Miss Michele Steps Up for Review

[CatMuse33]

So there's something the tarot cards can't tell Miss Michele. ;)

I figured it's time to post requesting reviews, since this seems to be the blog I'm paying the most attention to and is actually making some money.
www.missmichelestarot.blogspot.com.
Some readers have been confused over how to order readings, how to pay, things like that. I made some changes today. Overall, I'd like to know what everyone thinks of the blog.

Is it reader friendly? When I post my card for the day, is it interesting enough to keep you coming back, even if I'm not doing a reading for someone else?

What is it lacking?

I'm trying to figure out how to upload "pay now" buttons from PayPal and it's kind of turning into a hassle with the different prices for readings, but I'm sure I can work it out.

A quick note... my latest post... I'm going to put a link to it in the sidebar, tagged with something like, "How do I get a tarot reading?" I just put it up there to get it up, and as soon as it falls off page one (later tonight) I'll link to it.

Overall... if you have even the least bit of interest in tarot... Does Miss Michele keep you coming back and maybe even tempt you to buy a reading? (Yes, I know, I'm such a capitalist!)

ETA: For anyone who posts a substantive review (ie, anything more helpful than "nice blog" or "your blog sucks") I will offer a free five-card tarot reading ($5 value) *or* $5 off a *regular-priced* spread. (such as, a half-deck for $20, a Celtic Cross for $10.) I am not offering the horoscope spread for $5, as it's already on sale $5 off. This is just as a way to say thank you for the crits.... I hope it's "legit" to do this...I'm not trying to bribe anyone. Just want to say thanks for the help. This blog would not have the legitimacy it has today if not for AW. My next goal is to get it to rank higher in the search engines. LOL

Dawn

[Ava Jarvis]

Hello Miss Michele :)


Is it reader friendly? When I post my card for the day, is it interesting enough to keep you coming back, even if I'm not doing a reading for someone else?

The Rider-Waite images are public domain now, and can be used willy-nilly. I think putting up an image of the card you're talking about (aligned to the right or to the left) will help. Tarot is very visual.

What is it lacking?

Perhaps label your posts (reading, card of the day, etc) and then add one of those sidebar things that shows the labels. That will help with navigation a little bit. Minor, though.

Maybe display the card of the day in the sidebar near the top, as a visual cue to the reader, since the template is not tarot-specific/along those lines.

I'm trying to figure out how to upload "pay now" buttons from PayPal and it's kind of turning into a hassle with the different prices for readings, but I'm sure I can work it out.

That will definitely help. Make it easy for them to pay you. ;)

A quick note... my latest post... I'm going to put a link to it in the sidebar, tagged with something like, "How do I get a tarot reading?" I just put it up there to get it up, and as soon as it falls off page one (later tonight) I'll link to it.

I think you should put a link in the sidebar, fairly prominently. Perhaps also add in headings to break up that post so that people can glance over and get an idea of what's there.

Overall... if you have even the least bit of interest in tarot... Does Miss Michele keep you coming back and maybe even tempt you to buy a reading? (Yes, I know, I'm such a capitalist!)

You betcha. Your content's good.

If you can swing it, a regular schedule will help people know when to visit. For something like tarot readings/card of the day, I think a schedule would help a lot.

[CatMuse33]

Wow, Ava,
Thanks so much! The original goal was a new post every morning between 10 and 11, and then readings for others sporadically throughout the day.

I'm very bad with keeping a schedule though, if I don't have an editor mandating it. LOL

I wanted to put images up on the site, but wasn't sure if they were public domain. I have 3 decks I mainly use (including RW) and could easily scan in all the cards.

Perhaps label your posts (reading, card of the day, etc) and then add one of those sidebar things that shows the labels. That will help with navigation a little bit. Minor, though. - I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain a little? Label them in the header or in the tags?

Maybe display the card of the day in the sidebar near the top, as a visual cue to the reader, since the template is not tarot-specific/along those lines. -- LOVE this idea!!! :)

Thanks so much AJ! I'm so glad you replied, your feedback has been extremely valuable. :D

And--I've just edited my top post... if you are interested, please drop by for a free 5-card reading or $5 off any *regularly-priced* reading. Just as a thank you for your help. :D
Dawn

[Ava Jarvis]

Wow, Ava,
Thanks so much! The original goal was a new post every morning between 10 and 11, and then readings for others sporadically throughout the day.

I'm very bad with keeping a schedule though, if I don't have an editor mandating it. LOL

I know what you mean. :) So I replaced my editor with a social conscience (in that I think about my readers, and go Gak!). Works, and is still nerve wrackin'. :)

I wanted to put images up on the site, but wasn't sure if they were public domain. I have 3 decks I mainly use (including RW) and could easily scan in all the cards.

As far as I know, only Rider-Waite can be used that way, and then only the original colors or the black-and-white line art.

Here's the images already packed up in zip archives: http://www.swcp.com/pcaskey/tarot/

Perhaps label your posts (reading, card of the day, etc) and then add one of those sidebar things that shows the labels. That will help with navigation a little bit. Minor, though. - I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain a little? Label them in the header or in the tags?

In the tags, I meant. :)

Maybe display the card of the day in the sidebar near the top, as a visual cue to the reader, since the template is not tarot-specific/along those lines. -- LOVE this idea!!! :)

Woot!

Thanks so much AJ! I'm so glad you replied, your feedback has been extremely valuable. :D

I'm happy to help. I really like your site. :)

And--I've just edited my top post... if you are interested, please drop by for a free 5-card reading or $5 off any *regularly-priced* reading. Just as a thank you for your help. :D

I'm interested and will drop by later today or tomorrow. :)

[MrsCogan]

I hate the pink, but that's just me. I think the skin is too severe for a tarot blog. There are lots and lots and lots of free skins out there for Blogger, look for one that's all flowers, fairies and ladies with flowing hair. Type "free blogger skins" into google or ask.com. This will take some time, but it's worth the work.

I agree that you need graphics, graphics, graphics. Go to
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tarot_cards

all Wikimedia/WikiCommons images are public domain and free for the taking.

I think your business model is workable, but I'd add adsense and look at other ways to monitize your blog besides just the readings. No need to ignore other revenue streams.

Good luck!

[CatMuse33]

Wanted to say thanks once again, AJ. I implemented many of the changes you recommended... although I'll wait till tomorrow to put a graphic in the actual post. :)

Mrs. Cogan, thanks for your feedback as well. I am torn on the pink... I kind of like it. I found a skin I liked a lot last night... flowers that sort of reminded me of the "frame" around a tarot card, but it said if I downloaded the skin I would lose all my blog info, so I got scared and didn't do it. LOL

Mrs. Cogan, my offer extends to you as well, if you would like a free five-card reading or $5 off the spread of your choice, please stop by.