December 12, 2007

Your favourite restaurant can help you improve your blog!

My 1st post on blogging got a pretty decent response. I had written it when I was still new to the blogosphere. Now, having spent a considerable amount of time reading hundreds of blogs and being significantly regular with my posts, I am trying to interrogate what factors make or break a blog.

This analogy struck me while having dinner in one of my favourite restaurants last Sunday. I have been to this place umpteen number of times but on this particular visit I consciously thought - what is it that brings me back to this place? Alright… let’s put it this way – why would you go to a particular restaurant?

a) the food is really good
b) you like the ambience
c) the service is flawless
d) it sets a standard

Ditto applies to a good blog!!!

a) Excellent food: Everyone’s in search of good food for thought. Good writing and good topics are definitely the first things that draw readers to your blog. Like a specialized v/s multi-cuisine restaurant, you too can find your forte. You could either maintain a blog that projects you as a pro in a specific subject (media, photography,etc.) or offer the world on your plate. However, do not forget to lay emphasis on the presentation. Well-garnished food not only looks good but also tastes better. Quotes, pictures, etc can give a complete facelift to your posts.

b) Ambience: Many people seem to underestimate this but the fact remains that the look of the blog matters. It doesn’t mean that your template should be fancy or extremely stylized; it should be visually appealing and ‘clean’. Personally speaking, a blog with thousands of links on either side puts me off and leaves me hunting for the actual post.

You love to go in a restaurant where you feel most comfortable. Similarly, the reader should be comfortable when he/she visits your blog. They should be able to concentrate on the substance of your blog. I’ve come across some blogs where a heavy backdrop moves with the cursor. It’s very irritating and I end up with a headache :P

c) Service: Ask yourself - is there any way my readers benefit from my blog? If yes, they are sure to visit your blog time and again. ‘Benefit’ here has no one definition – you may be a pro in some field helping them with information or you could be engaging them in a dialogue/debate that helps them look at the finer nuances of life.

d) Set a standard - Inconsistency can become a big hurdle. When you go to a restaurant, you know what to expect from that place; the same applies to your blog. It’s important to maintain a standard. People visiting your blog should not be disappointed. Do some homework – find out which posts are most popular; what is it that your readers appreciate on your blog. Accordingly, try to improve; experiment a bit if need be!

They say, if you pour your love in food, it is sure to taste better. So no matter what you write, if it’s from the heart it will definitely be appreciated :)

If you have any suggestions, do share!

9 comments:

~ ॐ ~ said...

really nice...

i have to agree... and i suggest a look at point 2 for this page.. what do you think?

and guess what the template that you have was the first template that I had for a long time.. about an year before i changed it...

bhumika said...

thanks for the suggestion om...Yeah, I do feel that I need to work on the overall look of my blog…some friends are busy designing a customized template for me :P hopefully, the blog shall have a new look in the new year :)

~ ॐ ~ said...

Looking forward to it :)

Swapnil said...

Hmm.. I personally do not agree with "improve the blog" concept. My definition of a blog is a place where one writes for oneself and writes for the sheer joy of writing - If readers and comments come -good, else its fine (unless its commercial).
So you can have some brilliant posts interspersed with silly ones if thats what YOU want. I think uniformity stands opposite to what a blog should be...now pls don't blast me for this PoV :)

~ ॐ ~ said...

# Swapnil..
you are very correct and there is not reason why one would disagree to it.. however a lot of people i know while write for themselves also use the blog as an opportunity to improve skills, network, thought sharing etc where a lot of things become important..

and most importantly, the owner should feel good about what they are writing and what they see when they go to their page...

Like you said, I like for myself and my blog is a place where I write anything and everything irrespective of how good the English is or how it might hurt someone or something might love it to the core..

its about me and how i want it... people coming commenting, reading liking hating is all secondary...

bhumika said...

@swapnil

i agree with you and there is no reason why i should blast you for your POV :P however, i believe that a blog is a public domain, which is why the presentation matters...its like saying, 'clothes maketh a man'...you may be a good-hearted person but if you dress appropriately - smartly to be precise, it will add to your persona.

these are factors that would motivate you to experiment a bit with your blog - be it the kind of writing or the overall look. also, its a way to attract more readers, which i blv is the motive of many on the blogosphere

@om

perfect point - apart from being a personal space to write anything and everything, blogs also give u an opportunity to improve skills, network, etc etc. That can happen only when there is a constant flow of readers and these points are precisely what will help you gain more readers...

however, this doesnt mean that you should drastically alter your ways...

Dusty Fog said...

WOW - I love the analogy....hhmmnn....now i know why i write...i love my own cooking....: )

bhumika said...

@dusty

glad that you liked the analogy...i must say you cook pretty well :)

hope to see you around...

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