Successful Blog

Above the Fold: DaveOlson.ca

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What Might a Few Tweaks Do for You?

ABOVE THE FOLD

Dave Olson and I were having an email conversation. We were discussing the state of the blogosphere and other important world-saving, super-hero stuff, when in the middle he said this.

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me out. I paid attention when you highlighted my post last week and you said:

“Bet you can apply that to design, branding, and marketing your blog”

I’ve posted an article asking for some feedback on the design and branding of my site. I would really appreciate it if you had a few minutes that you could take a look at it and give me any feedback you might have.

So I invited Dave to get tweaked Above the Fold.

Here’s how the Above the Fold Tweak Process works.

  1. I make a “before” screenshot.
  2. We talk through some changes for readability.
  3. The blogger makes the changes.
  4. We talk while the tweaks are in process.
  5. I take an “after” screenshot and share the results in a post.

Tweaking DaveOlson.ca

The blog: DaveOlson.ca

URL: http://www.daveolson.ca
Blogger: Dave Olson

Before

This is the before shot of Dave’s blog that I took on the day that we tweaked his blog. Click to enlarge.

DaveOlson.ca BEFORE

Three Tweaks that We Agreed Upon

In this series, we concentrate only three important tweaks for each blog that is featured. These are the tweaks that Dave and I agreed upon.

  1. We’d change the main type face to serif.
  2. We’d change the color of the links in the sidebar.
  3. We’d adjust the spacing of the headings.

We made other changes. Can you see them?

For the results, turn the page now. [Read more…]

What’s your SOBCon Oneliner?

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It’s Only 10 Days Away Now! Are You Coming?

Click on this Bloggy Tag to find out where it all began.

  • One person, [well, 1 at a time]
  • One thought, It’s you!
  • One action (((a hug)))
  • One heart, holding the folks who couldn’t get here.
  • One event, SOBCon07
Click to the “Bloggy Tag Button” to see who tagged me.

Bonus oneliner:
What would Peter Gabriel sing at SOBCon07?

Like words together we make sense.

You’re It!

Franke, Sandy, Connie, Joe, Dave, Troy

–ME “Liz” Strauss
ONLY 10 DAYS UNTIL THE INCREDIBLE BLOGGING EXPERIENCE — Why SOBCon not that Other One. Click the button to register now. Reister now

Related Hey Listen to Christine Before SOBCon!
12 Days Left to Blogging Experience
Only 14 Days to a Blogging Experience Like No Other

10 Essential Needs of a Thriving Community

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Where We Could Be Who We Are

2016-11-07 012 (2)

When I was kid I used to hide out in my room or in the basement to play music and dance, or paint all afternoon. If my friend, Craig, was around we’d do the same, find a place where we could be who we are without the world telling us what to do.

We were just two, but were a community of like-minded thinkers. When the other kids came over, we were more.

How to Make Room for a Community

I don’t think anyone can build a community. Community is an idea, a feeling, an agreement. It’s sweet and tenuous and only lasts as lightly and long as it is respected. It’s an investment, that it takes time and patience. When I came here I knew a little bit about how to do it, but learned most of what I know from the folks who come to visit.

10 Things about Making Room for a Community

  1. A community needs a high-trust environment. A high-trust environment means being there when folks need a friend or a teacher. It means having a vision and set of principles that they can count on being the same tomorrow.
  2. A community has plenty of room for folks to be who we are. When we’re with friends we don’t have to self-conscious or guarded. In a community, I like the way you see me. No one puts people in boxes or steps on their feelings.
  3. To grow a community, be a guide alongside — not the sage on the stage. Set aside the instruction manual writing. Stop teaching your friends and start learning iwth with them.
  4. Have conversations that are about them. Ask how they’re doing, what they’re doing, why they’re doing it and then listen. When you’re done. Listen again.
  5. Reach out to everyone, every chance that you get. When someone says “hello,” answer “how can I help?”
  6. Look for reasons to start conversations. Invite people in. When someone visits make that person a friend.
  7. When you hear a story about another person, put your own name in the story before you choose to believe it.
  8. Know that folks make mistakes and that some do so on purpose. Know which mistakes are the ones that won’t work in your community and make sure that you never allow them. Dislike the act, not the person.
  9. Talk about things that are fun, engaging, and refreshing to talk about. Give people a chance to play once in a while.
  10. Keep your head and heart together and always about the people who visit.

Those are the basics of making room for a community. It’s a lot like opening your mind and inviting people to be who they are.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Hey Listen to Christine Before SOBCon!

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Not Only a New Blog

Christine Kane not only has a new blog, but she has an entire CD, Right Outta Nowhere, set up for our listening pleasure. Be sure to check out #1, #5, and #11. Click her picture below to go there.

Christine will be playing a live set at SOBCon 07 on Friday night to help us unwind after our arrival, before a very special LIVE OPEN MIC NIGHT!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
ONLY 12 DAYS UNTIL THE BLOGGING EXPERIENCE THAT WILL BE INCREDIBLE — Why SOBCon not that Other One. Click the button to register now.
Reister now

Bloggy Question 48: Where Was I When that Happened?

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History Changes?

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . . .


A friend of yours, Larry, is larger than life. He seems to know everyone in the country and most of the folks online. He’s rich and highly connected, especially in home and garden television. Once when you were in New York, he invited you to an event at the Waldorf where the entire industry seemed to be in attendance.

Larry is so busy in his world, that he doesn’t seem to notice that you have attained some status. Your blog has gotten press, and you’ve become known as an expert. In fact, you’re a celebrity and highly popular with the gardening set. You’ve written three books of your own and been interviewed by People, House and Garden, and Architectural Digest — not too shabby for a blogger. These days it’s not unusual to get a short bit on the Today Show when they need an expert.

After many months, you finally can announce that you have a daily spot on a national home and garden television show. While you’re reading the press release and formal announcement, Larry calls to congratulate you. Then he says how glad he is that he was able to help you land that job.

You’re stunned. Larry didn’t help. He’s never met any of the people involved. You did it on your own.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Bloggy Question 47: Take It to the Edge
Bloggy Question 46: Beware of Making Noise
Bloggy Question 45: Take a Long Look
Bloggy Question 44: Stay Out of My Life!