6 ms·

everyone wants to rag on the portfolio (fine, go ahead) but the long-form copy on that page is great. it's really well laid out, easy to read, and got probably

by unshift 15y ago

everyone wants to rag on the portfolio (fine, go ahead) but the long-form copy on that page is great. it's really well laid out, easy to read, and got probably everybody to scroll from top to bottom and read almost the whole thing. as someone who's unsuccessfully been trying to coax something similar out of a designer, it's refreshing to see. my product requires a bit of convincing and explaining, so the standard business type website with a couple pictures thrown in isn't as effective. long copy is hard to get right and this guy nailed it.

ForrestN 15y ago
Getting someone's attention is only one objective of a portfolio site. The most important one isn't as easy: convince people to hire you. Sure, many people are likely to scroll down. But his "argument" isn't compelling, nor is his work. He just comes off as difficult, arrogant, and not very good at design. Maybe he has potential as a copywriter, but if he's going to use it, he needs to keep his eye on the objective for which he's writing.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
  - Mz 15y ago
    I kind of have the impression that "there is no such thing as bad publicity" is the general view here. I made a comment which I deleted* which was also downvoted and also agreed with the idea that not all publicity is good publicity. I like the quote (attributed to Mae West and various others) that "There's no such thing as bad publicity" but I don't think it's really accurate if taken too literally. * Not because of the downvotes but just thought better of it -- like I think I am blathering on too much here about me in a way that could lead to trouble.
    - ForrestN 15y ago
      I see, thanks for your response. I think that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" makes sense. It's certainly true that the downside of this site is not that it's drawing people in who don't like it. I think the problem is that the publicity isn't likely to overcome the deficit in work that's likely to result from serious potential clients being turned off. The publicity isn't necessarily bad, but the portfolio website is, if that makes sense. Still, I thought generally "adding value" isn't contingent on agreement. Do people generally downvote things they disagree with? (Sorry if this is a dumb question, haven't been here for long.)
      - Mz 15y ago
        Sometimes people have a slip of the finger, especially on certain devices (iphones or the like). Sometimes someone just doesn't like you personally. There is no way to completely rid a community of that. Sometimes the phrasing was just really poor. "Low content" posts are sometimes downvoted and, yes, downvoting to express disagreement does happen. Stick around a bit. Get a feel for the place. Learn as you go. Brush it off. The next discussion is a chance to start anew. The size of the place seems to genuinely foster that more than other forums I have been on. Peace.
  - lsc 15y ago
    There are two general reasons why a hn comment might get downvoted. First, if you are not contributing something positive to the conversation, most people will downvote you. This is why the comment where you are asking why you got downvoted is now downvoted. Next, it is generally considered acceptable to upvote comments you agree with and downvote comments than you disagree with. I think this is why the comment you are asking about was downvoted initially. Note, there is some controversy about downvoting because you disagree. Personally, I feel like this makes hacker news a more uniform and less interesting place than it would be otherwise, but I believe I am outvoted in this matter. On the other hand, upvoting or downvoting is clearly better than content-free 'me too' posts.
  - ForrestN 15y ago
    Can't reply to the reply for some reason, but duly noted. Thanks very much for the explanation! Obviously there won't be any need for me to post something like this again.
- singingfish 15y ago
  Actually this is very British humour. It may not work well for everyone, but in Britain, it's likely to be memorable in a positive way for many people who read it.
- jcc80 15y ago
  If you try to appeal to everyone you might end up appealing to nobody. Some people will respond very positively to his message - and that's all he needs.

by unshift 15y ago

ForrestN 15y ago

Getting someone's attention is only one objective of a portfolio site. The most important one isn't as easy: convince people to hire you. Sure, many people are likely to scroll down. But his "argument" isn't compelling, nor is his work. He just comes off as difficult, arrogant, and not very good at design. Maybe he has potential as a copywriter, but if he's going to use it, he needs to keep his eye on the objective for which he's writing.

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
- Mz 15y ago
  I kind of have the impression that "there is no such thing as bad publicity" is the general view here. I made a comment which I deleted* which was also downvoted and also agreed with the idea that not all publicity is good publicity. I like the quote (attributed to Mae West and various others) that "There's no such thing as bad publicity" but I don't think it's really accurate if taken too literally. * Not because of the downvotes but just thought better of it -- like I think I am blathering on too much here about me in a way that could lead to trouble.
  - ForrestN 15y ago
    I see, thanks for your response. I think that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" makes sense. It's certainly true that the downside of this site is not that it's drawing people in who don't like it. I think the problem is that the publicity isn't likely to overcome the deficit in work that's likely to result from serious potential clients being turned off. The publicity isn't necessarily bad, but the portfolio website is, if that makes sense. Still, I thought generally "adding value" isn't contingent on agreement. Do people generally downvote things they disagree with? (Sorry if this is a dumb question, haven't been here for long.)
    - Mz 15y ago
      Sometimes people have a slip of the finger, especially on certain devices (iphones or the like). Sometimes someone just doesn't like you personally. There is no way to completely rid a community of that. Sometimes the phrasing was just really poor. "Low content" posts are sometimes downvoted and, yes, downvoting to express disagreement does happen. Stick around a bit. Get a feel for the place. Learn as you go. Brush it off. The next discussion is a chance to start anew. The size of the place seems to genuinely foster that more than other forums I have been on. Peace.
- lsc 15y ago
  There are two general reasons why a hn comment might get downvoted. First, if you are not contributing something positive to the conversation, most people will downvote you. This is why the comment where you are asking why you got downvoted is now downvoted. Next, it is generally considered acceptable to upvote comments you agree with and downvote comments than you disagree with. I think this is why the comment you are asking about was downvoted initially. Note, there is some controversy about downvoting because you disagree. Personally, I feel like this makes hacker news a more uniform and less interesting place than it would be otherwise, but I believe I am outvoted in this matter. On the other hand, upvoting or downvoting is clearly better than content-free 'me too' posts.
- ForrestN 15y ago
  Can't reply to the reply for some reason, but duly noted. Thanks very much for the explanation! Obviously there won't be any need for me to post something like this again.
singingfish 15y ago
Actually this is very British humour. It may not work well for everyone, but in Britain, it's likely to be memorable in a positive way for many people who read it.
jcc80 15y ago
If you try to appeal to everyone you might end up appealing to nobody. Some people will respond very positively to his message - and that's all he needs.