Shaun Groves
If you were me, and if you, as me, were redesigning your website, would you move your blog to the homepage (shaungroves.com) or keep it inside the site like it is now? Would you keep the name “Shlog” – recognized around the world as a symbol of… – well, would you keep the name? Or would you just make it live at shaungroves.com and ditch the name? Or call it Loretta or Steve? What would you do?
And…
If you could go anywhere in the world to see the work of Compassion International, where would you go? We’re beginning to plan another Compassion Bloggers trip and we’re choosing location. There are lots of things to consider besides where people would LIKE to go but I’m just curious. Which of the twenty-five countries would you visit and why?
Boring blog day, I know, but I’m just warming up after my day(ish) off. Back tomorrow with a little pondering of McCain’s speech. It’s only fair.
Pete Wilson says:
I would say Indonesia.
Tabitha says:
India.
If I were you I’d keep the name Shlog. I’m not sure if I’d move or not.
Todd says:
I would move the blog to the homepage as I would guess that a majority of hits on your site are either tour- or blog-related. It would be a nice statement for an artist’s website to largely be a blog. And, honestly, I think I would drop “Shlog.” I’m not sure how much equity you have in that name, but I like “Shaun Grove’s Blog” much, much more.
Is the new site going to be the “The NEWER ShaunGroves.com” or “The NEWEST ShaunGroves.com”?
As for the trip, I think India or the Philippines would be interesting.
And one more thing: Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be in Wichita!? This is big, blog-worthy news.
Krista says:
I like the name Shlog… it’s simple yet combines your name with what it is…
I don’t know how practical this would be… my sponsored child is in Columbia so it would be cool if a trip went there. But seeing as they will now have covered Africa and Latin America… maybe the next trip should be somewhere in Asia?
Scott says:
I wouldn’t move the blog to the front page. But I think you could make better use of the front page.
A quick glance chows me a welcome message, tour dates and ads for compassion.
I think you could use the screen real estate better to also make sure people know about your music and videos.
Maybe some sort of magazine style theme.
Hannah says:
I like the name “Shlog”. And I think the next trip should be to India.
MamasBoy says:
I like “shlog.”
However, I’m an engineer and a horrible salesman, so take that with a grain of salt.
If I could go to anywhere Compassion works, I would go to Guatemala. However, that is just because I would want to see the kid I sponsor through Compassion. If I was going with a different organization, I would go to a country that has the kids I sponsor through them. If I was going to country where I didn’t sponsor a kid, it would probably be a Latin American country because I can muddle by with my spanglish. It would also offer opportunities to take native Spanish speaking bloggers and do some Spanish language interviews, expanding the reach of Compassion in the US through the growing Hispanic population. They tend to be very generous and often have much more empathy for the poor than “natives” such as myself, because they remember or know people who remember difficulties in the mother land.
MB
rachel says:
is bangledesh and option? because i’d love to see that. i did a research paper on politics, religion, and conflict in bangledesh and it was fascinating in a really awful way. it’s been ranked as THE number 1 most corrupt nation in the world for several years running.
really, anything in south asia.
i would put a box on the front page with a teaser of the blog, but keep it in a different part of the site.
i have to be honest: i’ve never been a HUGE fan of the word “shlog.” not because it’s not clever; it’s definitely clever. but it bugs me in the same way that the word “moist” bugs me … it just gives me the willies. actually, now that i think about it, the word “willies” kind of freaks me out too. i’m probably just really messed up, though
anyway, my vote: new name, same place.
boomama says:
I’m with Pete on Indonesia.
And OF COURSE you keep Shlog.
(I’ve written about three different sentences trying to explain why I think you should keep Shlog, but they all sound sort of dirty next to the word Shlog. So just take my word for it, m’kay?)
Chelsey says:
I know they’ve already been to South America, but I’d love to go to Peru to meet the little girl I sponsor, Lisbet.
And I like “shlog.” It’s different, and the first two letters of your name work pretty well. Be thankful your name isn’t Carl, Fred or Bob – “clog,” “flog,” and, well, “blog” aren’t quite as exciting, for obvious reasons.
Emily says:
Shlog. Keep it, dude. (I just typed the word “dude.”
Living in Colombia biases my opinion a bit, but I think it would be a super Compassion trip destination.
Then again, there’s Asia.
Abbie says:
Well, seeing as how I accidently added an “n” in there one day and completely got redirected to things my eyes never want to see again-I think dropping it wouldn’t hurt.
As far as where to take the next bloggers, I think any of them would be an experience that would be very huge eye opener. But I personally (although my whole 10 readers would never qualify me to go) would love to go to Ethiopia because we are going to adopt from there.
Speaking of, have you been to Ethiopia? I need help on finding a child to sponsor close by Addis Ababa so we can see them when we pick up our adopted child (in about 2 years). A Compassion worker was unable to help me with this. I need to get this set up before we announce to our families and friends that we will be adopting. I dont know if any of that made sense.
Travis says:
i would:
keep shlog
keep it separate from the home page
go to india
Annee G says:
Keep SHLOG.
I would want to go to Thailand or Bangladesh. I have been to Africa and would want to see a new part of the world.
Lindsey says:
I’m not sure about the blog. I like it how it is, though. Up to you.
Annnd…Burkina Faso!
I want to go into international literacy, and as Burkina Faso’s literacy rate comes in at about 12-13% (worst in the world, last time I checked)…that’s where I would pick. I’d love to see the work Compassion is doing with regards to the children’s education (among other things…like Jesus…of course!).
brad andrews says:
i’m drawn to places that have experienced/endured deep societal and cultural atrocities, such as rwanda. many third world countries have went through horrible things, but the genocide and what was left in its wake needs the infiltration of the Gospel…
Jeana says:
”…they all sound sort of dirty next to the word Shlog” That’s exactly why I would drop it. It’s sometimes hard to take you seriously when the word emblazoned at the top of the page makes you sound like a…well, you know.
I say put the blog on the front page, because your blog is a prominent part of your site. You write regularly and you write well, not like many artists who have a blog because their publicist told them it’s a good idea.
Tracy says:
Shlog has to stay.
I would love to visit the Philippines because I was born there. (My father was stationed there while in the military.)
Brian Seay says:
Abbie –
Email me () and I will find you a child in Addis. My family is also adopting from Ethiopia.
Brian
Cynthia says:
I would keep Shlog and wouldn’t move it to the front page.
I would want to go to El Salvador, because that is where the girl we sponsor lives.
Amy @ My Friend Amy says:
The name doesn’t matter to me one way or another, but I do think the blog should be on the homepage.
I would go to Bangladesh. First, not many people know anything about Bangladesh. Secondly, my first sponsored child lives there, so even I couldn’t go personally, I’d love to see a country where one of my sponsored children lives.
Cassandra Lynn says:
1. Brazil. My sponsored child lives there.
2. Indonesia. I live here, and I wouldn’t have to buy an expensive plane ticket.
3. India.
Talena says:
I like “Shlog.” It’s un-boring.
Also, I’m partial to India, having been there myself, and fallen in love with the country. I also sponsored a child there for a while (through Compassion, of course!). While I want to say “go to South India” because of my connections there, I would actually encourage North India, because spiritually, it is much, much darker there. That is, assuming the government will let a bunch of Westerners in there, considering the real possibility that you could be killed in that area. Oh. Probably not a great advertisement, I know.
Texas in Africa says:
Ethiopia.
But really, I want to talk Compassion into working in Congo.
Tamara Cosby says:
Haiti. I desperately want to see the people there in real life. Not just on a blog. I want to know them. I want to love on them. I want to pray for them. I want to love on them…I want to love on them…especially in Cazale…
Shanda says:
I would vote for Haiti also.
I too like the Shlog.
Prairie Rose says:
Keep the Shlog. It’s cool.
I personally would choose to go to Uganda, because I just yesterday received a letter from one of my sponsored children there wanting to know when I’m coming to Uganda to see her, and knowing that traveling to Uganda is way beyond my means makes that a heartbreaking question. :o(
My second pick would be Colombia because I have wanted to meet my little girl there for YEARS and haven’t been able to work it out to go when the sponsor tours take place there, and I’m terrified to go to Colombia by myself. <G>
But outside of where my own kids live, I’d really like to see Haiti, but with the upcoming D.R. trip, I imagine it’s pretty similar…
Really, anywhere will probably be cool. :o)
Are you able to say which projects the D.R. bloggers will be visiting? I know the chances are slim, but if they’re going to be at my sponsored child’s project, I want to let him know to get in front of any video cameras he might see ‘cause I’ll be watching! :o) :o) :o)
Emily S says:
KEEP SHLOG!
Go to Thailand.
Front page is fine…this is fine too…
rachel says:
yay!!! more votes for bangledesh!!
and you know, i think i figured out just now (reading the comments) why i’ve never completely loved your blog being named “shlog.” i can’t believe i never thought of that!! all the rest of you, with your minds in the gutter … shame on you!!
hahaha!
you could always go with grog, or grlog …. or not, actually.
elijah says:
I’ve never thought of the other connotations to “Shlog” before reading everyone’s comments.
I’ve always thought the word was clever, but sadly, I’m now thinking you should change it.
Brad says:
Re: The Home Page – I’m a fan of Slashdot and think that their setup works well. Don’t post whole blogs on the front page, but post the title, a snippet (short paragraph) and link to the full thing.
Re: The Name – This one I’m 50/50 on. Either way will work, and I don’t think either way would kill your “readership”. They come for you and for your words, not because you have a fancy “marketable” name for your blog.
Re: Compassion Country – Go again to somewhere in Africa. I doubt many Americans (target audience?) could place more than 50% of the countries Compassion is in on a map. I couldn’t. Or maybe I’m just not as “educated” as I thought I was. Sad, but true.
Veretax says:
I agree, you could make better use of the front page, and perhaps repurpose it to be more active in its support of Compassion. I don’t know how others come to read your blog, but as long as the RSS feed doesn’t change URLs it doesn’t really matter where on site you put it. The name seems just find.
AS for countries, if we are pulling from that select list, Indonesia, perhaps thailand. We no so little about those countries over here.
Laura says:
I’ll chime in with Guatemala and Haiti! Haiti has been devasted by 4 hurricanes in the past few weeks – there is TONS of work to be done there!
shaunfan says:
Keep Shlog, I agree with others that it is ‘unboring’. Home page or tab is fine, as long as people can find it.
I’m thinking Haiti as well for the next trip. We are involved in a ministry with children from Haiti and between malnutrition, healthcare issues and weather issues, there are lots of needs in Haiti.
Dan Cruver says:
Either Ethiopia or Rwanda. I spent time at three orphanages in Ethiopia this past January and would return tomorrow if I could. As far as Rwanda goes, its orphans have been in my thoughts for several weeks now. My prayer is to see more of the church moblized to care for the orphans of these two countries.
Thank you, Shaun, for the work you do with Compassion International.
Shaun Groves says:
Wow. Thanks for all the feedback! Many of you will be very pleased with the direction we’re heading.
Worshipfan says:
Keep Shlog….anything else would seem weird.
Location…I don’t know that it really matters. Google reader just picks it up anywhere!
Destination? You’ve done Africa and you are doing South America soon….so go for Asia.
That is all.
pam says:
I’m with Jeana, both with the name and putting it on your front page. That’s why I come here, so it should take the most prominent spot on your site.
I’d like to see a trip to Guatemala or India. I’d go to Guatemala with y’all in a heartbeat.
Linda Sue says:
I’ll answer in reverse order – country – Bangladesh – we sponsor two boys there and met a pastor from Dhaka this summer. Not a well known country to most Americans.
Front page and change the name. For what my opinion is worth – your quality is high enough you could draw more into your other website features off the blog. IMHO (and it really is humble – my blog readership is a few dozen at best and I’m happy with that!)
Shaun Groves says:
Something to consider…a LOT of people come to my homepage after seeing me in concert or because they hear me on the radio. They’re the fans of my music. The homepage should ideally get their attention and pull them deeper into the site. I don’t think a blog does that but I think highlighting content from the blog somehow (like thepioneerwoman.com does) could do that. It would have to be done better than it is now though. Still thinking through that.
Does that change anyone’s mind?
Linda Sue says:
Anything PW does other than talking a lot about calf nuts would be a good idea – just based on the bazillionty thousands who enter her contests she has got some substantial blog numbers. It is reassuring you are actually there responding – Hiya Shaun – glad you are there!
Todd says:
I think that something that hooks them and encourages them to come back is good. That’s one of the greatest values of a blog. I think you should have your music up front and very obvious, but I also like the idea of your blog being a major component of the Shaun Groves brand. It says a lot about you as an artist.
I would say something like PioneerWoman could work, but it would be an opportunity wasted to not include the blog somewhere prominent.
Shaun Groves says:
Her entire site is a blog. Each page is a category of that blog: cooking, confessions, photography, etc. I don’t have four categories I write in enough to merit separate “pages.” I tried that with the “music” and “words” blogs and failed miserably. Very very miserably. All that to say I can’t exactly do what thepioneerwoman.com does. But I like how she and other on-line magazine type sites aggregate content from inside the site to the home page in a way that makes me want to click stuff. Not sure how to “hook” people though since I have a hard time seeing myself and my site the way a newcomer would.
Any thoughts on what should go on the home page?
shaunfan says:
Personally Shaun, although it was a failure, I really enjoyed the music tab of your blog. It allowed you to get deeper into that topic about songs (and key issues like 50 Cent vs. Kanye). As for your home page, tabs to tour, blog (still named Shlog), vault, and shop are the key clicking areas. I’m also biased since I’ve read every entry on every section (sad but true), but my other favorite sites (Kat’s, Euphrony’s, Amy’s, Brody’s, Phil Wickham’s, Vicky Beeching’s) are good ones to model in my opinion. I’ll put in my “Two Cents” for Brody to help you if you are both interested.
Denny Milbourn says:
I wanted to first tell you did an awesome job singing and speaking for Compassion last Sunday night in Tuscola IL. Curious as to how many kids were sponsored?
As far as the questions your are asking:
I would have to say keep the name Shlog. It wouldn’t be the same without it. Keep it on the home page too.
And as far as the country-I would have to say Uganda-even though you went earlier this year. Our sponsored child lives there, which btw, we sponsored as a direct result from reading the blogs while the bloggers were there.
In our last letter from our sponsored child he also asked when we were coming to see him.
Penny Raine says:
keep the name, keep the location, we are blessed by you!
blessings, Penny Raine
http://www.pennyraine.com/blog
Bill says:
Does Compassion work in Moldova? After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Moldova plummeted from middle-income status to become the poorest country in Europe.
Grovesfan says:
I like the idea of snippets being posted on the front page with “read more…” links. It’s not original, but it works. Keeping the tour page updated and a separate part of the site is good too. I check there often to see if there are volunteer opportunities for Compassion coming up. (I check my advocate page on CI too though).
As for the name, as long as I can find it, call it whatever you like (except for example “No Beth’s Allowed,” or something).
For the next trip, I’d have to agree that while the two readers of my blog won’t get me in the running, I’d love to travel to Haiti. We sponsor three children and the one we’ve had the longest lives there. We also have children in Ecuador and Columbia. If I were ever able to travel, I’d sponsor a child in whatever country I visited so I could visit them for sure.
Africa has always held a huge fascination for me and that would be my next choice. I’d look at any opportunity to visit a Compassion area as an opportunity to learn, to serve, and to be a vessel for change. The place would be secondary.
Beth
Cinde says:
You have to keep Shlog…it’s just too clever to ditch.
Haiti is where I would like to go because my Compassion Child is there as well as some very dear missionary friends. However, I think it will take some time for Haiti to recover from this latest onslaught of hurricanes. I’ve been hearing that it is truly a mess there with impassable roads and mud-filled homes.
Tammie says:
Personally, I’d pick Rwanda for a Compassion Bloggers trip just because that’s where my sponsored child is.
On the “thinking of others first” side of the equation, the first trip was to Africa, second to North America. Maybe the third should be in Asia – maybe Thailand or India?
anne jackson says:
shlog always makes me giggle, but i think like a junior high boy most of the time.
David says:
Doesn’t “shlog” mean “to plod slowly through muck”, or “to proceed slowly and tediously through a difficult task”? I’m not sure that accurately describes your blog (I don’t find it tedious to read, and I figure it’s not tedious to write, or you wouldn’t keep doing it so regularly), but it is an amusing name that reflects your sense of humor. Assuming you meant for it to mean that, anyway.