The recent survey at simply stephen is now closed and I have compiled the results. Thank you to all that contributed. Your input has helped me focus on what my users want. I am actively incorporating changes.

Survey results. I was actually quite surprised by some of the results and will share them with you. Just 7 simple questions. The sample was relatively small but gave me a great picture of why people come and visit and what I need to work on. An action plan is already in play. I tried to put some pretty graphs in here but the quality wasn’t up to snuff.

1. How did you discover simply stephen?
   • 60% found me on Twitter
   • 15% used Google (mostly Google)
   • 15% followed a link from a blog/comment
   • 10% are active with me on a forum
2. What type of content would you like to see?
   • All of you want more topical articles
   • 70% of you want more insights and ideas
   • 15% wanted some tutorials or how to
3. What topics would you like to see more
   • 85% want green tips and ideas
   • 75% are interested in simplifying
   • 70% want to learn about sustainable solutions and eco living
   • 65% would like to learn about ideas that change the world
   • 60% would like a little bit of motivation
   • 40% are interested in making a lighter footprint – this surprised me!
4. Here’s a few ideas for eBooks I’m working on. Which ones are you interested in the most?
   • The majority of you wanted information on affordable living in general. I’m working on something with a green and local slant. Stay tuned.
5. If you follow me on Twitter, how would you like me to improve my interaction?
   • most of you wanted a little more daily interaction – I have been errant recently, on purpose to take care of some urgent matters but fear not, my daily #actofgreen is on it’s way back and be tweeting on a regular basis. BTW…I always respond to DMs. I don’t sign on to Twitter daily or on weekends.
   • you wanted a few more links to great sources and articles. Done. I’ll try to share the best tools, sites and articles with you – to keep you current.
6. Do you have a question that I could answer in a blog posting?
   • It seems like a few of you wanted some interview or story type questions answered in the form of feedback – demonstrating what others have done to simplify and green their lives. I’ll work on finding some wonderful case studies.
7. What’s the reason you visit simply stephen? How do you think I can help you the most?
   • the variety of what I post is refreshing yet sticks to the main game – green simple living
   • thanks for my concern for the planet and it’s inhabitants
   • excellent/unique feelings, concepts and ideas – an interesting view on changing the world
   • motivation to slow down and realize what is important
   • Oh, and yes, I’m working on improving the quality of the photos and site in general

That’s it. Here’s what’s happening:

1. Branding – I’ve got several websites and I’m branding them all under the simply stephen network. Simply Stephen will have a new look next month aligned with some of the other sites in the network.  Launch Next Week – cross fingers for Friday, November 6th for the official launch of 4 sites including the new simply stephen .
2. Content - There is so much more than just creating content, so I’ve broken it down into  key areas.
   • schedule – I’ve created a much more manageable and focused schedule that makes it easy to create quality posts. Each site will have a regular frequency of at least one weekly posting. I’m still aiming for quality over quantity. I aim on being reliable and much more consistent.
   • brevity – I attempt to make my posts succinct, but haven’t always achieved this. In the spirit of simplicity, I will shorten my posts while trying to increase the bang for your buck. Less information, less wording and more value – you are already overloaded with info.
   • site content – simply stephen will incorporates topical articles and insights and remain focused on green, simple living. Motivation, tips and ideas for green/life changes will always be the goal – it’s what you want. The other sites will focus on keeping things simple in relation to their topic. Eventually, I will add some interactive interviews or reviews on people and organizations to build some depth and share perspectives.
   • eBook - I have several that I want to work on (not just for simply stephen) but it everyone wants to learn about affordable living. This will be the focus of a new book, kept simple so you aren’t overloaded with info. The target is early next year and writing is included in my content schedule, which I will share with you in a future post to demonstrate the benefits of a short simple work week and life management.
3. Interaction & Communication
   • policies - how I interact, communicate and survive on the web is very important to me. I have outlined a new policy section on each site that covers the following 5 areas:
     • comment & community
     • content
     • disclaimer
     • email
     • privacy.
   • eCourse (Subscriber Only) – I’ve sat on the fence for far too long about email communications. I believe in quality and ethics, so I wanted to make sure that I could add value, without compromising my integrity.  I also wanted to make sure that I wasn’t “selling” to you and inundating you with email. Next month a short eCourse on simplifying will be introduced especially for you. After the initial 5 days, I will send a newsletter, probably once a week to expand on each area.
   • comments - I like my community of commentators and also love making comments on some  blogs and forums I follow. Recently, I have been focusing on other things but have included a regular frequency schedule to ensure I actively participate on your blogs and mine. I encourage all of you to add comments to the sites, ones that add value and will expand on our knowledge and connection.
   • Twitter - Recently, I have purposely been a little bit quiet on Twitter but will be striking with vengeance soon. I will reintroduce my #actofgreen and offer regular links to many of the great sites that I find. BTW…I always respond to DMs. Understand that Twitter is the only social media I use and I minimize communication a la Leo Babauta of Zen Habits to maximize life and productivity while striving for simplicity.

As a final note, I mentioned a new simplified schedule that I’ve created. It involves a 3 day rotation (of short days) – yep I’m a real advocate of the compressed work week. I’ll share my thoughts in a future posting (as mentioned).

Though computers, web work is a “hobby/livelihood”, it’s time to enjoy life a bit more. Weekends and evenings are soon to be for living not the computer.

I hope you enjoy the new changes to the simply stephen network and welcome your feedback and comments. Some of the changes will not take place immediately, though I’m actively trying to have the sites in good working order by the middle of November. Most most of the above has at least been initiated. If there is anything that has gone awry, please contact me and I’ll look into it. Thank you for your support and interaction – it means a lot to me.