Comments on: Walking the Talk, Part 11 – The Slow Birth of the Blog http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:47:30 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nick Pagan http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-15446 Nick Pagan Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:59:26 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-15446 My tip for proofreading is to read the prose aloud. It does slow down the checking process but it does wonders for actually spotting the typos and words that pass the spell checker but make no sense. It's also great for improving the 'tone' of the writing as a sentence that is difficult to read aloud often benefits from a reworking. I suppose that if you are really productivity driven then you can convert all of that reading aloud into a podcast for your blog as well ;-) My tip for proofreading is to read the prose aloud. It does slow down the checking process but it does wonders for actually spotting the typos and words that pass the spell checker but make no sense. It’s also great for improving the ‘tone’ of the writing as a sentence that is difficult to read aloud often benefits from a reworking.

I suppose that if you are really productivity driven then you can convert all of that reading aloud into a podcast for your blog as well ;-)

]]> By: Alexis http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3287 Alexis Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:05:57 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3287 Hey Jack... You know what's really crazy? I go through all of my ebooks with a spellcheck, then I have a proofreader go through them as well. And STILL typos go unseen. I'm seriously convinced there's a typo monster among us. He's kin to the 1 sock eating monster who lives in the dryer. But seriously... I accept your kind graces in this matter. Alexis P.S.- You 'literally' got me. Hey Jack… You know what’s really crazy? I go through all of my ebooks with a spellcheck, then I have a proofreader go through them as well. And STILL typos go unseen.

I’m seriously convinced there’s a typo monster among us. He’s kin to the 1 sock eating monster who lives in the dryer.

But seriously… I accept your kind graces in this matter.

Alexis

P.S.- You ‘literally’ got me.

]]> By: Jack http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3275 Jack Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:26:52 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3275 So long as Alexis never uses the word "literally", she's alright by me. For what it's worth, I noticed a few spelling errors in DBO and TBITB, but they didn't bother me. That's not to excuse the lack of a polish, but ultimately the odd typo can absolutely be forgiven amidst quality writing. So long as we do differentiate between a typo and genuinely poor spelling skills... I know of at least one self-proclaimed "$500 a salesletter" copywriter who spells "lose" as "loose". Unforgivable. Beware of fake prophets (or is that "prophits"?) So long as Alexis never uses the word “literally”, she’s alright by me.

For what it’s worth, I noticed a few spelling errors in DBO and TBITB, but they didn’t bother me. That’s not to excuse the lack of a polish, but ultimately the odd typo can absolutely be forgiven amidst quality writing.

So long as we do differentiate between a typo and genuinely poor spelling skills… I know of at least one self-proclaimed “$500 a salesletter” copywriter who spells “lose” as “loose”. Unforgivable.

Beware of fake prophets (or is that “prophits”?)

]]> By: Alexis http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3230 Alexis Mon, 29 Jan 2007 18:22:04 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3230 Hi Phil, Thank you so much for your feedback. I see you hate spelling errors as much as I hate bad smells. :-) Don't worry. What you're reading and seeing is what goes on behind the scenes. The first draft is nowhere near ready for prime time. By the time it's ready for buyers, I promise I will think of you and run that spell 'sheck.' (See Phil... you got me all nervous now!) Excellent point about the reviews. While I was lying in bed last night I re-contemplated that very idea. I understand what you mean. Especially because I'm not currently in the States. This was actually one of the reasons why I decided to do reviews on the blog, versus putting them in the book. I'm only including things that everyone can do within the ebook. (But this is a good point for other ebook writers as well.) And thanks for the heads up about the fan. I will have to consult my engineering friend more often during the writing process. Warmest regards, Alexis Hi Phil,

Thank you so much for your feedback.

I see you hate spelling errors as much as I hate bad smells. :-)

Don’t worry. What you’re reading and seeing is what goes on behind the scenes. The first draft is nowhere near ready for prime time. By the time it’s ready for buyers, I promise I will think of you and run that spell ’sheck.’ (See Phil… you got me all nervous now!)

Excellent point about the reviews. While I was lying in bed last night I re-contemplated that very idea. I understand what you mean. Especially because I’m not currently in the States.

This was actually one of the reasons why I decided to do reviews on the blog, versus putting them in the book. I’m only including things that everyone can do within the ebook.

(But this is a good point for other ebook writers as well.)

And thanks for the heads up about the fan. I will have to consult my engineering friend more often during the writing process.

Warmest regards,
Alexis

]]> By: Phil http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3218 Phil Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:46:01 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3218 Alexis, please feel free not to put this on your blog if you'd rather not. Just a few comments on your draft. Please consider these helpful points - not criticism - as I can't convey tone of voice in an email :) Firstly, I'm a picky so-and-so when I read things so, even though it's a first draft, I hate spelling errors (search for 'aiar'). Second, and important if you are going to put in product recommendations, you ought to state somewhere in the sales blurb that you are aiming for American audiences. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen Internet products that assume the readership is American. It's not. The Web was invented by a guy I went to school with - here in England. The usage of the web is much greater outside the US than inside. Even the English speaking (only) part - England, Australia, Canada, large parts of Africa, etc. is a big chunk of your potential market. I've sold stuff to people all over the world and found by experience that they get quite upset if they can't actually obtain things that you recommend. That way lies requests for refunds. Thirdly, you recommend a standing fan to rid cooking smells. Take care. If the stove is gas fired and vented a fan can draw fumes back down the vent and poison the person in the kitchen with carbon monoxide. I have an extractor fan in my kitchen which I can no longer use because of just such a danger. I'd hate for someone to sue you (although it would probably be their dependents). Sorry if this comes across as negative - it's not meant to. I think your process of blogging your product creation is both helpful and brave. I shall read on..... Phil Alexis, please feel free not to put this on your blog if you’d rather not. Just a few comments on your draft. Please consider these helpful points – not criticism – as I can’t convey tone of voice in an email :)

Firstly, I’m a picky so-and-so when I read things so, even though it’s a first draft, I hate spelling errors (search for ‘aiar’).

Second, and important if you are going to put in product recommendations, you ought to state somewhere in the sales blurb that you are aiming for American audiences. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Internet products that assume the readership is American. It’s not. The Web was invented by a guy I went to school with – here in England. The usage of the web is much greater outside the US than inside. Even the English speaking (only) part – England, Australia, Canada, large parts of Africa, etc. is a big chunk of your potential market. I’ve sold stuff to people all over the world and found by experience that they get quite upset if they can’t actually obtain things that you recommend. That way lies requests for refunds.

Thirdly, you recommend a standing fan to rid cooking smells. Take care. If the stove is gas fired and vented a fan can draw fumes back down the vent and poison the person in the kitchen with carbon monoxide. I have an extractor fan in my kitchen which I can no longer use because of just such a danger. I’d hate for someone to sue you (although it would probably be their dependents).

Sorry if this comes across as negative – it’s not meant to. I think your process of blogging your product creation is both helpful and brave. I shall read on…..

Phil

]]> By: Alexis http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3178 Alexis Sat, 27 Jan 2007 05:19:39 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3178 Hi Phil... That's a solid point about the graphic. I chose the shiny, clean approach because I was thinking about the end result - no more smelly house. But I like to hear alternative views as well. Thank you. --------------------------------- Hi Jack... You're a superstar. Thank you for the vote, and the kind comment. Well as you know, I never did put Overture as the first and foremost thing you should do in the DBO research process. (Thank goodness!) And I really don't use it to see how many people are searching for a particular keyword, because those numbers can be misleading for your purposes (as I explained in DBO). But when you're doing Step #6 in DBO, you can always use Wordtracker. Or utilize the sources that you've already researched to pull the data the you need. If you want further clarification, please don't hesitate to e-mail me in private. Best to all, Alexis Hi Phil…
That’s a solid point about the graphic. I chose the shiny, clean approach because I was thinking about the end result – no more smelly house. But I like to hear alternative views as well. Thank you.

———————————

Hi Jack…
You’re a superstar. Thank you for the vote, and the kind comment.

Well as you know, I never did put Overture as the first and foremost thing you should do in the DBO research process. (Thank goodness!) And I really don’t use it to see how many people are searching for a particular keyword, because those numbers can be misleading for your purposes (as I explained in DBO).

But when you’re doing Step #6 in DBO, you can always use Wordtracker. Or utilize the sources that you’ve already researched to pull the data the you need.

If you want further clarification, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me in private.

Best to all,
Alexis

]]> By: Jack http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3166 Jack Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:17:34 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3166 Hi Alexis. DBO is the love-of-my-internet-marketing-life. Thrown a vote your way for best IM product. Question. Now that the Overture tool seems to be knackered, what tool do you use to check whether buyers are actively searching for their respective solutions? J. Hi Alexis.

DBO is the love-of-my-internet-marketing-life. Thrown a vote your way for best IM product.

Question. Now that the Overture tool seems to be knackered, what tool do you use to check whether buyers are actively searching for their respective solutions?

J.

]]> By: Phil http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3163 Phil Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:54:46 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3163 Hi again - thanks for the link to the original sales letter. I can see why it works - no matter what's in the final product (almost!). I shall follow the progress of this with interest, especially because I'm doing something similar myself - but NOT with Smelly Houses :) I have to say that I think your designer didn't really capture your product in that header. Everything looks so bright/new/scrubbed that it just doesn't say 'smelly' to me. My guess is that people who land on your site are going to be looking for a solution and they'll want to identify with you immediately. One could almost feel a hackneyed 'person-with-peg-on-nose' approach might have more resonance! But what do I know? I'm no artist. Cheers, Phil Hi again – thanks for the link to the original sales letter. I can see why it works – no matter what’s in the final product (almost!). I shall follow the progress of this with interest, especially because I’m doing something similar myself – but NOT with Smelly Houses :)

I have to say that I think your designer didn’t really capture your product in that header. Everything looks so bright/new/scrubbed that it just doesn’t say ’smelly’ to me. My guess is that people who land on your site are going to be looking for a solution and they’ll want to identify with you immediately. One could almost feel a hackneyed ‘person-with-peg-on-nose’ approach might have more resonance!

But what do I know? I’m no artist.

Cheers, Phil

]]> By: Alexis http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3157 Alexis Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:40:47 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3157 Thanks Isabella. I too get anal about certain things. I just like what I like. But in this case, I'll take the brunt of the responsibility. BTW, that's an awesome idea about creating 3 different sized versions of your copy. I might have to give that a try. Smart cookie! :-) Alexis Thanks Isabella. I too get anal about certain things. I just like what I like. But in this case, I’ll take the brunt of the responsibility.

BTW, that’s an awesome idea about creating 3 different sized versions of your copy. I might have to give that a try. Smart cookie! :-)

Alexis

]]> By: Isabella http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-3156 Isabella Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:28:24 +0000 http://alexisdawes.com/82/walking-the-talk-part-11-the-slow-birth-of-the-blog/#comment-3156 I see what you mean -- it's a so-so header, but it's better than 99% of what I've seen recently. Graphic design is really hard -- it would have been really cool if the new guy could really rock your world. 1) He gets a happy client who values good work 2) You get a kick butt header Everyone's happy. And I agree on the different versions -- I do that even with drafts of copy -- I make a short version, mid-range, and a lengthy version. I write at the top what separates the 3 from each other. But then again, I'm a little anal. Not a crime (yet). Nice action post, Alexis :) I see what you mean — it’s a so-so header, but it’s better than 99% of what I’ve seen recently. Graphic design is really hard — it would have been really cool if the new guy could really rock your world.

1) He gets a happy client who values good work
2) You get a kick butt header

Everyone’s happy. And I agree on the different versions — I do that even with drafts of copy — I make a short version, mid-range, and a lengthy version. I write at the top what separates the 3 from each other.

But then again, I’m a little anal. Not a crime (yet).

Nice action post, Alexis :)

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