The Amazing 5 Minute Blog Review | Mark Hayes – Enough Talk, More Writing

September 4, 2009 · 22 comments

Mark Hayes – Enough Talk, More Writing | http://trickaduu.com/

This week I review Enough Talk, More Writing – a blog by Mark Hayes. Mark wants to know how to reach a wider audience, how to grow his readership and, more specifically, how to get his readers (particularly first timers) more involved.

Three takeaways:

  • Comment Redirect Plugin for WordPress: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/comment-redirect/
  • Limiting the number of posts shown on the home page: WordPress Dashboard – Settings – Reading
  • Using header-lines to break up paragraphs within posts: Improves overall readability (FYI – when I write a post the headers are usually the last thing I go back and add in)

Questions? Comments? Share them below!

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Each week I’ll take a look at a new blog: Highlighting the good and offering some advice and wisdom to improve the content, design, and functionality of your blog. We’ll discuss what you most want to improve which I use to craft a custom blog review and consultation to get you started on the right track in taking your blog to the next level!

Interested in a review of your blog? Contact me via email: mncheuvront@gmail.com for a 100% FREE consultation.

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  • http://JunLoayza.com/ Jun Loayza

    Thanks for the shout out bro!!!

    This is a really great thing that you’re doing. Keep it up because you’re making a real positive difference to young bloggers.

    - Jun

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/ Matt Cheuvront

      Thanks Jun – young or veteran, I hope there will be some wisdom in each of these that everyone can take and implement into their own blogs. You’re blog has been one of my benchmarks since I got into the blogging scene. Keep doing what you do bro!

  • http://JunLoayza.com Jun Loayza

    Thanks for the shout out bro!!!

    This is a really great thing that you’re doing. Keep it up because you’re making a real positive difference to young bloggers.

    - Jun

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

      Thanks Jun – young or veteran, I hope there will be some wisdom in each of these that everyone can take and implement into their own blogs. You’re blog has been one of my benchmarks since I got into the blogging scene. Keep doing what you do bro!

  • http://www.marketingclimber.com/ Thomas McMillan

    Matt- Great post…I got a lot from it and will put some of the points you highlighted to better use on my own blog.

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/ Matt Cheuvront

      Glad you found it useful Thomas. Keep checking back every Friday for a new review and if you’d like to get yourself on deck feel free to shoot me an email (contact info is on the ‘About’ page). Cheers!

  • http://www.marketingclimber.com Thomas McMillan

    Matt- Great post…I got a lot from it and will put some of the points you highlighted to better use on my own blog.

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

      Glad you found it useful Thomas. Keep checking back every Friday for a new review and if you’d like to get yourself on deck feel free to shoot me an email (contact info is on the ‘About’ page). Cheers!

  • http://trickaduu.com/ Mark Hayes

    Thanks again Matt. Enough to keep my improvements department ticking over for a good while. You have a keen eye to say the least! Breaking up the front page wall of info is the first port of call. A truly amazing 5 minute review!

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/ Matt Cheuvront

      Thrilled that it was helpful for you Mark – it was a pleasure to put together. It’s important that you pointed out ‘first time readers’ as leaving a good first impression is SO important for any blogger out there. If you’re blog is intimidating, hard to read, or unwelcoming, they’ll never come back. Look forward to seeing what direction you take your blog in the future and please don’t be a stranger around this neck of the woods!

  • http://trickaduu.com Mark Hayes

    Thanks again Matt. Enough to keep my improvements department ticking over for a good while. You have a keen eye to say the least! Breaking up the front page wall of info is the first port of call. A truly amazing 5 minute review!

    • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

      Thrilled that it was helpful for you Mark – it was a pleasure to put together. It’s important that you pointed out ‘first time readers’ as leaving a good first impression is SO important for any blogger out there. If you’re blog is intimidating, hard to read, or unwelcoming, they’ll never come back. Look forward to seeing what direction you take your blog in the future and please don’t be a stranger around this neck of the woods!

  • robert

    As for the blog “Enough Talk, More Writing”, and I’m just speaking from my experience, when I go over to the site the post titles are just everwhere, and non-specific. By that I’m referring to the “…Hug my Ear” type of titles. Sure they make me curious, but there’s so many of them I start to wonder is it simple just a gimmick to grab my attention because after reading some, I found little value or none at all.With so many different blogs to look at, read and choose from, I only allow so much time to pore over a blog and see if it’s worth reading. I immediately go to the “about this blog” page to see what it’s about, or if the blog is simple to navigate, I hop right in.

    Now am an aspiring actor as well, and I was looking over the blog for ideas, tips insight or something about theater and the craft of acting, but I didn’t really find anything, nor did I spend enough time trying seeing as there was too much “extra” stuff if you will. I know blogs are personal and the owner will often write about personal experiences, journeys and lessons learned, but I feel you can only ramble so long before you lose your readers interest. I’m simply offering my experience after visiting the site if it helps any

    • http://trickaduu.com/ Mark Hayes

      Hi Robert,

      Cheers for the feedback on the blog, critique on. Being honest, I started the blog as a way of keeping my stories in one place, of what was going on while I went on the journey of cracking acting, writing, stand-up and all that. Also a good way to remember the drunken nights kind of thing. Turned into being a good daily writing exercise then on top. I agree it tends to be all over the place, but it seems I have a habit/enjoy the odd ramble. I’m trying to make small changes at the moment, and will add a section that has categories – acting, writing, stand-up, DJ-ing, rambles etc. Hopefully it’ll be easier to navigate then. The titles are purely whatever pops out of my head at the time as well. When tired “… Hug My Ear” is the best I can muster!

      • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/ Matt Cheuvront

        Good thoughts Robert. Mark, I think it all depends what your goal is with your blog. If it is to be an online ‘journal’ – I don’t see any need in changing your approach and style. However, if your goal is to connect and provide valuable information with your readers, than a little structure and organization can do a body good. It’s ultimately up to you and where you see your blog heading.

      • robert

        Hey Mark,

        Yeah the odd ramble is no biggie, just a personal thing for me because I’m usually short on time and want to just get in and get out. As I mentioned previously, I’m an aspiring actor as well, and I’m always looking for tips, advice, opinions and just general discussion on the craft. I do think I should also start a blog as well, and contribute something to the acting community instead of always expecting something. I’m not one with a whole lot of experience, having done only one play, a couple monologues, one technique class, and some stage work but I’d say I’ve read enough, thought long and hard, and spoken to a handful of people with lots of experience. However, I think I’d bring a unique perspective to the game after viewing all the acting blogs that already in circulation. How has your progression as an actor been thus far?

        • http://trickaduu.com/ Mark Hayes

          Up to this point, I only have acting classes under my belt. I went over to L.A after 6 years of “normal” university back here in Ireland, so no experience at all acting wise. Just something I wanted to do. My visa wouldn’t have enabled me to work though if I did get an audition or any of that, so didn’t really have it well planned before I went. I soon realized as well that you can write anywhere you want, and it’s free, so started to head down that route more. Added to that, stand-up is another way in to the acting side of things, so as of now I am focusing on writing and stand-up. Going well so far. My blog has got me a book deal. Also, through writing and DJ’ing, I’ve managed to sort out a 5 year visa for myself, so I’ll be heading back to L.A again in a few weeks for round two.

  • robert

    As for the blog “Enough Talk, More Writing”, and I’m just speaking from my experience, when I go over to the site the post titles are just everwhere, and non-specific. By that I’m referring to the “…Hug my Ear” type of titles. Sure they make me curious, but there’s so many of them I start to wonder is it simple just a gimmick to grab my attention because after reading some, I found little value or none at all.With so many different blogs to look at, read and choose from, I only allow so much time to pore over a blog and see if it’s worth reading. I immediately go to the “about this blog” page to see what it’s about, or if the blog is simple to navigate, I hop right in.

    Now am an aspiring actor as well, and I was looking over the blog for ideas, tips insight or something about theater and the craft of acting, but I didn’t really find anything, nor did I spend enough time trying seeing as there was too much “extra” stuff if you will. I know blogs are personal and the owner will often write about personal experiences, journeys and lessons learned, but I feel you can only ramble so long before you lose your readers interest. I’m simply offering my experience after visiting the site if it helps any

    • http://trickaduu.com Mark Hayes

      Hi Robert,

      Cheers for the feedback on the blog, critique on. Being honest, I started the blog as a way of keeping my stories in one place, of what was going on while I went on the journey of cracking acting, writing, stand-up and all that. Also a good way to remember the drunken nights kind of thing. Turned into being a good daily writing exercise then on top. I agree it tends to be all over the place, but it seems I have a habit/enjoy the odd ramble. I’m trying to make small changes at the moment, and will add a section that has categories – acting, writing, stand-up, DJ-ing, rambles etc. Hopefully it’ll be easier to navigate then. The titles are purely whatever pops out of my head at the time as well. When tired “… Hug My Ear” is the best I can muster!

      • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

        Good thoughts Robert. Mark, I think it all depends what your goal is with your blog. If it is to be an online ‘journal’ – I don’t see any need in changing your approach and style. However, if your goal is to connect and provide valuable information with your readers, than a little structure and organization can do a body good. It’s ultimately up to you and where you see your blog heading.

      • robert

        Hey Mark,

        Yeah the odd ramble is no biggie, just a personal thing for me because I’m usually short on time and want to just get in and get out. As I mentioned previously, I’m an aspiring actor as well, and I’m always looking for tips, advice, opinions and just general discussion on the craft. I do think I should also start a blog as well, and contribute something to the acting community instead of always expecting something. I’m not one with a whole lot of experience, having done only one play, a couple monologues, one technique class, and some stage work but I’d say I’ve read enough, thought long and hard, and spoken to a handful of people with lots of experience. However, I think I’d bring a unique perspective to the game after viewing all the acting blogs that already in circulation. How has your progression as an actor been thus far?

        • http://trickaduu.com Mark Hayes

          Up to this point, I only have acting classes under my belt. I went over to L.A after 6 years of “normal” university back here in Ireland, so no experience at all acting wise. Just something I wanted to do. My visa wouldn’t have enabled me to work though if I did get an audition or any of that, so didn’t really have it well planned before I went. I soon realized as well that you can write anywhere you want, and it’s free, so started to head down that route more. Added to that, stand-up is another way in to the acting side of things, so as of now I am focusing on writing and stand-up. Going well so far. My blog has got me a book deal. Also, through writing and DJ’ing, I’ve managed to sort out a 5 year visa for myself, so I’ll be heading back to L.A again in a few weeks for round two.