I'd appreciate feedback on this jewelry making tutorial Hub

1. 96

   Margaret Schindelposted 8 years ago

   Hi! I used to be the senior and technical editor for a jewelry making magazine, where I edited contributors' step-by-step tutorials.
   
   I cannot figure out why the following jewelry making tutorial isn't scored higher (currently 81) or being considered for one of the niche sites like FeltMagnet:
   
   Make This Stylish Eyeglass Holder That Converts to a Beaded Necklace in Seconds!
   
   It's a great beaded jewelry project - pretty, practical, easy enough for beginners and interesting enough for experienced beaders. It has detailed, step-by-step tutorials with helpful tips and large, close-up how-to photographs. Readers' feedback has been excellent.
   
   I would be very grateful for feedback and suggestions.
   
   Thanks very much!
   
   Margaret

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   1. 89

      Will Apseposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I would check your keyword use. It is over the top in the opening text (including pic caption and plethora of headers). It makes the text feel unnatural and search engines are sensitive to spammy keyword use.
      
      The intro is a bit long as Marisa says and there is a bit too much of a copywriter feel, for me. Some people seem to like that kind of thing but it will have others banging their heads on a wall.
      
      Once you get down to the info, it is obviously a very useful page. Didn't really think about Amazon ads. Not enough caffeine in my system yet.

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      1. 96

         Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks very much, Will! I'll go back and look at the keywords in the intro, headings and photo captions and see what I can cut. (I'm hoping that trimming the intro will also help in that regard.)

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         1. 85

            Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            I just took a look and it looks much better, BUT you still basically have three headings at the top of the Hub - one the main title, then the MFP image, then the title repeated in different words.  Then you repeat the same title again under the series of photos.
            
            I know that used to be good SEO but Google has got wise to it and now views keywords repeated in multiple headings and sub-headings as a sign of spamming, so I suggest removing the heading that appears under the first image - I think readers would've got the message already from the title and the picture!

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            1. 96

               Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks very much, Marisa! Sounds like a great idea. I thought we were supposed to have a heading for the first capsule, but it that isn't required, I agree that removing it would be an improvement.

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               1. 85

                  Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  No, there's no rule that says you need to have headings on any capsule.

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                  1. 96

                     Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Thanks for letting me know, Marisa! Good thing, too, since I've already removed that heading per your suggestion (and also changed and shortened the title a bit).

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   2. 82

      sallybeaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It is an incredibly detailed hub and I do agree with the others here that the title is too long and is repeated too many times.
      I think the images could be improved in Windows or with Photoshop as they appear too dark on my screen and could possibly be lightened quite easily.  I think flash was used where natural light always seems to work better for product photography. 
      Not sure if 2 Amazon ads are too many!   I do prefer Amazon capsules to a link so that I can see the product straight away but other may not agree.

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      1. 96

         Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks very much for your feedback, sallybea! I hear you all loud and clear about the length of the title and the intro and the repetition, and I'll definitely work on that. Like you, I prefer the image preview of Amazon capsules, but since the products are in bulleted lists of project materials, supplies and equipment, I thought the Amazon text links would be less intrusive/sales-y than capsules.
         
         Thanks also for the "heads up" about the photos looking dark on your monitor. I've checked them on three different laptops (since all monitors are adjusted differently) and they looked fine on all three. I'd be very interested to hear whether anyone else thinks the photos look dark on their screens. (BTW, I did use natural light - the pix were shot next to a window.)
         
         Thanks again for your feedback - much appreciated!

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         1. 82

            sallybeaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            The spectacles looked as if they had been shot with flash.  Sorry if I was not correct about this.

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            1. 96

               Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               No problem, sallybea! I appreciate your feedback. I shot the photos quite a while ago, but as I recall I was having a lot of trouble with reflections in the glasses and may have tried to retouch them (obviously inexpertly) to help with that problem. I no longer have that particular eyeglasses chain, but I may just make another so I can re-shoot the problem photos. Thanks again!

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               1. 82

                  sallybeaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  You are welcome.  I'd like to see those lovely pieces against a really white background.  Apart from those little problems, I think you have done a terrific job of explaining the Tutorial.

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                  1. 96

                     Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Thanks so much for your kind words, sallybea! My "day job" is extremely busy, but as soon as I have time to recreate the eyeglass chain/necklace, I'll try shooting it against a white background and see how it goes.

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   3. 0

      Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Along with keyword density that others have mentioned, images are very important to a tutorial like this one. I suspect that the fact that several of your images are pixellated is causing an issue. In particular the images with the captions "Learn to make a fashionable beaded eye glasses leash that instantly converts to a necklace." and "Eyeglass holder ends attached to jump rings (the one on the right has been attached to the chain with one of the lobster claw clasps)" look extremely grainy on my screen.

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      1. 96

         Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks very much for your feedback, Christy! I'll take another look at those photos and, as I mentioned previously, I'm planning to do more to reduce the keyword density. Much appreciated!

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   4. 93

      Gloriousconfusionposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't see it before you made the amendments, but, looking at it now, it looks fine to me.

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      1. 96

         Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks very much, Diana!

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2. 85

   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   It's a great tutorial and the Amazon products are in links which HubPages likes, so I don't know why it hasn't been picked.
   
   One thing that occurred to me is that the introduction is too long.  You seem to have three headings all saying the same thing, which is slightly irritating and might be seen as keyword stuffing.  Also a rather pointless quiz (if you're going to include it, it would be better at the end?). 
   
   I would certainly be submitting it for consideration if I were you.

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   1. 96

      Margaret Schindelposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks very much, Marisa! I appreciate your kind words, and your insight about the intro and the quiz is very helpful. I'll go back and tighten up the intro and take another look at the quiz.

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3. 96

   Margaret Schindelposted 8 years ago

   Thank you all for your very helpful feedback! I made some changes this AM based on your input and already the score has jumped from 81 to 89. I still want to do a bit more work reducing the number of keywords.
   
   I'm very grateful for your help. Thanks again!
   
   Margaret

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