You're all my friends right? Well...I've realized something about the people who follow my blog. There are two very distinct groups of bloggy friends - ones who want blog designs, freebies, etc... and ones who read my blog just to read it! At least I THINK that's what's going on here. I will likely be re-vamping my whole process of blog designing soon, and I'm hoping (since you're my way smart/talented/grounded friends) you could help me out with a few things...(you can be anonymous if you want.)
Just tell me what you think SUCKS, and what you think is AWESOME about the way I do blog designing. We all know the wait time sucks, and my empty promises on delivery dates suck too. So here are some things for your consideration...
- Should I finally separate my personal blog and design biz? I always thought joining them together was a good thing because people who follow for the designs would get to see the "real me" and people who follow for the bloggy part would always consider me first for anything they need done since I'm a "friend." But is there a downside?
- Should I offer free backgrounds? What do you NOT like about all the free backgrounds that are out there now like at "The Cutest Blog on the Block."??
- Would a dropdown menu at the top be more useful? Or should I keep the tabs? A dropdown menu would mean less originality, but more usefulness. ??
- Should I start using labels again and ditch the blog archive? Should I move the blog archive DOWN? Or just get rid of it all together?
What else can you think of? Anything?
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- April
- Hey there! I just started doing blog and graphic design FULL TIME and am SO excited. When I'm not designing stuff, I love to hang out with my husband, play Band Hero, be with family, find babies to hold, be in weddings, workout, make cookies, lay in the sun, learn guitar, and now that I'm not tied down to a desk - I love to travel with my laptop!!
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37 really, really, ridiculously good looking comments:
I love that you mix the business and personal as it is great to see the person behind the business plus I love looking at your gorgeous design work.
I'm pretty sure there must be a way to split the comments so that business only would appear on one page and personal on another.
Praying for you and your hubby.
Blessings,
Amanda
1. I love that your personal blog is also your business blog as well. The downside is that bitchy people who can't understand that you have a life outside of blog designing (blog designing is like, what, 10% of the stressors in your life overall?) think you're wasting precious time you should be spending on their layout.
2.Offering free backgrounds is up to you. What I do NOT like about other free backgrounds out there is that they are too scrapbooky (not modern/cartoony like your designs). What I think would be a good idea to do is offer free backgrounds AND coordinating headers that say something generic for a blog title (i.e. "Pretty in Pink," and "Family Ties" - things that fit with the design theme)
3. A drop down menu would be more user-friendly. You may be able to have the best of both worlds. This is an example of a site that has "image" tabs integrated with CSS dropdown capability: http://www.scrapbookbytes.com/
4. I like your blog archive.
Get ORGANIZED!
-Plan out how many hours a night you can work on blog design, then divide it by three (so if you think you can do 3 hours a night, only plan for 1).
-Then decide how many hours you think it will take to complete a design. Times that number by three. This is the quote you should give to your client.
**It's better to plan too much time and get ahead of schedule than not enough time and get behind!**
-Schedule time to do all the things you've been "meaning to do," such as backgrounds, buttons, tutorials, etc. If you don't have it written down in your agenda, you'll never do it.
-Schedule time for yourself. Just to do nothing. Don't tell anybody.
I love the fact that this blog is both your personal and business blog! I so enjoy reading your everyday blog and still getting to see the beautiful designs as you put them up!
I personally think you should keep your personal blog and business blog separate. I like the tabs instead of drop down menus. Free backgrounds usually look like they 2 seconds to make or are scrapbook-y. I think anything less scrapbook-y would be great. If making free backgrounds will take away from your paying clients, I wouldn't worry with it. Otherwise, it'd be great for exposure.
look like they took 2 seconds to make*
I love that your personal blog is also your business one, and personally think that tabs are better than drop down lists.
Don't feel like you need to defend yourself for having a life and other priorities (like the hubby and work!).
You are fantastic at what you do. My only advice is to stop taking on so much. Get through what you have on your plate, THEN revisit tutorials, free layouts and cards. :-)
I think you should put your personal blog separate from your business blog.
I like the tabs vs. the drop downs.
Some of those free backgrounds look like crap LOL.... your call on this.
I think you have unique design and should stick with it!
I think that having your personal and business blog together gives it more of a personality. I think drop down menu's would be great. As far as free backgrounds, that is up to you. Maybe offer 3 frees ones for people to try and if they like it, then maybe they will have you design one.
One thing that I don't like it the tabs on the top. There are too many bunched together. So it looks cluttered. Other than that, I think you have a great site and I like the energy of your blog.
I like that you combine business and personal. I have come to get to know you by becoming a customer, so I think the two go hand in hand. Plus, on the business end, I have seen why my design has been delayed, and therefore can have compassion on your personal life.
As for freebies, of course that is the way I have always gotten my blog designs, so I am for them. However, I heart your blog designs because they are unlike any others. They are not scrapbook-y and look so original! This is why I have come to you and am willing to PAY for your design expertise. I would leave all the other sites to their free layouts, and keep your designs special. Plus you are way affordable and I like that you break up the payment. :o)
I like your tabs and I think they look way cuter than a drop-down menu.
As for the archive ... I say keep it. I personally don't use labels either, and if people are looking for something specific, they can always use the search box.
Keep up the great work, April! On the business end, you are definitely worth waiting for! I can't say that I haven't been bummed out about being delayed several times, but I completely understand and don't hold it against you personally!! :o)
I am going to be totally generic here BUT I LOVE your blog!! I wouldnt change much at all... :)
I think free templates would be great that had matching headers. You could also design "extras" that could match them but charge a nominal fee for them if you wanted. I've seen other design sites do that. The thing I don't like about some free templates is they don't always have a matching header with them so if you really like the template you have to try to figure out how to match it on your own (and I don't have photoshop or the knowhow to do that myself).
I like how you merge your personal blog with your business. It draws people in to your site.
Hope this is helpful.
Pretty much everything April said. I found your blog through shopping for a new blog design but I love how you mix your personality in with your business. I plan on following for awhile :) I also agree with previous comments in that more free layout look too scrapbooky and completely NMS. Offering free backgrounds would be completely your choice. I definitely don't see it as necessary. I like the tabs across the top and like the blog archive.
All in all, your blog rocks :)
I like the personal with the business combined. CBOTB Backgrounds? I dislike that they all look like scrapbooks and there is nothing that is not girly and more streamlined. Sorry I can't answer all the questions at the moment - my infant turning toddler is nuts today!
I love reading your blog because of your wonderful humor and your way with words. I do like your designs and would love free backgrounds. I have 4 boys, so I would love more boyish styles.
okay...so just a couple thoughts...I love your blog. I like the mix of both personal and work. I love the tutorials I do wish they were easier to find. not all of them are on that tutorial tab. I like the tabs at the top but i dont know what to say in comparison to the drop down menu. havent really seent that. the tabs are nice.
as far as free blog designs...i say something different than what you find on a site like cutest blog on the block. maybe more of a modern look. and maybe not just doing backgrounds but free headers. I like the headers more...just a couple thoughts...not sure it helps...
Have a great weekend!
and i hope your hubby is doing well...
I'm a new reader, and I must say that even though I came for your tutorials (awesome by the way) I'm feeling your personal blog too! Just do what feels right to you, because in the end, this is what your readers come for... and if they don't then they are just flaky readers, who needs that?
I think it's awesome that you combine business and personal ~ I found your by looking for your business expertise {as I am sure you well remember!} and have since become a reader for your personal posts!!
There is nothing I DON'T particularly like about the freebie blog designs out there, I just think that your style is different to theirs and so you draw a different following... So a couple of simple freebies might be an idea, after all... People who love your style but don't have the money to spend on a blog design can still be using your backgrounds and therefore spreading the word about your talent {LOVE free advertising!}!!
And if you only offer two or three free designs, there isn't a lot of time and work involved! Getting your name out there is half the battle won!!
I think your tabs are great!
Personally, I think your business has gotten big enough that you should probably separate the personal blog from the design business. I mean, I don't mind hearing about all your design triumphs and woes, but that's not why I come here.
I also think your portfolio and reputation are established enough that you really don't need to stress yourself out over freebies. You don't need to worry about building your business right now, so why give away your work?
(Of course, the occasional button design for a giveaway or something is a different story...)
I just love to read your blog posts---you always have so much originallity (is that even a word?!)in them!!!
Ok...I'm talking as Louise, and not designer here...
***- Should I finally separate my personal blog and design biz?***
I stumbled upon your blog by accident and the thing that drew me to it was your funny/witty posts. I am sure that so many of your customers are attracted to your site, not just because of your beautiful work, but also because of your brilliant posts. I do think its a good way to have people get to know you. The only reason I keep mine separate is because I'm just not funny, so I think I'd actually put customers off LOL.
***Should I offer free backgrounds? What do you NOT like about all the free backgrounds that are out there now like at "The Cutest Blog on the Block."??***
*shudders* in my early days I made some for TCBOTB to get my name "out there" but I hated that I was forced to go scrapbooky as I like vector art. I do free backgrounds and headers but I will be honest, it takes up ALOT of time. I get round it to some extent by asking people to contribute but often the quality isn't good enough. It's your call, but if you're already behind with your orders then I'd either ask for some help with it or revisit the idea another time.
***Would a dropdown menu at the top be more useful? Or should I keep the tabs?***
Personally I prefer the tabs as a dropdown menu can force you to have too much choice and it just gets confusing, did that even make sense? LOL
***Should I start using labels again and ditch the blog archive? Should I move the blog archive DOWN? Or just get rid of it all together?***
I think your current set up works well.
***What else can you think of? Anything?***
Nothing, you have a great blog! I love it :)
I don't think I have anything original to say, but hey, you asked for my smartness, so here goes!
Breaking up the personal/business aspects is up to you. I got to know you from MMM and reading your personal blog, so when I decided to revamp my blog, I like it that I was going to a 'cyber-friend' to do it. Also, it was around the time you were raising funds for your mom's car, and I really liked that we were both getting something good out of my design! (Does that make sense?)
I agree with the comments about CBOTB - they all look essentially the same. Your style is more edgier, funkier, and just fun. Doing free stuff is entirely up to you - maybe when things have calmed down a bit.
I like the tabs, but then I don't really know what a drop-down menu would do for you. Maybe try it out and see how people like it?
Finally, I LOVE your tutorials! I'm so pleased that you've decided to do those, and I've sent more than one person to you for tutorial advice!
And finally finally, you're awesome! And I hope Bubba is better soon! :)
Hi April,
Here is my 2 sense! I have been following your blog for about 4 months now. It is actually one of the first blogs I began to follow. I do not remember how I stumbled upon it but I am sure glad I did. Actually now that I think about it I was probably searching blog designers for my own blog and yours popped up. Anyway, I can honestly say that I have done a ton of research on blog designers and I think you are by far the most unique, creative, and professional out of all I looked at. Not to mention very reasonably priced as well. So now to answer the questions
Should I finally separate my personal blog and design biz? I started reading you blog because I was interested in blog design however I quickly became interested in your personal posts as well. I look forward to your posts. I personally do not think it is necessary to split it up. I actually think the more your customers know you the more business you will get. So I think it is a win win. I really do think your blog is great and enjoy reading the personal posts, tutorials, and looking at your blog designs. I like it all.
- Should I offer free backgrounds? What do you NOT like about all the free backgrounds that are out there now like at "The Cutest Blog on the Block."?? I do not think you should offer free backgrounds as a regular on your blog. I think you are very very talented and should be compensated for that talent. I think if you want to offer any type of freebie you can do it as a contest or giveaway. But I think you have built your portfolio up so much that you do not need to offer freebies. Just look at your design schedule. You are a sought after popular designer. As far as TCOTB yeah they have cute stuff but it is a different style and there is not much uniqueness there. Your style is totally different and you have a lot more to offer your customers. So anyway you work fulltime, have a hubby, personal life, so you want to make blog design worth it for you since it is time you can be doing a million other things I am sure. Ok I am rambling here but I think you get my drift.
- Would a dropdown menu at the top be more useful? Or should I keep the tabs? A dropdown menu would mean less originality, but more usefulness. I like the tabs then how you link to the additional item within the posts. I agree with a previous poster that a drop down menu can get confusing. I think your blog is very easy to navigate.
- Should I start using labels again and ditch the blog archive? Should I move the blog archive DOWN? I personally think labels are the way to go. But not to many of them. I have see some blog with what it seems as 100s of labels and it is very confusing. I would have no more than 15 different labels that people can click and find what they are looking for. I am not sure on the archive. I know that when I am navigating a blog I like when people have clear labels that I can navigate through.
What else can you think of? Anything? Hmm not right now. I do think you are doing a great job especially given what is going on with your hubby. I guess my big thing that I notice is just make sure the blog design is worth the time you put into it. You obviously put in a lot of thought and time into your designs and should be compensated for that.
Well I hope this helps. Have a great day April.
There is nothing to change but working on your wait times and service itself, its not your blog it's working on your personal self and organizing you.
I think it is fine together but pushing them apart could do you a world of good.I can say with a blog design business they are coming for your design and to pay you to complete a design, and they just want there design and may be less interested in your personal life. I know when I pay for something I want that done and there personal life is really not my concern. ( sounds cruel but it is pretty true in this world ) how many times do we go to a store, or buy something and want to know the details of their life, no we want what we paid for or what we are looking to pay for. Then you have your readers who are more interested in your personal life. I came for the blog design, and I will read your blog from time to time but on a honest note was looking for just that a designer.
I do not think its the blog its okies how it is i think it's more personal for you just organizing and making sure you work on each client one by one until they are finished, and making sure to limit your list. :)
I combine my blog with business and personal. I gathered that people didn'r always want to talk business or see me advertising for sales. I've actually gotten more followers and business connections keeping it combined.
I'm married, work FT and have four children. I have a hard enough time keeping up with one blog much less two!
I share resources on my blog, share business information but, I only post one business article bi- weekly. I found that some of them really didn't get commented on but, a personal post did. I also have my site hooked up to Google Analytics so I can see what my readers like and I taylor my content to that.
I'll always post a new design or push my Art Studio but, I do it moderately. Hopr that helps! I like your blog just the way it is.
I have an award for you at http://kats-confessions.blogspot.com/
Have a great day!
I like the personal and design blog combination.
I find I prefer labels instead of blog archives because when I look for something, I look for something specific (say holiday posts for example)
I like the bar tabs instead of a drop down menu.
Free blog backgrounds are GREAT. The thing other freebie givers do is haveing a big ugly "I got this blog background free" in the upper lefthand side. Its the first thing you see and it really detracts from the background itself. The Footers are much much better and still give the creator credit.
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I am looking for someone to design not one, but both of my blogs as soon as I have more money. My Hubby and I are cutting debt right now.
I have written on my frdge that I want my two blogs done, so we have been stashing money. I also have that you are doing them. I picked you because you are awesome, I love that you have your personal blog with your designs, I also know that you are going to make my blogs rock.
You share your personal stories, and you are so funny. I wouldnt change a thing. I go to your blog not only to see what new design you have done, but for your orginal and unique posts!
I love that you combine the two aspects of your world! I would only make the changes that feel right for you!
I don't know why you're stressin hun! Hello?? You have over 600 followers!!!
I like your blog/biz together and I think your design is fab as is. I really think you should stick with what makes YOU happy!
That your blog is both is great (no reason to have one just personal, and one just business, and I like your regular posts)...a drop down menu sounds good, and sorry to hear you won't be doing more until after the new year...but the way, I LOVE your banner, so pretty :)
I came across your blog last night through "Visit Our Peeps", and I love what you have here. It is sometimes funny where we find answers. I am struggling with the whole blog/business decision thing, and it has helped me to read your post and all your comments, but we are not here to talk about me.
-I have found that free and giving people to many choices, does nothing but add stress where it isn't needed. You have your name out there, what about a free layout once a month to add to the existing ones?
-I love the tabs, and it is your tutorial that has me working on a new header right now.
-I wouldn't do a lot of changes, I like the archive, I find it easier to find things.
Hope your husband gets better soon!
Oh, I am totally only here for free stuff :)
lol just kidding, i think you should keep doing it the way you are doing it now. With your fertility blog and this one. But i know what you mean, it is kinda hard to tell who is here for what reason. I dunno.
I like how you combined both your personal and business. I found you while searching for a blog designer. It has allowed be to learn more about you and understand why things are delayed. I was by no means mad or bitchy about it but it just gets disappointing. And I have had to put some of my things on hold. So the business end of it is hard. Especially when you work full time and have had family health issues. I am excited and anxious to see it/them. :) I completely understand!! Some people may not want to understand because in the end it a business you are providing and they are paying for it. If you put too much on your plate, its not there concern. I can understand that too. I LOVE your work. It's unique, personalized, and very affordable. I wouldnt change a thing.
Free stuff - up to you. I personally like the REAL DEAL - individual uniqueness. (Is that a Work, LOL) I would just try to get on track, get more organized, and work on time management. That's hard but worth it personally and for your business. Enjoy what you do and try to make it as stress free as possible. :)
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