Oh how we would love to be able to accept all submissions to be on The CWA Review Crew. There is much more to you than we could ever possibly see through looking at your blog or site. So, please do not ever take it personal that your application has been denied. Do know that with certain actions taken on your part, you can reapply to be a part of our program. We would love to work along side you. So much that we are taking the time to write this article providing helpful insight into making your site the best it can be.These points will be in no determined order, but all are relevant.
10 Points to Preparing Your Blog for Approval of The CWA Review Crew.
1. Current and Consistant Posting
We love that you might have brought your blog back to life with a current post before submitting. We need to see that you are serious. Keep Posting and do it at least 2-3 times a week. Then Re-Apply.
2. Where is your About Me page?
I cannot tell you how many sites we visit and cannot find any information on the person behind it. Your About Me page or even a Post should be clearly indicated preferably on your actual Menu/Navigation Bar. It is an A+ to also have it at the top of your sidebar that shows on every page.
3. Social Links posted on your About Me page as well as in your sidebar.
You can use Links or Social Icons for your Page on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin etc if you have them. If you do not want to share your personal profile on Facebook, I totally get it! But a Page? Get that thing listed as a 'Like Box' or at least a button/icon. On Twitter? Where is that link again???
4. An Appealing Web Design.
This one is personal, as it should be. There are some rules you can break and still have it appealing. But a disorganized, 12 Color Scheme with 12 different fonts is just not going to make it. Never have a transparent background for your posts over a busy background picture. We get headaches. Your reader should not stress to read your site. Pick a light background with a clear defined dark font. And stick to it. We must be able to Navigate through your site. Do NOT skip having a Navigation Bar. We get lost. We don't want to scroll endlessly looking for something. Mercy, help us. Help your reader. Get some help! :) We cannot all be good at everything. Get someone who is to help you with the Basics. Over at DIY you can join so inexpensively and learn it.
5. Oh the Links!
This is going to sound too techie for some of you. But we need to talk Permalinks. If your permalinks are not set, it does nothing for your site or the person you are reviewing. Depending on what Platform you used to Blog you will need to check on how. Ask! It's is so important.
6. Oh you went for the Flash site...
It has it's own issues. Just no. no. no. :) Get yourself on Wordpress, or Hosted Wordpress. You can get a Free Theme or Premium. Maybe you will need help at first but it will be so worth it. Worse case, Blogger. But why? Go Wordpress, really.
7. You Reviewing any and every product that comes your way
Any other products you review outside of our program would need to fall under being acceptable. Family Friendly Reviews. If we see reviews from products not fitting our Audience we would have to deny.
8. Where's Your Header or Banner?
It's the first thing our eyes turn to when visiting your blog. Isn't it worth the time to get a header or banner up there that represents you and your site? Hire someone if you cannot do it yourself. There are endless resources. Contact me if you need someone. We will connect you.
9. Where else are you Socially?
We don't want to only see it through your site we want to see where else you will share your review. We understand you are busy. Social Media can be overwhelming. For people to come to know about your blog/site you need to be posting it somewhere. Is it Twitter? Facebook? Linkedin? Do you YouTube? Pin on Pinterest? You really should consider at least one other outlet to share your links to your site. Even forums, private groups on Facebook. Add Widgets to your site to show some of that feed.
10. Learn how to Review a Product
There is more to a Review than saying you liked it. We posted a great article to help you out. If we see a lot of poorly written reviews previously posted on your site we have to take a step back. We don't care if you post your first review with us. We want to see the genuine effort on your behalf.
These are 10 Points to Preparing Your Blog for Approval of The CWA Review Crew. They are the same points that might have put you on the non-approval list for The Crew. We would love for you to make changes for you first. Then if you want to reapply to The CWA Review Crew, please do.
10 Points to Preparing Your Blog for Approval of The CWA Review Crew.
1. Current and Consistant Posting
We love that you might have brought your blog back to life with a current post before submitting. We need to see that you are serious. Keep Posting and do it at least 2-3 times a week. Then Re-Apply.
2. Where is your About Me page?
I cannot tell you how many sites we visit and cannot find any information on the person behind it. Your About Me page or even a Post should be clearly indicated preferably on your actual Menu/Navigation Bar. It is an A+ to also have it at the top of your sidebar that shows on every page.
3. Social Links posted on your About Me page as well as in your sidebar.
You can use Links or Social Icons for your Page on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin etc if you have them. If you do not want to share your personal profile on Facebook, I totally get it! But a Page? Get that thing listed as a 'Like Box' or at least a button/icon. On Twitter? Where is that link again???
4. An Appealing Web Design.
This one is personal, as it should be. There are some rules you can break and still have it appealing. But a disorganized, 12 Color Scheme with 12 different fonts is just not going to make it. Never have a transparent background for your posts over a busy background picture. We get headaches. Your reader should not stress to read your site. Pick a light background with a clear defined dark font. And stick to it. We must be able to Navigate through your site. Do NOT skip having a Navigation Bar. We get lost. We don't want to scroll endlessly looking for something. Mercy, help us. Help your reader. Get some help! :) We cannot all be good at everything. Get someone who is to help you with the Basics. Over at DIY you can join so inexpensively and learn it.
5. Oh the Links!
This is going to sound too techie for some of you. But we need to talk Permalinks. If your permalinks are not set, it does nothing for your site or the person you are reviewing. Depending on what Platform you used to Blog you will need to check on how. Ask! It's is so important.
6. Oh you went for the Flash site...
It has it's own issues. Just no. no. no. :) Get yourself on Wordpress, or Hosted Wordpress. You can get a Free Theme or Premium. Maybe you will need help at first but it will be so worth it. Worse case, Blogger. But why? Go Wordpress, really.
7. You Reviewing any and every product that comes your way
Any other products you review outside of our program would need to fall under being acceptable. Family Friendly Reviews. If we see reviews from products not fitting our Audience we would have to deny.
8. Where's Your Header or Banner?
It's the first thing our eyes turn to when visiting your blog. Isn't it worth the time to get a header or banner up there that represents you and your site? Hire someone if you cannot do it yourself. There are endless resources. Contact me if you need someone. We will connect you.
9. Where else are you Socially?
We don't want to only see it through your site we want to see where else you will share your review. We understand you are busy. Social Media can be overwhelming. For people to come to know about your blog/site you need to be posting it somewhere. Is it Twitter? Facebook? Linkedin? Do you YouTube? Pin on Pinterest? You really should consider at least one other outlet to share your links to your site. Even forums, private groups on Facebook. Add Widgets to your site to show some of that feed.
10. Learn how to Review a Product
There is more to a Review than saying you liked it. We posted a great article to help you out. If we see a lot of poorly written reviews previously posted on your site we have to take a step back. We don't care if you post your first review with us. We want to see the genuine effort on your behalf.
These are 10 Points to Preparing Your Blog for Approval of The CWA Review Crew. They are the same points that might have put you on the non-approval list for The Crew. We would love for you to make changes for you first. Then if you want to reapply to The CWA Review Crew, please do.
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