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.

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

  1. Stephanie Howell Avatar

    Hands down yes. I’d take this in a heartbeat.

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  2. LittleMissPip Avatar

    Hi Elise. I think this is a really good idea and having taken one of your classes before I think this subject matter will sit well with your teaching style.
    I’ve got some basic HTML knowledge which helps me muddle through with trying to read code if I am making changes but writing it is still a bit beyond me.
    I have a question about the other sites you designed – did you code them with straight html or did you use a program and code within that?

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  3. Tanya Gilmartin Avatar

    I agree. Just market this class for the first time to typepad users and see how that goes. Of course that is good for me because I am with typepad!

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  4. Tanya Gilmartin Avatar

    This sounds really good Elise! i am in the process of trying to figure out how to re-design my blog and website and I mentioned to you before that i LOVE how yours is set up. Right now I am trying to find the info myself and you are so right: it is very frustrating!
    Regarding videos and using the live computer screen at the same time, Jessica Sprauge is the Queen! I wonder if she can help?
    Looking forward to hearing more!

    Like

  5. elise blaha Avatar

    For the websites, I used dreamweaver which is an amazing program. For some reason, I still end up working mostly in the coding section, but its awesome to see the website form while youre working. Highly recommend if you want to get more into site building. 🙂

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  6. Laura Avatar

    I have taken a few of your classes already and I sure wouldn’t miss this one for anything… I also took a class in college, but it was a lecture style and its a big jumbled mess in my head.
    http://www.lauraplopez.com

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  7. mrsgeek Avatar

    you’re welcome. You might want to check out the pro membership it allows you to save and edit your movies. I’ve used it to make screencasts in the past.

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  8. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    Camtasia Studio is a great recording program for doing voice over screen type videos. It’s a little pricey, but worth it with the features you have available, and you can download the software and try it free for a month before having to commit to buying. I use for work projects and love it.
    P.S. You inspire me weekly!

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  9. elise blaha Avatar

    thanks for the suggestion! and thank you 🙂

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  10. lory Avatar

    elise I’m really interested to make this class, I can’t wait, I have typepad and I’d love to be more able to change my blog style!

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  11. Katie Pegher Avatar

    Hey Elsie… I’m interested in the class too.. And Screen Flow is yet another program you can use to record your tutorials both voice and screen. It ain’t free. I asked Ali Edwards once which program she uses and that is what she told me. Then you can upload the videos to Vimeo or whatever and just link em up!

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  12. John Poll Avatar

    Amazing idea and nice work for the bright future and nice step to earn more money in the short time.
    Facebook Tag Pictures

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  13. Heather Avatar

    Elise,
    I would love this class! I have a site in wordpress and a .com and any of the tips would be great, especially how to direct traffic and really just a what worked for you/what didn’t would be great. I hear Google Analytics helps a lot, but really, I know nothing about any of this. Keep us posted!

    Like

  14. double bass Avatar

    Its an amazing blog.You might want to check out the pro membership it allows you to save and edit your movies.I am also be very interested in this class.One of my goals for the year is grow my blog and this class sounds perfect.

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