17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Very first article, small review please

by thedog
15 replies
I've just put up my first post on my first blog, I'd appreciate it if some of you more experienced blogers could have a quick look over it, tell me what you think.

Plan It Backpacker

The site still needs a bit of work, but I'll get around to that tomorrow.

I'm just learning as I'm going, backpacking is an area that I have allot of experience in, but I'm not sure if it's not niche enough. It would be good to make some extra cash doing this... I'm currently on a 2 year career break, so it would be nice not to have to return to the desk

Cheers.
#article #review #small
  • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
    I know just about nothing about backpacking but your post kept me reading so you definitely can write to engage the reader. I had trouble with the "c---" word being used but perhaps in Ireland it's more common?

    I like your header very much and a minimalist theme could work nicely so I don't see you needing to do a lot of work with it.

    I did notice a spelling error in the title (where it shows up on the browser). That should probably be fixed, just for SEO purposes.

    I think you've got a great start there and there is no reason why you can't start with something you know and are interested in.

    Tina
    Signature
    Discover how to have fabulous, engaging content with
    Fast & Easy Content Creation
    ***Especially if you don't have enough time, money, or just plain HATE writing***
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2499142].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Excellent start. It's pretty obvious you know what you are talking about.

      Like Tina, I was a little shocked by "unless they're a total c***, you've made a new friend." There are a lot of people who will be offended by that word, and others that will simply downgrade their opinion of you for using it.

      There are a few typos, but nothing major.

      One suggestion, though. When you clean things up, you might think about tweaking the style sheet to make the content color full black, rather than the gray the current text is in. I know many designers think that light to medium gray typeface is edgy and cool, but for many people it's just harder to read. Switching to a black text color might keep them on the site longer.

      Otherwise, well done...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2499267].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
        Yeah nice article. I say this coz I extensivley travelled the world for over 4 years in one go. I too don't think the C word goes down well but at the same time in the wonderful world of a traveller I'm not sure it matters, may make the reader more in tune you in fact. Trust me, the C word was the least bizarre thing I ever experienced on the road. Go for it, this isn't an ordinary market.
        Signature

        Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2499323].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
    I read the post just to see what "C" word you used that Tina objected to. Yes I used to look at the National Geographics when I was a kid too for reasons other than the wildlife photos. I suggest you find an alternate word to use. Such as F***h***, M*****F*****, A**h*** and even d***h***. Those terms are much more acceptable imho. But that's just me.

    In all sincerity you wrote a very readable post. Your use of that word may fit your audience however. It certainly wouldn't fit mine.
    Signature

    Free Training for SEO Providers in the United States - https://happyseoclients.com/happy-seo-clients-training/

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2499325].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rough Outline
    One thing that threw me (due to formatting) was in the first para of 'organising couch surfin event', it says 0 friends but due to formatting it looks more like o friends, at first I assumed you left off the n (to spell no), I'd change it to the word zero.

    Oh and when you dropped the big c I laughed, but wouldn't recommend it for a broad audience. I really like the natural, story telling style of the article as well, it was enjoyable to read. I think it's brilliant for a first article or any article.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2499352].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author thedog
      Thanks allot guys for the feedback... I guess I was just testing the waters with the c word... I'd never just use swear words for the sake of it, and really think they can help you get your point across... I am from Dublin, and we do swear allot

      Plus I have been watching allot of Entourage lately, I think Ari's rubbing off on me.

      I've taken your advice and removed it... I've gone with twat for now.

      Also, which spelling would you recommend? Organize or Organise ...

      I mean, organise is how I'd spell it, but is it best to go with the American spelling?
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2500635].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        No, I wouldn't go with American spelling. First of all, it wouldn't be natural and your readers would likely pick up on that. Second, I think you'll have a far larger European audience than American. There are backpackers here, of course, but we don't have the extensive hostel systems and things like you guys do over there.

        Tina
        Signature
        Discover how to have fabulous, engaging content with
        Fast & Easy Content Creation
        ***Especially if you don't have enough time, money, or just plain HATE writing***
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2500687].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author thedog
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          No, I wouldn't go with American spelling. First of all, it wouldn't be natural and your readers would likely pick up on that. Second, I think you'll have a far larger European audience than American. There are backpackers here, of course, but we don't have the extensive hostel systems and things like you guys do over there.

          Tina
          Cool, Thanks Tina.
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2500723].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Upon reading the article. I found interest in backpacking ;D . Regarding on the article, its precised but there are some grammatical errors. try to edit those errors to avoid negative comments. Also, try to put a bit of color to your page, its kinda dull and dont draw much attention to readers. Try to make it more catchy.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501014].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Field-Dodgson
    Hi thedog,

    great post - your prose style is personal and therefore draws the reader in. Like others replying I ended up reading the whole post.

    I think the most important aspect of the post is that it flowed - there were no points where the reader has to reread to get the gist of a sentence.

    Must admit was bemused about the other replies talking about the c word that I couldn't find. I am from New Zealand and realise we have different meanings to American words, the classic being Fanny. The word Twat as a colloquialism here usually means "idiot".

    Anyway, spruce the site up - back packing is about freedom so I would us vibrant colours - and it will be "bloody good mate!" That's kiwi for well done.

    Thought the play on words for the title was very good!

    Hope this helps.
    Signature

    AND there's no such thing as a free lunch!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501208].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author thedog
      Thanks allot Michael. I decided to remove the c word.

      It's all a bit of a work in progress at the moment. I'll get a few more articles up, and rejig the design, then I can start looking at the SEO, which will be a bit of a learning curve.

      Loved New Zealand by the way, one of my favourite countries... I'm sure I'll be writing about the place... seen lots of big plastic vegetables, and a big shoe
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501354].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Pradeep Bhagwat
        Congrats for great start!

        Your blog theme is very simple, and that is why it relaxes readers. Reader feels that he is going to read some cool information. Your subject is related to travel so I think good landscape picture should be right there in front. It will catch eyes and quickly reader identify the subject.

        I will not go through all technical aspect but if you are blogging then Wordpress platform could be more beneficial. You are writing on your favorite subject and this what need to become successful blogger. After few posts you can try to momentise the blog. You can try Adsense or affiliate products related to your subject. For quick and more profit I will suggest to promote Affiliate Products.

        - Pradeep
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501368].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author thedog
          Originally Posted by bhagwat68 View Post

          Congrats for great start!

          Your blog theme is very simple, and that is why it relaxes readers. Reader feels that he is going to read some cool information. Your subject is related to travel so I think good landscape picture should be right there in front. It will catch eyes and quickly reader identify the subject.

          I will not go through all technical aspect but if you are blogging then Wordpress platform could be more beneficial. You are writing on your favorite subject and this what need to become successful blogger. After few posts you can try to momentise the blog. You can try Adsense or affiliate products related to your subject. For quick and more profit I will suggest to promote Affiliate Products.

          - Pradeep
          Thanks Pradeep
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501822].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author skymarketer
    My only criticism would be that it isn't all that specific… after all, if you are going to be building a website filled to the brim with content about backpacking, then I'd recommend that you keep each post on one element of it, and go into plenty of detail.

    Otherwise, not bad.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501375].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author thedog
      Originally Posted by skymarketer View Post

      My only criticism would be that it isn't all that specific... after all, if you are going to be building a website filled to the brim with content about backpacking, then I'd recommend that you keep each post on one element of it, and go into plenty of detail.

      Otherwise, not bad.
      Hi skymarketer, do you mean the article or the site?

      Thanks for the feedback
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2501444].message }}

Trending Topics