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Mitch begun with this line on what it means to design.
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“Well, the biggest thing I can say about design is don’t design just for design. Everything you do should enhance your blog. #blogchat
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“Every doodad, widget, plugin, etc has the possibility of distracting people from your content. Good content + design go together. #blogchat
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“That said, your blog should be about YOUR personality – think of it as your signature on the web. It should reflect YOU. #blogchat
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Questions and answers
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“@studionashvegas do you design and then develop it? #blogchat
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“@ThatSocialDude As a designer/developer, my answer is custom is always better. As a user, it depends on HOW custom you want to be #blogchat
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“@CTrappe If i’m designing for myself to develop, then yes – I know what my own strengths + weaknesses are. #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas – Mitch, are there colors to especially avoid or choose? #blogchat
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“@BruceSallan Purples can be hard if used in abundance, same with reds, but are beautiful as accent colors. #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas Top 5 widgets you think every blog must have? #blogchat
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“@T_Burrows ooo tough one. Subscription, Social Links, Archives (monthly or topically), About Me (adds personality)… those 4
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“@studionashvegas What’s a good font size for our blogs? 12? 14? 16? #blogchat
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“@MackCollier – I prefer 13 because I’m difficult (LOL) but 12-16 is actually a GREAT range for body copy… #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas So are their other sites other than what’s on Worpdress with premium themes for the WordPress hosted version. #blogchat
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“@executiveoasis if you want REAL control, you’ll have to moved to a self hosted version… otherwise, you’re limited. #blogchat
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“How many fonts? RT @studionashvegas: #1: Body Copy should be between 12-16 and a readable font #blogchat #blogchat
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“@wordwhacker no more than 1 for body and 1-2 (2 is pushing it) for headlines. And they should work together. #blogchat
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“.@studionashvegas I see most blogs once. If I like the content I subscribe. Is design REALLY that important? #blogchat
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“@CollinKromke If you see them once, and you’re hooked on both content and design, then yes, it is. Plus not everyone is RSS savvy #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas How much Internet stuff should you do before you pay for TypeKit? #blogchat
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“@SaraBAllen If you like their fonts and get value, then go for it. #blogchat
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“@SaraBAllen Its a hard line to cross #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas Ok for the 2nd part, should bloggers hire a designer or go with a free theme or premium one? Pros and cons? #blogchat
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“@MackCollier layout, design, font usage, content – it was a number of things. #blogchat
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“@studionashvegas When you were just getting started did you do freebies? #blogchat
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“@SaraBAllen No. Spec Work, as its called, is dangerous to the industry because it takes value away from something valuable #blogchat
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On flexible design
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“The best way to check your font size is to look at it on lots of browsers + devices. Se how it looks. #blogchat
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“Of course, if you want a REAL flexible design, don’t use PX or PT, use EMs and get yourself a “responsive design” #blogchat
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“A Responsive design is one that will adapt to your choice of viewing medium. WordPress’ Twenty Eleven is one such example. #blogchat
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“@writin2insanity you can always get a “responsive design” – one theme that works by scaling to your viewing medium (phone ipad etc #blogchat
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On hiring a designer vs picking a theme
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“1) Are you willing to spend 1k+ on a decent design? or are you just a hobby blogger? #blogchat
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“2) Do the premium themes do exactly what you want? Or do you want to customize them even in the slightest #blogchat
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“@Kathrynclang I charge 1.5K to design, code, populate, and launch a blog. Anything above that costs more, depending on what it is #blogchat
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“@Kathrynclang to put content in… basically you give me content and I’ll load it in.
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“@CTrappe There are varying degrees, but you get what you pay for in most cases – it’s all about investment vs value.
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“@ST_Designs If you want to hire someone, get with them and let them ask you lots of questions. Get them sites you like, etc #blogchat
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“@Kathrynclang Yes – 100% of the work I do personally is on WordPress, it’s my personal preference because I specialize in it #blogchat
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“@patricksplace It’s all about personal preference – there are people for every budget. #blogchat
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“@patricksplace there are lots of great premium themes, but they will always look like others of the same theme… 1/2 #blogchat
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“@patricksplace it’s the people that REALLY want to differentiate that I recommend spending the proper $$ for it. #blogchat
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Advice from others
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“@thefarmerslife I think using my own photos makes my professional blog more personal. #blogchat
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“Funny thing about popups. I get better response if I delay showing them for at least a minute. Not as rude. Still testing #blogchat
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“I see focus on having the design look good on all formats especially mobile, as so many only look at it via mobile #blogchat
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“Always give credit 4 other people’s images. If you sell anything on your site, it’s commercial, dif rules apply #blogchat
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“@wordwhacker keeping it simple and easy to navigate #blogchat
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“@GettysburgGerry Instagram is also great for iPhone/iPad users. Photoshop can do many of the same filters as well #blogchat
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“#blogchat If usibg your own pics for header. Picnik is a great free photo manipulater
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“I use WordPress themes where I can customize the sidebars, so I don’t need to have the same sidebar throughout my site #blogchat
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“@MackCollier There are plenty of GOOD designers who are also affordable. It’s silly to assume you MUST spend a fortune. #blogchat
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“Horizontal images work best in most WordPress themes so when you take photos, try to take horizontal shots #blogchat
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“@sharongreenthal – IMO you can be much more creative with a personal blog/site #blogchat
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“@ThatSocialDude @studionashvegas Best place to put opt in box is Above-the-Flow. Also have contextually relevant CTA #blogchat
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“@cartooninperson I think a kickass header can totally make the look of the blog, @studionashvegas do you agree? #blogchat
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“Not just font size but also use readable typeface like Arial or Times New Roman @MackCollier: @studionashvegas #blogchat
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“@bobWP @studionashvegas Experiment with the mainstream browsers to be sure your blog looks good no matter what is being used. #blogchat
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“@littlemissmocha Having an image with each post helps with click through rates when linking to the post in Facebook, G+, etc. #blogchat
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“@cartooninperson Look at other blogs & website to see what gets your attention.Look through magazines. You can select colors #blogchat
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“Again, I say if ur site/blog is not optimized for #mobile you better get back to that drawing board, right quick. It’s 2012, ppl #blogchat
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“Thesis is a great theme for user friendliness. No need to stress out when trying to maintain your blog. #blogchat
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“I stumble through the design stuff on my own on purpose. Sure, I want to throw my computer, but I can’t teach what I don’t know. #blogchat
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“@MackCollier My op: Go to one 400px sidebar, search in header, link to archives as their own page, categories on bottom of column #blogchat
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“@juliacantor I think we are our own worst critic when it comes to blogging, our design, our writing, everything #blogchat
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Important thoughts to consider:
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“@ThatSocialDude .com – it’s yours, don’t brand it with someone else’s stuff
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“@ShawnteleLouise True – and that’s what happens with non-customized themes: you run the risk of familiarity #blogchat
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“@audaciouslady India (and other countries over across the pond) can actually be a few years behind in style + trends so be wary. #blogchat
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“I like anything above 20pt for headlines, and even go up to 60 or 100 to really make them stand out. #blogchat
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“#1: Body Copy should be between 12-16 and a readable font: Headlines can be larger (20+) and have any stylistic font within reason #blogchat
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“@pamelamaeross social connections, ways to navigate through old content are a must; otherwise it’s as needed #blogchat
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“@BruceSallan Ads have their place – but it’s your content that people are here to see, don’t forget. #blogchat
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“@ShawnteleLouise If you don’t have design software you may be at a disadvantage… pick a software, learn it, then just practice #blogchat
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“That said, your blog should be about YOUR personality – think of it as your signature on the web. It should reflect YOU. #blogchat
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“@ThatSocialDude my site is built entirely on WordPress – I’ve built magazines, business sites, even a dating site on WordPress #blogchat
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“@GreenDolphin_ if you’re hosted on .com, then you’ll always be limited. Self hosted is the way to go for full customization #blogchat
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“Funny story: my old site design had white text on black and got me several design awards. #blogchat
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Funny thoughts
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“@streetforce1 I love Pinterest I can finally stop cutting up magazines and create various vision boards #Blogchat
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“@littlemissmocha Tried to find a theme called “Is anyone reading this but my wife?” #blogchat
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“I’m honored to be the first guest to celebrate the end of the world
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Concluding thoughts
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“1) Use good fonts and colors, but don’t overuse; they accent your content and nothing more. #blogchat
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“2) There are tons of options for you to choose from, from premium templates to full blown redeigns #blogchat
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“3) Plugins and functionality should add overall value; otherwise they detract from the content #blogchat
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About Mitch Cantor and Studio Nash Vegas
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“If you have questions, please contact me via here, or the form on my site. I’m more than happy to answer them
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About
This site serves a two fold purpose. On the one hand, it’s Mitch Canter’s web portfolio for the client’s he has taken on through studiona… -
About #Blogchat
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What is #Blogchat? | MackCollier.com – Social Media Training and Consulting
blogchat is a weekly conversation that takes place every Sunday nite starting at 8pm Central, on Twitter. Each week we discuss a differen…













































































