How did I judge them?
First of all, they were all incredibly different. I had some on taxes, some on writing and others from speaking German to a business conference. So to keep it fair, I didn't really take into consideration how much I related or liked a topic.
I did it based on these things...
- Whether the post fit in with other posts on the person's site.
- Flow was huge for me. I wanted it to read like a story, or at least flow from one letter to the next.
- Usefulness of tips/ humor if used/ relevancy.
- Just my overall instincts.
1.Amina - Love
Letters With The Alphabet
Fits really well with her website. She has a lot
of wedding, engagement and relationship related posts. I found that her style
is really whimsical. I enjoyed her post a lot. I think on her website, the
layout was very professional and attractive. I know it’s really hard when you
get to the bottom of the alphabet but I think she did a good job. Although a
few of the last ones had multiple sentences but I’ll let it slide. Her ‘x’ was
awesome. I thought it was very clever the way she tied in xmas. My favorite
line might have to be “never criticize your sweetheart, give constructive
advice instead. I think that’s really huge in a relationship and I can relate.
You always want to support your loved one.
This blog is very spiritual, laid back
and fun. The author has tons of categories and started, I believe I read that
somewhere on her site, by taking on a 30 day challenge. She talks about
relationships, music, meditation, food and so much more. I think this post was
right on track with what the author tends to blog about and readers of her blog
would like it.
The flow was a little awkward. Of
course, I’m nitpicking but it read choppy and at times I had trouble
understanding who was talking or what was going on. BUT it was really funny.
Between the chocolate, fruit and then deciding for nothing, I thought the
dialogue was spot on. The bottom of the alphabet was done very well. I like how
she transitioned into music and got the ‘x’ and then ‘z’. Very clever.
Overall, 7/10
3.Angelika Davey of Angelika’s German Tuition and Translation
This blog post was definitely something her readers would
love to read. She blogs a lot about German-- whether it be the food, teaching,
translations or tradition, she has it all. I found myself perusing through
posts just because it was so interesting.
I like how she did all conversation. It made the post much
easier to read. I also like how she color coated it so we knew who was
speaking. It was nicely done. Some parts were really funny to me, like “Jolly
good” or “Hang on”. She really worked hard to get each letter done and I
applaud that. The ending didn’t really go with the rest of the post. Starting
with “xylophones” it kind of trailed off. But I know how hard it is to get
those in.
Overall, 8/10.
4.Carol Tomany of Divineknits
with Infiknit
I’m not sure if
this post really goes with the writer’s blog. She posts mostly on crafts and
most of those having to do with knitting and everything that goes along with
it. But in the post she explains that right now writing is more of a hobby that
she’s looking to dabble in.
I really loved
the flow of this piece. It read more like how I wrote my A to Z post—a story. I
like how she conjoined sentences and made it work together. I have to admit,
Hemingway’s quote is one of my all time favorites so I love that she added that
in. I also was able to relate to her words when she spoke of writing meaningful
posts. “There must be a skeleton or two hidden in the closet to expose.” Might
have been my favorite line of the whole piece.
Overall, 7/10
5.Debbie Simorte from Writing
The Life Chaotic
Debbie’s blog
has a little bit of everything. She writes poems and more and I think this post
was right on target. I like how she used a list to organize it. I think that’s
a really creative way to make this challenge work. She even used ‘a’ to
introduce the reader to the topic which was smart.
I completely
agree with what she says about commenting on blogs. I like how this was like a
how to be a good blogger post. At least that’s how I took it. I think if all
bloggers follow this formula (maybe, minus the zebras J) everyone would have good blog etiquette. I thought Xanax was
an awesome way to tie in the dreadful ‘z’.
Overall, 10/10
6.Haywards Heath &
District Business Association – the
HHDBA 2014 Conference
This one was very clever. I had no idea what to expect
since I’m not really a business person but it was very well done. I thought the
post was right on track with the blog. It explained a conference that’s coming
up and more or less pitched why people of Sussex should go.
I loved how it was written in paragraphs. At first, I
didn’t know how it was following the abc post but as I looked deeper, I saw the
sentencing. I haven’t seen anyone write it in this format so I thought it was
very creative and well done. Although xperts was spelt wrong to make it work,
it was hidden well and still followed the rules, even if I did notice. Loved
the end, “zero attendance is not an option.”
Overall, 6/10
7.Lynn Tulip, Assessement4Potential
This post went right along with the feel of the
blog and what it writes about. This is mostly a career helping blog, that
informs about recruiting, searching for jobs, how to’s and more career related
topics such as military options and interviews. This post followed the same
topics.
I like how the post started with questions. I
always find questions like that to engage a reader and especially on this blog
where they’re speaking directly to a group of specific people, you’ll be able
to hook a reader. I also like how it then turned into a checklist or what to or
not to do. I think the post flowed very well. Love how x, y, and z were brought
it. It wasn’t awkward and it was done very well.
Overall, 8/10
7.Lynn Tulip, Assessement4Potential
This post went right along with the feel of the
blog and what it writes about. This is mostly a career helping blog, that
informs about recruiting, searching for jobs, how to’s and more career related
topics such as military options and interviews. This post followed the same
topics.
I like how the post started with questions. I
always find questions like that to engage a reader and especially on this blog
where they’re speaking directly to a group of specific people, you’ll be able
to hook a reader. I also like how it then turned into a checklist or what to or
not to do. I think the post flowed very well. Love how x, y, and z were brought
it. It wasn’t awkward and it was done very well.
Overall, 8/10
I had no idea what VAT was before this article but it
opened my eyes. The entire website is focused on VAT and gives advice,
testimonials and information. So of course, this post was spot on. I absolutely
loved the definitions idea that this post followed. It was so unique and
interesting.
By having almost all of them in word then definition
order, it chopped it up. It was still able to flow nicely though from one idea
to the other. I actually learned a lot from the post which made me like it even
more. I’d even venture to say it was VAT: for dummies. (that’s me).
Overall, 10/10
10.Robert Zarywacz - Robzlog
This blog has a lot to do with North Devon. But the
writer also has a book that he posts on there. But within the blog, there are a
ton of topics that have to do with it. Entertainment, business, food—all of it.
So this one had to do with a VAT return he had to complete over the weekend.
I love how this read as a story. That’s how I did mine as
well and I find it very challenging. But this person did an awesome job. It
flowed very well from thought to thought. Even as he neared the end of the
alphabet, it seemed to continue on as if it was no problem. I think it helped
that ‘z’ was taken care of.
Overall, 10/10
11.Sam Matrouh - How to AirPlay any video format from your Mac
This blog is really cool. It’s very techy and has
reviews, how tos and other fun stuff having to do with technology, or apps or
programs. This post was a how to play any video using airplay on a mac. It fits
right into the blog and what it typically talks about.
This post flowed beautifully. Not ever using beamer or
airplay and not having a tech savy mind, I was still wrapped into the post and
read it in one fluid glance. I really enjoyed how nonchalant the writer was
about the abc’s. To a person who didn’t know of the challenge, they might read
it and never know the abc format. I also enjoyed the last couple lines which
says a lot since they’re typically the hardest. Zero cables equals zero
headache. Great line!
Overall, 9/10
12.Sarupa Shah - The
A-Z of Affirmations
This blog has a lot on it. There’s magazines,
books, business coaching and even a meditation store. I found it very
attractive and had an easy to read feel to it. It was sleek. This post
explained affirmations, which I had no idea what she was talking about until I
read the post.
I read this post as a mental pep talk to take
charge in life and make a difference. Whether it be business, which is what the
post aimed for, or life, I think it was really touching and motivating.
“Tomorrow is just an excuse,” is such a powerful quote that I take to heart
from this post. You can apply that to any aspect of your life. The piece flowed
and made sense.
Overall, 8/10
13.Stuart Sorensen, The Care Guy
The Care Guy aka Stuart Sorenson is a mental health nurse
turned PSI. His website is packed with information, testimonials and even a
shop. He blogs also about various things and this post was right with his
typical post.
I like how he asks the reader questions. It really
engages the audience and I think that’s key to creating a readership. He was
very good at weighing pros and cons in his article. He says how much it can
benefit but also the risks. I like that he was upfront. I also liked how it
read as a story rather than a list or choppy ideas. It made the flow more
consistent. Also the last couple letters were done really well.
Overall, 7/10
MY PERSONAL FAVORITES IN ORDER...
1st: Debbie Simorte from Writing
The Life Chaotic
2nd: Robert Zarywacz - Robzlog
2nd: Robert Killington – VAT (the UK’s Value Added
Tax)
3rd: Sam Matrouh - How to AirPlay any video format from your Mac
3rd:
Amina - Love
Letters With The Alphabet
Most Geared Towards Audience: Stuart Sorensen, The Care Guy
Most Motivating: Sarupa Shah - The
A-Z of Affirmations
Best Advice: Nanette Levin - My ABCs on lessons learned reaching for small business
success
Best Hook of Readers: Lynn Tulip, Assessement4Potential
Best Format: Haywards Heath & District Business Association – the HHDBA 2014 Conference
Best Flow: Carol Tomany of Divineknits with Infiknit
Most Creative: Angelika Davey of Angelika’s German Tuition and Translation
I want your thoughts on these two! They're really fun to read and only 26 sentences long! So check them out, give some love to their writers and comment! Thanks for playing guys :)
Way fun! I love your awards, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks! You should have joined in on the fun :)
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