Morris Creative
Tell me I have a typo in blog copy. Tell me my sharing plug in is challenging to work with. Show me the errors of my ways in comment systems that are complex. Provide me a hyperlink you’d prefer over the link I published for your blog.
Basically, tell me I have spinach in my teeth, would you?
And, what that means is I’m going to tell you the same. Please take no offense; please don’t kill the messenger; please know I say so with a loving heart so you can put your best face forward.
What these power tribes on Triberr have allowed me is to see several hundred new bloggers for the first time. As I attempt to wend my way around the ‘sphere to comment and share, there are issues with comment systems and sharing plug ins on some blogs.
I’d like you to share my content, and I want to share yours, too. When it’s a bit of a challenge because the blog infrastructure is creating difficulty, then I feel the need to politely share my troubles with the blog owner.
What do you think? Is a bit of ruffled feathers in the spirit of improving our presentation OK with you, or would you rather not know? What’s your preferred method hearing about spinach?
For me, share it in comments on the blog; that way others can echo a sentiment or offer up another comment I can actionalize (Yep! Word coin!)
Appreciated you flagging up the issue on our site Jayme. Personally I’d say it’s always better to know about these things – and have user feedback stimulated – than not to know about them at all!
@Tony Restell I very much appreciate you coming by to share that, Tony! Thanks for being a good sport about it, too. One never knows when things like that are presented, but it’s in the spirit of truly wanting to share your material and also knowing you put all these tribes together!! Thank you very much.
Thanks for sharing Jayme — and a good post. I tend to share blog/site feedback privately, email or DM. I think it has a better chance of being received with constructive intent if it is not public (though there are arguments the other way that I understand).
As for me, I am always eager to hear anything that can help me improve my site or my delivery of service.
@Adam | Customer Experience Very gracious…as I know you are, Adam!
@Adam | Customer Experience I do the same:)
@Adam | Customer Experience Of course you’r eager to improve your service, that’s your gig!
@Adam | Customer Experience Of course you’r eager to improve your service, that’s your gig! 🙂
@Adam | Customer Experience Of course you’re eager to improve your service, that’s your gig! 🙂
I just avoid this problem by never making mistakes. https://wp.me/p1ss93-Kc
@barrettrossie Cool; you’re perfect? So, what’s the link you shared above? Could be XXX rated, you know…!
@barrettrossie HAHAHAHAH!!!!!
@Shonali @barrettrossie @Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing
Barrett as long as you stay away from esparagus I think we’re good 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpElnAjGkWA
@Shonali @barrettrossie Hey, Shonali? Why is a test page on MS&L showing up in your LiveFyre profile “latest conversation?” I just went there to comment thinking it was your blog post!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @Shonali @barrettrossie So, do you guys love livefyre, like it, or something else?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing It was something I was testing yesterday and I’m not sure why it showed up… ack!
@Shonali I’m so glad you’re entertained!
I want to know this too. That’s why I tell people (especially friends) when I see something broken or that can be optimized. But, much like @Adam | Customer Experience , I do it privately with a Twitter DM or email.
I’ve had others tell me when a share button isn’t working the way it should or if the comments are broken. I’d want to know!
I just hope because you linked to me (thanks, BTW) that I don’t have spinach in MY teeth! And, for the record, you don’t have any in yours either. 🙂
@lauraclick @Adam | Customer Experience LOL. Once you wrote and told me to change the hyperlink I had for you in a previous blog, so I added you up there b/c I remembered that.
You made me laugh! And you said it; what’s good for the gander is good for the goose (remember that saying)?
@Shonali Heck yeah! I expect to be told what’s wrong (within boundaries of course, right?). Great seeing you over, Shonali!!
I’m like @Adam | Customer Experience . I like to provide that feedback to the blogger personally, and that’s how I like to receive constructive feedback as well. Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough @Adam | Customer Experience I’m prone to doing and liking the same. I want to know when something isn’t working correctly, but I suppose I’m conscious of the setting, perhaps more than I should be.
@KDillabough @Adam | Customer Experience And, I would think that fits with who you are, for sure!! A loving touch; except when I’m multi-tasking!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @Adam | Customer Experience Hahahahahaha
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing
Jayme great post! I especially love the feedback (as you know) and I think public feedback allows your community to help you out! And then you don’t get a million people telling you the same thing. I’m the first one to tell someone when they have something in their teeth and I think it’s hilarious when they get mad at me for telling them.
Thanks again 😉
@GeoffReiner Great point on not having to repeat something if it’s in comments once.
I don’t like your blog’s perfume, too flowery. 😉
@Josh/ https://joshuawilner.com/ Well, I don’t like your plaid under armor; so there!
You really want me to tell you what is wrong with your blog? Well, this is my first time here and I’ve not really look around that much! But not minding that, one thing is that I really don’t like this commenting form. Why choose this over the default wordpress commenting form?
@Chadrack Thanks for coming by for the first time ever! Always welcome new perspective, Chadrack.
The post above is not to open my entire blog up for criticism (I know I can always improve and tweak and make it better), the point was that if I had a typo, wrong link, something wasn’t loading, then please let me know so I can improve.
Lastly, as per your thoughts on LiveFyre…this commenting system happens to be the BMW of commenting systems; it’s amazing for bloggers, building community, showing and tracking old posts by commenters, tracking conversations, informing people on Facebook or Twitter that someone made a comment, and the technical support is off the hook. All I need to do it ask for help on Twitter and the entire @Livefyre team is right there in minutes.
I used to have Disqus and graduated to this; it immediately helped me boost traffic and shares.
I’d never use native WordPress comment system; it has few features that contribute to community building.
Being a rookie blogger (more like embryonic), I am still trying to get past the pressure I’ve always put on myself to be perfect that I feel when submitting articles for industry periodicals (as if…). So for me it’s a double edge sword. I really don’t want bad stuff out there, so yes, please tell me I goofed it so I can make it better. But I am going to have to make sure that the feedback doesn’t make me over think the next thing I write.
What will fascinate me is the tone – your spirit, which comes through in your writing, seems to elicit comments that are positive, light-hearted, helpful, and generally not snarky. Hopefully my writing style can do the same. When it’s all said and done., I know its not about the writer anyway – it’s about the reader. So whatever it takes to provide the best value would be the way to go. The message, not the messenger…
(And thanks to @Shonali for tweeting the link!)
@TomWillis Hi, Tom! So pleased to meet you and welcome to the ‘sphere! I have so many topics on blogging how to in the archives; please help yourself and know there’s a resource here if you’d like. In fact, spot on; this entire community consists of long-term bloggers who love to help everyone.
Thank you so much for recognizing tonality and welcoming spirit here. Not sure how I’ve managed to make that happen, but it is always like this. Don’t think I get much snark over here, either; except when I deliver it myself. LOL!
See you soon!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @TomWillis Thanks so much!
@TomWillis You’re welcome!
@TomWillis You’re welcome!
Absolutely I would prefer an email or really any sort of feedback. Sheesh, it is almost impossible to know all the bugs with your website. They are there. Either in as issues with code or typos. Then there is everything that goes wrong on mobile or tablet devices too. The trouble is that you usually only see your website from one machine. Which is not telling you the whole story.
Not much to tell you lady. Love the writing here. The only issues I have are asthetics, but that is entriely subjective. Just make sure that your website can function with mobile. Either with a mobile plugin or a responsive theme.
@susansilver Do content marketers do perfect design? Just wondering where my design and developer team is…oh, yeah, I go solo. Yep, I’m pretty tired of these aesthetics, too; but, way too busy to worry about that and more interested in delivering content. But, since you brought it up, whatchugot?
May as well open all ears for good suggestions because there are times I wish I had nothing but a blank canvas with my name on top so I didn’t have to compete with the Jones’s.
I hate commenting on my mobile devices; it’s takes forever. Meanwhile, I’m on my iPad tonight from taekwando and this site is working perfectly.
Responsive WPTouchPro will come next; for now @DannyBrown said I was mobile friendly or whatever…I think that means it’s working for now…I think.
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @susansilver @DannyBrown I am in the same boat. I did a nifty redesign using a boilerplate framework that is HTML5 and Responsive. Far from perfect and poorly coded *lol*
I love standard theme by Tentblogger, but you will be sharing it with lots of people.
https://standardtheme.com/
There is also a Twitter Bootstrap marketplace with some unique themes. Less people out there that will have something similar.
https://wrapbootstrap.com/
I have also been used Resp which is a good adaptable theme that is responsive and free. It is in the current minimal style, which is what I prefer.
@susansilver Hah, Susan. You don’t know me well at all…let’s just say I do nothing cookie cutter EVER. That said, this design is mine; custom. And, I love it because it’s bold and purple like Seth Godin’s Purple Cow.
Does it work for everyone? Nope? Nor does my bright yellow kitchen with red quartz countertops and black/white/red granite floor. Or my intensely teal bathroom or my purple-carpeted bedroom with turquoise/teal walls.
Get the picture? I’m also a single mother by choice…that should put the icing smack on the cupcake. That said, I can agree that designs always need tweaking and I’m working on it! Thanks for sharing those themes above; I’m gonna look at each of them for inspiration.
Oh hell, all the time. I hate it. I just suck at proofreading, but I keep going, and yes, I like a DM with the spinach notification! Good one, Jayme.
@geoffliving Thanks, Friend!!
I have something in my teeth? Damn, @barrettrossie I thought you were looking out for that stuff.
Heck, Jayme, I know so little about this stuff I can hardly bring myself to say anything. If I do then by email or DM unless it’s something small. Like broccoli or cauliflower.
@rdopping Well I was but dang, these guys keep me so busy!
@rdopping @barrettrossie Half the battle is being able to laugh it off. There are critics among us, and developing a healthy spirit about the whole thing is the best medicine. You have to know that if someone shares that something’s wrong, they really care…otherwise, they’d hit delete and never come back. Eh?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing @rdopping @barrettrossie I often equate being able to take criticism with being able to take falls in martial arts. If you can get up laughing about the whole thing, you’re still breathing and are ready for the next fall (or critique). It’s one of the reasons I laugh about things. It helps you to absorb the impact without breaking.
@Erin F. @rdopping @barrettrossie Great one, Erin! Good analogy!
I’ve seen the title all day and I had finally had time to come and read – awesome title! I love to know about my errors – so please find that spinach in my teeth, I’m sure there is some there.
@lisabuben290 You’re right, it’s a great title. Jayme, I’m impressed!
@lisabuben290 Ditto for you, Lisa…please share your blog url so this community can meet someone new? I promise I won’t find any gunk in your teeth until I really get to know you better! Thanks for coming over!
Actionalize! Love it 🙂
Brilliant title, and yes, I would like to be told my blog has spinach in its teeth. I was just working on a health check post over at my blog, but got distracted when I saw this headline.I’ve had people share snafoos on my site either by using the contact form, or sending me a message on one of the other platforms, Twitter or Facebook.
I’m always grateful.
Have a wonderful, spinach free day.
Dee
@DeeAnkary Hi, Dee! That’s an LOL, and please share your blog url right here so we can all come visit, would you? Hmm, now where’s my toothpick?
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Hi Jayme, I’m over at https://moonpreneur.net. Do come visit! Free toothpicks 🙂
You made me laugh with this blog title. Thank you Jayme. Right now your teeth look pretty clear to me.
@jennwhinnem Did you see where I wanted to insert your CT Health Foundation blog on sharing plug ins? I didn’t do it, but the thought was there!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Wait – no I didn’t?
Good one Jayme. Spellcheck won’t catch everything – certainly not random burps of my brain – never you mind the WordPress tech-fu I don’t know as I accidentally kill the Internet by actionalizing the wrong two plugins. Email, DM – even a comment is fine, gives me a chance to clean up my mistakes. I’d rather know, not walk around with spinach in my teeth or toilet paper stuck to my shoe. You’d tell me, right? FWIW.
@3HatsComm Thanks, Girl! And, I saw your new post over on LinkedIn and need to come by…just freed up a boatload of time a minute ago with my presentation deck done and sent off. Sorry I’ve been MIA over at your house!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing No apologies necessary.. I’m very hit ‘n run these days; too much to read, no where near enough time. 🙂
@3HatsComm Ditto that in spades.
Hey Jayme
Definitely agree. Tell me if something’s awry and I will reciprocate!
I’m just imagining the yellow kitchen with red quartz countertops. That must certainly wake you up in the morning!
@timbo1973 I was over at your house yesterday and everything was loading terribly slowly. I want to come back and see if it was my fault with Chrome before I say anything. I’m finding that Chrome is not really a great friend of blogs; maybe if we used Blogger Chrome would be perfect!
But, some blogs have a lot more trouble than others; I wonder if it’s due to customization and code? I have no clue about any of that.
Oh you do make me laugh! I’ve given my thoughts on constructive criticism and as long as it is constructive (well-thought-out, considered) and not a mere “does it come in any other colour?” please please actionalize any time!
@janemckaycomms Hey, Jane…thanks and sorry, I must’ve missed your comment in the throes of billable work! Sorry about that.
Sheesh, after writing this post, more and more i’m telling someone there’s spinach in this here blog when I’m commenting AND I’m feeling a tad guilty. But, yesterday i was on my iPad and couldn’t tweet b/c the design wasn’t responsive for smart devices; the tweet share bar was vertically on the left and hidden from view. That, to me, is huge spinach, and I gotta tell! (She thanked me…whew.)
Hi Jayme, great title and approach to blogging mistakes. Please just tell me if something is askew with my blog in whatever way is easiest for you. That’s one of the things I like about blogging–it helps me learn new/better ways of doing things.
@Shelley Pringle Hi, Shelley…great you’re on LiveFyre, too, so i can auto hit your link and come over, which I’ll do in a minute.
I so need to find a WordPress IT person who can help me in a pinch. I’m so afraid of code and CSS Style Sheets; I generally try myself and then screw up half the blog after doing it. So, I just keep to the basics and finally have to mess around and tinker.
Yep, I certainly want to know. My question is…if someone’s writing on their blog is littered with typos (and I have a peer who writes like this), do I say something to him or just continue leaving it alone and cringe when I read it? I’m torn about it; he just launched and is trying so hard. What would you do?
Thanks for coming over!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Hi Jayme, I’d definitely tell them. I also find it difficult to give negative feedback but this one is such an easy fix (spell-check). Presumably there are some great things about the blog you like–start with those.
@Shelley Pringle P.S. Nice work, Shelley! HubSpot Big Data research for we little guys. Go visit her house, Peeps!
Please, please tell me! If I see something glaring, I try to contact the blog owner via email instead of posting in comments. That’s how I try to keep from embarrassing the blog owner.
I appreciate people spotting errors and letting me know. I also welcome people who disagree with me on tech. Opposing points of view are always welcome.