do this one!
on May 21, 2008 at 12:25 am
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Pardon my French, but f*ck ‘em. Blog whatever you want because you want to. Unless you’re trying to sell your blog or make money off it someday. If you do it for your enjoyment, don’t worry about what others say.
Lana’s last blog post..6 Unremarkable Things Meme
on May 21, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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Gads, I mispunctuated “others’!” How horrid of me…Please disregard the apostrophe!
Lana’s last blog post..6 Unremarkable Things Meme
on May 21, 2008 at 6:03 pm
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Lana your French has been pardoned and they have been fuh, fuh…uh what you said. lol. No worries, I made a few changes to the look.
No problem on the typo, I fixed it for you…I’m the typo queen. My brain and fingers are distant cousins, they do not work together.