If you have been blogging for a while, you there are thousands of fellow bloggers out there who are writing about the same subject you do, whether it’s about movies, taking pictures or anything else…a lot of people offer the same thing. And even though I’m sure you write because you just love doing it, you do not mind if more and more people find out about your blog and keep visiting you. It is always good to think about improving your blog (you can find some of my suggestion at the top) and do a bit of analysis. That is why this week’s question is:
What makes your blog stand out from others?
Personally I try to do this by my blog series (The Monday Question, The Moviesite Spotlight, The Many Faces of…, blogathons and various others) and of course make my site look inviting the first time you visit it (a clear style and color scheme which I try to stick to as much as possible and clear navigation) and always try to improve wherever I can (constantly thinking about new and interesting things). I’m interested to know what makes your site stand out. It might also help others with improving their site and thinking about it.
Great question. Honestly I don’t know what sets mine apart. I sometimes struggle with buying into my stuff to be honest. I try to offer a variety of content. Features, reviews, old movies, new movies. Hopefully people are enjoying it.
I’m on the same page, Keith.
Well, I’m definitely enjoying it, but you have to buy into the stuff you are writing 🙂 There’s always things to improve (I feel the same way), but I am behind the things I put up.
Let me clarify a bit. I like what I write but I struggle buying into it being anything others will enjoy. Kinda weird, right?
No worries about that Keith, if I didn’t I would not be visiting your blog!
That’s the problem I have I guess – my blog doesn’t stand out so much, hahaha.
Hahaha, would you want to change anything about it?
It’s written by a Swede who hasn’t been into movies for all that long. I guess that doesn’t make it sound very promising.
Hahaha, well that’s unique enough. You know I always enjoy reading your blog 🙂
The is an easy answer in my case: music once a week, monthly movie recaps, and monthly links post. I try and mix movies and music, when I occasionally do soundtrack posts.
Other blogs do these things too, of course, but I think my personal angle is unique.
Yeah, you do have a very unique combination which definitely makes your blog stand out.
I’ve been working on this, and I think there are a few things:
1. Because of my location and number of small art-house theatres and film festivals in the area, I review more smaller films than other blogs.
2. I started a weekly comic strip series.
3. I actively search, create, and post fan art of the films I review.
Good to hear you are thinking about it…it’s also the reason I ask, because not everyone does think about things like this.
Hi, Nostra:
Intriguing question!
I’m just a guest post/stringer who obliges those who ask.
All that I’ve opined and indulged are exceptional in their own ways.
Haha, the thing is though if you do a guest blog post they stand out because of your extensive knowledge and unique writing style.
No idea what so ever!
Sometimes it is good to think about it Tim, if only to see if you can do anything to make your blog even better and unique.
My scoring system maybe or my humourous ways 😀
Why did you like my site?
I probably visited your site for the first time after you commented here. I like the fact that you review movies I generally tend to watch as well, so it’s cool to be able to compare opinions about them.
And you stuck with me ever since, ya loyal bastard 😀
Yeah I am 🙂
What an interesting question…your “Monday Questions” are definitely a stand out for you and your blog 🙂
I don’t know that my blog stands out, what I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm. I don’t usually write about anything I’m not completely stoked about, and maybe that gets through to those who do read my posts.
Thanks for the compliment Paula!
Enthusiasm is good and something which really shines through and has effect on people who read it.
That is a very good question! I think doing lists and creative posts is something that you can use to make your blog stand out as people like reading lists as they can compare it to their own list and what they think. Plus you can read them quickly. I know by the hits my site gets that top 10s are the most searched for to get to my blog, I have tried to launch a 7 Things feature but haven’t managed to keep it regular . . . yet!
Lists are always a good idea and usualy very popular. I know quite a lot of sites who only specialise in those. So have to agree on that one.
Good question. I do things many other blogs do like write reviews, analyze trailers, talk about news, and ask questions, but I also occasionally try to do comparison posts, where I discuss two similar films.
That’s a unique idea which I really like
I think my site stands out with my eclectic tastes ranging from low-budget B-Movies to current blockbusters. My long-running series to review all the Shaw Bros martial arts film in chrono order is pretty unique too. My stats would lie and say that none of that is unique and worthy of people’s reading time, but I beg to differ. 🙂
Yeah, you definitely have found your niche!
Because its the best? 😉
LOL – it’s all subjective isnt it really, as long as we are happy with what we are doing thats ultimately all that matters. People stopping by and enjoying it makes it even more worthwhile 🙂
Of course it is! 🙂 It’s at least something you should be striving for right?
But as long as we are happy that really is the most important.
Hmmm, great question Nostra. I don’t know really, I just try to post a variety of content every week that invite discussions from fellow film fans. I try to mix things up daily so people would be *surprised* with what I’ll be blogging next 😀
Yeah, I always enjoy that about your blog…even though you have your returning features (like Five for the Fifth) you do surprise your readers sometimes 🙂
This is a tricky question because there are so many blogs covering similar films. With my blog, I’ve tried to not just give a “thumbs up/thumbs down” review and to delve into the themes and message of the movies being covered. I’m also doing marathons and covering a wide variety of films, not just new releases.
I strike a balance between having a conversational style and digging into things from a more intellectual perspective. I’m still tweaking the format and figuring out what it is, but that’s the goal at least. I feel like the writing is pretty strong, but there’s always room for improvement across the board. That’s what makes it fun.
I love the marathons and always am impressed by your thorough reviews and coming up with interesting movies I might not have heard about and I’m a big fan of your writing.
You’re too kind. Thanks Nostra!
Interesting question. To be honest, I don’t think there’s anything that makes me stand out above anyone else. I just try and write honestly, make sure it’s written as well as possible and try my best to engage with others. There are things I think I could do better to help my blog stand out but that would require a lot more time, some money and learning some skills I don’t currently possess!
Yeah, I can understand what you are saying. If I only had more time I would be able to start more regular features.
Very good question, Nostra! I have my 50 movies project that serves as something of a self-education guide, and people seem to enjoy following along my journey. I also write about video games (and occasionally beer, music and books) to help keep things fresh. I would still like to find even more unique/new content to dig deeper into a niche.
So a good variety of subjects sets you apart from others and it is always worth it to seek out a niche that you know people like reading about.
Good question! I don’t think mine stands out, hardly anybody reads it. Lol
It is sweet and short though so it doesn’t take long to go through my posts.:)
Well, there are things you can do to attract more readers. Just had a look and I quite like your format. Great to read if you do not have a lot of time. Have just subscribed to your blog.
That is very kind of you! Thnx 🙂
I’ve tried to make mine different by rating movies with bananas instead of stars! So, for example, someone might rate a movie 1 out of 5 stars, I would rate it 1 out of 5 bananas. It’s an ingenious system really. I should copyright it! Ha-ha!
Hahaha, that is very ingenious way to rate movies, I’ve added your blog to my weekly reading 🙂
Thanks for the follow. Much appreciated! Bananas are the future of movie ratings systems. Honestly.
To be honest, a little bit of it is tailoring it to my audience here in Nigeria. I don’t know if you’ve been to the site? It’s finding it’s footing but it offers more than just my write ups.
Movie Blogging is not a very experienced niche here though so I’m learning a lot on the way and constantly looking to improve. Please visit and tell me what y’all think
If I remember correctly Nigeria also has a big movie industry right? Have not been to your site yet, but will be cheking it out!
Yes a very large one. It’s larger on the straight to DVD scene than the release to cinema scene. It’s supposedly larger than even Hollywood when it comes to no of movies produced annually but the percentage of those that are released to cinema is still growing.
I’ll be expecting your visit to the site.
Interesting as you don’t hear much about them. Which are movies which everyone should see?
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I guess I come up with some really good ideas in between, like the different versions of boredom movies can offer (I’m really proud of that post), and I have very mixed opinions on movies. I like to philosophize a lot too, and not focus too much on the technical aspects, although at times that can be helpful too.
And lastly, I think my blog title is kinda special 😉
Wow, it feels weird to praise myself that way.
🙂 I’m not big on technical aspects either unless something really stands out. My reviews are mostly about what I felt when I watched them and how much (or little) I enjoyed them.
It is always good to praise your own work! 🙂
Two things:
The films I cover; I try to avoid posting about the same films everyone else is talking about. Which is a bit of a double edged sword, because while it keeps my focus original, it also restricts my potential audience and the number of comments I get.
I also like to think that my design is unique and makes a strong impression that stands out from the rest.
Yeah, I understand what you are saying…I’m usually behind the big releases as well, but I focus on things you don’t read much about on other sites (like documentaries). You have a very unique design, which I really like.