Today I'm getting my blog critiqued by Laura Barnes. I don't know Laura that well but she's a Marketing Consultant, and a writer of Middle Grade Fiction who runs the blog, Laura B Writer.
She also runs a really cool service on her blog, called Blog Critique, where she critiques other writer's blogs from a Marketing Standpoint. My blog is not really a commercial venture, but I do one day hope to have a book to sell you people, so maximizing my blogs marketing potential seems like a wise think to at least think about.
Anyway, you can find Laura's critique of my blog, here.
48 comments:
Are you paying for this? I really don't think you'll have anything to worry about!
Thanks for sharing. I'm now going to check her blog :)
Checked it out, really some good stuff there.
I just saw it before coming here. She had some great points, but I agree with you on the part about leaving comments on your own post. I rarely do it either (for the same reasons you pointed out, Matt).
Now to add my blogging schedule on my blog. ;)
She did a great job and you have a great blog!
Heading over there now :)
Interesting, taking a look now...
I found Laura's critique interesting, and there were some good points to think about there, but I do believe this blog is a great example of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
I wouldn't mind to be critiqued but I would take it all with a pinch of salt. Its one person's opinion.
HEY THERE,
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN AWARD. IF YOU WANT TO STOP BY AND GET IT WHEN YOU HAVE TIME.
HUGS EVE.X
Cool idea. I love that you're willing to expose yourself like that. Wait. That just sounded wrong.
Blog critiques are the best. If your blog is pleasing to the eye, and easy to navigate, you will have more followers and many of them will even be readers. Good job!
How interesting!!! You always get a AAAA+++++++++++ from me!!! Yay! take care
x
Hum. I'll have to check it out.
Ohh! Good for you! Personally, I'm too afraid. How lame is that, right? But I'm not quite ready to have someone point out all the flaws with my blog. I know there are so many.
However, I have been reading her blog crits and have found many suggestions helpful.
Off to have a look and perhaps learn a thing or 2...
P.s. When you hit 1000 followers, can we have a party?
You are brave. Lol I'd like a blog makeover first.
You are a great resource, as always!
I think she had great points, but I was thinking of my own blog and what changes I need to make when I was reading what she said about your blog.
I think that her best point is that you are giving us all reasons to come back and actually have a conversation at your blog. Which to me is a success. :) All the rest is icing on the cake, and easily remedied, if you were so inclined.
Interesting idea - I didn't know there were people that did this. Hope you'll share her findings!
PS--In clarity, I was thinking about my blog not because I am completely narcissistic (not COMPLETELY), but because I feel that your blog doesn't need a ton of changes, while mine has been bothering me for a while. :)
Thanks for sharing that with us!
I'm signed up in November. Now off to check out what she said.
I've been amazed at her awesome critiques thus far. :)
Your blog looks fine. But I'll go see what this professional has to say about it.
Interesting. I do find some things about blogging mystifying, I'd probably do well to have some direction. But I figure I should try the things I know I should be doing before I look to other possibilities.
Btw - I like the response by email.
Here's my critique: You and your blog rock. (Ok, that's probably not very helpful, but seriously? I wouldn't change a thing.)
Clearly, you are doing a good job with your blog or you wouldn't have so many followers and people commenting. My compliments to you as a writer that you want to improve what you already do well. I imagine that trend extends to other areas of your life too. I'm still trying to figure this blog stuff out. Something about technology beyond using Word makes my brain want to flee.
Checking that out. Had an analysis done on my before becoming a blog tour host. I learned a lot of stuff I didn't think about before that.
Matthew, your blog's great - I think you should be offering YOUR services , not the other way round LOL.
Nice, it looks like your site went over very well! I agree with her, your blog is nice and uncluttered, that makes it really easy to read.
I saw her post before this one. She noted some things I've never considered and will have to write down.
I've enjoyed Laura's critiques. Lots to learn. I'm now looking forward to a followup post on responding to blog comments. I use blogger and responses can clutter up the discussion.
Thanks for this post- I signed up both of my blogs too. You're right about having your marketing plans ready before the book is finished. My photography is pretty fast. With a book- it'll great to be known and we'll all look forward to reading it.
I've already been there and commented. Judging from what she said about yours, I'll just skip the critique. Think I'd hit Epic Fail on most counts.
i like the "my name is" concept.
whats your name again?
jk, bob (ha ha)
I had a blog critique, once upon a time. Note to self: double check to make sure everything is still on target. I deleted my blog schedule the other day. Oops!
Yours looks great.
Well now isn't that fabulous!!! I'll stop by. I have to say I just realized you're almost to 1000 followers! Congratulations.
Cool, going to check it out!
Good luck with the blog critique. I am sure you will do very well.
I saw Laura's blog on the hop--serious skills there.
I learned a lot from her comments. I need to do some work on my blog is my takeaway!
I agree that an About Me page would be cool - I checked out one today 'cause I wanted to know who the blog author was - like flipping to the back of a book.
Just moving your Who Am I? up under your photo would be good.
And definitely have an easy way to contact you - at times I've had to search for a comment someone wrote to go to their Blogger profile to find their e-mail. Most people won't bother.
And finally, I wondered about the background image when you put it up, but I like it, and it's welcoming and peaceful, so that's cool by me.
I checked it out and she had lots of nice things to say. Congratulations!
Marketing is hit and miss. Look up what happened with "A Clockwork Orange", marketing executives claimed he was marketing it all wrong, yet it was one of the most successful campaigns of that time.
Okay, that sort of rocked. Experts are wonderful people.
Well if it means anything, you've already sold me just on your personality. ;D If you get a book out there, I'll be first in line.
I read it before stopping by here again. She makes some valid points. I am already a huge fan of your blog. I am sure that some of her points would make a bigger difference if you had not already established such a large and loyal following with your charming personality.
I enjoyed reading the critique as it gave me a lot of ideas and tips. I am a newbie so I appreciate blogging advice and look for it wherever I can find it.
I love your blog
She gave some great advice that I think I need to follow. Great idea and thanks for sharing.
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