I Want Your Feedback

So, I've been doing this for 9 months or now.  I'd like to get some feedback from the readers.  I did a mini focus group with a few friends before I did the redesign and now I'd like to talk to all of my readers.  All seven of you.

1.  What kind of content annoys the bejeezus out of you?  Are you totally sick of hearing about my trips to the grocery store? 

2.  What kind of content would you like to see more of?  I felt a little burnt out at the beginning of the week and it helps to know what people like.  Honestly, this is never going to be a standard PF blog where I teach you the difference between a money market and some other sort of account that I don't know about.  It will always be based on my personal experiences, but I'd like to increase our interactions because I like talking with all of you.  Your such a nice bunch.

3.  Are the new ads annoying?  I figure they are easy enough to ignore if you don't want to look at them.  I tried to pick companies that I thought my readers might find interesting so it wasn't icky stuff.  Honestly, they are killing me.  Do you know how badly I want to click on most of them?  I am not allowed to talk about the companies in the right sidebar for various contractual reasons, but let's say that my Nikon D50 came from one and I love it.  Let's say that I love color coding and want to see what another website has for the CRAZY part of me.  And I want to see what one of them is all about because it just looks cute, dammit.  But I am not allowed to click.  Sorry if the ads are annoying.  But again, tried to pick stuff that was cool.  And if there is one that sells clothes for feet, I may have gotten my wedding shoes there.

4.  Do you want to see some guest posts?  Anyone interested in guest posting?  Email dsliss [at] gmail [dot] com if you are.  I'll send you an invite.  Don't post anything batshit nutters or I will have to exercise some editorial control.  I like money saving and money wasting tips the most.  People enjoy hearing when other people have wasted their money.  I think it makes them feel a little more human.  We all make mistakes.

5.  I've got some stuff around my house that I don't want.  Stuff that has never been used.  Some stuff that is pretty damn rad.  I've been thinking about having some contests for the stuff.  Would you like that?  If only one person is going to play, that doesn't seem particularly fun, except for the one person and then you can just send me an email and I'll send you my stuff.  That would require the FB commenters to make comments here.  Oh, and I don't do that pick a random comment thing.  I'm not all about fairness.  You have to write something to amuse me and then I pick that one.  In other words, I want you to woo me.  And remember, I have weird stuff, so the prizes could be very interesting.  Oh, and I am prone to including surprises with prizes, so extra fun to look forward to. (And surprises are often very inexpensive treats from Tokyo discount in the form of financial lucky cats.)  I'm not going out and getting gift cards for contests.  Can't afford that.  But I have an unused Knock Knock Medical Organizer that retails for $24.95.  I have art prints.  I have art that I can't seem to sell.  I may even have an airline credit on southwest (if I decide to use that).  I have the Abba Gold Box Set.  I can get autographed pictures of Tiki if he isn't acting totally dicky that day.  And the surprise arts and crafts projects that I can come up with for zero dollars are endless and MAGNIFICENT.  Oh, and they may come in the form of trivia questions because those are fun. 

I am really looking for your honest feedback on ways to make the site better and more fun.  Any feedback is appreciated.  I hope this isn't just crickets.

Comments

[Danielle Liss]

I should start offering prizes to the person who can find the most grammatical mistakes. Although then I would simply invite my assistant to play and she'd do amazingly well since she knows how poorly I type. I type fast, but not correctly.

[A. Moore]

I just found your site through Money Crashers, and I've been enjoying the content for the last few days. :)

Personally, I like the day-to-day things. I'm working through my own fairly substantial debt, and it helps to read about someone who's going through the same type of things that I am. Somewhat like having a friend to do weight loss with. :) I mean, I love Get Rich Slowly, and how much he can teach us, but he's not in the same place I am, and I like having that feeling of camaraderie. Beyond that, I'm still a new reader, and can't really give to many thoughts on your content.

As far as the ads, I had to click through to the site - I think you managed to choose some really good ones. Useful, but not obnoxious. Now, I subscribe to your RSS, which doesn't have ads - you should really look at adding those.

And, I'm totally a sucker for giveaways ;) You'll have at least one player.

[Dr Dean]

Ads are so common place now on blogs, I don't even notice them. And as you know, I don't play games!!!!

Just kidding. I think anything different from what everyone else does, will be well received.

[jenniferm@harsch.com]

Hi Danielle,
I love your blog and the ads don't bug me a bit. It's probably a character flaw on my part, but I have to admit I get a vicarious thrill when you talk about your spending! I'm on a very tight budget and don't get to do much shopping, so when you just go for it at Whole Foods or DSW or where ever, I get a shopping contact-high! Not that I'm encouraging you to shop for my entertainment or anything... :)
Jennifer

[Lauren]

Hehehehe. Your post cracked me up. I'm totally stealing "batshit nutters." I call people nutters all the time and now I can expand on my description of their nuttiness.

1) I like hearing your grocery store stories. I know I get excited when I save money at the store so I love hearing others' stories.

2) Hmmmm. This is a tough one. I like the topics that you have been covering. I've seen your "Buy my stuff" page, so I know you have great sense of fashion. Maybe you could post about any great deals on shoes/clothing/home spa treatments, etc. I'm a bit of a product whore so I love hearing about any beauty product.

3)I didn't even notice the ads until you said something about it. Like Dr. Dean said, it's so commonplace that it blends into the background.

4)Sure, it'll be great to have guest posts.

5)Giveaways are fun! That's how I found your blog, through the Moneycrashers giveaway. So count me in for any future contests. Besides, I love your rules. That's how the world should be. Ha!

BTW, I really admire your honesty in revealing how much debt you have. It's a very brave thing to do and I don't know if I would have the guts to do it. Bravo!

[Danielle Liss]

I love you all. Thank you.

Once the Moneycrashers stuff is done, I think we'll have a contest. I don't have anything that alluring. But I have random stuff. And some of it is cool...

[Revanche]

I had to laugh about your list of stuff because I was just staring at my Southwest Drink Vouchers (I have 8) and thinking, would that be a totally crap item to give away? We should do a joint dealie. :)

[Danielle Liss]

You would be amazed how people want those. (Although now it looks likely that I am going to use my credit.)

I was on a flight back from Reno after a hearing and a woman was loaded in front of me from her free drink tickets. Another woman was wondering, how do I get those. I was thinking, this is silly, I don't use mine, so hmm, I should have kept them.... You are smart to keep yours!

[Sharon]

Hi Danielle,

I found your blog from a comment you made at Wild Wild Law a few months back - I used to work at a Las Vegas law firm and had a case against you before I left. You were such a pleasant opposing counsel, and I love the blog! I've found some other great personal finance sites through yours.

Keep up the great work!

Sharon

[Danielle Liss]

Sharon! Hi. I missed you after you left! Glad to know you are reading. I asked Rich (your former coworker and my current coworker) where you went since I liked working with you. Although I am sorry that case drove you out of state. :) It's nice to know you are a reader!!