Some feedback for a new hubber would be appreciated

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   builtoncupsofteaposted 13 years ago

   Hello all,
   
   Yesterday I started hubbing and so far I'm enjoying it, writing about topics I'm interested in and passionate about, but because I'm new I've yet to get any feedback so that's why I'm here for!
   
   Any tips on writing styles, pictures, layouts etc would be appreciated, another eye is never a bad thing.
   
   So far I've only really been able to pick out that I've got a bad habit of using way too many commas which makes make the flow of my articles feel stunted, but other than that I find it hard to critique my own work (no cockiness! Just if I knew how to do it better, I would).
   
   So if you get a chance, please pop by my profile and give it a peek, thanks alot.

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   1. 69

      Maddie Ruudposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to HubPages!
      
      Your Hubs look great so far.  A lot of Hubbing is practice, so as thooghun said, you'll develop a natural rhythm as you publish more and more.
      
      On a side note, I see that you've got some runes in your profile pic.  Nice to see a fellow enthusiast.  I think HubPages could use some more Hubs on Elder Futhark... hint hint.

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2. 82

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I had a quick look at your hubs and they seem to be informative and well laid out.
   Two things immediately.
   Your prime ad area is top right of the hub, so you want to keep that space clear for an ad.
   Move photos down, and make sure you have enough words in your first capsule to leave room for an ad to float right.
   Other thing is I am seeing a few white spaces. they can be got rid off by using the back button in edit mode.
   
   Oh and by the way, a lot is two words, so remember the space
   
   Welcome to Hubpages

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3. 93

   thooghunposted 13 years ago

   I agree with Izzy regarding the white spaces, make sure your content flows below pictures and capsules on the right to avoid this (take it as a sign your text to image ratio is a little too low also, in my opinion).
   
   I think you are doing a pretty good job on the whole, you'll develop a winning routine naturally as time goes by. I suggest you take a look at how top hubbers structure their hubs and pick up tricks here and there (contest finalists are a great way of doing this), but judging from your efforts you seem to be doing fairly well already.
   
   P.S I would use anchor text on all links, if only for aesthetic reasons.

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   1. 61

      builtoncupsofteaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @Maddie, I'll get on the Elder Futhark hub ASAP I expect you to be my first reader. Thanks a lot for giving my hubs a look.
      
      @Izzy, Thankyou, I try to make my hubs the way I'd like to read them, making use of visuals and formatting to grab my attention. I've taken the ad comment advice on board and I've already started changing my hubs, I never realised, so thanks a lot for that. (see, I'm learning how to spell "a lot"!). I'm not completely sure what you mean about the white spaces, but I'll try to figure it out and get onto it.
      
      @Thooghun, That's a good sign for text-to-image ratio I guess, I think sometimes I just look for images and find ones I really like and have an urge to use it even if the amount of text doesn't really justify it. It's appreciated.
      
      I've been looking at all your hubs since reading your replies so I'm sure to pick up some of your secrets! Cheers.

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4. 58

   JiveTalkinRobotposted 13 years ago

   I just started myself, good luck!
   
   I read the "Top 5 Movies to Make Your Girlfriend Watch" hub and here's what I noticed.
   
   At first I thought it was something completely different, there was a disconnect between what I thought and when I looked at the selections.  Reading it now, it is semi obvious with the word "Make."   Make her watch these, since you're going to be "made" to watch The Notebook.
   
   Maybe you could lay it out even more clearly...something like...
   
   "Quid Pro Quo, She Makes You Watch The Notebook, Make Her Watch These!"
   
   Something like that...
   
   Maybe a little bit more of a description about each movie.

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5. 61

   builtoncupsofteaposted 13 years ago

   I take your point, but I feel like that title doesn't seem quite as catchy. Personally if I see something like "Top 5" I'm more interested in reading it because I know it'll be short and easy to digest.
   
   Maybe there's another way for me to word it better, I'll think about it.
   
   Thanks!

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      thooghunposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with your assessment, the trick is to balance simplicity and interest. I find Jive's suggestion a little too convoluted for my tastes, but yours could probably be spiced up.
      
      I like to phrase my titles in a way that feels that they should end with an exclamation mark or a question mark (even if they don't) in an attempt to interact with someone scrolling though a bunch of search results.
      
      With reference to your Top 5 hub, the tone is definitely satirical and I feel the title should reflect the tone.
      
      How about, "Top 5 Man Movies To Force Upon Your Girlfriend".
      
      or
      
      "Top 5 Male Flicks That Will Silence Your Girlfriend"
      
      A bit extreme perhaps, but you get the idea. It will help the article go viral occasionally -- even if a bit misleading.
      
      Probably not a great example, but I hope you get the idea (as far as I'm concerned your title is fine as is).

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      1. 61

         builtoncupsofteaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yea I like that, I guess my title was a bit bland and wouldn't particularly jump out at you next to a bunch of other "Top 5"'s, nor did it really stay in tune with the tone of the hub itself.
         
         You should be pleased with its new title!

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            thooghunposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I am!

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               Maddie Ruudposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Maybe it's just because I'm a woman, but the new title makes me grimace.  It reminds me of rape.  I'm curious as to whether most other women have this reaction.  Maybe someone else can chime in.
               
               Of course, you can't please everyone.

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                  thooghunposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Tis a man's hub, lass

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                     Maddie Ruudposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     But I've watched all those movies, voluntarily!  Maybe I'm just special.  I'm going to keep telling myself that, anyway.

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                        JiveTalkinRobotposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        no, you are "special."

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                  builtoncupsofteaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  It's not rape, if they love us they WILL watch these films.
                  
                  I consider being forced to watch Mean Girls and Glee, a form of rape on my intelligence and mental health, not to mention making my chest hair recede.

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      2. 58

         JiveTalkinRobotposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         You are such a pro thooghun!
         
         Exactly what I was trying to get at, but a lot more concise.

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