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Creative, Design, Web 25

Redesign – Your Candid Thoughts Please

Posted By on January 1, 2009

It’s been a grueling “season” of redesigns lately… and I need just one more before I take a much needed 365-day break.

ChurchCrunch’s design has always iritated me.  It’s heavy.  Too heavy.  It relies on far too much scripting (post images, dynamic resizing, etc) and requires a handful of posts on the mainpage to look somewhat attractive.

My original intent was not what you see today.  So, I’m in the game for another look.

But, I’m stuck.

Not sure if I want to go full “magazine-style” or head back to the “traditional” blog look.  Typography is going to get a lot better, and focus on authors and their work as well…

But, I’m much more interested in hearing what YOU want out of this site, what features and functionalities are important to you.  This revision will be much more about YOU than ME.

So, candid thoughts desired.  Thanks!

Google, RSS, Strategy, Web 26

Bible Reading Plan Goes RSS

Posted By on January 1, 2009

This, my friends, is truly epic.

Now, I know I probably use that word more than anyone you care to admit that you know personally or professionally, but, hey… that’s my vernacular.

Sorry.  No apologies.

And here’s another thing that doesn’t pull any punches or needs to apologize:  The ESV Bible Reading Plans that you can get in your RSS Reader.

I’ve been looking for a good way, technologically speaking, to get into the Scriptures, and one that “selfishly” works within the context of which I find myself everyday.  One of these areas of concentration, from a time perspective, is my Google Reader.

Now, I can port via RSS one of these FANTASTIC Bible Reading Plans right into it.

esv_bible_reading_plans

I’m set.  I’m ready to do it.  Looking for any other takers to travel it with me this year.  You down?

Blogging, Web 17

Blog Post Consumption – A Few Tips

Posted By on January 1, 2009

thumbs-upHappy New Year!

In light of the coming year and TONs and TONS and TONS of great stuff that’ll be happening in the blog world, I thought it would be great to have the year open up with a “quick tip” for making the best blog posts ever.

First, let’s admit we’re all a bit A.D.D. when it comes to online browsing, reading, and consuming of content.

… Ok.  So are egos are now in check.

One of the best strategies for making your blog post consumable (and as a reslt enticing for others to come back) is to make it scannable.

What does this mean?  It means the following:

  1. Brevity. Keep it short, to the point, and easy for the reader to “get the message” fast.  This has a lot to do with the “type” of blog that you run and the content, but don’t write a dissertation every, single, time.
  2. Line Length. If your readers strain their eyes and/or neck so that they can consume your content, you’ve failed. 12 to 16 words per line is about right, studies have shown.  I have broken this cardinal rule and aim to fix it early this year with a redesign!
  3. Paragraphs are Epic. Processing blocks of text in small bits is far easier than trying to consume large blocks of content.  It also adds a design element of “white space”… which people say is all the rage.  I agree.
  4. Headers and Subheaders. This helps a person follow flow. It makes space for new sections of idea and thought.  Use profusely.
  5. Bullet Points and Lists. They are good.  No, great.
  6. Bolt and Italics are still cool. Use wisely.  Typography is a good thing.  I need to work on it here at ChurchCrunch.
  7. Text is simply too boring.  Get some pictures.

So cheers to a new year and better blogging!

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