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Can your Blog Pass the Salad Test?

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No, I’m not a vegetarian, but everyday I generally eat the same salad: a combination of fresh spinach, grilled chicken, a little cheese and onions and my favorite blush wine vinaigrette (go ahead, you can steal my recipe). Sometimes when I’m feeling bold, I’ll even add some mandarin oranges or fresh strawberries to the mix.

It doesn’t matter that I ate one or even two salads the day before – it’s the most delicious salad anyone could eat and it’s healthy.

But this post is obviously not about the health benefits of eating salads everyday – what I’m getting at is the idea that despite the fact that I already know what the salad tastes like – it’s not new to me, yet everyday it has a renewed freshness.

Aside from the occasional times I change up the combination of ingredients the salad remains the same, yet I am still compelled to return to it every single day.

What is it about this salad that is so irresistible? And how can you apply this to your blogging?

The secret that keeps me coming back to this salad, is not some magical ingredient – what keeps me coming back is the enjoyable experience of eating this salad. Not only does it nourish my body, it’s a pleasure to eat. Everyday it zaps my taste buds to life and creates a feeling of well-being.

Can your blog do that?

If you want your blog to pass the salad test, here’s what you can do:

Don’t worry about finding totally new and unheard of ingredients – focus on rearranging various combinations of the classic ingredients in a fresh way. Some days I leave out the chicken, but then add fresh bacon bits. The spinach still remains the same, but it’s enjoyable because I’ve made a small tweak.

Create an enjoyable environment that your readers feel compelled to experience everyday. Your goal should be to create content that leaves readers feeling better than they did before they arrived – it should nourish their minds and have lasting value. Sprinkle it with bite-sized bits of knowledge that they can apply.

Throw in something bold every now and then - don’t over do it, but every now then, don’t be afraid to shake up the salad bowl. Sometimes I skip the oranges and add strawberries – my taste buds never know what to expect.

Use humor to catch people off guard with a laugh. When I wrote, 7 Signs You’re a Hacker & 5 Ways it Can Help your Blog I wanted to create a post that not only made people laugh, but that also imparted some knowledge and made them think in an unexpected way.

Use vivid language that makes your post pop right off the page – you know your mouth started watering at the beginning of this post. I wouldn’t be surprised if a trip to the grocery store is now on your to-do list. :D That was only accomplished by using specific and vivid words that people could imagine that they were seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing, and tasting.

You’ve got to be willing to create an experience that people will be compelled to return to your blog everyday. You want them to crave that unique experience – one that they can only get at your blog.

These tips I’ve mentioned are just a few ways you can create a refreshing and positive experience. What other lessons can we learn from my favorite salad?


March 4, 2011 | Category: Blogging Tips | 140 Comments

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Author: Kiesha Easley (2 Articles)

Kiesha blogs at WeBlogBetter.com, a blog that offers blogging tips and tricks. She is a writer, writing instructor, and blog consultant. Connect with her on Twitter @weblogbetter.

140 Responses to "Can your Blog Pass the Salad Test?"

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  1. ivin
    Twitter:
    (December 29, 2011 at 11:54 am) | Permalink

    I like using real world examples and relating them to blogging. I like replacing with strawberries. That sure would shake up everyone’s concepts of ‘taste in your blog.
    ivin recently posted..Why I Pay My Staff To Have Their Own Blogs

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  2. Holly Jahangiri
    Twitter:
    (December 29, 2011 at 2:42 pm) | Permalink

    I love salads, but freshness really is key – both to a good salad and to a good blog. It may be the same ingredients every time, but wilted lettuce is a major turn off.
    Holly Jahangiri recently posted..I Survived the Blog!

    Reply
  3. Eric Williams
    Twitter:
    (December 30, 2011 at 5:07 am) | Permalink

    I’m not much of a salad dude; but I love the analogy nonetheless. Great work.
    Eric Williams recently posted..Build 25 Free Backlinks at the Drop of a Hat Every Single Day

    Reply
  4. Siddartha Thota
    (December 30, 2011 at 4:05 pm) | Permalink

    This is one of the interesting articles I’ve read on blogging. I liked the introduction you’ve used and it laid great foundation for your article and you’ve done a great job in linking the blogging aspects with our eating habits.

    Awesome Read Up :)

    Cheers!

    Reply
  5. Nirmal Kumar
    Twitter:
    (December 30, 2011 at 4:08 pm) | Permalink

    This salad looks tasty. I haven’t completed the basic articles for my blog. Will like to write some funny posts and audience lovable posts when I complete my first task.
    Nirmal Kumar recently posted..Tamil Actor Dhanush Biography, Profile and List of Movies

    Reply
  6. Brankica
    Twitter:
    (December 30, 2011 at 5:51 pm) | Permalink

    Hey Kiesha, I remember when you first posted this post, I was still at the beginning of my blogging journey and this post was what made me realize you must be the most creative blogger in the world.

    I am back now to tell you that I applied some of the salad tips from this post and they worked like a charm. So I wanted to thank you for giving some of this tips and making my salad the tastiest ever.

    I think the most valuable tip I got was leaving out the chicken and adding bacon bits from time to time, cause adding a different spin to a post makes all the difference.

    Happy new year, girl and all the best in 2012.
    Brankica recently posted..Website or blog | Why SBI beats WordPress any time

    Reply
  7. velika k
    Twitter:
    (January 1, 2012 at 3:27 am) | Permalink

    Now I get the connection between my inability to make salads more often … same frequency as blog posts.

    Although I hesitate in making new years resolutions, I have made it a goal for this year to write more, update my blog more … and to eat more salads.

    Happy 2012 Everyone!

    Reply
  8. Shanky Sahni
    (January 1, 2012 at 1:22 pm) | Permalink

    Some really nice tips.I visited your blog as well.A lot to learn for newbie like me.Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  9. Yuni Ardita Sari Dewi
    Twitter:
    (January 7, 2012 at 12:17 am) | Permalink

    As indonesian, i rarely eat salad, and dont eat it yet a whole my life so far :D
    would love to try after read this post, sounds tasty. :) Nice thought. Love the analogy. :)
    Yuni Ardita Sari Dewi recently posted..How To Deactivate Facebook Timeline

    Reply
  10. Melanie Kissell
    Twitter:
    (January 7, 2012 at 4:49 am) | Permalink

    This resonated with me instantly, Kiesha …

    “Use humor to catch people off guard with a laugh.”

    I’ve always been a firm believer that a sense of humor is a person’s best and most valuable asset! :)

    Reply
  11. Corinne Rodrigues
    (January 7, 2012 at 8:47 am) | Permalink

    It’s amazing, Kiesha, I never thought of it that way. I’m ever so creative when it comes to salads – try out all sorts of ingredients and usually they’re fantastic…You made me wonder why I’m not so bold with my blogging!! Lots of salad..err, food for thought!

    Thank you ♥

    Reply
  12. Astro Gremlin
    Twitter:
    (January 20, 2012 at 3:30 am) | Permalink

    I think you are onto something, Kiesha. I seem to travel in a pretty tight loop around the same blogs. I’ve followed them on Twitter or Liked them, find the topics about blogging fascinating and tune in. And I really like them, just like your salad or my three martinis (kidding :) ) I’m breaking out of my comfortable rut coming here. Glad I did!
    Astro Gremlin recently posted..Proportions

    Reply
  13. shenoyjoseph
    (January 23, 2012 at 5:24 am) | Permalink

    thanks for providing some useful tips to improve my writing skills and attract more number of visitors to my blog. :)
    shenoyjoseph recently posted..Top 5 Best 10-inch Android Tablets You Must Buy in 2012

    Reply
  14. Alease Michelle
    (January 27, 2012 at 3:42 pm) | Permalink

    I love nuts in a salad so I would probably ask a questions that helps the readers think out of the box. By the way I loved the title of your blog post—it drew me right to your blog content—and you did not disappoint me with the content—loved it.

    Reply
  15. marie
    (January 28, 2012 at 1:12 am) | Permalink

    Love this analogy. You are very talented. It really struck a nerve with me because, while I think I write fairly well, I am having a hard time figuring out how to spice it up. Sadly, no, my blog does not pass the salad test, but I think after reading your post, I will be more conscientious of the ingredients.

    Thanks.

    Reply
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