So here we are, planning to do another blogspot for the Annual Ball again this year!
For those wondering, a blogspot is a lovely little place for Gaian moderators to post about the hot stuff that's happening. Most notably, and most frequently, it's used to feature avatars but it is used for other things. Along with the blog there is a small announcement that goes along with and that means a LOT of traffic heading to see our blog!
The blog itself is written in a thread format with all the same coding and layouts. It will even show up like a thread, but it can't be commented on by users. That's why we usually link it to our information thread. You can be sure that there will always be plenty of people who read the announcement, read the blog, and STILL don't get anything about anything that's in the blog. So they follow the link (most of them) and we do our best to illuminate them from there.
As well as those that are looking for questions there are also the ones who are looking to help via donations, volunteering art services, or volunteering themselves. We manage to catch a few eyes last year that I still see around this year, reconnected with some former Ball staff, and surpassed our fundraising goals by a landslide.
So why not try for it again?
This year the theme is zodiac so we can use that in our blog to spice it up a bit. We can also format it differently from the last. So let's get the suggestions and brainstorming started!
Art & graphics (ooh, pretty) Linking to the information thread Hinting, but not revealing, the theme
Things that were not so good:
it was "convoluted and confusing" the format wasn't as informative as it should have been keeping it IC was restrictive for how much we could talk about *I* think the graphics were a bit too big in the header
Things we want to do this year keep it simple & classy (?) embed a video F.A.Q.
I've always found them confusing and for some reason on here, user run events aren't as.. welcoming as other sites. Mostly due to the fact that there are so many people here so it's a bit harder to cater for everyone.
Quote:
I agree with you about the blog announcement. It's so confusing. It explains very little about the Annual Ball as well as its history. The thread you've posted is WAY better than the blog one.
So it seems that we only got two criticisms from the threads that I could find so that's not very helpful... especially when "confusing as s**t" isn't very illuminating sweatdrop
But if we put all our psychic butts together maybe we can fathom what had our poor GCDrs so confused?
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:23 pm
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
I like that big thing, is we need a date, and last year the blog happened a month before, so perhaps the same way. I liked that we posted one month early but not too early.
Yeah, Zero Omega layed out the dates for us for the blogspot and the announcement so that it worked out really well with final prep for the ball and then the opening itself. It was good timing to get us pumped and excited for the last leg for the race biggrin
We'll definitely try for that again, I think, but we can always get it ready before hand xD Lord knows there is plenty of things that pop up unexpectedly between now and the ball so one big thing that we can get planned and sorted before that happens the smoother things will go (hopefully - no jinxes!)
Raff_sapphire6
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
I like that big thing, is we need a date, and last year the blog happened a month before, so perhaps the same way. I liked that we posted one month early but not too early.
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:18 am
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
Agreed. Even though last years amazing and absolutely kawaii art is great, it was harder to work with, I guess. I think your idea so far is really good, and it is a good place to root down our main ideas. This year we should focus on convenience and a stable, smooth system to run with. Something classy and casual, not to fancy, would really hit the spot. And don't worry, you're not babbling at all! Your ideas are amazing!
For this year, since everyone said it was confusing, should we just do a straightforward FAQ? Of course, we can still pretty it up with cute graphics and coding and whatnot, but maybe simmer it down? Because in retrospect, even though writing IC dialogue and playing with our characters was super fun, it might not be as clear for others as it was for us, since we're involved and they're not?
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:49 am
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
I really agree with what you said, though there is one thing. How do we make it short enough so that not many people just decide to ditch the rules and jump in a thread at random? Last ball I swear it took me about an hour to go through all of the stuff ^^" and it sure was confusing as well! I would suggest, actually, a video to explain the rules and so! Its not only easier for those who are multitasking (They will hear the rules instead of having to read them.) but it would draw them in so they don't end up dropping out in the middle! biggrin We may need some music and more art to add spice to it but its a great plan, don't you think? -TheGreyDemon
I would love to see a video this year somewhere in advertising or, like you say, as an instructional video. I was hoping to use flash for it, but that's a little bit further down the totem pole as far as planning goes for now. I'm really glad you brought it up because that means that more than one person is thinking about it so it will be even easier to get help to make it when we do!
The blogspot won't be so much about all the ball rules, though. We'll have some of the most important ones, but it's mostly an informative blog explaining what it is, how people can join, what they can do, and what they can expect out of it. The long list of ball history and rules and reasons we do the ball every year won't be included because you're exactly right - having that much information takes a long time to go through and is usually skipped.
Your idea of having the video replace all that is good, too, and when the ball comes around we may be able to imbed a video in our information thread for those who would rather listen than read. That'll be up to Violet and Pinkie but I like it smile
TheGreyDemon
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
I really agree with what you said, though there is one thing. How do we make it short enough so that not many people just decide to ditch the rules and jump in a thread at random? Last ball I swear it took me about an hour to go through all of the stuff ^^" and it sure was confusing as well! I would suggest, actually, a video to explain the rules and so! Its not only easier for those who are multitasking (They will hear the rules instead of having to read them.) but it would draw them in so they don't end up dropping out in the middle! biggrin We may need some music and more art to add spice to it but its a great plan, don't you think? -TheGreyDemon
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 10:57 am
That is what I was thinking too. I'd still like to dress it up with graphics because they get attention and art can be used to direct people's attention where it should be as long as it's not too clustered or busy.
As for the FAQ, well for sure. That's what it was meant to be last year too but instead of just copying and pasting questions with answers we made it more interesting... too interesting I guess xD
It'd be good to settle on a list of things that we absolutely want to cover in the information, like do we want to list rules of the ball or focus on explaining what the ball is and how to participate, addressing concerns that came up in the threads that were started in response to the blog (and the ones that come up every year like "how do I join" and "what's the theme"?
Spottedteddybears
For this year, since everyone said it was confusing, should we just do a straightforward FAQ? Of course, we can still pretty it up with cute graphics and coding and whatnot, but maybe simmer it down? Because in retrospect, even though writing IC dialogue and playing with our characters was super fun, it might not be as clear for others as it was for us, since we're involved and they're not?
do you have thoughts on what should be addressed specifically in the blogspot? What kinds of questions that people are most likely to ask or instructions that we're repeating the most?
Cyarine
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
Agreed. Even though last years amazing and absolutely kawaii art is great, it was harder to work with, I guess. I think your idea so far is really good, and it is a good place to root down our main ideas. This year we should focus on convenience and a stable, smooth system to run with. Something classy and casual, not to fancy, would really hit the spot. And don't worry, you're not babbling at all! Your ideas are amazing!
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 1:13 pm
Well, for the questions part, I think that could be a whole new thread! Maybe we could get the guild together and start discussing some ideas for answers for people's FAQ? whee
Robayn
Thank you~
do you have thoughts on what should be addressed specifically in the blogspot? What kinds of questions that people are most likely to ask or instructions that we're repeating the most?
Cyarine
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
Agreed. Even though last years amazing and absolutely kawaii art is great, it was harder to work with, I guess. I think your idea so far is really good, and it is a good place to root down our main ideas. This year we should focus on convenience and a stable, smooth system to run with. Something classy and casual, not to fancy, would really hit the spot. And don't worry, you're not babbling at all! Your ideas are amazing!
It's definitely a good idea to have the guild all contribute and I think we've gotten to the point where we can set up a thread for that. Then we can move on to the fun planning with the art and graphics (:
Cyarine
Well, for the questions part, I think that could be a whole new thread! Maybe we could get the guild together and start discussing some ideas for answers for people's FAQ? whee
Robayn
Thank you~
do you have thoughts on what should be addressed specifically in the blogspot? What kinds of questions that people are most likely to ask or instructions that we're repeating the most?
Cyarine
Robayn
My suggestions of things to avoid this year would be the conversation format. As cute as the pixel dolls were, trying to get the information out in a conversation, and IC to boot, was challenging. Keeping it short and sweet was even more challenging. Some small paragraphs on everything we want to cover presented in a classy and creative way would work a lot better imo.
We could have art done up of some of the host avatars that would serve as a hint to the theme and have the paragraphs presented in speech bubbles... the art would be an image and the speech bubble would be large, beside the art, and an image itself. The trick would be hoping that the alignment wouldn't get a little skewed between our PM to the mod and the posting, as well as finding an agreeable size that would be large but not too big.
Plus this way there's a bit of work thinking up graphics. Simple is usually nice, but we would probably like it to be a little fancy. Obv. the font would need to be legible.
Now I'm babbling a bit. Time for someone else's ideas.
Agreed. Even though last years amazing and absolutely kawaii art is great, it was harder to work with, I guess. I think your idea so far is really good, and it is a good place to root down our main ideas. This year we should focus on convenience and a stable, smooth system to run with. Something classy and casual, not to fancy, would really hit the spot. And don't worry, you're not babbling at all! Your ideas are amazing!
