Surveys
When I decided at the last minute on Friday to conduct a survey, I immediately turned to Survey Monkey for the simple reason that I had just finished answering two Survey Monkey surveys on other blogs.� They were fresh in my mind, obviously.� I went to the site, saw they offered free surveys, and quickly signed up.� The process was simple, but not two hours later I discovered the response rate for free surveys has a 100 person limit.� I had to sign up for a month-to-month account and pay $19.95 in order to access my additional data.� I also have to remember to cancel my account before the second month gets charged to my card.
This means that, due to my failure to read the fine print that took me 10 minutes to find, my one-second survey will cost me almost $20.� Oh, hell no.
Folks, you’re just going to have to expect surveys this month because I will be damned if I pay $20 for one question thanks to a well hidden pricing details page. Don’t worry–I just discovered the monthly limit is 1000 responses.� That shouldn’t take too long to eat up, not when I’m asking questions about paint, am I right?
Paint
Behold:
They are ugly pictures, yes, but they will make the After shots appear all the more glamorous.� It’s all part of my master plan.� Unfortunately, I took these pictures at around 7:00am this morning.� The room is flooded with warm light and, while pretty, it’s giving everything a yellow cast that I can’t seem to edit out.� Curses.� Oh well, you can see even worse, but not as warm, pictures here in my flickr page. I took those at around 4:00pm yesterday.
Thanks to Camila of High Heeled Foot in the Door (who has been patiently helping me redesign my living room on a budget that would make a monk uncomfortable) we have narrowed the paint down to two colors.� All told, I’ve sampled over 20 different colors.� Oh, fireplace, how you vex me!
I have another one-second survey question for you.� This time, please tell me which color you prefer–the top one, the bottom one, or {#@&*!!} neither one. Click here to take the survey.
Blogs
Well hello, fellow bloggers.� I don’t know how many more people will answer my survey from Friday, but now that Survey Monkey has their pound of flesh, I can access the results and tell you that 72% of you have a blog.� Um, when were you going to tell me?� I can’t believe I’ve been wracked with doubt and pulling out my hair alone.� Don’t you know misery loves company?� We could have agonized over homemade deodorant posts together, is what I am saying.� In light of this new development, I was thinking of writing a few posts on my experiences with blogging.� What has worked, what hasn’t, and where I think my blog is going (to be fair, that last one changes daily).
Is this something you would be interested in?� I’m not an expert (far, far, far, far, far from it) but I have done quite a bit of research on the subject and can regurgitate the many things the experts say I should do.� I don’t usually do them, but I know what I am supposed to do.� I thought we could have a bit of an open forum in the comments section, too, where we all share our experiences.� Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions you would like to ask me about my own blog, please leave them in the comments.
Whew. Okay, that’s it. I now have to go to the supermarket and clean this (very cluttered) house. Happy Monday!
Yes! I would love to hear your thoughts/ideas/learnings regarding blogs.
I love anything and everything I can read about blogging! I think you should go for it!
Sarah–I’m the same way. I’m not saying I know what I’m doing, but I do love the subject matter.
I would love to hear your thoughts on blogging and look forward to many surveys this month. :)
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/new-art-and-guidelines-for-picture-hanging/
Please share your experiences on blogging. I would love to hear about them :)
would love to hear what you have to say … just found your blog over the weekend (through comments you left at seleta’s blog, one of my faves) and quickly bookmarked you – I looooove it here! I have a fledgling blog of my own that I’m struggling to keep alive – time and focus are what i’m struggling with, hoping to find my balance soon … so YES, from where I stand I would love to hear more @ your experiences … thanks!
Well, I voted. You won’t like my vote though. :( Me personally, I think those two colors would be a bit dark (but I’m not an interior designer or anything, so don’t listen to me). I’d go with something lighter so the room doesn’t feel smaller.
Ok, I know I’m crazy, but I think a very soft aqua would look fabulous next to the fireplace! I know, WAY more info than you wanted, but I’m bored at work reading blogs… :)
Sadly, Tammy, I have tried every shade of blue imaginable. Inky blue, sky blue, slate blue, aqua…no go. :(
Of course Jules, I wanna hear your thoughts on anything you wanna think on! ;)
I would definitely be interested! I’ve only just started my blog so I’d love to hear your ideas on blogging, I also love your fireplace, just sayin’.
Jo! You’re one of the few who do! No one has any faith, but I promise that if I can ever execute what is in my head it will look cherry coke.
Bad Survey Monkey!!!
But I like your surveys because they are only one question long. I can do that. Here in Pennsylvania, we are getting so many political surveys, from all sides and “non-profits”. So one question surveys about fun things like paint colors is a nice change!
I am dying because this is so something I would do! At least it was only $20!
I pick the top color, I think the bottom one may be too much for the space once the whole wall is done and I’m scared of darker colors, said the girl with off white walls.
Blogging about blogging is a slippery slope. I personally wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole, but that’s just me. Mostly because I wouldn’t want anyone to dump all over me and mostly because I just make this crap up as I go along.
I will be back tomorrow and I expect to take a survey. I love surveys.
Zak,
You stole my thunder. I was actually going to blog tomorrow about how everything is a crap shoot and the books and experts aren’t good for blogs like most of ours. In other words, don’t waste your money on most of what everyone else is selling.
Here is what I wish (and maybe it exists but I haven’t found it):
I want to read a blog about blogging that isn’t so focused on numbers and traffic. I want to read advice that doesn’t focus on disingenuous practices. I want to hear experiences from bloggers who blog because they love it, and not because they are trying to get a book deal.
I was going to go into more detail–why blogging about blogging is often a bunch of malarkey–but maybe I should keep my mouth shut.
I should be commenting about the survey, but actually want to say that I have that exact same notebook!!
I love the fireplace, just not the brassy gold strip across the top of the grate. But that’s what spray paint is for I guess!
Sarah–Isn’t that notebook the best? It’s my favorite one of all time! :)
Bec–I used to hate that thing, too, but Camila is making everything work together. It would be even better if we can convince my husband to slipcover the fireplace with wood, but we’re not holding our breath.
Blog away about blogging I say! I find that I do so love to read about blogs and what makes them great … I like mulling it over too–what makes a blog stand out from the rest … what makes it shine, and all that. Although, you may never know it if you read my blog. Hmmm… interesting …
Oh, and fine print is for the birds. I’m always getting kicked in the you-know-where with fine print. Sigh.
Hi Jules, I would appreciate any info you have to give on blogging. I always find it interesting to hear others’ perspective on blogging. I always seem to notice though that those that write about blogging and what they lvoe/hate about it, are always the ones that already have a following.
I will say the consistent advice I have received says “as soon as you stop worrying about gaining a following, it will come.” What the heck does that mean? Not sure I agree with that because even those not “worried about blogging”, from my perspective still promote themselves and their blogs every chance they get. I think besides the family bloggers that truly blog just about their lives to use as some sort of a scrapbook of sorts, most bloggers are interested in gaining a following. Am I right?
Hey, I say give it a shot. If some don’t like it, well then they don’t have to read it. But I’m sure at least half of the 72% of us reading will be interested. It couldn’t be much worse than blogging about homemade deodorant right? that was a joke BTW, I actually find that stuff fascinating.
+100 points for the deodorant joke.
Yes and double yes! I’d love to have you do a series on blogging. I think your insights would be super helpful.
Who is Camila and how did you find her? I would love to see your house in person.
I’d be so curious to read a post by you on the topic of blogs in general, and blogging about blogging – malarkey included =)
also – have you ever thought about painting the fireplace white or something? you should do a survey about that, lol
Bring it on! I am fascinated with blogging. Here is a question for your discussion on blogging: How did you drive web traffic to your blog? How did you “get your name out there?”
I love a one-question survey.
I hope the browns will not be too dark. I am trying to figure out how to lightened up this dark wood in the playroom and kitchen…it is like a cave in here. Or a cabin.
I love blogs that have great content and you think you would read a book from the author but are secretly glad that they are not forcing book deal dreams down your throat. I would love to “hear” your voice from your own experience and not as much what experts have to say. I think your take would be much funnier anyway!
Two choices and it took me all day to decide!
I voted but I’m not telling which one : )
I once tried to make body powder (HUGE powder fan over here) and I smelled like burnt flour or browned corn starch. Not a Baaad smell, but my husband bought me a can of powder…hint hint I take it. I would never try to make deoderant.
I vote the top color. It’s the color of my living room and I LOVE IT. It brings out all the colors depending on the sunlight or lamplight. I have an odd green colored sofa that doesn’t clash, but the richness of the fabric looks wonderful against the wall. I have several different shades of wood in the room and it picks up different accents in each. I get many compliments on it.
I’m such a newbie blogger, I feel almost guilty for making a suggestion to the experts here! But, have you tried a voting plugin? Instead of the survey monkey (which used to be free!), you can have people vote in your post.
That is all the details I have because I make my husband do all of the tech mumbo jumbo because I’m a caveman lawyer and don’t understand this strange world.
Here’s an example: http://thenannerrepublic.com/you-interwebs/
Sorry if I’m off base here!
Also, I like the lighter color. I had a color similar to the bottom one and when there wasn’t much light out, it was so.dark.
I would love some blogging inspiration.
I answered your survey but wish there was a place to leave comments. I said neither but only because there’s already so much brown. I’d love to see you introduce a new color! But if you’re set on brown, the lighter one is my favorite.
Laughing about your surveys….I promise to take them. $20 is a brow wax ! Yes, this service must be maximized. So, what color are you going with? I love High Heeled Foot in the Door!!!
YES to blogging talk, please!!!!
And I voted as well :)
It’s bizarre the monthly cap is 1,000 responses. Wouldn’t some blogs get that many responses in just one day? I’ve used twiigs before, which was awesome when I started but then I began to have problems keeping the poll on my page (voters had to click off my site to the twiigs site to vote….of course it shouldn’t have to be done that way). Anyways I couldn’t figure out a solution, but you should look into it, it might work for you.
(also I never had to pay for it).
As far as paint choices, I personally like the dark tone better, though the light tone seems to be reflected more in the fireplace stones. I do like them both – you’re on the right track!
I’m a new follower (as in like five seconds ago) but I would love your thoughts on blogging. Your blog is adorable but I especially loved how decided not to focus on anything…I love writing and would love to start a blog but I like too many things to focus on one specific thing. You’ve inspired me….thanks!