My first one!

1. 0

   stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

   Hi
   Would anyone be willing to look at my first hub and give advice or ideas?
   Thanks

   replyreport
   1. 83

      classicalgeekposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The best advice I have gotten so far is:
      
      1) your hub should be a minimum of 750 words--I think you're short of that.
      2) I would include an Amazon capsule so that people can check out the vacuum that you're recommending. I almost never buy anything without reading product reviews on Amazon.
      3) try to include more interactive stuff like a poll
      4) ask for comments and people's own opinions more aggressively.
      5) make a little better use of formatting
      6) Add a picture of the product (and maybe more than one)
      7) compare with other vacuums
      
      Good luck and welcome to hubpages!

      replyreport
   2. 73

      KeithTaxposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome, Mommy3:
      
      I would like to add a few comments on your first hub.
      
      1.) Since your hub is short, consider adding a video from YouTube.
      
      2.) Don't be afraid to use more than one (1) Amazon capsule. Swing the Amazon capsule to the right and provide more choices.
      
      3.) Intermix more images.
      
      4.) A poll would be nice. (Which Vacuum do you use?) This can also lead to more hub ideas when people comment.
      
      5.) I like to include the "in the news" capsule on every hub. You may need to use "house cleaning" or some other generic term that brings up news.
      
      Hope this helps. You can lengthen your hub with all the added goodies (capsules).

      replyreport
2. 0

   Justine76posted 14 years ago

   Im not very good at advice, but it seems good to me. I like that its honest about the cons, I dont usally see that in reviews. maybe you could put in a picuter? Good job writng yoru first hub! Hope you like it here.

   replyreport
3. 0

   stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

   Thanks for the advice!  I'm still learning, but enjoying it.  Classicalgeek, I will try get the word count up a bit.  I don't have an Amazon account yet, so I'm not sure how to add the capsule.  But I can figure it out!
   
   How do I add pictures, just, well, pictures???

   replyreport
4. 82

   timorousposted 14 years ago

   Go to this hub page about understanding the capsules (component parts of your hub page).  There's some fairly clear info about adding pictures, a little further down the page.
   
   http://hubpages.com/guide/hubtool/capsules
   
   Keep this in mind: there's basically 3 picture widths: Full (520 pixels), Half (260 pixels), 1/4 (130 pixels).  If your pictures aren't already these widths, they'll be resized to fit.  However, the photo quality will be reduced.  It's best to resize the pictures yourself using a good photo-editing program.  The height can be any reasonable value.
   
   If you still need help, feel free to ask.  There aren't any stupid questions.

   replyreport
5. 69

   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   I'm on my way to check it out.  Welcome.  And, don't hesitate to ask questions.  I've found this community to be so helpful and welcoming to its newcomers... I hope you ahve the same experience. Its a great place to write.

   replyreport
6. 69

   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   SAHMy- Good work on the first hub.  You've got the basics down.  I liked the honesty of the review... and, you came up w/ a lot of little items that wouldn't normally be included in a product description, so its definitely worth reading (a lot of items, us moms need too!)  I agree w/ an earlier poster... You could just flush it out a little more.  A few pics, and an Amazon capsule would do wonders.  You can add a capsule before you actually have your Amazon account, you just can't make money on it until you're all signed up.
   
   Do a hub search on the topics that confuse you.  A lot of hubbers write articles directed at other hubbers... especially the new ones (or the ones who have been around a little while, but still have TONS to learn, like me. )

   replyreport
7. 0

   stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

   I love all the feedback!
   ThoughtfulSpot
   I've looked around about adding pictures, but I'm a bit confused.  I dont' want to take a pic of my vac. (it's dirty because I use it) so where would I look for pictures???  I can't seem to find any hubs about it, but maybe I'm missing them?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      http://www.flickr.com/
      
      http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Resize-a … or-Website
      
      I personaly LOVE Irfanview. Its super easy...
      
      http://hubpages.com/hub/Steps-involved- … o-your-Hub
      
      http://learningcenter.hubpages.com/1-great-content/#2

      replyreport
8. 73

   myownworldposted 14 years ago

   Read and commented.
   Also, happy to fan you! Do read the Help section above, and best of luck with everything....!

   replyreport
9. 69

   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   Justine beat me to it...
   You can also use Google Images... do an advanced search, and check off photos approved for re-use (or commercial re-use, depending) and search away.  Just remember to attribute the work to the photographer.  (I usually do this in my caption... but that's up to you.)

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      caption is better then ..is it title? because the words are printed lighter and less detracting if all you want is to be legal...
      just try out different stuff and see what works for you, you can always change it!  good luck again!

      replyreport
10. 69

    Paradise7posted 14 years ago

    Definitely include an Amazon capsule--it's really easy, just pick "Bissell" or "Vaccuum Cleaner" for a keyword and let Amazon find the products.  Then you might even make $ from it.
    
    Also, pics help.  Some people seem to think it could be a little longer.  I think you said what you had to say and got out, which is BETTER!  Yes?
    
    On the whole, an understandable, reasonably articulate and well-written hub.  Congratulations and welcome to HubPages!

    replyreport
11. 69

    Paradise7posted 14 years ago

    Try Bing or Google for pics.

    replyreport
12. 0

    stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

    Ok, I am on lots of cold meds, so I'm not quite understanding the copywrite laws on pictures.  So, I added a Amazon Capsule and put them both on the right and I added a poll.
    I really appreciate your guys help.  Thanks for being so positive!

    replyreport
    1. 82

       timorousposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       In most cases you'll find photos at websites like flickr, stock.xchng, google images, etc., that are "royalty free". 
       
       This usually means you can use the image on a web page without paying a fee to the owner of the image.  However, it also means that you can't distribute copies of the image, or use it as part of a commercial advertisement, or sell it for profit.
       
       The owner may request that they be notified, so you should let them know what you'll be using it for, just as a courtesy, if possible.  Also, include a credit (caption) for the image source (where you got it) on your hub page.
       
       Hope that helps some.  I also hope you lose that cold very soon, mommy3.

       replyreport
13. 66

    NoRR4Meposted 14 years ago

    Hello and welcome to HubPages,
    
    You have a pretty good first hub. I've been thinking about doing some product hubs too. You did a great job.
    
    You asked about pictures, I think Amazon associate can use Amazon's pictures and enlarge them if needed.

    replyreport
14. 61

    Anne009posted 14 years ago

    Hi!
    
    I am new to Hubs as well but I enjoyed reading your honest review. The advice given here is awesome- such amazing support- it has really helped me reading all the advice above and wish you well with your hubs too!

    replyreport
15. 0

    stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

    Hey everyone!  Been a better day, getting over this stupid cold.  I'm going to try to understand the pictures tomorrow, so we shall see!
    
    Thanks again for all the help.  I think I'm slowly getting it down, and best of all, I'm really having fun!

    replyreport
16. 0

    stay_home_mommy3posted 14 years ago

    I finally got an image loaded on it!!!!
    Thanks for the help everyone!

    replyreport
    1. 82

       timorousposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yaayyy!

       replyreport