Hey, I'm kinda new to this whole marketing/blog thing. I got my blog set up and all but I could use some feed back as to how to make it a bit more appealing. Thanks!! deadpoet79.blogspot.com
One thing I've noticed right away is that the text is in one big body... divide the text into smaller paragraphs, maybe 4-5 sentences. The reason is that people will more likely read what looks easy to read... right now you have a text dump...
Mordecai460, As traffichero is saying, break your copy down into digestable chunks. Keep in mind when a visitor first hits your site they are simply scanning your page, they aren't reading from top to bottom. For example, they may skip your page title and entry title altogether. In your copy, beyond breaking into paragraphs, use things like bullets, pull out copy in quotes and use the bold and italic tags where appropriate. Take a look at traditional media, flip through a couple magazines and see how they do it. Provide many body elements to appeal to distinct users. For example, your blog has no description while some visitors may like to read a blog description. Greg
I would try to use less colors on the website. Maybe 3 would fine. In the post, instead of making the wording in black font, make it bold instead. It's easier to read considering your using a dark bg already.
Sweetie, I'm going to be brutally honest. What is your website about? Is it about music, poetry, art in general. Yes, do pay attention to breaking up the paragraph in short concise chunks. That does help the reader. Your right half of the site seems appealing in that you've got links to affiliate programs people could get into. The blog half of your site: I can't tell if the posts are your personal thoughts or poems. While there's nothing wrong with you giving your personal thoughts on matters because it is your blog, if you're designing the blog to draw customers, they'll need a reason to read your stuff that does something for them first. No one knows your friend Caryn nor are they likely to care unless it does something for the reader. I know it sounds harsh, but when it comes to getting someone to hand you money, you've got to compel them to do so. I would make a few of your posts talk about some of the products to your right. If your passion is music, talk about a favorite band or group or a type of music you really get into the details of demonstrate it in such a way that the reader will see it your way which is a unique way. Wondering about your day and hoping your dreams -- no one wants to listen to your day-dreaming unless it adds to content that the reader can connect to. You seem to like poetry, dead poets in particular. Talk about your favorites and how your view is different from others. If everybody likes Shakespeare and you don't, say why. I'm not a big fan of Jane Austen except for Pride and Prejudice, because in every story every guy is like Mr. Darcy. Get another personality for a man. You see what I mean? Here's something unique my friend did that might help you spur your ideas a little more. I have a friend who travels and writes to me about some of her strange experiences in an email, then she'll sum it up in a modern day haiku. It was cute, but it was unique. It's especially hard for artists. As an aspiring writer, I'm experiencing the same thing. I want the money of affiliate marketing so I can have the freedom to let my mind spread out over writing ideas and travel for inspiration. It's an artist thing, but we also have to be savvy and practical. So I hope that helps. Again, the critique is bit forward but also quite necessary to be aware of. I hope your site works out for you. Once you get it the way you need to be, submit to pingoat.com and technorati.com to help with the traffic boost. Another suggested blog engine directory to submit to would be: http://www.blogs-collection.com/
I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's advice. I'm working on it right now and trying to figure it out. Augra, thank you for be "brutaly honest". I'm certainly new to this whole thing and I need all the help I can get with this whole thing so thank you.