Game 12: #2 Seed Content Maven Versus #7 Seed Writer’s Notes

The Matchup

#2 Seed Content Maven has the numbers on its side with more visitors and more posts. Can #7 seed Writer’s Notes score another win for the little guys?

Introductions

Content Maven

The second-seeded Content Maven is the blog of freelance writer and editor Meryl Evans. It is part of a larger site promoting Evans’ services. Additionally, Evans runs a gaming blog on the same site. This writing blog has been around for a long time and is well established. The main topics are content creation and writing on the web.

Writer’s Notes

Seventh-seeded Writer’s Notes is the blog of Jeanne Dininni, a freelance writer who also contributes to many other web sites. The focus is on information, encouragement and inspiration for writers.

Archives

Content Maven

Content Maven’s archives stretch back to June of 2000. That is the oldest set of archives I have encountered yet. Most of the very early posts are of a more personal nature (the concept of professional blogging hadn’t caught on yet). CM posts frequently, with a nearly daily pace. There is an archive page as well as a featured articles page and related articles links appear at the bottom of each post.

Result: CM scores a three pointer.

Writer’s Notes

The archives at WN go back to January of 2007. The posting frequency is about 3 to 4 posts a week. There is an archives system that can be helpful, but it can be a bit confusing. Many of her articles are about writing for the web and about the emotions involved in writing.

Result: WN sinks a two-pointer off the glass.

CM jumps out to an early 3-2 lead.

Design

Content Maven

The CM design pushes the main blog to a subsidiary page, although the main page does display the most recent entries. The design is low on clutter. It isn’t fancy, but there are a couple of nice professional touches such as a well-designed masthead graphic.

Result: CM drives to the basket for two points.

Writer’s Notes

WN is having difficulties with the design of the site. In fact, the latest blog post is a series of updates about the problems. WN uses a blogging service called Orble. The dark blue text on a light blue background (used for links) can be difficult to read. I took the liberty of looking at some other Orble blogs, and I couldn’t find a single one that was pleasant to look at. Clearly there is a problem with Orble placing ads in distracting places.

Result: WN gets a point from the free throw line.

CM extends its lead to 5-3. WN is going to have to make up some ground to stay in this.

Usability and Navigation

Content Maven

CM uses excerpts from the individual blog entries on the main blog page, which increases the number of entries you can view but prevents you from reading the latest posts without clicking on the individual entry. That adds an extra click to the process. The central features are all easy to find and access. You can subscribe to her newsletter or to subscribe to one of several syndication feeds. You can use the share this feature to add her posts to social media.

Result: CM lays in a two-pointer.

Writer’s Notes

WN performs better on the features side than it does on the attractiveness of the design. The only downside is that there are so many options that it can be difficult to find the ones that you want (the design doesn’t help). Among the features are: several feed options, a list of spotlight posts, a list of recent posts, a list of popular posts, an archive feature and a promise to reply to all comments.

Result: WN shoots a short jumper for two.

CM maintains its lead, 7-5.

Purpose

Content Maven

CM bills itself as, Things wordy, geeky, and webby. It should be noted that, in addition to content, Evans writes about games, especially PC-based games. She uses a different page for that topic though, so it isn’t blended with her content discussion. With a purpose as broad as CM gives itself, it is pretty easy to make all of the postings fit that purpose. Writing and blogging appear to be the primary topics though.

Result: CM makes a ten-footer for two.

Writer’s Notes

Dininni makes a genuine effort to be help other writers. She has a policy of responding to all comments, which makes it easy to interact with her. You get the feeling that Dininni genuinely wants you to succeed. That is one of my favorite things about her site.

Result: WN scores a three pointer

WN makes its move, gaining some ground. it is now 9-8 in favor of Content Maven.

Personality

Content Maven

Evans has a nice conversational style to most of her posts. You get a feel for who she is and the things she likes. She isn’t shy about giving her opinions. I don’t think her personality drives the site though.

Result: CM puts in another two-point shot.

Writer’s Notes

The purpose of WN is Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement! The site holds true to that goal. Several of Dininni’s recent articles are about inspiration, so that is still a topic that gets excellent coverage. She provides solid information in her articles and she is also quick to discuss other writing sites and make recommendations. There is no doubt that she wants other writers to succeed.

Result: Dininni hits another three point shot.

It is all tied up, 11-11 as we move into the final round.

Five Most Recent Posts

Content Maven

• 4 Steps for Dealing with Mistakes
• Links: 2008-04-04
• Question Your Work
• 7 Tips to a Good Twitter Experience
• Short Introductions on Web Pages

With the exception of her link-love entry, Evan’s recent blogs are all of a how-to or advisory nature. She has a nice habit of giving tips and then illuminating them with examples from her own experience. If you are a writer who concentrates their efforts on the web, you will probably find her articles top be informative and useful.

Result: CM lands a three-pointer.

Writer’s Notes

• Technical Difficulties
• Inspiration Series, Part 1: People, Positive and Negative
• Writer’s Notes’ Recognition for March ‘08 Comments
• Join the Rush! Buy The Age of Conversation, Give Sick Kids the Gift of Life
• Conventional Writing Wisdom: It May Be Conventional, But Is It Wisdom?

Dininni’s article on inspiration is a good exploration of the topic, and her article on conventional writing wisdom is similarly worthwhile. Her post supporting the book Age of Conversation would have been better if it has contained a review of the material. As it was, it seems mainly promotional in nature, although the proceeds do go to charity. Her post thanking her commenters is a good touch for her community. Her post discussing the difficulties she is having with Orble demonstrates how difficult it can be for bloggers who rely on services.

Result: WN pulls up for a two-pointer.

The Content Maven edges out Writing Notes 14-13 in a tight, tight contest.

Post Game Analysis

Second seeded Content Maven survived a tougher than anticipated first-round matchup against Writer’s Notes. Longevity and design worked in CM’s favor, helping it outlast the community-based approach of WN. WN was severely hampered by poor design. So far, sites that rely on blogging networks such as Blogspot, B5 and Orble have had a lot of trouble making up for the design problems that come with these services. Without the design problems, this match would very likely have ended in an upset.

What They Can Work On

Content Maven

Content Maven puts out good articles on an attractive site with plenty of traffic. Strangely though, there are very few comments on CM’s posts. That lack of community wasn’t a factor in the first round, but may be a problem in future rounds. By the way, that’s a hint of things to come for all of you contestants who are taking the time to read the other reviews.

Writer’s Notes

Writer’s Notes would clearly benefit from an overhaul of its design. I’m not sure what the benefits or Orble are, but the problems associated with them are holding this blog back.

Related links

• March Writing Blog Madness (0.500)
• March Writing Blog Madness Explained (0.500)
• March Writing Blog Madness Seedings (0.500)
• Game 1: #1 Seed Copyblogger Versus #8 Seed The Struggling Writer (0.500)
• Game 2: #4 Seed Confident Writing Versus #5 Seed Renegade Writer Blog (0.500)