Lately I’ve been trying to figure out how to write a post about my best blog entries of 2009. Concurrently, I’ve been thinking about a good way to introduce someone new to the blog. You know how you stumble upon a new blog that you like and want to read the important entries from the archives? The representative entries? I wanted a clear, succinct way to present that. I wanted to be able to give someone an accurate portrayal of myself and the blog in a short amount of time.
So I asked a few people who have read many of the entries on my blog for their feedback–people who only know me through the blog. They offered some great suggestions, and I added some other entries…but I still didn’t have a good way to present them. This blog covers a vast array of topics. Presenting a reader with a long list of representative entries is not an effective way of introducing the blog.
I was stumped…and then I thought of SlideShare.
Using PowerPoint, I created a slideshow about myself, linking to blog entries throughout the slideshow. You can flip through the slideshow in less than 30 seconds and learn a ton of information about me. Or you can click through some of the entries linked to in the slideshow to read some of the best and most representative blog entries in the history of this blog. They embody who I am in their content, tone, and style.
Let me know what you think. I plan to post this slideshow in the sidebar of this blog, so if you think I should change anything, let me know.
I know I probably have one of the worst perspectives on getting to know you solely through the blog, but I don’t think you can capture the true Jamey Stegmaier without claiming to be the fastest white catholic alive (with a link to https://jameystegmaier.com/2009/06/10/i-choose-to-race/).
Ha ha…thanks, Trev. I think maybe I’ll replace the line on the slideshow about me not eating at parties with that article you linked to–that encapsulates me better.
I like how you summarized yourself and your blog on Slideshare. Very creative! Now everyone in the world will know that as sweet as you are, you’re a predictable introvert who will, one day, become a recluse and grow old with cats….lol. Just kidding, but you can see how someone might think that.
Thanks! Ha ha…a predictable introvert. That describes me pretty well, actually. Although I actually waiver between extroverted and introverted.
I LOVE this! What a great idea! An innovative way to present quite a few interesting blog entries. Well done! 🙂
On a side note, thank you for the link to the dancing video. I got a great laugh from that 🙂
I’m glad you like it! I’ll see if it has a lasting affect on the sidebar.
As the slideshow said, I’m not a good dancer… 🙂 But I have fun with it when I don’t have to memorize moves (I basically refuse to do any dance that has set dance moves–that’s not what dancing is about for me).
This is picky, but I’m taking exception with your font choice. It’s very blocky and the color combos make it hard to read. Maybe something a little softer and with better contrast?
I’m glad you pointed this out. I actually spent quite a bit of time figuring it out last night, and obviously I didn’t succeed. The hyperlink color needs to be blue, I think, but the rest is subject to change. White just seemed to bright. I also tried the Georgia font, but it didn’t seem to work. Anyone with typography experience have any suggestions on font/color?
I like the red background. It can be a lighter red. The picture with Biddy in a suitcase is cute, but PETA might not like it if they see it. Words linking to your blog entries can be another color like yellow. The color will make them pop in a dark background.
Also, I think it would be pretty awesome if it comes with a little music when it’s playing.
Kai–Oh, I didn’t pack Biddy in a suitcase! Of course not! 🙂 That was my ex-girlfriend’s suitcase–she was packing it and Biddy jumped in as if he wanted to go with us on the trip. I’d never stow Biddy underneath a plane!
I like the music idea…I’ll see if Slideshare does that. Thanks for the suggestions on the typography and colors.
Oh no! The Biddy in the suitcase picture was the best image in that presentation. PETA can be paid to look the other way. Send them $5 and put the photo back!
Ha ha…I love that photo, but I thought Kai had a point–it did kind of look like I had stowed a (possibly dead) cat in a suitcase. Wouldn’t want to give anyone the wrong idea.
Post the slideshow as a new blog entry so those of us who Google Reader it can find it.
It is in a new entry–it’s in the body of the entry I posted today (it follows the text).
Love the slideshow idea and would like to read your published works. Titles, please?
Thanks! You can click on any of the blue words in the slideshow–they’re all links. If you look at the top of my blog, you’ll see a link to “Published Works.”
Hi, it’s me again.
The slide is better. The typography is better, but it comes with weird spacing. Agency FB, Arial, Bodoni MT, Cambria, Tahoma, and good ol’ Times New Roman are good. They can be bold and not be hard to read.
The picture does not show love, but distress. It looks like the father is bothered by the joyful noise of his playful kid.