Sunday 10 May 2009

Life in The Old Dog Part II

Just because Bob Dylan can't be bothered to refresh his concert programme with tracks from his new album, it doesn't mean we should all take his cue and sit back on our laurels.

Whilst ambling about the Secret Gardens of Oxton this afternoon, I was fortunate to bump into my good friend Bob, a partner in Knowles, Ranterby and Suffolk, the renowned PR agency that was (partly) responsible for the recent relaunch of the Fiat Cinquecento. Bob took half an hour out from his day job to cast his eye over my blog - and his conclusions were pretty much in line with previous critiques.

"You've got to simplify it," he said. "It's as simple as that!" He liked the fact that I'd managed to post an article about The Secret Gardens of Oxton only a couple of hours after they opened. "But your punters won't really know if they're going for a red-top or something more traditional."

I can't pretend I wasn't a bit shocked. I was brought up in the 'substance over style' world of journalism. No one at the Stockport Herald was ever taught to put layout before words - whatever the subbies said.

Still - I know free advice when I see it. So I've set the dogs loose and overhauled my blog - for good or ill. I like to think it's now the kind of place Elizabeth Hurley and John Torode would feel at home in. We'll have to see how it goes.

4 comments:

Daddy Papersurfer said...

I like the look Mr. Blunt - simple yet elegant.

Bill Blunt said...

Thank you, DP. I like to think my new look reflects my character and personality. I've also finally managed to update the link to your esteemed blog. It only took me a year.

Crofty said...

I see his point - clean and simple seems to be the rage, but I do miss the fond clutter that makes something individual. I like to think of it like one's shed - where you go to get out of the way and put the things you like.

Mind you, if it's readers we're after - I don't get many visitors to my shed, so there you go!

Bill Blunt said...

Ah, yes - the fond clutter, Crofty. I am sure it won't take long for my blog (like my shed)to become suitably cluttered again. You know what it's like!