enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

During my big hullabaloo adventure to get the workshop PDFs available, I realized that I am so glad I took two semesters of web coding in college. SO GLAD. Seriously, it was the best class I took in terms of relate-ability to my career. (Also maybe allllll those marketing classes and don't forget that semester of yoga.) Regardless, "speaking" HTML helps me do my job on the blog and helps me direct traffic to my shop. 

I then started thinking about teaching my basic but effective web-design/coding to bloggers via an online workshop. I mentioned it on twitter, and got a pretty positive response. So I wanted to share it here to and let you know that I am really considering it. I have so many ideas floating around right now about how to make it an amazing class.

Things I know so far :

one : the class would be expensive, like $100. Why? Because this is a teach a man to fish situation. I am not designing your blog for you, I am teaching you how to design it and then giving you the ability to maintain it. Much better in the long run.

two : the class size would be small, like 20-30 people max. I want to be able to visit your sites and give feedback. This is also the reason the class would be expensive – there would be some one on one time. Of course, depending on interest and how things go I might re-run.

three : you could google most of the stuff I am going to tell you about. But it wouldn't be as well organized and you wouldn't be able to ask google follow up questions. Also, if I do my job right, this class will be much less frustrating.

four : there would be quizzes. Not quizzes I grade, but quizzes you take and then check your own answers. Web coding has to be annoyingly perfect and the quizzes will help you recognize common mistakes so you can later fix your own sites.

five : we'd talk a bit about other blog related things for example : editoral calendars, sponsors, affiliate programs & google analytics.

six : I am just a baby web designer compared to some people. But I have enough knowledge to do what you see on the blog here and I built this site and this site from scratch.

Things I don't know yet :

one : how it's possible to teach this for multiple platforms at the same time. I know typepad, of course, and am confident I could show you the ins and outs. But I don't yet know how to get blogger or wordpress to do what I want. That is a hold up.

two : how to film videos with my voice and the active computer screen. I am going to do some investigation and be sure I have a handle on this technology before the class runs.

More thoughts :

I really like how things are starting to shape up in my head. I am definitely hoping to make this class a reality.

*very rough. I am thinking outloud here obviously.

Posted in

64 responses to “rough* thoughts on a new workshop.”

  1. Catherine Avatar

    This workshop idea sounds great! I use blogger, so I don’t know if it would work for me, but I’d love to sign up if it would.

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  2. mrsgeek Avatar

    You might want to look into Jing for for screencasts.

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  3. Krystal Avatar

    Elise,
    as I’ve said and still am, I am very interested in this class. I use blogger right now and have been able to apply simple ideas that you have shared with us before in blogger with mionr tweaks (photo categories that I am working on today). With the information I learn in your class, I would be interested in getting a typepad account and paying for my blog becuase it would be a higher quality, but at the same time, I bet most of what we learn will be universal to use through both typepad, blogger, etc. I think the price is perfect, because like you said, it’s information we’ll be able to use multiple times over and over.
    Looking forward to what you come up with!

    Like

  4. Lydia Avatar

    Let me know when and how I can sign up! yay!

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  5. Revlie Avatar

    sounds like a cool class Elise!!

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  6. Deb @ PaperTurtle Avatar

    I was thinking that this is a class I would definitely love to take, but I’d want to be sure you can help me through the Blogger format. I’ll look forward to seeing what you come up with as a syllabus!

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  7. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    why don’t you just teach it in typepad, stick with what you know, and keep the class simple.

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  8. elise blaha Avatar

    thats awesome, thanks!

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  9. elise blaha Avatar

    Thank you. I will be sure to share exactly what will be included for all platforms before the class is opened up. I want to be sure folks know what to expect.

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  10. elise blaha Avatar

    there will be more information for sure!

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  11. elise blaha Avatar

    Totally. I would be sure to let you know what would work with blogger in advance. I will also be releasing a syllabus for the class is for sale. Thanks for your feedback.

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  12. elise blaha Avatar

    Depending on how things go and what I can find out, I might just be teaching for typepad. Well see. Thanks for the feedback.

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  13. Jess Avatar

    I would totally take this class for $100. I agree with Maureen, perhaps you should stick with typepad and then move on to blogger. And given your experience wedding planning, you may want to consider marketing to those who want to have a wedding website….

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  14. elise blaha Avatar

    Thank you! Ill keep you posted.

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  15. Leah Buckley Avatar

    personally, I don’t have a need for this class, but I think it’s a great idea! i wish I’d thought of it 🙂 good luck with all the details!

    Like

  16. faye Avatar
    faye

    well, web coding gives me a panic attack, but i would absolutely sign up for an elise-led photoshop class!

    Like

  17. Ashley Avatar

    I do not really need the class for any type of work, but I think it would be interesting and I think $100 is totally worth it. I have considered (for a second and a half) looking this stuff up, but then, just like you said, there is nothing consolidated, so it would take forever and I think I would probably give up because of that. Anyway, I think it sounds like a great class that a lot of people would be interested in! Good luck!

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  18. amy t schubert Avatar

    here are my thoughts ….
    Even though I LOVE this idea …. it might be far less time/trouble/exhausting investment for you to sell an ebook+a couple hours post-project consulting.
    Something that sets very specific expectations about how much 1-on-1 help you are giving.
    I’m just imagining someone taking your class, not doing their homework, messing up their blog and trying to guilt you into fixing it for them.
    Regardless of what you decide – I’m sure it will be awesome!
    xo
    -A

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  19. amy t schubert Avatar

    also – IF you decide to do it … I’m down in the San Fernando Valley (not far from Ventura) if you need help with videos/etc
    xo

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  20. elise blaha Avatar

    hmmm, very interesting. I have thought about how I am going to limit my one-on-one time, because it obviously cant be a free for all. More to think about! Thanks

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  21. Michelle Avatar

    My question is would this be strictly blog coding – or learning HTML at the same time. I would like to learn how to make sites like your wedding site – not just edit my blog. But probably either way I am definitely interested in this. Super excited!

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  22. Laura Avatar

    Elise, I have just found your blog and might be obsessed. I would definitely be interested in this class. Please let me know more details when the time comes! I do use blogger and in all honesty I would be willing to switch to TypePad but I would need to understand exactly how to do it…without starting from scratch with a new blog. Anyways, LOVE your blog, projects, wedding, etc.!

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  23. Michelle Avatar

    Oh and another question – this would probably take you quite a while to create right? Would this be several months down the road? (just wondering…)

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  24. elise blaha Avatar

    This would not be a full web coding class, no. But a lot of the coding used in blogs (text editing, images, image links, buttons) is would help jump start your web design knowledge. Both of my sites are build with tables which would probably not be covered. The good news though is HTML is a language. You start to understand bits of it and it all makes sense.

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  25. elise blaha Avatar

    I would want to have it up by the beginning of April. People are too busy in the summer and fall. Right now I think it would be instruction for two weeks and then open for another six.

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  26. lily Avatar
    lily

    I’d absolutely take this class for $100, and I’d switch from blogger to typepad just to be in on it… as someone else mentioned, coding gives me a panic attack, but I need to know it. thank you!

    Like

  27. Nadia Avatar

    I think the price is very reasonable. I think it is wonderful that you are “thinking” about teaching this class. I use blogger and anything that I need to learn would need to be in monkey speak! lol! I am such a visual learner that I can read something over and over and still not get it. I would love to know how to create a banner for my blog and how to add more fonts, colors and online shop. whew! I guess another idea would be to limit your class and then have a one on one via skype? limit the time, but it would give you and the participant a chance to speak and play around with ideas at the same time. anyway whatever you decide I wish you all the best! ciao!

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  28. molly Avatar

    I just sent a friend an email about how much html makes me want to drink! Would totally love this… however, my blog is powered by blogger. Fingers crossed!

    Like

  29. Shannon Avatar
    Shannon

    Hi Elise –
    Just some tips from someone who enjoys reading your blog.
    I have used Jing (its free) at my work to record videos and then host them online. However, it only allows you to record 5 minute videos. Camtasia is made by the same company and is more advanced (any video length, editing tools and $$). They are the same people that made Snaggit.
    I bought a microphone because my work computer didn’t have one, but you may be fine with the computer you currently have.

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  30. Meg Paquette Avatar

    Elise.. I love that you’re telling us your thoughts out loud. Like I’ve said before.. LOVE this idea. Currently, I’m using blogger… it’s lame.. I absolutely want to make the switch to typepad ASAP and this class would definitely help me do that! I’m super excited.. Ali Edwards has done some of those videos of her working on the computer and you see the screen shot as she’s doing it, but with her voice talking you through it.. perhaps talk to her? Just a thought.
    I’m excited just thinking about this! I absolutely DIE when I come to your website, it’s such eye candy! : )

    Like

  31. elise blaha Avatar

    hey Shannon, thanks for the insight. I am totally willing to pay for the program. I assumed it would cost. Ill look into it for sure.

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  32. elise blaha Avatar

    Hmm, that could be interesting. I am definitely thinking about including some a la cart options where you can pay for certain things… not sure. But thanks so much for the insight and feedback.

    Like

  33. Lisa R. Avatar
    Lisa R.

    One really user-friendly site that you could use with your lessons would be http://www.voicethread.com. It is designed for school use and if you emailed the owners, they would give you teacher access (they are very friendly and still actively involved in the site). You could put something up on the screen, record your voice explaining it, and then your students could answer you. It is a good way to interact with everyone in your class without all being available at the same time. You could set a due date for the conversation and look at all of them at once.

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  34. Lisa R. Avatar
    Lisa R.

    Oh, and voicethread is free!

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  35. Liz eaton Avatar

    Love this idea. Would love to take. Can’t wait to hear more details. You rock.

    Like

  36. gogovivi Avatar

    This is exactly what I am looking for! I will keep looking for more information!

    Like

  37. Nikki Avatar

    I would really be interested in a class like this. I might not sign up for this first one because I have a lot going on, but maybe you could offer it more than once or as a PDF later on?

    Like

  38. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    I’d be interested. I definitely know nothing about coding and would love to learn more.

    Like

  39. Emilie Avatar
    Emilie

    This sounds like a fun class.. But is it geared for people with basic knowledge of blogging? I have wanted to set up a blog, but have no idea where to start or what to do.. Computer “anything” raises my blood pressure and gives me slight chest pain..

    Like

  40. elise blaha Avatar

    Not really. I will be outlining who the class is for when I start to hammer it out a bit better and will be sure to share. Thanks for your interest!

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  41. elise blaha Avatar

    depending on how it goes, I will be offering it or a modified version again. And I am sure eventually Ill get to PDFs

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  42. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks for the info!

    Like

  43. sara Avatar

    a. i love this idea. whether i can participate or not. b. i hope i CAN participate if you figure out how/choose to include wordpress. c. i have used screenium on my mac before and it is a free download from the mac store online. just a thought.
    go you.
    xoxo

    Like

  44. elise blaha Avatar

    thanks darlin. xo.

    Like

  45. desiree Avatar

    Elise,
    I think it is a great idea. I would be leary on teaching anything you don’t really have a true handle on though, like blogger or wordpress. Just because I could see people using those & getting frustrated because the coding is a bit different. I would stick with typepad first… just my two cents.
    Good luck with whatever you decided. I am sure it will all work out. -dez

    Like

  46. JennL Avatar

    i would also be very interested in this class. one of my goals for the year is grow my blog and this class sounds perfect. i’m currently using blogger and am leery of changing attempting to change but would definitely keep an open mind.

    Like

  47. Carly Avatar
    Carly

    I would love to take this class just to expand my knowledge. I’m currently in college and took a “new media” class last semester in which they didn’t really teach us much about HTML because the class is dominated by communications majors.

    Like

  48. lindsey Avatar

    I currently have blogger, but would totally switch if I could learn html only in typepad. Thanks for helping me reach!

    Like

  49. Bonnie Avatar
    Bonnie

    Perfect timing! I have been dying to start my blog but not sure which platform to use, how to maintain it myself so it functions and has visual appeal, etc. I would sign up for this in a heartbeat! Yes, yes and yes!!! BTW, I painted an entire wall in my townhouse Tiffany Box blue and it is THE most beautiful focal point in the house. Today a dresser, tomorrow a wall…painter beware. 🙂

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  50. Christine Avatar

    I would definitely take this class for $100! One of my goals for this year is to redesign my blog (and probably transfer it/close it and start a new one over at typepad) and maybe even build a website, but I don’t know anything about web coding. Even knowing basics would help soooo much, but it’s overwhelming to just google it as a newbie. I love your blog and your site – just started following a couple of weeks ago – and I would definitely take instruction from you, or buy an e-book or whatever you decide to do. Just wanted to let you know! 🙂

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