What do you think about my blog?

[4Mind4Life]

Hey everyone, I was interested in hearing your reactions to my new blog layout (i.e. if you think I need a new one OR really like the current one) and the overall quality of my blog. Let me know what you think!

[Niki]

Looks nice,

One thing I want to point out is that there is some error. Maybe in the ad placement?
Fatal error: Call to undefined function similar_posts() in /home/foumindf/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/seaview/single.php on line 74

This message comes instead of the "related posts" part at the bottom of page
4Mind4Life.Com » Blog Archive » Weight Loss Secrets (Shhhh…)

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by 4Mind4Life

Hey everyone, I was interested in hearing your reactions to my new blog layout (i.e. if you think I need a new one OR really like the current one) and the overall quality of my blog. Let me know what you think!

The "#1 Blog In The World" tagline is a little obnoxious...and what do you mean by it?

[jamestl2]

Got enough ads

How about some archives? I'm sure some people would like to read back through past posts (like through the blog's timeline).

I don't think you need the "pages" or "meta" widgets in your sidebar (because you have pages in your header and meta in your footer).

Also, why is the domain redirected to "/blog/" in your directory?

Keep up the good work though, doing what you love

[4Mind4Life]

Thank you all for the advice! I really loved your suggestions and comments! I've got some work to do. "#1 Blog In The World" is what I would like my blog to become, however, I do think it is a bit obnoxious as well...

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by 4Mind4Life

"#1 Blog In The World" is what I would like my blog to become, however, I do think it is a bit obnoxious as well...

Yeah, not to mention, it might be an impediment for other bloggers to want to help you out...

[mustard76]

This site’s aim is to help visitors learn successful ways to lead a more fulfilling life!

The topic of your blog is a little generic. I know you want to attract a wide audience, but if you narrow your focus just a bit you could offer content that is more unique and relevant to a slightly smaller audience.

You need to think of something that makes your blog more unique.

[1000feet]

I like the clean design, but I would look at the sidebar closely. Having started a blog recently myself, I was just working on my sidebar yesterday. It's important because people can enter your blog on any page - the sidebar is a way to quickly point them to other things that are interesting. I'm not sure how this will work with a larger number of posts, but I want to keep my number of categories low so people can easily see what they want without having to search through a lot and it doesn't push other things down. Another thing you could do is move the subscription button to the top (I really want to promote this on my blog now) and put the donation button after each article since it might be a more natural option after people finish reading something they appreciate. These are only minor details though - you're doing great so far!

Looking at your latest article, I can see that it has a lot of ideas which is good. It might be a bit long for some people though - when you're dealing with complex information I think it's more readable when it has an organized and balanced structure, and each piece is explained clearly. Maybe you could split it into several posts that focus on the details one by one. I've found so far that it feel right for me to write 300-500 words or 4-5 paragraphs about a very specific idea. If I have a lot to say I can always make a series of posts. You want to write things that will help the readers grow, but once in a while it helps to make a simple bullet-point article with a catchy title that will get your blog noticed more easily.

As for the previous comment about being number 1, I completely disagree. I think it's great that you're trying for it and I'll give you every tip I can think of Along the way you might look at steps that can come before, such as being the #1 blog on common-sense health ideas (there's got to be a lot of people looking for them), then the #1 blog on health in general (converting the people who chase after shortcuts), then the best blog ever. Being #1 at something that matters to 100 people might not sound like much, but it's something you can easily do with some thought and effort and it might be the first step in a long career of being the best.

[4Mind4Life]

Thank you all for the suggestions and comments! (feel free to keep them coming). I will make my blog successful, it's just a matter of time... I am working out some flaws in my wordpress theme and have just thought of a "niche" that I am interested in! THANKS.

Originally Posted by mustard76

This site’s aim is to help visitors learn successful ways to lead a more fulfilling life!

The topic of your blog is a little generic. I know you want to attract a wide audience, but if you narrow your focus just a bit you could offer content that is more unique and relevant to a slightly smaller audience.

You need to think of something that makes your blog more unique.

[4Mind4Life]

Wow. I am truly excited and honored to have all of this wonderful advice! Thank you for all of your encouragement and suggestions! AWESOME. THANK-YOU!

Originally Posted by 1000feet

I like the clean design, but I would look at the sidebar closely. Having started a blog recently myself, I was just working on my sidebar yesterday. It's important because people can enter your blog on any page - the sidebar is a way to quickly point them to other things that are interesting. I'm not sure how this will work with a larger number of posts, but I want to keep my number of categories low so people can easily see what they want without having to search through a lot and it doesn't push other things down. Another thing you could do is move the subscription button to the top (I really want to promote this on my blog now) and put the donation button after each article since it might be a more natural option after people finish reading something they appreciate. These are only minor details though - you're doing great so far!

Looking at your latest article, I can see that it has a lot of ideas which is good. It might be a bit long for some people though - when you're dealing with complex information I think it's more readable when it has an organized and balanced structure, and each piece is explained clearly. Maybe you could split it into several posts that focus on the details one by one. I've found so far that it feel right for me to write 300-500 words or 4-5 paragraphs about a very specific idea. If I have a lot to say I can always make a series of posts. You want to write things that will help the readers grow, but once in a while it helps to make a simple bullet-point article with a catchy title that will get your blog noticed more easily.

As for the previous comment about being number 1, I completely disagree. I think it's great that you're trying for it and I'll give you every tip I can think of Along the way you might look at steps that can come before, such as being the #1 blog on common-sense health ideas (there's got to be a lot of people looking for them), then the #1 blog on health in general (converting the people who chase after shortcuts), then the best blog ever. Being #1 at something that matters to 100 people might not sound like much, but it's something you can easily do with some thought and effort and it might be the first step in a long career of being the best.

[mustard76]

Here's a good post about choosing the right niche for your blog:
From Zero to Money: Choosing the Right AdSense Blog Niche | Remarkablogger

Also, take a look at the blog referenced in the article:
Online Nursing School Programs, Loans, and Salaries

It looks very professional. And it looks like it could be a profitable niche.

[4Mind4Life]

Thank YOU all for the wonderful suggestions! I am focusing my blog ONLY on ways to "boost your brainpower!" I think this is a great niche that hasn't already been obliterated w/ blogs. I've changed a lot around. Let me know what you all think! And please consider becoming a reader if you like my articles & the "niche" of my blog!

BTW>>>Do any of you guys know how to quote from other articles and display the quote within a wordpress entry?

[Andreas]

Hi, 4mind4life.

Have you tried <blockquote></blockquote> tags?

It's all there in the Write a New Entry page in your Wordpress admin area.

Best of luck!

[jamestl2]

Basically what Andreas said, make sure your under the code tab in writing a post, there's also an option to just click on the quote button within that code section.

[4Mind4Life]

Hah! Funny you should mention that because today, trying to indent w/ out the tab key I used the blockquotes and sure enough it worked! Thanks you for your support & luck! I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Andreas

Hi, 4mind4life.

Have you tried <blockquote></blockquote> tags?

It's all there in the Write a New Entry page in your Wordpress admin area.

Best of luck!

[AndrewPavelski]

The layout looks good. The only thing I recommend is making the sidebar font darker, the grey is a bit difficult to read. Overall you seem to have a nice site going!

Originally Posted by 4Mind4Life

Hey everyone, I was interested in hearing your reactions to my new blog layout (i.e. if you think I need a new one OR really like the current one) and the overall quality of my blog. Let me know what you think!

[4Mind4Life]

Thanks. I changed it up and found a theme that think looks much better.

[Tobias Zimpel]

Originally Posted by 4Mind4Life

Thanks. I changed it up and found a theme that think looks much better.

Just a quick reply: I like your curent design. However you should look at the tags widget again and maybe fix the font sizes. You'll see yourself what I mean.

[alexinspire]

Why there is only 1 blog post on your blog. I think that limited your blog. I usually have 10 blog post in mine. When people went to your blog, they will try to find what they want is there or not. If they can't find it at the first post, they might still find it in the 5th or 7th post.

Putting up only one post make it clean but limited. Instead of putting recent post. Why don't put up your best post. Post that surely people want to read on your side bar. Make them the main character of your blog that make people always want to come!

[Andreas]

Tiny tip:

The "classic" Sharethis plugin (v. 1.5.1) is actually more compact and less intrusive than the new one. I use a slightly customized version of 1.5.1 at my blog.

Get the classic one from rad dude Alex King:
Share This | alexking.org