SheSpeaks is coming up in a little less than a week, and I am going to spend a chunk of tomorrow working out the finer points of my part of the presentation that I’m doing with Melanie and Shannon.
Because I’m thinking that next week I won’t have much time to work on the presentation what with getting a haircut and looking for brown sandals and wondering why it’s become increasingly impossible to get my eyelashes to curl.
I’m not even kidding about that last thing. It’s driving me crazy. No matter what I do, my eyelashes look like they’ve been ironed.
Anyhoo.
At SheSpeaks one of the things I’m going to be talking about is finding your bloggy voice (tip #1: CRAZY HELPS) and making that voice consistent with the look and feel of your blog.
So. Three things.
1) Would y’all be so kind as to point me to some blogs where you feel like the look of the blog perfectly matches the voice of the person who writes there? And it doesn’t have to be a mama blog - it can be a political blog, a fashion blog, an entertainment news blog, whatever.
Next.
2) Does the look of a blog - the graphics, the fonts, the colors - have any bearing on whether or not you continue to visit? In other words, if someone has incredibly thought-provoking content but the look of the blog isn’t visually appealing, do you care?
Finally.
3) What’s your favorite blog out there in terms of design? What blog makes you sigh with contentment as soon as you click over? And what specifically do you like about it?
If you’re more comfortable emailing me all of this information instead of leaving it in the comments, that’s fine by me. Just please try not to say anything negative about a specific blog because OH, CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE THE AWKWARD?
And if you also feel led to offer some advice in regard to my impossibly straight eyelash fiasco, I’d be most appreciative.
Really, internets, you’re going to be helping me with a whole host of quandaries.
So if you’re feeling invaluable right about now, well, guess what, YOU TOTALLY SHOULD.
Shelley H. says:
The blog questions will take some time for me to answer and I don’t have any info on the eyelash thing…but I have to say you are not alone!!! Mine will not curl anymore either!!! I’ve been curling them since I was 16 and it just won’t work anymore. Hopefully someone will answer you and help us both! :)
June 13th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Emily says:
Fonts, colors, appearance and such can definitely keep me from revisiting. As can those little music boxes that sometimes cover text. Design is a factor. Readability makes me happy.
bradruggles.com is a site that’s graphically appealing to me. It really matches his voice, too, I think. And he’s got some major artistic talent.
Excited about y’all’s little presentation!
June 13th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Carol ~ I Throw Like A Girl says:
Here’s a very important question regarding your eyelash dilemma - could it be the humidity making them go flat? Perhaps your eyelashes are reacting to it the same way my hair does.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Kris says:
I subscribe to over 30 blogs - and none of them have to do with looks. I load them into google.com/reader and the whole beauty of it is…I don’t have to open each and every blog. The updates are there, I read, I gaze, I ponder. Once in a blue, I open it up to comment - but it’s rare.
I am a graphic designer - and a marketer - so I totally get the aesthetics of a piece. But in the land of blogs, I’m there to read- not gaze at the lovely graphics. And for that reason, I haven’t done much to the look of mine.
June 13th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Amber says:
I, too, have my blogs all with a subscriber. BUT, I think they all hooked me from the start, and something kept me with them. Of course, a big part of that is how they write, relate, etc. But, I have to admit that if a blog is plain or weird looking, it does turn me off. Call me a shallow blogger if you will, but it’s the truth! I enjoy cute and stylish :)
June 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Barbara H. says:
In answer to #2, I don’t really chose a blog or stay with one because of its design: I am attracted by and stay because of the writing. A nice design is pleasant, but it’s more the icing on the cake thing.
Conversely, the only type of design that will drive me away is one in which there is too much movement, either in the ads or the graphics. I try to stay with it and read through Bloglines if I really like the writing, but my eyes can’t handle reading and comprehension with stuff going on in my peripheral vision.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Diane J. says:
These old eyes do not like light print on dark backgrounds. If it puts too much strain on my eyes, I’ll click away no matter how well written or funny the blog.
I can’t think of any specific blogs that really appeal to me right now, but if I do I’ll shoot you an email.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:02 am
Robyn says:
The look of a blog doesn’t matter as much as the content in the blog. However, the initial impression is always nicer if it’s all fancy and sparkly.
I seriously dislike the music on blogs. Especially if the blogger puts the music box at the very bottom of the page and I have to scroll around and find it to turn it off. Annoying.
As far as content is concerned, I’m definitely a fan of funny blogs. Don’t get me wrong, I like a spiritual, deep conversation now and then, but if I have 3 seconds in the day to sit down and flip through blogs, I’d much rather laugh while doing it.
Not much mind boggling, rocket science kind of stuff, but I’m pretty much a simple person. Have a great time at SheSpeaks. I’ll be praying for yall!
June 14th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Lindsey says:
The one blog I can think of where I think the design really matches the voice is Heather Whittaker’s blog. http://whittakerwoman.typepad.com/
As far as the eyelashes thing…I just read somewhere that castor oil is sometimes used to promote eyelash growth. http://sadiemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=95 (sorry I don’t know how to do links!) Maybe that could somehow help with the eyelash situation? I’m right there with you with short, straight eyelashes. I might just give it a try myself!
June 14th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Linds says:
I am a techy toddler here. I have no idea how to do interesting things to make my template exciting. I am to scared the whole thing with implode. I would absolutely love to have some wizard do it for me, but that will have to wait for now.
No, I am not at all influenced by the template. I read the blogs I love for the words. Interesting, funny, thought provoking, lovely people. They are my friends, and I am not judging them by appearances.
I am not, however, keen on music which blares out and knocks 10 years off my life in the middle of the night when I am blog hopping. And I am not that keen on posts which are full of links, or that snapshot feature when I scrolling down.
The preacher’s wife has a great template, I think. Pioneer woman. Of course. Sigh. Maybe I should go and experiment.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Jen says:
The look of thesecretlifeofkat is DEFINITELY definitive of Kat’s personality/voice. I know Kat very well, and so I feel I can say that. She’s very no-nonsense and practical and I think her blog looks a lot like that. (but it’s not ugly… I’m not saying that!)
There’s one blog I read that the look doesn’t match the voice, and that is brant hansen’s (kamp krusty’s) blog. I don’t know why, but the colorful title has always seemed a bit weird to me… like cute and kid-ish, but that isn’t what the content is like AT ALL. (I love the blog and read it always anyway, so it doesn’t matter).
Other blogs I read are mostly from people who use xanga or blogspot and the designs there are limited. So, my friends do the best they can with the design options. I come back to read anyway.
BUT! If I happen upon a REAL cool looking designed blog, I’ll come back again… but then again, if the stuff written is really lacking, I won’t come back for long.
So, no. In the big picture, the look of the blog doesn’t really matter. It’s the content that keeps me coming back.
June 14th, 2008 at 5:02 am
chocolatechic says:
I too, do not care what the font, color, or background looks like. It is nice if they have a nice layout, but it really doesn’t matter.
I also come to blogs for content, not the ads, to me, the ads are distracting. Many people have suggested that I advertise on my blog. I refuse, on the grounds that I want people to read my blog, not my ads.
The music on the side……….blech!!!
I used to like Ree’s layout, but the way she has it now………way to busy. I still like to read her, but in the last couple of months……she has seem forced or distracted.
I also have a feed reader. I like to be able to read the whole blog from my reader. It is really frustrating to have just a bit of it showing, and you actually have to click on the blog to finish reading. Frustrating, and if I don’t have much time, I won’t go to that blog.
It is the actual writing that draws me in.
I also love lots of pictures in the content.
June 14th, 2008 at 5:40 am
emily says:
Ok, I’ll help with the eyelash question. I found lots of tips when I googled ” How to curl your eyelashes”. Here is a video clip I found. It’s http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to -curl-your-eyelashes. Basically they advise that if you are having problems to heat up your eyelash curlers with your hair dryer set on a low setting. And the girl speaks with a British accent which I love!
June 14th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Sherry says:
It is a nice bonus if a blog is great to look at, but I won’t read or not read one because of the way it looks. What is written there is much more important to me. The only thing that annoys me greatly and will prevent me from coming back is if a blog has music playing on it. There aren’t many that do that, but the few I have stumbled upon I couldn’t click away from fast enough, even if it was a song I like. A link to music is one thing, but having it come blaring out at me against my will is something else.
So because I don’t care all that much about how a blog looks I can’t really answer your first or third question.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Llama Momma says:
I think the look and feel of a blog is important, though content is more important. If the content was great, I would keep going back regardless of the “look” of a blog. (Which isn’t to say it isn’t important.)
Interestingly, many of the blogs I stick with have both good content AND a great design.
Ann over at Holy Experience does this so well. http://aholyexperience.com/
I don’t even mind the music, which is usually such a turnoff for me.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Lila says:
I agree with everyone else. The design or layout of the blog is not as important to me as the writing. And I cannot stand music on a blog!
June 14th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Melissa says:
I love, love, LOVE, the design of Rhonda’s down-to-earth blog. She’s an Aussie who does very simple living and frugality with elegance.
Her blog is populated with pictures of her homestead, homemade bread, canned goods and a simple picture of her. She talks about living simply, cooking, baking, and the three R’s in a simple, quiet manner that agrees with her site design.
Of course, there are a lot of other blogs where the design matches the voice of the blogger, including this one. ;) I just happen to love Rhonda’s site because I’m on a very similar journey.
Melissa in FL
nnisigning@gmail.com
June 14th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Missy says:
I so agree that blogs seem to work best when all the components are consistent. One of my friends has a wonderful blog she uses for musings and work. Her name is Lisa Leonard. She has a special needs child and thriving GORGEOUS jewelry business and LOVES the Lord. The address is http://www.Lisaleonard.blogspot.com . She has wildly crazy curly hair. Maybe she can help you with that eyelash issue…! Have a great weekend….loving the Lord and life here on the central coast of california…
June 14th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Lisa C. says:
Call me shallow, but the appearance of a blog does matter to me. I don’t like a lot of distraction, whether it’s through 18 different fonts on each page, bouncing text, moving graphics or what have you. Using the “Comic Sans” font will make me leave almost immediately. And consistently incorrect grammar or spelling, or lots of typos, will drive me away fairly quickly. Everyone makes mistakes occasionally, but a point can be reached where it just looks like the writer isn’t paying enough attention. (I don’t count “artistic license” or colloquialism against anyone, y’all. ‘Cause really. That’s just different.)
June 14th, 2008 at 7:15 am
chilihead says:
#2: I absolutely think design is just as important as content. If I’m distracted from the content by how bad the design is, I just can’t stay. Design should be subtle enough that it doesn’t distract from the message, but punchy enough that it invites me to stay.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Catherine says:
1) I’m a big fan of Bad Hair Days, and I think the look of xeney.com matches the voice there very well. And John Bailey (oldgreypoet) wrote the book, or at least wrote the book I’m anxious to read.
2) I would never know if someone has incredibly thought-provoking content if their blog is covered with animation and music and angels and unicorns and that amazingly irritating mirror thing, because I wouldn’t stay on their site for more than the time it takes to click away. I am a big old design snob - the more straightforward and minimalist, the better. Bad design can annoy me; good design sort of disappears behind the content.
3) And there I contradict myself. No design, per se, makes me purr; content makes me purr. I look forward to reading, and the navigation better be simple and obvious so I can read some more.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Mrs. Who says:
Well, without sounding TOO CONCEITED, I really think my blog shows my voice and my personality perfectly. Friends have told me when they read, it sounds like I am talking to them. So I’m kinda proud of that.
Now, about the blogs I read.
1. I’m so happy others can’t stand the music. It is distracting and annoying and people should not have music on their blogs!!
2. I definitely pay attention to the design and appreciate someone who has taken the trouble to make their blog attractive and cute. I read in Google Reader so I don’t always get to see the designs, but I had to see them at some point. I hate blogs that are hard to read, have a very busy background, or too many ads. I might still read them if they had great content, but I wouldn’t like it.
3. I do not like it when people have just a part of the post in the Reader and you are forced to click to their blog to read the rest. I’m not sure everyone realizes they have made this choice; I know it took me a while (and some complaints from family members!) before I realized I could put the whole post on a Reader.
4. I also have a real issue with bad spelling and grammar. I can excuse a few mistakes since we all make them, but please use a spell checker!! If you have a blog, you are a writer, so act like one!
Sorry this is so long. I have pretty strong opinions!!
June 14th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Liz says:
There is a reason for the short feed - it prevents some other website from publishing your entire post on their website and earning revenue from it.
That being said - I only keep reading a short feed blog if I really really like the blogger :) But I understand their reasoning for not publishing the whole post in a feedburner.
I’m with Mrs Who - I think my blog design accurately reflects my voice. I also think the fact that I don’t have ads or tons of bloggy stuff going on except for the actual blogging reflects my voice and style. I don’t have a lot of clutter at my real house. That’s also why I was SO UPSET at the peptobismol look I had going on a few weeks ago. Made me look like I had bright pink eye makeup on. And I didn’t.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Starr says:
The look of the blog totally matters to me. I use the handy “next” feature that google reader has; a button you click on in your toolbar that takes you to the next blog in your reader with new content. I like it because I can read the blog in it’s natural environment instead of in an email format, and still have take advantage of using a feed reader.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:03 am
teri says:
WOW! Not that I have anything important to add to your comments…but I better go take the music off right now! YIKES!
June 14th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Jane says:
Not too much opinion on the first questions, although I am highly opposed to music on blogs, but I did have a suggestion for your eyelashes so I thought I’d comment for that sole purpose. (Priorities, right?)
I sometimes use my blow dryer to very slightly warm my eyelash curler right before I curl them (like 5 seconds of heat or less), and that tends to help hold the curl longer. Sometimes I do it after I put mascara on, but usually before so I’m not totally breaking them down. Please be careful though, because it is very possible to get the curler too hot and scald your lids!
Hope this helps! Have a great time at SheSpeaks.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Indiana Keetha says:
I’m with all the others on the “radio” boxes. Every once in a while someone has one that you, the reader, TURN ON if you want it. Those are GREAT. But the ones that blair out and have to be found and turned off, those are very annoying.
I also have trouble with adds or templates that have movement going on. That DOES distract your eyes while you are trying to read.
I’m not sure I could put my finger on exactly WHY I like the blogs I like - - - especially because there are different reasons for different blogs. BUT, it is also true for me that SOMETHING - - - and I think it may be the personality of the blogger - - - reaches out and grabs me and keeps me coming back.
I do like pictures on the blog. No pictures and all text will keep me coming back ONLY if I already know and love the blog - - - and even then, I SKIM all that writing if its just too much.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Indiana Keetha says:
Oooops - - - that ONLY should have been an UNLESS.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Sarah W. says:
Cover Girl Lash Blast has solved years of frustrating eyelashes!! I found that mascara via Big Mama’s blog (I think), and it has transformed my (face) life.
I definitely will stop reading a blog if it is unappealing. I am fine if it is plain, but if it is hard to read, I will give up. Hard to read for me includes: light yellow font on white, tiny font, huge ads with small blogging area…to name a few.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Org Junkie says:
I absolutely believe design is very important to a blog and building traffic. There are so many blogs out there that in order for you to differentiate yourself very quickly and be recognizable you need to create a great first impression.
People coming to a blog for the first time only give it a short amount of time before moving on. Make that time count with a design that says something about what your blog is about and your personality. I love that it’s possible to do this with design.
Of course content is also important but first you need to grab the attention of those passing by and the best way to do that is with a design that “speaks” clearly to your audience.
June 14th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Nikki says:
About the eyelashes - have you ever tried running your eyelash curler under your hairdryer for a few seconds before curling them? Be careful - and good luck!
June 14th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Marla Taviano says:
I love Bring the Rain.
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com
It’s blue (my fave) and soothing. Simple, clean, bright but calm.
Green is my second fave. I really like your blog design, Boo.
My own blog is pathetic. Design-wise, I mean. The writing is just phenomenal. :)
I joined xanga a couple years ago, and I have a community of wonderful friends there. I’m torn between staying and starting a new, cool blog on blogspot or something.
And I’ve never curled my eyelashes in my life. I’m nervous about showing up at She Speaks now.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Melanie says:
I like blogs that are easy to read. White background is my first choice. That being said, I am disappointed that mine has the gray background, but I am waiting for a new design.
It is nice to see a cute design, but the content is what brings me back.
No music. It is too distracting.
I’ll email you with particular favorites.
Eyelashes- Use one of those mascaras that curls the lashes. I think Maybelline has one.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Kim Priestap says:
I care about design when I visit a blog because that’s what causes me to stop initially, but it’s the content that keeps me there and makes me want to subscribe.
I’m in the process of having someone redesign my blog because I care about how it looks. I can do a little design work, but I don’t know enough to make it look really nice.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Kelly Anne says:
My 10 year old eyelash curler broke this month and I had to replace it. OHMIGOSH! I can’t believe what a difference the new curler makes (same kind). I have actually “over-curled” my lashes on a few occassions. At least it’s an inexpensive thing to try. Also…be VERY careful if you heat the curler with a hair dryer! Third degree burns don’t look nearly as good as eyeshadow.
Blog comment-I hate it when the color of the words is funky and unreadable!
Have fun!
June 14th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Veronica Mitchell says:
I think the look of these blogs suits their tone and content very well:
http://www.jamesbowman.net/
http://orangette.blogspot.com/
http://boomama.net/
http://gorgeoustown.typepad.com/lex_culinaria/
Since I read most blogs on RSS feed, the look of their actual webpage does not affect me much. When I click on a new blog, the writing does have to be very good to keep me reading if they use a completely unmodified Blogger layout. The only time I absolutely will not read a blog is if it is light print on a dark background. That hurts my eyes.
I also hate music that plays automatically, and I hate the distracting busy-ness of LiveJournal blogs.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Carolina Mama says:
Yes, I would agree with http://www.lisaleonard.blogspot.com. She is so creative and everyday is different and simple too.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Rena Gunther says:
Ultimately, the writing is most important to me. However, I am hooked (at least at first) by the design. If it’s pleasing to the eye, it will grab my attention.
Most blogs that I stumble on for the first time or found on a blogroll of one of my favorite blogs. The writing style and the overall personality of the writer will determine if I read regularly. I only know a couple of bloggers personally and will say that their blogs definitely mimic their personalities.
And I think I’ll jump on Mrs. Who’s bandwagon and say that I do feel that my blog fits me quite well. I do know “me” the best, though. ;)
I didn’t have a tip on the eyelashes…I have to wonder about the humidity mentioned in one of the comments. Louisiana humidity…well, you know, don’t you?
June 14th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Kim says:
You have gotten some great advice
I agree with the busy blog design being a turn off however if I really like the writing I will come back anyway
I do not like music on a blog and ALWAYS turn it off - I can’t seem to read what the post says, hear the music, and tune out my children all at the same time :)
Have a great time at the conference I will be praying for the 3 of you!
BTW: Joanne a Siesta from http://onesoblessed.blogspot.com/
won the contest to attend the conference
Hopefully you will get to meet her
She is from Cali and is SO MUCH FUN!!
God bless
Kim
June 14th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Poppy says:
My pal Badger has a template from Angie of the Big Red Couch. There are no bells and whistles, no ads, no blinkies, and no music. The header image perfectly conveys what the blog is about. It’s sassy and a little bit snarky and funny:
http://badgermeetsworld.blogspot.com/
June 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Kirstin says:
As for the eyelash curler, try Shu Uemura’s. It’s considered the best on the market and you can find it at Sephora. At almost $20, it’s an investment, but well worth it! Happy curling!
June 14th, 2008 at 9:46 am
kristen says:
Check out Ironic Sans. Not a mommyblog, but awesome.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Angela says:
about the eyelashes… I was told once that before you put on mascara to use your hairdryer to get the eyelash curler warm and then use it on your eyelashes. It acts like a curling iron.
Just a thought for you!
June 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Teri says:
1. Antigue Mommy, Rocks In My Dryer, BooMama, My Messy Thrilling Life, The Nesting Place, The Inspired Room
2. You all feel like home for some reason. The graphics are nice, the music usually kicks but I think it’s more your spirits and desires to follow Christ.
3. The Nesting Place
June 14th, 2008 at 10:18 am
cara says:
one of my recent favorites that I think is fun to look at, crafty content and a cute layout etc is Pink paper peppermints http://www.kindawonderful.typepad.com/
and Home sanctuary http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/
I think her fonts, layout, etc all completly match her voice in the blog…
June 14th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Shanda says:
More than anything, it’s the title that grabs me. And if the title and the design match are are unique and creative, that’s even better.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Jessica says:
Initially, it’s the design that actually catches my eye - I love Simply Amusing’s little birdy and her tag line about looking on the bright side (which her posts usually reflect), I love the simplicity of How About Orange and her photos are amazing.
The design is important, but it’s definitely the content that keeps me coming back for more. Someone can have a beautiful template, but if their voice doesn’t match the design or if they don’t have a voice, I usually won’t stick around to read for long.
The other thing I don’t see mentioned much is how often they update. I’m more drawn to people if I can feel like there’s a “conversation” happening, daily or weekly dialogue. Does that make sense?
I dislike any kind of music, like most everyone else. I dislike black on a background, which makes it too difficult to read. I enjoy whites or lighter colors that are easier on the eyes.
I can’t say that I have an absolute favorite, unless it’s BooMama, but that’s YOU! :)
June 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Jenn says:
Here’s my answer to number 2 because that’s an easy one for me. The look is nice and all but it does not matter. I like content. Good content. Funny content, and also thought provoking. if they don’t have flashy graphics but I like what they have to say, I’ll most certainly be back. There ya go. Thank you. b-bye now :)
June 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hope says:
First of all, does the fried chicken really have to be imaginary, because I imagine you can flat-out fry up some chicken and that sounds tasty!
All the best bloggers that do this are the ones teaching the class, so no better examples than yourselves!
I would also have to add the LPM blog, funny and spiritual, which is totally Beth.
I also think these two do a great job.
http://laragallagher.com/blog/
http://www.conversiondiary.com/
June 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Jane says:
Design doesn’t really keep me reading a blog - content does.
However, too much busyness might turn me off of a blog.
I do like seeing the personality that shows up in some designs - but it’s icing on the cake as someone else said.
June 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am
AmyL says:
If I may be so bold, I would suggest my blog for design and voice. I had a great designer rework the whole thing about 6 weeks ago and I’m very excited about how it looks. I think my writing reflects my voice, but I’ve only been writing a year and I’m still learning. It’s called Earnest Parenting and I’d be honored if people came to visit for a moment. :)
June 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Holly Smith says:
Wow. What a fun question–for I have just sat here reading all the coments!
I do not use any kind of reader, because my inbox is full enough, and I would tend to “put it off” ’til later and then never read it. So I just drop by when I can and sometimes, it may be a few weeks before I catch up with friends.
I am intrigued by the black background comments. Funny, I like it. :) Perhaps one day I’ll change mine, but I think it sets off the Colorado pics. wonderfully. Although my Chris just came in and said it is too dark. Well, we’ll see.
I have a few that I’d really say the blog matches the voice of the person.
http://www.thesimplewife.typepad.com/
http://virtuealert.blogspot.com/
http://www.especiallyheather.com/
I like the design to be appealing to the eye. But I’m not too picky. I love a good title, like Notes from the Trenches…fighting the war on terror one tantrum at a time. Or yesterday, “The Dolly Mama” just cracked me up.
I don’t like too much change. I like to get familiar with a site and change is ok, but not every other week.
I don’t care for foul language in a blog at all. Also, I don’t care for the crazy big and then small fonts in one post. My brain gets tired trying to read it.
My favorite design is this one: http://www.lifeat7000feet.com/
I love the photo in the header,the title, the colors. The blog also perfectly suits her voice.
Sorry this is way too long. Should I change my background color, Sophie? Just wondering.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Phyllis@Aimless Conversation says:
I am fairly new to the blogging world..so I have very little to offer you in the way of answers. I will say that I like to read humor blogs…but any blog that is well written will keep my attention. although I have a blog, I have not quite ‘found’ my voice and it still is more of a friends and family catch-all. I want to improve, but I’m not sure how… I wish i was going to SheSpeaks, but it was not to be this year. Maybe next.
As for your eyelash dilemma, someone has probably already posted this tip, but here you go. Heat up your eyelash curler (metal one) with your blowdryer (low heat) for about five seconds or so. Then CAREFULLY curl your eyelashes. they should hold curl better and longer…but be careful! You could scald your eyelid and the pain, oh the pain!
June 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Melanie says:
Well, I’m glad I’m giving my site a new look! This has been really informative for me. I read through a reader but come to the sites I like the most to comment.
The design is important, but it’s not a deal breaker. I don’t like really small fonts, weird fonts or white type on a black background.
The site name and design should at least match, or the reader should be able to “feel” the connection between the two.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Michelle Bentham says:
Hey there, Friend. Well, I would say content matters to me, and ease of use. I even like blogs that give you a snippet of the post and the option to read more or move - to which I have not figured out how that works.
I tend to read more of the blogs with personal and/or spiritual insight, though I love me some funny everyday bloggin’ as well. Just depends. Infrequent change in posts… (now I am preaching to the choir) well, that can deter me from visiting - I like pictures and such.
Also, I have found - since I myself discovered it after many months of blasting people with my own favorite praise and worship - that turning my music player off and allowing others to sample it at will is much nicer than just leaving the thing on…
There are great tips for bloggers at Amy B’s Split Decisionz blog that helped me tremendously. I like this blog, but really one of my favorites is Twinkle Mom over at http://sunflowerfaith.freehostia.com/... That said - Thanks for asking and hope this helps.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Amanda says:
http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/
June 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Smockity Frocks says:
About the eyelashes, I used to wonder why people had to curl their eyelashes and feel sorry for the poor things! Now it’s me doing it! They go back straight in about an hour anyway, though. I’ll be checking back to see if anyone has a solution I haven’t tried.
About the blogs, black backgrounds make me sad. Call me shallow.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Amanda says:
I think the design and voice of this one go really well together:
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/
Most of the blogs I read are by my friends, so I wouldn’t stop reading them because I didn’t like the design. I might just read them on bloglines. I’m really turned off by anything that looks like a MySpace page. Too hard to read! BooMama, your designs have always been delightful.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Holly Smith says:
OK, due to peer pressure (just kidding) :), I changed the colors. Do you like them? Too much green?
June 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sky says:
mommyneedsacocktail.com is one of my favorite websites…it’s fun and fresh. I love her design.
adventuresinbabywearing.com is another one of my favorites…it’s simple, yet pleasing.
Just a side note…ever since I’ve had my daughter my left side eyelashes will not curl. I’ve tried EVERYTHING!! It really rips me.
June 14th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Donna says:
1) Would y’all be so kind as to point me to some blogs where you feel like the look of the blog perfectly matches the voice of the person who writes there?
annie’s eyes is a good one in this way. I was just telling a gf last night that her tone is so calming and contemplative… we hope that once our kids are older that we can get to that kind of calm & comtemplated point in life. *sigh*
2) Does the look of a blog - the graphics, the fonts, the colors - have any bearing on whether or not you continue to visit? In other words, if someone has incredibly thought-provoking content but the look of the blog isn’t visually appealing, do you care?
Yes, I care. But this is all so subjective - beauty in the eyes of the beholder and all. Heck, I don’t even like the look of my own blog right now, but it is what it is until I can afford a blog-over. For me, if the background is too terribly busy, my mind can’t focus on what I’m reading.
3) What’s your favorite blog out there in terms of design? What blog makes you sigh with contentment as soon as you click over? And what specifically do you like about it?
Why, BooMama, of course.
Seriously, I like yours and Big Mama. But I also like Beth@A Mom’s Life. I’m a sucker right now for red and her punches of red are very appealing to me visually. She also has cute content to boot.
Finding your voice is difficult. I don’t know that I’ve completely found mine yet. I would say that mine is not just a mom blog (although I talk about my kids) and not just a political blog (although I do have my soapbox moments) and not just a spiritual blog (although I love to share what’s going on in that area also). It’s such a combination of things… Oh that’s way more info than you wanted.
Can’t help you with the eye lashes. I don’t even like to wear mascara. *gasp*
June 14th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
elaine @ peace for the jounrey says:
Not a fan of ads or music. Blinking things distract me. I go to blogs for the quality of the writing, but am likely to visit less if other things are taking attention away from the words.
I’m more interested in reflective blogs…words that lead me to contemplate God’s truth.
Jennisa at “Once Upon a Blog” does beautiful designs and did one for me when I first started blogging. I wanted a canvas on which to paint my words, and I’ve been so pleased with the outcome. Most of her work seems to reflect some of the character of her clients.
Just some thoughts…
peace~elaine
June 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Mary Lou says:
Didn’t take the time to see if anyone else said what I am going to say, Will try to be brief. I read the ones who appeal to me with thier writing, the ones that show thier heart. The dark backgrounds that have dark print or whatever that makes them hard to read, I don’t go back to. Lately, when I’ve come across one that I think I might want to read and they have music playing loudly and you can’t turn it off, or I haven’t figured out how to turn it off. It annoys me even if it’s a song I might like to listen to. It makes it harder for me to read what they have written. Maybe I’m just too old or whatever, but that is one thing that annoys me the most. I think I generally read ones because I do like the way they write and not always because of the way the header etc look. The personality of the person coming thru is another thing that I like and makes me come back. Hope this helps you and maybe someone else.
June 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Marcia, Organising Queen says:
The design definitely doesn’t keep me reading BUT it will turn me off if it is too busy - I hate busy and cluttered :)
Here are some blogs where the design perfectly matches the voice:
http://bohemiangirldesigns.blogspot.com
http://jenlemen.com
http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com
Go have a read and add to your google reader :)
I get REALLY bugged by partial feeds - there are only 2 in my GR that I click on straight away and that’s yours and http://tertia.org
You’re going to have a GREAT time at She Speaks!
June 14th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Sarah says:
I am so guilty of judging a book by its cover when it comes to blogs… if it isn’t pretty, I often won’t stay long. I feel terrible admitting that out loud!
Also, I tend to be drawn to very simple blog designs… http://www.soulemama.com , http://www.simplemom.net are both very clean, white designs. And they’re some of my favorites!
June 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Megan(FriedOkra) says:
I think Antique Mommy’s design suits her voice perfectly. Mary’s design at Owlhaven. This was a great time for you to do this, too… Thanks! ‘Cause I’m gettin’ a new look this month myself and I just wanna make everybody happy, you know?
June 14th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Tara says:
About the only kind of blog design I don’t like are the pre fab ones from blogger. And that is why I have taken my html savvy self and changed some colors in my pre fab blogger blog. That way I’m totally using what’s already there but it doesn’t LOOK like I”m totally using what’s already there. Unless you actually know something about html or blogging. Then you know I’m just fakin’ it.
If I had one of the seasonal blog designs like you, Big Mama and Shannon I’m sure my head would explode from having to remember to change it. We’d have snowmen in July at my blog.
I also don’t like the blogs that take forever and a day to load. I’m still on dial up. I don’t know what makes one blog quick to load and one take forever, but if it takes forever I’m likely to give up on it and go do something else. Kisses of Sunshine used to take for-sweet-ever but she changed it and now I totally read her all the time because it doesn’t take all day.
As for voice, I like to be a little sassier on my blog than I am in real life. For example, in real life I would never say something like “for-sweet-ever” but I feel like my sassy side can come out safely online. Does that make me one of those weirdos who pretends to be someone different online? No, it just allows me to be sassy in a safe place without the pressure of being sassy all the stinkin’ time (another phrase reserved for blog-talk). :)
And there you go. My two cents on blogging. :) And if you paid two cents I owe you a three cents change.
June 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Janera says:
I’m a long-time writer but a new blogger, trying out this new venue and having great fun.
Good writing is about identifying purpose first. You simply must know why you are writing before you ever start doing it.
I agree with others who have said it’s the writing that will hold a reader, and every good writer knows it’s mostly about thesis and voice. The thesis must be universal, even if the details are personal. And the voice must be original.
So, how do you find your voice? By writing. A lot. It’s really the only way.
Yes, design matters in blogging, just as it does in newspaper and magazine journalism. Just like it matters everywhere. So, yes, too much bling detracts from the message. It can also take a long time to load on the screen, and that’s annoying. Dark print on light backgrounds is easier to read. Ads and flashing do-da’s are irritating.
Oh, sorry. You didn’t ask for all that. My teacher voice clicked in. It does that.
Some blogs? Look at http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com/blind_pig_the_acorn/
Tipper’s site is a great example of one where the writer’s purpose is clearly defined, the design matches the purpose and voice, and readers come — not by the thousands, but that’s ok, because the purpose doesn’t have anything to do with numbers. It’s a cool site.
Here’s another: http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/
BJ’s is just a sweet little lady who loves playing with the decor of her home, but readers flock to her. Why? Because her design is nice, but also because she has one clear purpose, which is to reach out to others and to make them feel good.
A blog that makes me sigh? http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/
So pretty. So purposeful. So real.
June 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Kristen says:
I think blog designs plays an important role in whether or not I personally respond to a blog and want to come back. MUSIC IS A NO, for sure. Unless it can be turned off ASAP while I am perusing the blog pages.
And though this may sound rather horrible, I am not a Mom yet, and find myself responding not so well to blogs that constantly talk only about kids. I mean, I love little kiddies, too but it seems like that is all bloggers speak about! : )
I like variety in a blog. And Jesus.
June 14th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Janera says:
oh, my goodness, was my post long enough? Because I forgot this one. It’s pretty, and it makes me laugh out loud. And who doesn’t love that?
http://byebyepie.typepad.com/bye_bye_pie/
June 14th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Marian Lindsey Richards says:
Hello, BooMama! I’d love to say I’m responding to yesterday’s blog, but I’m actually popping in to say hi! Blast from the past — your sorority little sister!
I have spent just about every spare minute over the last few days reading your past blogs and I LOVE THEM! Reading your posts is like sitting down and talking to you, and it makes me sad that it’s been so long since we’ve talked.
Hope to catch up with you soon, though. Until then, it’s back to the archived BooMama blogs! You should write a book!
Marian
June 14th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Christal says:
I enjoy a nice colorful blog (as long as I can read through it.) Yes, definitely the visual appearance makes me want to visit more… but mostly what I like are personal pictures that let me in on the blogger’s world. I like to SEE!
~C
June 14th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Amanda says:
1. My favorite blog voice is http://www.bargainshopperlady.com , basically because it’s simple yet fun and speaks the point, very good bargains.
2. I do believe that font is important, you can keep an audience without them but you may not hold them for long.
3. You and Rocks in My Dryer
Hope She Speaks Goes Great!
June 14th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Rocks In My Dryer says:
I can’t remember if we’ve discussed this, but I think one nice feature is headers that aren’t too “tall”. It makes the page so slow to load, and also there’s too much scrolling.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Jennifer, Snapshot says:
What about Barb at A Chelsea Morning? I’m sure that there are others, but she has a nice voice, and the template reflects it.
One thing I like about individual templates and designs is that it helps me remember them better. This was more important in the early days when I was obsessed with reading every blog I could, but if I clicked over and the template was memorable, it made a difference.
I think that Laura at Orgjunkie.com fits too–it shows what the blog is about, it’s cheery and encouraging, just like she is.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Lisa-BlessedwithGrace says:
I have recently discovered a blog called” Mama’s losin’ it” @ http://mamakatslosinit.blogspot.com/
It is visually appealing and I think the desing of the blog completely matches her personality. She is a fun and clever read and her blog design represents her well. I hope you go and check it out.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Johna says:
I didn’t have time to read through all the comments, but I have stick straight eyelashes STICK STRAIGHT. I use my blowdryer to warm up the curler before I use it. It works great but here are 2 very imporant tips: ALWAYS curl them before you apply mascara, I have put on my mascara first and then heated it and used it, and my eyelashes stuck like glue to it, I think they melted onto it. And last, ALWAYS check the temp. of the curler with your hand BEFORE you use it, I have burned my eyelid before….not pretty, not pretty at all!
June 14th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Lisa says:
Try giving your eyelash curler a little blast with your blowdryer (not too much…don’t want to burn your eyelids) before curling your eyelashes.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Lisa says:
Oops! Sorry. I realized too late that someone beat me to the blowdryer trick (and elaborated with the instructions, making me feel even more lame).
June 14th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
mama's losin' it says:
Wow! I’m flattered that someone mentioned my blog as an example!! That’s super sweet.
I agree with most that the appearance of the blog is important. I find that a lot of advertisements and links distracts me from the message of the blog. I feel like I can’t focus.
A blog doesn’t have to be fancy, just readable…pictures are fun, but keeping it simple and to the point is best.
June 14th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
mama's losin' it says:
ps I don’t have a CLUE what to do with your eyelashes…however, put your eyelash curler under the hair dryer for a few seconds to give them added curl.
Totally works.
June 14th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
mama's losin' it says:
ps again I’m even worse than Lisa…pretend I never said that thing about the hair dryer.
June 14th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
shawna says:
wow. i just wrote a short novel and then it disappeared into blog space.
let’s try again.
i’m with lisa. i’m shallow. i love pretty blogs. simple, though. nothing flashing or bouncing. i will leave if things flash or bounce at me. i will also leave if i run into enough errors.
i love words, but i LOVE LOVE LOVE pictures. pictures of anything. faces, toes, shoes, trees, flowers, babies, food, houses, artwork…shoot, even eyelashes work for me.
if you can post a picture that explains itself or communicates something you want to say and touches my heart, no words are needed.
one of the reasons i keep coming back to your blog is that you talk to us as if we’re sitting at your kitchen table drinking sweet tea and sharing a bag of chips. or sitting on the edge of your tub watching you curl your eyelashes. and i LOVE that you spell out words so we get the full effect of your southern accent. makes it so much more fun to read.
have a great weekend!
June 14th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Happy Geek says:
I am so NOT a visual person that I really don’t care much about how a blog looks, (as long as I can read the type I am fine)but one I do read that is totally matches her voice is motherscribe.blogspot.com everything ties in together so well.
Since I am not a visual person I have never really noticed if my lashes are straight or not.
Guess what I am doing after I type this.
Thanks for giving me SOMETHING ELSE to worry about:)
June 15th, 2008 at 8:17 am
andrea_jennine says:
1. I really like the look of these two blogs, and their voice matches their look:
http://flotsamblog.com/
http://www.nothingbutbonfires.com/
2. The look of a blog isn’t a deal-breaker (unless the look makes the text hard to read), but I do enjoy a good-looking blog a little more.
3. See #1. Both appeal to my sense of the aesthetic, and they’re visually interesting without being cluttered. The best way I can put it is that they look like a little corner of a home or coffee shop where I would like to curl up with a book and read, or sit and have tea with a friend.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:51 am
angie says:
I saw your comment on Kathy’s site and clicked over. If your design wasn’t so cute I wouldn’t have stayed. To me, blog design makes a HUGE difference, especially if I’m in a hurry. I actually love my design and think it matches my personality (www.angiescircus.blogspot.com)……Kathy has a great design, SITS, http://bridgetbaxter.blogspot.com/, etc.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
readthemanual says:
I love the look, feel, and extreme usefulness of this site:
http://www.broomhuggers.com
Of course, she’s a friend of mine, and they clean my house too (YAY) so I’m a little (A LOT) biased…
June 15th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Sandy says:
I read the blogs I read because they’re awesome, not because of how they look, but my inbox is flooded on the first of every month with emails from my friends; we spend at least 3 days speaking wistfully of Dooce’s new masthead.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Linda Sue says:
First of all - I SO appreciate the imaginery fried chicken - we are dieting in our household and chicken is not being fried but imaginary chicken has so many advantages - keeps well, ships instantly and tastes just like my very favorite chicken!
Blogs - don’t like music on a blog unless it is an option - like click on this GodTube link or something in that style.
Yes the appearance completely affects which I read - some are so busy it takes a while to figure out where the post is and how to comment,
one of my favorite blogs for content and beauty is http://ellieskees.blogspot.com/ and another is of course the infamous and robust http://thepioneerwoman.com/ although PW has added so much graphic it takes a bit to load. last is one that is kind of straight out of the blogspot box - but effective in matching the blog to the voice - have met him IRL and he IS this blog http://www.straightfrompastor.blogspot.com/
Hold a warm washcloth over your eyes then use curler - sorta steams ‘em - of course this is NOT after mascara but before otherwise - you’ll be doing a Tammy Faye (God rest her sweet ditzy Jesus loving soul)
Thank you very much - the chicken would be nice for dinner tonight - rather than the salad we currently have on menu.
June 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
edj says:
If a blog is too cluttered and busy, plays music, or takes too long to open on a dial-up connection (I travel a lot and don’t always have a good connection), I won’t bother going back. I don’t have time! I am attracted to nice-looking blogs with a simple, uncluttered design (I love yours!) But good writing is what makes me stay.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Lolly says:
If you are into “The Bachelor/Bachelorette”, one of the funniest blogs to read is http://www.ihategreenbeans.com. She does a great re-cap and says all of the things you are thinking. Her background matches perfectly with her title.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Dianne says:
I’m with a lot of the others - design is appealing, but won’t keep me there unless the content is good. I really dislike those little snapshot windows that come up - they’re always in my way and I don’t click on them anyway.
I agree on the music. Have it there, but allow the reader the option of clicking play. Sometimes I’ve turned my volume up for something else and then someone’s music comes on and blows me out of my chair (after peeling my skin off!). The type of music doesn’t really matter when it startles the bejeebers out of me.
Another peeve? Not having an email address so I can contact someone outside of comments.
I’m most definitely with the majority here regarding too much moving, blinking, multi-colored, busy stuff. Extremely distracting.
I think finding your voice comes with time spent blogging. Unless you’ve been writing for some time, and even if you have, this can be a different venue.
Have a fab time at She Speaks! I’m sure it’ll be awesome. :D
June 15th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Teresa says:
I adore this blog: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/. Presentation is important, but not as important as content.
June 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Kimberly says:
I read on Google Reader, too, so what the blog looks like isn’t a huge thing, though there are certain blogs (Pioneer Woman is one that comes to mind) that are really cool looking and I will link over and look at the real thing.
Re: eyelashes. I have a battery-operated (AAA) heated eyelash curler that I picked up at Tuesday Morning for $4.99. Goes through batteries pretty quickly, but it works. They “eyelash” part of it is shaped just like any other curler, but the little rubber/plastic curvey bits heat up gently. Works for me!.
June 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Becoming Me says:
I think the design for A Frog in My Soup goes really well with her theme. And not to be boastful, but a friend designed my site and I think for the most part the design goes well with my mission…most of my posts are touchy “feelyish.” I can say this because I did not do any of the design. Extravagant Grace also has a beautiful design that blends nicely to her theme. Best wishes!
Blogs that are too busy, play loud music and are black with light lettering usually turn me off. But design isn’t a big deal for me.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Amy says:
I think Meredith’s plain white template really suits her blog @ Like Merchant Ships. Simple yet classy, not overdone.
I am a visual person, and the look of a blog does matter to me unless the writing is outstanding. If there’s a lot of clutter, I’m less likely to return. I love it when a blog’s look has some reflection of the author, even if it’s a basic template with just a new header.
Oh, and if the person never uses capital letters, forget it, I’m outta there. That drives me absolutely batty.
As for the blog design that I absolutely love… well, can I say my own without sounding conceited? :) It’s not really being conceited, though, because my blog was designed by the talented Shera at Sweet and Simple Designs.
Another blog design that I love is http://overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com/
The pictures are captivating without taking away from the writing.
Sorry ’bout writing a whole book here in your comments section! :)
June 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Kelly says:
I am a visual person and I have ADD - which means the less going on in the design the better…no blinkies, no music, no ads…ha! ha! I just had my blog redesigned - and usually change it several times a year….
On another note, some of my favorite blogs to read are written by men…and so, needless to say…they are not as “cute, organized and trendy” as the ones written by us girls….but, the content is worth it! :)
I like your blog design….
June 15th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Superchikk says:
I quit curling my eyelashes - I just use that mascara that’s supposed to do it for you, and leave it at that. Sad, I know.
I mostly read for content. That being said, the KILLER of some blogs I know of is that the author is inconsistent with posting. You don’t have to post every day, but more than once a month (or three) is helpful if you want to keep people coming back.
I also LOATHE music that starts up as soon as I click on the blog. Most of those I rarely go back to, even if the content is great.
And I think keeping things relatively simple is good. I don’t like clicking on a blog then having to wait for tons of content to load - I’m there for the blog, not all the extra bells and whistles.
That being said, I use blogger and though they have recently updated the design options, I do wish there were more choices.
June 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
dcrmom says:
Oh I’m ALL about the pretty blog. I think that’s why I started designing them. I am a huge advocate of bloggers finding an original design that reflects their personal style.
I’m turned off by busy blog designs, and by light print on dark backgrounds. It’s a struggle to read those, and I rarely stick around.
I don’t usually think about the design matching the voice, just that the design is clean and pretty and not a generic template.
I can not WAIT to meet you at She Speaks!:-)
June 15th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Michelle says:
I can help with the brown sandals@ I looked E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. around for brown sandals, and the cutest ones I found were at Macy’s and Kohl’s. Both can be a little pricey, but you can either 1)pray for a sale, which Kohl’s has pretty regularly or 2)justify the price because since they are so pricey, they will obviously last, right? (or am I the only one that uses that excuse…hmmm) Happy hunting!
June 15th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Valerie says:
Ok, there are too many comments for me to read through to check for an eyelash answer. So I’m just going to pretend that no one solved your little (or not) eyelash dilemma.
First you should know I am not an avid eyelash curler. However I do like to gather all the beauty tips that I can, incase some day ya know, I decide to be all spiffy.
So… what you want to do is: Using a METAL eyelash curler… heat the curler with your hairdryer for a few seconds to make it hot. Please be careful. You’re not going for the singed look. But do get it warm. Then curl! Wa-la! Purty lashes once again. Hopefully. :)
June 15th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Amanda says:
Ditto on the music. I will most likely not stay to read if music starts up playing. It’s not that I don’t like music. I just may not want to hear Usher at 6:30 in the morning when the rest of my family is trying to sleep. Also, I don’t like the light colored print. It’s difficult to read. The design doesn’t matter as much to me as the content and mostly correct spelling and grammar.
On the eyelash thing, careful heating it. Straight lashes are better than no lashes. I mean, not that I would be speaking from experience or anything!!
June 15th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Soliloquy says:
I prefer a crisp, uncluttered look. Advertising messes it all up - but I realize blogging is a source of income for some.
A crisp, easy to look at blog design is what I find I prefer - and shoot for myself.
(Oh, and I have to laugh - or I pretty much won’t go back to a blog. Humility is attractive as well.)
http://blog.suchthespot.com/
http://www.beachymimi.blogspot.com/ (new - but awesome from the get go)
http://junecleavernirvana.com
http://onething.typepad.com
http://thequeenb.typepad.com
June 15th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Soliloquy says:
BTW - the imaginary fried chicken sounds lovely - but I’d love it if you just visited my humble little blog someday…
Have a blast at SheSpeaks!
June 15th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Soliloquy says:
Wait. Whaaaaat?! I just left this whole comment prior to my BTW comment and it’s…. gone?!
And NOW I have to remember what I said? That’s so three minutes ago!
A clean, crisp look that doesn’t get too cluttered, combined with humor and humility is what keeps me coming back.
Some good examples of design matching “voice” are:
http://www.blog.suchthespot.com
http://www.beachymimi.blogspot.com
http://www.queenb.typepad.com
http://www.onething.typepad.com
http://www.junecleavernirvana.com
June 15th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Cinde James says:
Adore Pioneer Woman for her photos and witty commentary.
Love Shlog(Shaun Groves)- he makes me think!
Read you everyday because you make me laugh!
June 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Natalie Witcher says:
My BFF just started a beautiful blog for Single Moms!! She shares her testimony and encouraged single moms daily! Great idea, very audience specific
http://www.pluderfullife.com
June 16th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Natalie Witcher says:
not sure why the link won’t take you to plunderful life… you could go to my blog and click on it the top right button to it. It’s worth a look see.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Hannah says:
1. pioneerwoman.com, http://www.dooce.com, and homesicktexan.blogspot.com are great for this. the homesick texan is less known than dooce or ree and would be a great example of look=voice for the conference.
2. i love when a blog looks great and has great content. BUT i don’t mind if a blog is plain-looking so long as it has great content. i would prefer that to a blog with tons of graphics and “stuff” with poor content. i definitely respect that some of the best writers are NOT graphic designers or are not concerned with outward appearances. but i hate when blogs have sound. i do a lot of blog reading at work when i’m just answering phones and i don’t like to have to frantically lunge for the speaker volume :)
3. thepioneerwoman.com has great design. it’s visually appealing and very organized. some blogs have lots of little sub-categories and tabs but not a lot of content (i.e. too cluttered) but ree puts out tons of content every day so i think she’s really mastered the whole organization thing. it’s very thoughtfully put together - you can tell that she puts a ton of work into her site and loves it.
i also love that she’s CONSISTENT. she says that she’s going to start a new sub-category (i.e. “home and garden”) and she regularly adds new content. a lot of folks will start something like this and never add anything to it.
http://www.dooce.com is similarly well organized and unique but she doesn’t produce nearly as much content as thepioneerwoman.com on a daily basis. i don’t know how she does it!
June 16th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Gina says:
I’d say that the look of the blog has really very little to do with whether I like it/return/subscribe. However, one thing does drive me absolutely bonkers and sends me careening my mouse toward my back button to get me away as fast as possible…the music. I hate it when blogs are set up to play music automatically. Don’t force your music preferences on me, pretty please? And even if I like the song, it doesn’t mean I want to be forced to listen to it (probably at too high of a volume) right then. So, there it is. And reading the other comments, I see I’m not alone. It makes me feel better. It really does.
And as long as I’m venting. I’m not a fan of the smilie. There. I said it.
But truly, I’ll keep visiting a plain, bland-looking site, as long as the content is witty, interesting, valuable (even if it’s value is just making me laugh), and regularly-updated.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Tina says:
One of my favorite blogs is thepioneerwoman.com. Her design and voice just really seem to match what she writes.
As for design, I personally don’t enjoy reading someone’s blog who has seem to put no thought into it. If it looks like they are just using it as a diary (no design, pictures, etc) then, no matter how thought provoking, I tend to get bored. I also have a hard time reading any that are black backgrounds with small white writing. Maybe it’s because I’m almost forty.
By the way, I really enjoy your blog and think your style and speaking voice are wonderful.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Rachel Anne says:
Thanks to Cara for the nice recommendation to my site. I just have to make a comment about the music. I personally don’t mind a playlist on someone’s site, I just turn it down if it distracts me. I have found some great new artists through listening to what others have on their blog.
This year I’ve gone with a theme for my blog: Sanctuary in the Small Things, and I pick a theme song for each day or topic. It might be something silly or even spiritual. It is something I’ve had fun with and gotten a positive response to, but reading the strong negative comments here makes me re-think. Great food for thought!! Hmmmm.
Wish I was going to She Speaks! Have a great time!
June 16th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Laura says:
I don’t think that design should matter any if the voice is there in the writing. I like to read blogs that have some pictures in them, but I also like to read those that don’t have pictures. If it can make me laugh, then I like it. I’m not much into the too serious ones. That’s why I try to keep mine a little humorous.
But I think it’s important to be yourself, not try to be that other person whose blog you really enjoy.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Roxanne says:
Not a clue about the eyelashes except for you to turn into a males because don’t the ALWAYS have the most gorgeous eyelashes. My husband’s curl back to where they touch his upper eyelid just below his eyebrow–no lie. He’s got some serious lashes–which our boy inherited and our girl did NOT. Par I say.
Blogs. . .the only thing cute blogs make me feel is jealous because mine is not. . .it’s as cute as I can get it without paying money, so that is how it’s gonna be for now. I prefer not so many bells and whistles, but I don’t care what it looks like–just what it says–although yours is both cute AND well written even though your eyelashes are woefully straight.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Meridith says:
I think the words on a page say much more than the design, but I do feel that both are important.
By far, my favorite blog to read is http://www.thestretchmarksblog.com. It’s so much fun and the design is great with a lot of pictures. Pictures are important, because get to know the peope referred to in the blog. It makes me feel like I’ve just sat down with my best friend over a great cup of coffee and all the latest gossip.
The writer is extremely consistent, which I really appreciate. She is also hilarious with a bit of serious thrown in for good measure. I think it says a lot when you can read a person’s blog and hope to one day be their best friend. She keeps me laughing and that keeps me coming back for more!
June 16th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Kelli says:
I have the same eyelash curse and got an eyelash perm! It was awesome. I’m about to go back for perm #2! You should try it.
Kelli
June 16th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Pearl says:
Hi there. First time to visit and I have to say you are really entertaining! You write so much like another blogger that I follow regularly. She makes me laugh out loud in a ridiculous sort of way! In fact, the two of you could be “sisters” in the “blog world”. Your styles seem similar from what little I have had the chance to take a look at your stuff. I don’t know much about this whole blogging thing but I know I like what I have seen of yours (and I plan to come back) and I have grown to love hers! So, check her out at http://www.thestretchmarksblog.com. You are guaranteed to not be disappointed and lastly, …I’m pretty much just looking for good content but adding a few polka dots for decor would certainly please the eye….I just love big, colorful polka dots!
June 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
K-Mama says:
I pay very little attention to the “decorations” on all y’all’s blawgs. I like what you ladies write, and especially ones that can make me have a gut laugh and spew coffee all over my keyboard. I do love your “read by tens of people every single day” and I have to admit there are LOTS of blogs out there I could get addicted to but there are only 24 hours in a day and my bosses expect me to turn out some actual work occasionally. I’m also gonna hawk-eye this for the eyelash problem. I’ve decided I’m gonna be cursed with “old lady” eyes - ever notice how they lose theirs altogether? Anyhoo…my fav blogs are yours (after all, you write about my bulldogs) , bigmama, pioneerwoman, lots of scotts, it coulda been worse, my tiny kingdom, rocks in my dryer, second cup of coffee. And I love the writing and the photo shots. And pioneerwomans recipes, lets slap granny! Have a good time.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
K-Mama says:
Oh, I also love all the blogs who are profoundly christian, and I can’t believe I left out “Especially Heather”. You know, most of these I got off your blogroll. My Tiny Kingdom was the first one I ever read and I felt like I knew her cause my son went to Samford so I was familiar with the places she wrote about (same as you!) And if you ask Kelli how you go about getting an eyelash perm, please post it!
June 16th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Christa says:
Eyelash Curling Drama: Oh I have it….with one eye. One curls, one doesn’t. So I look like I’m in a perpetual half-wink. NOT attractive.
Here’s my miracle cure:
First use Estee Lauder’s Eyelash Primer. Pile it on like butter on cornbread.
Let it dry. I usually move to the blush & eyeshadow stage of things.
Then apply your mascara (my FAVE is Lancome’s Definicils original)
Once THAT dries… Use the Eyelash Curler of your choice and hold it (carefully) for about 15 seconds.
It’s truly amazing.
June 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Lucy says:
I can’t think well enough for #1 and #2, but I can answer #3. When I need a dose of… beauty, I head over to Heather Bailey’s blog http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/.
The design of her site is super simple, which leaves lots of space for her incredible photographs. Seriously, every picture on her blog is pure bliss. I especially love the pictures of her studio. I am totally NOT crafty, but I love to look at her things that she creates.
I also love One Woman’s Cottage Life http://owcl.blogspot.com/. I love her template and her pictures.
June 16th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Jennifer says:
1) look of the blog perfectly matches the voice of the person who writes there:
antiquemommy.com
2) If someone has incredibly thought-provoking content but the look of the blog isn’t visually appealing, do you care?
No. There are some designs I don’t particularly care for, but I love their writing, so I stay and read.
3) What’s your favorite blog out there in terms of design? What blog makes you sigh with contentment as soon as you click over? And what specifically do you like about it?
audreycaroline.blogspot.com This is her second design and I loved both. The new design uses the same graphics, plus a few more, as the original, but the new color scheme just sets the photos off in the most beautiful way. It is gorgeous! She also has some great music set for you to listen to while you read. I’m not usually a fan of that feature, but it fits her blog and I can’t ever leave her pages with dry eyes.
Can you post a list of the suggested blogs so we can see them easily and browse through them when we get a chance? I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but if you can do that sometime in the near future that would be so helpful! Thanks!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm