As we get deeper into our Wine Review Online Reader Survey (see the button, top right) I will offer observations from time to time on interesting trends and reader comments.
The purpose of the survey is two-fold. First, we want our advertising representatives to be able to tell potential advertisers (yes, our contributors like to be paid with more than a handshake and a smile) something about who visits the site. Second, we want to know what you like and don’t like so we can incorporate good suggestions into future editorial modifications.
Here’s a sample comment mined from the survey today:
“I enjoy Whitley’s blogs. However, it seems like the best use of blogs is to create news through a combination of discussing current hot topics in an interactive forum. Whitley’s topics are not that hot. And there is no interaction between poster and reader. I am sure this opens a can of worms which you’ve already considered, but… The wine reviews are fresh, insightful and not formulaic. Articles are insightful and well written; however, I’d like to see more articles about current issues in the wine world, not just features on a grape or a place.”
Well, the reader likes my blogging, so he/she is A-OK with moi! And the suggestion that we make the blog interactive is something we’ve considered. It is, in fact, how most blogs operate. But we’ve so far opted not to include this feature because of my aggressive travel schedule that sometimes necessitates long gaps between blogs.
And there’s the issue of policing possibly tasteless comments if I’m not around and have little or no access to the net as I visit some remote wine region. But I would never say never, so don’t rule out the possibility of reader participation in the future.
As for more content on more subjects and coverage of current hot topics, that’s something I do see in our future. As traffic and advertising grow and we can afford to spend more on our editorial product, I assure you those things will come.
In the meantime, our mission is to inform and entertain, and hopefully steer you to a few good bottles of wine!
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