Do people still like reading reviews on blogs?

paracosmlex 2016-05-23 14:50:44 UTC #1

I've been considering doing a blog series about various media I enjoy: books, comics, webcomics, manga, maybe even anime series. It'd have a focus on positive aspects of the genre and lifting up great creators, with very little if no time spent on wholly negative reviews or rants. Kind of a "promote what you love, not what you hate" mentality. I want to give myself something to write about weekly that I actually care about (between freelance work that I'm not always 100% about) that lifts up the community instead of making specific creators feel ostracized by it.

Does anyone really have interest in review blogs anymore? I've never been long-term subscribed to one but I know it's a pretty saturated market. Anyone here have a review blog they run and enjoy, or a regular review reader/watcher?

Koffyhouse 2016-05-23 15:15:32 UTC #2

I ejoy listening to and reading reviews for most things. If it is something you are interested in doing i say go for it!

dglisson 2016-05-23 15:40:17 UTC #3

I'm a big review reader, I love being exposed to new and exciting things. So I say go for it! Let me know if you want any feedback on your review style too.

gnekomikero 2016-05-23 16:02:39 UTC #4

I love to read some blogs and reviews

UrMom 2016-05-23 19:44:58 UTC #5

Hell yeah! I love reading reviews on comics and stuff, I follow a few formal/informal ones on Tumblr, and a few other sites. I prefer longer, in-depth reviews or criticism, but I may follow people who make shorter ones depending on how the material is handled.

If you want to make a blog dedicated to promoting content you like, go for it! There's plenty of "not so much review, but promo" sites out there, and personally, I feel you have never have too many review/promo stuff. Especially for indie work like webcomics.

WintreKitty 2016-05-23 22:31:17 UTC #6

We need more reviewers for webcomics! I run a review blog for webcomics, WintreKitty Reviews. I get a decent sized audience that comes through, with regular viewers and first-time viewers. I'm currently making an Active Reviewers List here on the forums, so if you ever do make a blog, let me know! I'll add you to the list! The idea is to help make it easier for creators to find reviewers.

sarrowsmith10 2016-05-23 22:42:14 UTC #7

I tend to like review blogs. However, if they are dedicated to the webcomic work (as opposed to published comics/media/popculture) I find that all the blogs basically review the same little circle of comics. Which doesn't really interest me very much. (Like if I see one more review for Boston Metaphysical Society or Pucca: Whats Yours is Mine, I'm going to scream. I love those webcomics, I do, but seriously...)

What keeps my attention is reviews on hidden jems that are new and upcoming. So I can find new comics to read.

WintreKitty 2016-05-24 03:01:30 UTC #8

In that case, I recommend looking for reviewers who take requests vs. picking comics to review. Requested reviews tend to come in all shapes and sizes. When a reviewer picks the comics themselves, they are typically the ones that already have created a bit of a name for themselves. Also, look for reviewers that aren't contained to one audience (i.e. just Tapastic or tumblr). That way you get a bit of variety... maybe. There will always be those authors that go out of their way looking for new perspectives on their comics and you'll likely see multiple reviews of those.