Free Blog Tips Review
A while back I came across a link on The Blog Experiment for five free blog tips from Easton Ellsworth. I guess I just got lucky because Easton actually gave me 10 tips instead of five.
Here they are and my thoughts on each:
1. Add a clear tagline so the blog’s title doesn’t make too many people think it’s just random chit-chat.
I agree and disagree. I know that focusing on one specific topic is good, I just like having a few topics I can write about. I don’t want to feel jailed in that I can only write about one thing. Plus, with a name like Random Jabber, I think I need to be able to write about numerous things.
2. The logo is genius - maybe make it bigger.
Yeah, I like it too. 
3. Make the favicon bigger.
Can’t do it with the way I designed the talk bubbles in the logo (wasn’t thinking about a favicon at the time). They are not as tall as they are wide and this presents a problem when moving the graphic over to a 16x16 pixel favicon. The sizes just won’t proportion correctly.
4. The footer could probably be removed, or at least everything in it except maybe the copyright info / design info. Move everything in it up into the sidebars.
Yeah, I agree. It could be removed as it’s mostly just a catch all for all of the unimportant stuff on Random Jabber. I kinda like it though. It’s nice to check out MyBlogLog and see who’s been visiting. One thing I do need to get rid of is the Amazon Affiliate links, they are doing nothing!
5. Add a photo or video to the about page.
Done. Uploaded one the other day to the small about section in the footer as well as to the about page.
6. We’re the same age. Okay, not a tip, just a nice fact.
Nice!
7. Put the popular posts list higher than the recent posts list.
Never really thought about doing this before, but it’s a good idea I think.
8. Use keywords in the tag line that you want search engine users to find.
Yeah, I admit, I don’t really pay attention to keywords. I do need to be more conscious of the keywords that I want people to find me listed under in the search engines.
9. Maybe put the top commentators list higher.
Done. Moved from middle column at the bottom, to the right column and up higher.
10. Remember, it’s hard to just have ads on your site make the big bucks. Consider offering something for sale like an ebook or premium membership content or consulting services, e.g.
Yeah, you’re right. I removed the ads from Random Jabber just because they weren’t doing anything really except sitting there, so no point. Offering consulting services isn’t a bad idea though.
Those Are My Tips, What Do You Think?
Is Easton right on par with these suggestions?
I’m always interested in finding out how the user perceives my blog. The way I see it and the way everyone else sees it can be totally opposite.
As a reader, do you have any suggestions that you feel would improve Random Jabber?
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I agree with Brian on pretty much all that. Whilst popular posts are good for new readers, the newest stuff is also just as important and that will be more beneficial to everyone.
5. Add a photo - cheers for reminding me!
10. Why not offer a logo design service?
Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2007
Great tips from Easton, and I’m glad you added a photo Deron. It’s always good to put a face to the name.
When I first removed the MyBlogLog and BlogCatalog widgets from my site, I missed seeing the faces of visitors. After a while I got used to it though, and now I’m glad I did, because it’s not particularly relevant to what I’m doing with my blog. Each to their own though, and whatever works best for you.
As for Sarah’s comment about offering a logo design service. Go for it! Nothing like a little healthy competition to keep me on my toes. 
Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2007
Brian:
1. Well, I have six topics. I could probably narrow those down because I hardly touch on two of them.
2. Yeah, I like the current size too.
3. Good call. I may play around with it and see if I can’t just come up with something else or at least cut off the points.
4. Yeah, I like the footer too.
5. Good idea Brian. Links will be added soon. BTW: EditPlus is the code editor I use. I love it.
7. Yeah, I think it would be to much clutter if I added recent comments. Sometimes I feel like it’s to cluttered as it is. 
10. That’s true Brian, good points. But, I thought you knew? I’m an expert in everything! j/k. No, really I don’t have the time. I mean, I guess I do have the time, but I’d have to decide what I want to do. Do I want to publish sites and try to build them into something (what I love to do) or do I want to develop sites, logos, and identities for other people? I think I’ll stick with option one, I like it more. Unless I just get totally strapped for cash.
SarahG: That’s true Sarah. I guess it’s a push right now. I seem to have a lot of returning visitors at the current time, so I’m sure they don’t want to see the same popular posts at the top every single time they visit.
As for a logo design service. Yeah, it’s cross my mind to go forward with a total design solution. Sites, logos, etc., but to be honest, I guess I’m nervous about doing it. I’ve done a lot of logos, but majority of them have been at the SitePoint Contest Forums or people that I somewhat know who they are and we work out some sort of a deal or trade (like yourself and Adnan). I don’t have a ton of experience dealing with clients. I guess I need to get out of my comfort zone, eh? I didn’t have HTML experience until I just jumped in and started doing it. I guess we’ll always make mistakes, but that’s part of it.
David: Yeah, you’re right. MyBlogLog doesn’t really add anything to the blog and isn’t really relevant to my site. Whenever I get motivated to do a redesign I’ll more than likely remove it, but honestly, if I removed it now, I’m not sure what I would put in it’s place. I’d rather leave it as it is rather than remove it and have an empty space in the footer.
Well David, you’re the man when it comes to logo design, so I’m not sure how much competition I’d be for you.
TJ: That’s cool! This will show my ignorance (and I’m to lazy to look it up) what is SobCon?
Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2007
I suggest that you try to make the two speech bubbles less connected for the favicon. The logo and the favicon don’t have to be exactly the same, imo. I’m not good enough at graphics to give it a go, but it seems like it would look somewhat better. Maybe even have the blue a lot larger than it already is and then the very small green… It seems like there are some better ways to do it.
Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2007
Armen: Yeah, I’ve been meaning to put one on here for a while now. Everyone says that it really helps grow your blog and make it seem more personal when people can see who’s writing the articles, so we’ll see if it helps.
Jake: Yeah, I could just play around with something like you’re talking about. I don’t necessarily need to use the exact graphic found in my logo. I’ll see what I can come up with. Thanks
Posted on Sat Nov 10, 2007
I am a regular reader but decided to finally de-lurk! I think its always great to get an outside opinon and i agree that you could provide some consulting or design serice as this blog is one of my favourites - so crisp and un-cluttered.
Posted on Sun Nov 11, 2007
Grace: Glad to see that you finally came out of the shadows!
Yeah, I agree. Even if you’re the best designer, blogger or whatever, I think it’s always best to get an outside opinion as to things you could improve.
I’m honored that my little old blog is one of your favorites! That means a lot. Hopefully I can keep it that way.
PS: I love your site’s design also! Very simple and very clean. Check out NiceStylesheet this evening as it will be included in the Monday update.
Posted on Mon Nov 12, 2007
Sobcon was a blog conference of sorts in Chicago a while back.
Posted on Wed Nov 14, 2007
Wow - nice thread here. Glad I could help and that others could too, Deron!
Posted on Fri Nov 16, 2007
Easton: Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you taking time to come up with some tips for improving my blog!
Posted on Sun Nov 18, 2007
hello,
can anybody help me on how to make a blog that can also add comments or post a reply using expression engine..pls help me.:(
Posted on Thu May 15, 2008
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My name is Deron Sizemore and I am a web designer, web publisher, blogger and serial internet entrepreneur living in Lexington, Kentucky.
Ok, I’ll go through her tips and give my two cents.
1. Add a clear tagline so the blog’s title doesn’t make too many people think it’s just random chit-chat.
I totally agree - but that doesn’t mean you have to pick one topic. You could choose three, or even four, topics. I have three topics on my blog - but they’re all pretty closely related…
2. The logo is genius - maybe make it bigger.
Agreed - the logo is great.
But keep it the same size. You don’t want to overwhelm your visitors with who you are. when visiting your site, the logo is the thing that already grabs your attention - you don’t need to shout it any more.
3. Make the favicon bigger.
Yeah… If you could…
I dunno - maybe crop of the ‘points’ a little - we can’t see them anyways…
4. The footer could probably be removed, or at least everything in it except maybe the copyright info / design info. Move everything in it up into the sidebars.
No - keep the footer.
But you may want to trim it just a tad…
Remove what you don’t need - but it’s nice to have.
And it creates an anchor.
I’d leave it.
5. Add a photo or video to the about page.
Agreed - but you already did that.
But while we’re on the About page…
I’d make your ‘Tools of the Trade’ links.
For example, I don’t really know what EditPlus is… so a link would be nice.
6. We’re the same age. Okay, not a tip, just a nice fact.
Uh… can’t disagree there…
7. Put the popular posts list higher than the recent posts list.
I dunno…
For your regulars… we’ve read all of those - so we want to stay up-to-date with the new ones. *shrugs* I dunno. I’d definately keep them both though.
I’d also probably add a ‘Recent Comments’ deal - but that may clutter it up too much…
8. Use keywords in the tag line that you want search engine users to find.
Agreed.
SEO is important.
9. Maybe put the top commentators list higher.
Agree.
Like how you did it.
10. Remember, it’s hard to just have ads on your site make the big bucks. Consider offering something for sale like an ebook or premium membership content or consulting services, e.g.
Agree.
But there are many things to consider when doing so. First of all is time. Do you have the time? What if it went unexpectedly big? Could you handle that?
But also, only do stuff like that if you’re an expert on it. If you were to offer a service along those lines, you’d have to sell yourself as an expert - otherwise no one would want your service.
Doing that takes time and luck.
Just something to consider.
-
Ok, there’s my two cents.
Hope it helps.
Posted on Thu Nov 8, 2007