Written on April 18th, 2009 at 07:04 pm by Darren Rowse

Take a Trip to the ‘Mall’ and Improve Your Blog [Day 13 - 31DBBB]

Miscellaneous Blog Tips 138 comments

This post is an excerpt from the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Workbook

ShoppingToday’s task in the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog project is to go Shopping!

OK – I can hear what you’re probably thinking:

“What? This ProBlogger dude has lost his mind – what does shopping have to do with blogging?”

Stick with me for a second and let me explain….

The reason I want to encourage you to go shopping is twofold:

A. It’ll get you away from your blog for a bit - I was chatting with another blogger yesterday and we both admitted to each other that we’d been in our PJ’s all day blogging (it was 4pm for me) and needed to get out more – sad but true.

B. It’ll give you a chance to do some observation exercises that could help your - this is the main reason for today’s task and is based upon an experience that I had today at a local shopping center (or ‘mall’ as many of you non Aussies would call it).

The Exercise:

1. Step away from the Computer (come on, you can do it)

2. Grab a notebook and pen (do you remember them? They are the things you used to use before your primary form of communication involved typing)

3. Head to your local shopping center/mall/CBD shopping area (easier for some than others I realize – apologies to those in rural areas, this may or may not work in your local general store)

4. Once at the ‘mall’ take 30 minutes or so to go ‘wandering’ with no agenda (don’t do your groceries) except to ‘watch’ and ‘observe’ in some of the following ways:

  • Who is there? Who are they with?
  • What are they doing?
  • What are they buying? What products are particularly in demand at the moment?
  • How do they make their buying decisions?
  • What are the retailers doing to get people’s attention and stand out?
  • What messages are they using in their marketing?
  • What colors/design techniques are in at the moment?
  • What other things are ‘hot’ or in fashion?
  • What sales techniques are sales staff using?
  • What are retail outlets doing well? What are they doing poorly?

5. As you watch, make some notes. Don’t attempt to find any ‘lessons’ or try to tie it back to your blog yet.

6. Once you’ve spent half an hour or so on ‘observation mode’ find a spot to sit down (a food court perhaps) with a coffee and go over the things that you’ve noticed and see if there’s any lessons there that you might be able to apply to your blogging?

This process might seem a little random and pointless – but it’s something that I’ve done on numerous occassions over the last few years and each time that I’ve done it I’ve come away with at least one new idea that I want to apply in my blogging.

Some of the ideas have come directly from things I’ve seen retailers doing in their marketing (for example, today I saw a store using an attention grabbing technique that I want to try to apply to one of my blogs to draw readers eyes) – while others are more lessons about ‘people’ and how they operate and once or twice I’ve even seen illustrations to use for posts or even ideas for new blog post topics. Once I even spotted a trend that gave me an idea for a new blog.

If nothing else it’ll get you out of the house for a bit!

I’d love to hear your experiences of this exercise in comments below!

Update: Here’s what I learned on MY shopping expedition when I first posted this exercise in the last 31 Day Challenge – I hope it gives some ideas on how this might work out.

Update #2: They’re talking about this over at the 31DBBB forum: Day 13 – Visit a ‘Mall’ (really… a Mall) You should join them!

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This task is a sample of one of the tasks in the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Workbook – a downloadable resource designed to reinvigorate and revitalize blogs.

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138 Responses to “Take a Trip to the ‘Mall’ and Improve Your Blog [Day 13 - 31DBBB]” - Add Yours

  • Nicolas Prudhon

    April 18th, 2009 7:28 pm

    That’s really what we call “thinking outside the box” Darren!

    It’s worth giving it a try, anyway it’s weekend, so we should indeed step outside of our computers!

  • Chetan

    April 18th, 2009 7:30 pm

    A similar advice from me is:

    1) Head to any book/magazine store.
    2) Purchase any popular magazine and try to figure out how the articles have been titled, where are the writers trying to drw the attention of the readers and how they have formatted the articles.
    3) Also do consider what moods/themes are associated with certain type of articles, like humour.

  • HazardousPaste

    April 18th, 2009 7:39 pm

    Interesting, I usually just rely on what I already know or have learned for article ideas. I’ll try this sometime soon!

  • Roy Schwartz

    April 18th, 2009 7:48 pm

    @Chetan

    Sounds like a good idea. I think it will apply better to my blog than the mall one (Sorry Darren, nothing personal… :) )

  • Rahul Jadhav

    April 18th, 2009 7:49 pm

    wow…thats a great idea. When i read the post title I said to myself “Is he crazy”
    Now i know what you want to say. I will visit the nearest mall today!!!

  • Roseli A. Bakar

    April 18th, 2009 7:53 pm

    You are right there Darren.

    Since I started blogging fulltime at home, I’ve gain 20 pounds and now having high cholestrol etc.

    Bloggers need to spend more time outside their notebooks… LOL sad but true..

  • mohan

    April 18th, 2009 7:55 pm

    again dareen very good artical.
    It good and helpfull for all.
    We have to observe all the thing around us.
    You can also try this at
    At YOUR OFFICE
    AT YOUR COLLAGE/SCHOOL
    and with your friend also

    http://Www.Bollywood2masti.Blogspot.Com

  • Anna

    April 18th, 2009 7:57 pm

    Oooh – pencil and paper that’s so old-fashioned! Sounds exciting, but I’m not sure if my hand could write anything without getting cramps.

    The sad thing is, if I were in a mall, I honestly think I’d find myself drawn to the PJ section so that I could get some new work clothes :(

    But its great advice! I think it will be very useful for marketers and bloggers. It really is hard to get away from the computer!

  • Terry Freedman

    April 18th, 2009 7:57 pm

    I haven’t done what you suggest in quite this way, but I do often find that a couple of hours spent imbibing lattes in a nice coffee shop, armed with a notebook and pencil (or a really good fountain pen) always pays off in terms of ideas.

    In fact, I even bought myself an expensive-ish notebook — an arty-farty one with squares instead of lines — to write my ideas down in. I have enough for at least another 6 months of writing!

    But next I am going to try your suggestions as a variation. Thanks for yet another great tip, Darren!

  • Nikhil

    April 18th, 2009 8:02 pm

    @Chetan,
    I think that the NewsPaper can also do the same job.

    Good Article Darren,
    Unique idea I have ever seen for the blog!!!

  • Haris

    April 18th, 2009 8:04 pm

    good exercise Darren.

    Just to let you know shopping malls are some of my favorite hang out venues, but not for shopping, for window shopping only. i kind of like it. and never though of writing down what i saw.

    and you are asking me now to observe and write down i see. ok. now i am going to see what is happening there and hopefully bring home some good notes.

  • Fred

    April 18th, 2009 8:05 pm

    Fantastic, we did that 18 months ago as a preparation for that week’s discussion with “The Bucky Call” and the results were nothing short of amazing.

    There is so much to see with your eyes, and Darren gives a few hints of what to look for… and so much more going on, invisibly, that can only be “seen” with your mind’s eye:
    - Observe people’s behaviors; what are people doing?
    - what in the store design makes them “naturally” behave that way?
    - Can you see some of the invisible processes going on? What patterns of behavior can you see? What does it tell you about the habits of the people concerned?
    - What did the mall designers include to produce these behaviors?

    Incidentally, you can also do that on a farm: what is going on? how are animals (sheep, cows…) behaving? What is there that makes them do what they do? etc…

    Hope every one enjoys it.
    Fred

    (*) a study group on Bucky Fuller’s Critical Path.

  • Dominique

    April 18th, 2009 8:06 pm

    I often take my laptop with me to a cofffee shop and work really well when surrounded by anonymous chatter. I actually find shopping centres one of my favourite places to get ideas. Something about the chatter around me I find quite soothing, whereas my studio is VERY easy to procrastinate in.

  • SquiggleMum

    April 18th, 2009 8:09 pm

    I can’t believe I just got permission from the great Darren Rowse to go SHOPPING! Hey, if it’s going to make my blog better… well I guess I’ll have to drag myself to the shops. (Window shopping, people watching and coffee only, honest.)

  • Steen Seo Öhman

    April 18th, 2009 8:14 pm

    Great post,

    I our house we have a deal. I run the blog and my wife go to the Mall. I don’t think it would work the other way around.

    Otherwise – you are right – one need to get a little perspective on things, and some time away from the site or blog. Just spend almost two weeks away from my blog, and now I have new energy.

    But the real world can be a scary place … “don’t try this at home”

  • Sheryl Loch

    April 18th, 2009 8:15 pm

    LOL!!!

    I have not been to a mall in 10+ years!

    Maybe I’ll just watch the Home Shopping Network on TV! Ok, I won’t do that either.

    I will just wait for all of you to report what you learned from this excersize and call it good.

  • Ching Ya

    April 18th, 2009 8:25 pm

    Now this could be one of my favourites–step outside and take a breath, and maximize the use of our senses.

    It’s true, everything around us could be inspirational. Not to mention, a Mall! Where we can find traffic, merchandise, advertisement & publicity methods… it’s all there. Blogging is similar as we’re constantly hoping to get noticed. While trying to work on our writings, site layouts/designs, to get visitors coming is another main idea.

    This makes perfect sense, why not? We REALLY should get out of our PJs and observe more. All the best to everyone, and see you at the mall! ^^

    @wchingya
    Social Media/Blogging

  • Cait Hagar

    April 18th, 2009 8:33 pm

    Going to the mall. That would be great if there wasn’t people there around me! Lolz!

    Then I would have to talk my Mom into taking me and as she said, she has not been to a mall in 10+ years!

    Does watching a live cam at a mall count? I can do that, AND I could make fun of people and they would never hear me! :P

  • Claudia

    April 18th, 2009 8:36 pm

    Well… I think I have an excuse to bring my friend to the mall :D.

  • Hillary

    April 18th, 2009 8:51 pm

    For people who mostly work from home, I think it is important to go to the mall and see a bit of civilization every once in a while. For myself I’ve scheduled a once a week go-out time so that I don’t have a chance to get sloppy with myself.

  • Brian Meagher

    April 18th, 2009 8:57 pm

    Going to a KCBS sanctioned BBQ Competition today. I’ll try and apply this to what I see there.
    The “midway” with all the food and vendors should prove to be good material for signage, what draws people in. Which food vendors are busiest and which are not, etc.
    With 80+ competitors, should be lots to see.

  • venkat

    April 18th, 2009 8:57 pm

    What you said is right bloger should have contact with outer world as well just sitting in front of computer and writing posts .Get out of blogging and connect with real world .

  • ChristiaanH

    April 18th, 2009 9:08 pm

    hmm, very nice idea… just wrote about it last night. Only the post is scheduled for over about an hour form now…

    It’s not a stolen idea… but it will make me look bad :)

  • John - Toy Detective

    April 18th, 2009 9:17 pm

    I find that regularly browsing shops is an essential part of researching for my blog. Which is utterly unsurprising, as many of the things I write about can be found in many shops.

    However, I also find that it’s important to know how shop signs, advertising and promotional literature speaks to customers, especially when getting across a sales message.

    Appealing marketing language quickly penetrates the public’s conciseness and I often find it’s worth at least referencing things, such as, advertising “tag lines” so that readers are re-assured they looking at the right article.

  • thom singer

    April 18th, 2009 9:29 pm

    Darren,

    Good advice.. but maybe it goes farther:

    If every blogger on the planet goes into several stores at the mall and buys stuff, it will stimulate the economy at the same time. Maybe bloggers can have a larger impact on the global economy than all the goofy politicians who are trying to create an artificial bounce in the business world.

    Maybe the economic recovery will be traced back to Darren Rowse and his sending the blogosphere shopping

    he he.

    thom
    http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com

  • steadymom.com

    April 18th, 2009 9:37 pm

    I’m always up for an excuse to go shopping – so thanks! I’ll just go explain to my husband that he needs to look after our three kids and see how he takes it!

    If he’s not happy, I’ll just tell him “ProBlogger said I HAD to!” =)

    Jamie

  • Hack

    April 18th, 2009 9:49 pm

    Sound like a good idea but I hate to go shopping :)

  • Ms Constantine

    April 18th, 2009 9:49 pm

    I definitely have a tendency of late to live inside the blogging world and ignore the “real” world.

    I’m still in my PJs and it’s almost midnight. There goes another Saturday.

    Very sad!

  • Timon Weller

    April 18th, 2009 10:02 pm

    Yeah I agree, this can help heaps and sometimes I find going camping with some friends or hiking can really help as well to come home inspired to get some more ideas down.

    People always have interesting topics to discuss and they are often good things to post about as well as long as they are related.

  • Samuel

    April 18th, 2009 10:11 pm

    I work as a dating coach and so my job is all about being out the house and interacting with people.
    A useful task for some… not for me. :)
    Sam

  • Aidil TipsGoda

    April 18th, 2009 10:17 pm

    i didnt expect today’s task is to visit the mall! but its interesting. certainly shows the other side of Darren.:)

    basically for my niche(on dating and relationship) most of the time i’ll be observing people and their daily activities.

    my favorites are at dating hot spots like the movies,cafes,parks,etc

  • Sudeep

    April 18th, 2009 10:17 pm

    An excellant piece of advice Dareen … and thanks Chetan too .. People observation have always paid gr8 writers to write about .. why not we bloggers hahah ..
    Keep on observing and writing folks .
    Regards
    Sudeep

  • ITrush

    April 18th, 2009 10:19 pm

    I usually play with my kids during weekends, atleast once in a while.. maybe i’ll try to do it not at home now instead go malling with them? nice idea Darren.

  • Faryal Humayun

    April 18th, 2009 10:30 pm

    How timely! That’s exactly what I did today. Went to a book store and a supermarket. Very refreshing. Got some new ideas and now….down to blogging again.

  • Vicki@collegeparentcentral

    April 18th, 2009 10:42 pm

    It’s only my true respect for this challenge that could get me to the mall. The assignments have been so helpful so far that I may just have to trust you and take myself there.

    Or, then again, maybe I’ll just cheat and go to the local bookstore and look to see what people are buying. That’s sometimes a way to get a finger on the pulse of what’s current in people’s minds.

    Thanks once again, I think.
    (Guess my feelings about the mall are pretty obvious.)

  • Lokendra Rathore

    April 18th, 2009 10:43 pm

    Blogging is not all fun.It is hard work,it would seem,a blogger is hard at work even on a break in a Mall.

  • Lisa

    April 18th, 2009 11:01 pm

    This is perfect!! I was already planning to get away and go to the mall today because I *DO* need to get some time away from the computer. Plus the day is so beautiful here, there is no way I’m staying in all day!! Have some fun today fellow challengers. We all deserve a break!

    Hugs to everyone.

  • johan

    April 18th, 2009 11:07 pm

    Am I also allow to do the business on a terrace in the sun with a beer? :-)

  • Fee

    April 18th, 2009 11:44 pm

    I have to get out from the laptop – else I get cabin fever. My favourite is to hang out at coffee shops and watch people. But now I will do it with a little more focus.
    Yay – I get to out more.

  • Robert Bravery

    April 18th, 2009 11:48 pm

    Interesting Take, I thought you had gone kookoo for a while there. Not that my wife would complain about this particular exercise.
    She thanks you by the way

    A few things I have seen:
    Brand names attract – Lesson build up your brand or readership
    Bright, big attractive, Light, not too much information, just enough to get you interested. – Lesson, Don try and cram everything on the home page.

    Oh and lastly, not that it has anything to do with Blogging, people still have lots of money to spend.
    Seasonal – Lesson, use news and happenings in the news and around you to write articles about.
    Position Position Position. The guys in the dark corners weren’t as popular.

  • Dominique

    April 18th, 2009 11:51 pm

    Took a quick trip to the newest mall in town a few days ago realized what attracted me were colourful displays on items that I had already had an interest in. and stuff that had universal appeal- FOOD.

  • opinionatedant

    April 18th, 2009 11:53 pm

    the mall makes me break out in hives, but i found myself sitting in the food court evesdropping on some very entertaining conversations a little while ago.

    once i was done with my meal, i asked a group of people if I could photograph them with my cell phone. It was great; we all were happy, I got a blog post out of it and I wasn’t as irritated inside the mall as usual.

    This was the perfect timing for the task since i’ll be hanging out in boston all day, that can count right? ;)

  • Barry Wright, III

    April 18th, 2009 11:56 pm

    What a wonderful concept! Online marketing and offline marketing naturally share a number of similar properties; we often forget to learn from the world around us.

    If you have the chance (and don’t feel too bad about it), talk to several salespeople about a product, and see how they try to get you to buy it; how they do their face-to-face marketing. This is an area of marketing we don’t exercise often as bloggers, but given a big opportunity (running into an exec or media guru), we need to be prepared to shine.

    Use this chance to learn how!

    -Barry

  • David (Marketing Integrity)

    April 18th, 2009 11:58 pm

    @Chetan – As a marketer, I often get inspiration from magazine design, articles, and advertising. It ties in with Darren’s concept in that it is always good to stay in tune with “culture” and what design, colours, and typography are “in” at the moment. I even keep “junk-mail” that has inspired me in a file, or clipped ads from magazines to help unblock myself when creativity seems lacking.

  • Kathryn

    April 19th, 2009 12:04 am

    Wow – how’s that for irony. I actually did this yesterday but it was at a ballpark. Truth is, I always have to take time away from my blog and I NEVER get to spend the day in my pj’s. As a homeschooling mother of three VERY active boys, I’m lucky if I get to sleep past sunrise!

    Still, I intend to spend more time just enjoying with the family and even without!

  • Lydia

    April 19th, 2009 12:07 am

    It seems obvious but one of the things that struck me was the use of the color red as an attention getter.

    Also the fact that people like to touch the products as they go along — even if it’s not something they have to feel or read — like in the Aveda store, people will finger the shampoo bottles etc. And of course in clothing stores, people put their hands on the products. I wonder if there is a digital equivalent to this behavior?

    Another thing I wonder about a digital equivalent — in the bookstore some books are turned spine out and some are turned face out. Obviously the ones with the full cover showing are more attractive on the shelf, more likely to get noticed. This goes in clothing stores too — the outfits that are hung facing the consumer vs. the ones hung sideways. So, is the lesson that you can fit more onto a shelf by arranging them sideways, but you can actually sell a product by turning it face out?

    No post ideas, but I did take my kids to a farm yesterday also, and came up with a post idea there. Mall, organic vegetable farm, what’s the difference, right? :)

  • Neil McPherson

    April 19th, 2009 12:09 am

    Don’t take this too seriously Darren. (After all, I have mmsed weven day of this excellent series due to what is called Easter, over here in Gremany it’s two weeks off)

    But…my qubble: I traced the illustration to Flikr and I wondered how you got around the “All rights resreved Copyright” on it?

    The pic itself is remarkable and the blown-up version is amazing;
    It is synthetic, which is appropriate for malls – closed worlds, within which some of the goodies you are rightly wanting us to notice, do in fact, survive, despite the difficulty one finds in breathing the recycled air.

    A walk in the bush beats sussing a mall anytime – and for is ideal almost any purpose related to though and creativity. ncp? OH and for getting fresh smells wafting through your musty day-old jammies.

    Steam on mate!

    McP

  • Neil McPherson

    April 19th, 2009 12:11 am

    (sorry about the typos; should have written in pencil)

  • Sheila Atwood

    April 19th, 2009 12:26 am

    This is a great exercise. My husband is away for a few days so I have been in my PJs working on product and my blog. Heading out this morning to do this assignment.

    I am a big believer in Look! Being able to see what is happening is the first step in doing anything. Whether you are resolving a problem or writing a blog.

    Thanks Sheila

  • Kevin Oke

    April 19th, 2009 12:42 am

    I’m going to have to learn how to write on paper first!

    Actually, watching and observing is an excellent way to sharpen your skills in so many ways. I do some photography teaching and one of the techniques I have always used is watching photography students work, learning primarily where the weak points are in their approach.

    No malls for me this weekend but I do get to take in whitewater kayaking on a real river.

  • Steven Hanks

    April 19th, 2009 12:47 am

    Darren,

    I’m closing the laptop now and head for the mall armed with my notebook and pen! I am ready for new ideas, thoughts and thinking out of the box.

  • Parth

    April 19th, 2009 12:50 am

    I definetely need to get out more. Sometimes I get my best results when I’m away from my blog. Kinda sad, actually and kinda makes yu wonder if you really n ed sto spend so much time blogging. But maybe it’s just because when I’m away from my blog I’m not looking at the numbers every 30 minutes.

    Great post!

  • Manferd

    April 19th, 2009 12:56 am

    sounds like “Lets go with the flow.” thing
    and if there is an stroke of genius, you gain an idea
    if not, well… it is kind of relaxing to do something pointless.
    i do go to the mall and play some crazy arcade games.
    vent all my stress on virtual enemies.
    mahahahahaha!

  • Poch

    April 19th, 2009 1:09 am

    I was surprised to hear this from you because this was just what I did this am!

  • Nichelle

    April 19th, 2009 1:11 am

    Having a young son at home thankfully gets me out of the house. Otherwise, I can see myself glued to the computer. There are times that I’ve found myself thinking “Man, I’ve got so much to do with the blog. I should be doing ____ right now.” Your post reminded me that times away from the computer are just as valuable as the work done in front of it (as well as being important in my role as a mother). I can enjoy and relax in the moments I’m not blogging knowing that I am still able to observe and take in useful information that I can tap into for my blog. Thanks!

  • Rob

    April 19th, 2009 1:11 am

    Great suggestions. Another thought is to take the digital camera. I’ve done this in the past and used a simple/free editing program like Picasa to create great photos for use on the blog – no credits to site, no $ to spend.

  • Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

    April 19th, 2009 1:22 am

    As a frugal blogger, I’ll take you up on it at Good Will, or yard sales – the melting pots of America. Where else can you find BMW’s and ” the other end of the spectrum” all in one spot haggling over someone’s Grandma’s silver. :)

  • Have Pack, Will Travel

    April 19th, 2009 1:24 am

    Darn it, I was at the mall yesterday! lol

  • Jewel/Pink Ink

    April 19th, 2009 1:26 am

    If I buy anything, I will tell my hubby that Darren at Problogger made me do it :-)

  • Mohammad Afaq

    April 19th, 2009 1:43 am

    Thanks Darren for such a great tip and I really think that it is good for any blogger to have rest.

    Mohammad Afaq
    afaqtrafficblog.blogspot.com

  • David B Katague

    April 19th, 2009 1:45 am

    Excellent suggestion. I have not been to a mall for 6 months, but I will give this a try!

  • Lee Ka Hoong

    April 19th, 2009 1:45 am

    I’ve just came back from shopping mall, of course before reading this post. But, everytimes I was hanging in shopping mall, definitely I’ll look and observe things around me, if something pop out from my mind that related to blogging, I’ll take out my handphone and type in point form. So, once I get home, I’ll write them out as a blog post.
    It’s a very effectiveness way to find ideas or inspiration.

    Regards,
    Lee

  • darya

    April 19th, 2009 2:02 am

    outside? i dunno. every second away from the computer correlates directly with lack of sleep.

    just kidding, sounds fun!

  • Denise Fisher

    April 19th, 2009 2:09 am

    I visited several thrift stores and called/talked to people to learn what happens to clothes that are donated. It was on site and person-to-person research for a blog post I was writing (part of a series about organizing your wardrobe). http://denisefisher.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/what-to-do-with-clothes-you-dont-wear/ Talking to people also makes you feel like a journalist/reporter, not just a blogger.

    Another bonus to going on location – photo op! The pics I used to supplement my blog post were taken on site. Be discreet with your photography though – people are paranoid and you could be asked to stop or to leave.

  • Samantha Decker

    April 19th, 2009 2:36 am

    I just went to the mall just hours before you posted this! What unfortunate timing for me! I’m trying to go back over my experience and do this exercise mentally – not as effective, but at least it’s still fresh in my memory!

  • Heidi Richards Mooney

    April 19th, 2009 2:53 am

    Thanks Darren for giving me permission to close my computer and instead of letting my fingers do the walking, I will actually be walking.

    Great for clearing the head and recharging the batteries.

    Note to self: now where did I put my walking shoes?

    Heidi Richards Mooney

  • Baker @ ManVsDebt

    April 19th, 2009 2:57 am

    Hmmmm, considering I write about getting out of debt on a personal finance blog, I think going to the mall might be a stretch!!!!!

    I do understand the mode of thinking and think it’s a great idea as long as everyone can avoid buying crap!

  • Nicole/MadlabPost

    April 19th, 2009 3:04 am

    I actually remember you mentioning a trip to the mall in one of your older posts so thhis task is understandable. I must admit that it was something that I did not expect to be doing during the 31 Day Challenge. However, it should be a fun task, now I’ll have to figure out which mall I want to go to soon. I’ll have to put this task aside for another day.

  • cyza

    April 19th, 2009 3:14 am

    I spent 7 hours out of my home into 3 different malls. I need some time off my online world.

    I made some observation but could not notice any significant lesson yet. Maybe one thing that I observed is how come all people are out of the house on weekends shopping at malls…the car parks are full. How can I capitalize this opportunity?

  • Midwest Guest

    April 19th, 2009 3:22 am

    This sounds like a fun idea. I’ll see if I can get out to the mall in the coming week.
    A couple other folks here mentioned the local coffeehouse as a good place to go to work and generate ideas. I like to go with my notebook and pen, or a book or magazine to read…stay for an hour or so reading, writing, listening. I’ve got little snippets of conversation I’ve written down, or I’ll hear something that makes me think of a blogging topic, or I’ll riffle through the bulletin board notices and flyers left on the counter for ideas of what’s interesting to write about…or who is selling what, and how.

    I’m wondered about Neil’s question about photo use as well. With Lightroom, I’ve been able to add my copyright metadata to my photos as I’ve uploaded them and a add copyright watermark since earlier this year. I’ve always just used low-res versions of my photos with my blog posts to at least limit their usefulness to others just grabbing them off the Web to use without permission, attribution and/or compensation. While I’m not a pro photographer, photos are part of the package with me…and the issue of photo rights was one of several concerns that actually caused me to turn down a recent contract I was offered for blogging.

  • Clara Mathews

    April 19th, 2009 3:58 am

    This is wonderful. I was going to the mall anyway! After my shopping spree, I generally sit at the coffee shop and people watch. I enjoy seeing all types of people going about their daily lives.

    A good friend and fellow blogger does this quite often, except she take along a digital camera to take random shots of interesting subjects for her Daily Painting blog. http://gwenbellsdailypainting.blogspot.com/

  • Meredith

    April 19th, 2009 4:18 am

    Ooh, people watching is something that I love to do ANYWAY, so this will be a lot of fun for me.

  • Angela Mills

    April 19th, 2009 4:28 am

    Perfect! I am printing this out to show my husband, now if I can just figure out how to add….”And spend a good amount of money on some new clothes!”

    I get out lots, and when I am writing often, everything seems to inspire me. Either for my novel or my blog, where I do a lot of reflecting and devotions on scripture.

    I LOVE this assignment!

  • Mario

    April 19th, 2009 6:36 am

    Hi Darren,

    At the mall I always get distracted by nice looking girls/woman all over the place. That’s why I decided to skip this one, stay home and brainstorming about new post like you described the day before yesterday. I ended up with new ideas for the upcoming week and I scheduled them into my editorial calendar on Google.

    I feel I’m right on track even though the weather today is a little depressing.

    Have a nice weekend!
    Mario

  • Ark Lady

    April 19th, 2009 6:50 am

    LOL I am one person who lives in a rural area without any malls.

    I have done merchandising and retail and although I was in my bathrobe this am until about Noon–I get out regularly.

    Color, moving things around, and mixing up the inventory tend to work well in the brick and mortar.

    I find that I do move some things around my blog (at least the sidebars) and do a makeover every couple of years.

    But I also ask my subscribers questions–and get their answers–it helps!

  • Enk.

    April 19th, 2009 7:05 am

    Aw.. omg I wished I read this mail/post earlier.. I was in mall today, no idea to go again, tomorrow. :( :(

  • Keith Jenkins

    April 19th, 2009 8:58 am

    That’s exactly what I’ll do tomorrow! I thought your post on this subject in the previous 31BBB was really insightful. One point I would like to make is that it’s certainly worthwhile to look at others shop and see how they make their decisions but we can also analyse our own behaviour (after all, we are shoppers too!) and what our decisions are based on (what attracts us: colours, discounts, a friendly salesperson, etc…, and our emotions at that moment and how they affect our choice). Great article!

  • Joshua James

    April 19th, 2009 9:14 am

    Great post! It’s all about changing your environment – i.e. angle is everything.

    I do the same thing, but instead of a crowded mall, I go into the wilderness be it desert or forest.

    The resulting ideas and motivation that come fourth cannot be ignored!

  • Patricia C Vener

    April 19th, 2009 9:15 am

    Hate malls. Hate, hate, hate. They are the antithesis of the one of a kind, personalized, handmade, artifact (or artefact if you spell British style). Malls are full of chain stores that are chasing the small businesses out of existance and brainwashing people to accept lower quality and higher prices without value. Which really has nothing to do with this assignment, I know, but since there aren’t any real malls near me, I won’t be able to do this version of the assignment.

    /end rant

    I’m pretty sure this also won’t work at strip malls where there is say, a supermarket, a Staples, and maybe a Marshalls or suchlike and people don’t wander so much as rush from their car to the store they need and back to their car.

  • Melody

    April 19th, 2009 9:17 am

    Another great exercise/question to ask is whether or not their buying decision is affected by who they are with.

    One time when I was at a mall and a salesperson got me to buy a $90 item, I thought back on everything she said in order to analyze the effectiveness of her pitch

  • Patricia C Vener

    April 19th, 2009 9:24 am

    On the third hand, because I am a vendor of my own artwork often in face to face environemnts, a lot of what you learned in the mall (for example about going the extra distance to make the customer feel appreciated) is something I already know and take into consideration.

    So, thank goodness I don’t the mall!

    Heh.

  • The Small Business Web Design Man

    April 19th, 2009 9:31 am

    OK. So i’m off to the mall today. Hopefully not too much separation anxiety from the computer. Will let you know what I find out.

  • Michael @ theFatLossAuthority

    April 19th, 2009 9:58 am

    Great idea Darren.
    I do something similar at my local starbucks although I probably focus too much time on writing and brainstorming. Next time I’m leaving the laptop at home and doing more observing and people watching;)

  • I am a US Blogger

    April 19th, 2009 11:01 am

    I am not going!! :D

  • Simon

    April 19th, 2009 11:06 am

    My blog/site is related to personal finance so I do this on a regular basis by looking at what magazine’s and newspapers are writing in their “money” sections – which sites my target audience are hanging out on etc.

    Very productive to show what’s hot at the moment.

  • Ryan McLean

    April 19th, 2009 11:18 am

    I have done this at McDonalds and many other restaurants and shopping malls. It is defiantely a great exercise that I have used on my blog numerous times.

    Thanks for the great post

  • Lucrecer

    April 19th, 2009 11:35 am

    I find when I do this exercise, it I see pattern and color combos to use in my artwork. I am so find inspiration that inspires a blog post full of link love. This was a nice reminder to step away from the computer and live to generate content.

  • Albert The Ways To Make Money Blogger

    April 19th, 2009 11:53 am

    Darren, another way to think out side of the box. These are some ready great points that people should stop and think about because the answers are practically every where around you if you stop to think. Really great insights!

  • elizof

    April 19th, 2009 11:57 am

    What a riot! Thanks again for another superb assignment. You must be psychic; my family has been commenting on my “excessive” internet time and this was a perfect gift…. I stepped away for several hours. More good stuff to contemplate. Happy Sunday!

  • Bridget Casas

    April 19th, 2009 12:14 pm

    This is an interesting idea. I am a few days behind now with the last two posts and now this one. I have a full week-end and won’t be able to go to the mall until the first of the week. I need a new belt anyway, so that should work out well! I will make some notes of what I need to observe.

    I cannot quite figure out how this ties in with my photography blog but I will see what I can do! Any ideas?

    Thanks again. How do you come up with these ideas?

    Bridget

  • Suzanna B. Stinnett

    April 19th, 2009 12:27 pm

    A great assignment for my Monday. I’ll report back in the afternoon!
    Suzanna Stinnett

  • fun-da-mental

    April 19th, 2009 3:16 pm

    Perfect tip Darren,
    It’s always good to think outside the box, as some other commentator already said here.

  • Yahshar

    April 19th, 2009 3:26 pm

    I actually do something similar, although I will try this too. Being a artist/designer first and blogger second, I look for inspiring subject matter. There’s a park in the middle of Los Angeles, California where you loose sight of the fact that you are in a city at all. This is great for clearing my head and seeing things I couldn’t around all the noise and chatter. With a wife and child it gets a bit harder to do this, one can make time for the things they want to do. Now that blogging has become a important part of my life I must try your method because blogging is a people business. So, off to the mal. My wife will love this…maybe I won’t tell her. ;)

  • Rita

    April 19th, 2009 3:27 pm

    I sent an hour at the Westside Mall in Olympia, Wash.

    I observed:

    * When I walked in the mall in a hallway, there was a huge photo of a child blowing the white fluffy seed stuff off a dandelion. The caption was “Wishes do come true.”

    * Stores are using a lot of red, pinks, and oranges in their signs and the goods they’re selling.

    *The information station about heart disease, where you can take your blood pressure for free, was red.

    * Stores pick colors according to the sex they want to attract. Hallmark uses pink in its Mother’s Day display, on the shelves where cards are sold, and in the cards themselves. Champs Sports, for men, had a black sign with white letters trimmed with a tiny big of red. When you look in the store, you see lots of black and white in the clothes and shoes with some red.

    * Each store is set up so that an image is created when you approach the store.

    * Many stores had sale signs, mostly in red and white. Aeropostate had a green and white sale sign.

    * Christopher & Banks had a green sign that said “Green is good. All small and simple acts of goodness add up to make a more healthy earth.

    * Bath & Body Works had a sign that said “Black is back. Black Amethyst is our sexiest fragrance ever.” Black and white is a hot color combination. It’s being used in a lot of the high-end clothes being sold at Macy’s.

    * Families were at the mall together.

    * Teens were at the mall in boy groups and girl groups and couples. I saw two teens in their prom dresses.

    * A vendor with a stand in the middle of the mall was selling small frogs in aquariums. He said the frogs are full grown. The sign said you only need to clean the tank twice a year.

    * One jewelry store, Zales, created an inviting atmosphere with a rose colored carpet, rose colored signs, and wooden display cases. Was it designed to appeal to women? Kay Jewelers had a black-and-white sign and a black-and-white sale sign.

    * That Kitchen Shop had colorful pots, pans, and dishes you could see from the door.

    * The Gap for men had a big poster of a guy reclining with the words “Spring Clearance” on his chest. The lights were dim in The Gap for men, but not in the women’s or kid’s stores.

    My conclusions as related to blogging:

    When people enter your blog, it gives a first impression. You want to have your blog look appealing.

    Use bright colors to attract people to your most important items.

    Bloggers need to pay a lot of attention to the needs of their audience line retailers do. This is new thinking for me. I’ve been a consumer writer for a couple of decades and haven’t been involved in marketing. It’s different to think about marketing in addition to article content.

    People like photos of kids. I’ll take more and use them more often on my blogs.

    That’s all I can think of now. Maybe something will occur to me later.

    Rita blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com

  • The Small Business Web Design Man

    April 19th, 2009 3:44 pm

    OK. I went to the mall. Here are a few of the things that I noticed.

    1. Most business names relate directly to what the business does, or they are the name of a person. I am an Aussies so most of my examples will be Aussie. (eg. The Coffee Club, Roger David, Jeans West).

    2. Red and White are the 2 major colors used to attract attention to specials and sales.

    3. There are usually special offers at the front of the business to entice people to enter.

    4. Most businesses are divided into departments.

    5. Nobody trys to stop you from leaving when you decide it is time to go.

    6. Customers stay longer in businesses that engage them in doing something. (eg. coffee, Borders is good at this as well).

    7. When you buy something you often get an opportunity to buy something else at a reduced price.

    8. You often get a discount if you buy more than 1 of the same item (eg. buy 2 for $50, buy 1 get second pair for 1/2 price).

    9. Businesses don’t usually advertise the products of other businesses. (maybe there is an interesting discussion here about whether or not to put adwords on your website!!)

    So, thats what I noticed. Should make for an interesting blog post about what it all means to an online business.

  • Shorty

    April 19th, 2009 3:48 pm

    Went to the mall prior to reading this message and found it to be quite entertaining and quite annoying. I have at least one week’s worth of blog posts.

  • Michael Aulia

    April 19th, 2009 4:07 pm

    I normally get my blogging tips posts ideas from the sermon at church lol

  • Steen Seo Öhman

    April 19th, 2009 4:44 pm

    Darren

    You must have found a hot topic here among us bloggers. More than 60 comments in one day … that’s great, and very relevant and nice comments. I think most people working on blogs spend a lot of time in front of the computer. Bring the laptop to the garden or the Mall – a change of environment will do you and the blog good.

    Cheers

  • kk

    April 19th, 2009 4:45 pm

    Great advice, I’ve read through the other articles on your site and really appreciate the info as a noob in the blog world this really helps…thx

    http://getfreefiles.blogspot.com

  • Annaleen

    April 19th, 2009 7:47 pm

    Darren I’m spotting this especially on twitter. You can see who’s been in front of the screen the whole day and who got out and came back with less but more informative tweets and I assume blogs will go the same route as well. Quantity vs Quality. Sometimes less can be more.

  • Gala

    April 19th, 2009 9:38 pm

    I have just read your “10 Lessons in Blogging Learned on a Shopping Expedition”
    Your observations, Darren, are outstanding. I visit malls regularly, mainly for buying food. But I have noticed only a few things of what you saw, e.g. people don´t like to be overhelmed by shop personal attention and information, they don´t like, just hate to wait in queues, importance of sensory experience and surprising. However, I am afraid I won´t be able to use anything of that in my blogging. For all that I will go to the neigbour mall this afternoon and will observe.

  • Marcus Neto

    April 19th, 2009 11:18 pm

    You know not what you ask. Step away form my computer? But the world will coming crashing to an end. ;-)

    Seriously though. I am really enjoying this series. And since putting a focus on my blog my traffic has increased 30%. Good stuff.

  • Lorraine Ball

    April 19th, 2009 11:53 pm

    You never have to ask me twice to go to the mall!! I just usually want to do a bit of shopping once i am there.

    Another suggestion is to go to an Art Museum. When I ran a creative services team, I used to send my graphic designers to the galleries for an afternoon. They came back refreshed and ready to try new things.

    Can’t write more now, off to see what I discover at the Mall!

  • blog4movie

    April 20th, 2009 1:02 am

    Beside go to mall, I usually find the idea by going to cinema, not only can watch cool movies, but also can see cool people, that could create good idea sometimes :P

  • This Mama Cooks!

    April 20th, 2009 1:27 am

    I do this type of exercise all the time for restaurant reviews by looking at the diners. What brings them to the restaurant? (special occasion, meeting friends, a date, etc.) What do they order? What attracted them to the restaurant? By looking at the cars in the parkiing lot, the prices of the drinks, and the diners’ clothing – what does that tell me about demographics, along with age and if they are dining with kids or other couples/friends. People watching is a great way to discover what attracts peope to things, products, and services.

  • Robin Taylor Roth

    April 20th, 2009 4:57 am

    We have a terrific mall in the area, but I get to it no more than twice a year.

    So, I think I’ll try this exercise in our local shopping “strip,” one day this week. Fortunately, there’s a Dunkin’ Donuts in the same plaza, and I’ll look forward to working on part 2, over a caramel latte!

  • Make Money Online

    April 20th, 2009 5:35 am

    Just observing people and their moves tells one thing in the mall, most don’t come really to shop but to chill out and get entertained. Similarly in blogging you need to offer free services and write entertaining stuff to keep readers intact.

  • Patricia C Vener

    April 20th, 2009 6:22 am

    Both the artist and the scientist in me encourage observation and cogitation. After reading everyone’s posts here, I realized that I have been doing something similar all my life every time I’m out. I people watch, scene watch, study store windows and the people around them. Heck, I even listen to other people’s conversations if they are loud enough.

    Apparently, this is already part of my box.

    ;)

  • Sugar Jones

    April 20th, 2009 7:30 am

    I used to love going to the mall to people watch. It’s a fun experience. The best part of shopping, IMHO

  • Ricardo Bueno

    April 20th, 2009 12:36 pm

    It’s like you said in the beginning… When your business centers around your blog and the computer in some way, it’s easy to sit there all day and let time fly by. And yes, although perhaps productive, you miss out on what I would consider to be a lot of other opportunities.

    For example, a lot of the clients that I work (real estate agents) author local niche blogs. I encourage them to attend local meetups and other local events. Developing content is great… Developing content that’s seo rich is great… But nothing beats face-to-face interactions. I encourage them to try and turn some of their off-line connections into off-line connections by attending at least one monthly meetup. I ask that they take tons of photos and upload them onto flickr and perhaps a little video too. This gets them away from the computer and out of the office and building relationships.

    As for me personally, as a blogger… I noticed that the more time I spend outside of the office with other bloggers, friends, co-workers, etc. the more ideas I get for new content. Sure I get some of those ideas from reading my feedreader, but there’s something about personal face-to-face interaction that helps stimulate new ideas too.

  • Nicole

    April 20th, 2009 1:15 pm

    I never thought going to the mall could provide so much insight. Thanks for a great post!

  • diabetes signs

    April 20th, 2009 3:04 pm

    just enjoy mall situation and get more benefits

  • Online Money Making

    April 20th, 2009 3:09 pm

    Great post. The best way learn a new approach is through observing your target. This rule applies to a lot of things including creating effective blog posts to grab peoples interest.

  • Cheap Mobile Phones

    April 20th, 2009 6:45 pm

    I can totally relate with post and comments, my online biz has me sitting about 12 hours a day, had to start aerobics again, and feel much better.

  • D. Travis North

    April 21st, 2009 3:16 am

    Desire Paths. At least that’s what we call them in the Landscape Design/Planning world. A desire path is a frequently traveled path through the landscape (or the mall, or whatever) – regardless of whether or not there is actually a path there. In the landscape, this is a worn chunk of grass that has been trampled to death. There probably should be a path there. Experienced designers can predict many of these paths, but some designers prefer to let the desire paths dictate the design.

    So why is this an observation I find important? Desire paths in the physical world is rooted in the human psyche. Whether or not we think about it consciously, humans have a desire to do things quicker and simpler. If it means cutting off the corner of a park, so be it: Shortest distance between points. But in the digital world, it also applies. I realize that blog readers are not going to dig for information, I need to make sure it’s easy for them to find: Shortest distance between two points = fewest number of clicks and/or mouse/keyboard movements.

    This means tweaking the hierarchy of my site for those looking for specific topics. Maybe a page dedicated to articles for beginners, or articles for advanced photographers. I made a post, but perhaps that should be a dedicated page that I would update frequently. This also means I am contemplating the structure of my home page.

    Lots to think about.

  • Ryan Bickett

    April 21st, 2009 4:52 am

    I think this is great advice. Not only is it good for us to get up and away from our computers, but it’s also an activity that will help us focus on our audience.

    I’ve caught myself focusing more on my ideas than ideas that will actually work with my audience. I think this is a great exercise to either put weight behind my ideas or help me to realize that I may need to tweak what I am doing a bit.

    Thanks for another quality post!

  • Brook Lenox

    April 21st, 2009 6:35 am

    Can I send me 12 yr old daughter? :) WOW…this is going to take some commitment. Does Best Buy qualify (one store I really love). Kidding aside…this is a good way to brainstorm.

  • Joshua

    April 21st, 2009 6:44 pm

    I did the same thing too, some time its talking to someone that got you the inspiration to write, and it was through that I was able to write 4 different post.

    If you have nothing to share, go out to shopping malls and just look around. It will do you good.

    http://WebsiteMakerNovice.com
    For Beginners In Website Creation

  • Inchirieri Masini

    April 22nd, 2009 12:16 am

    I like this idea. I will recommend this article to my friends. Thank you

  • Leisa Watkins

    April 22nd, 2009 2:47 am

    This is my favorite assignment so far just because I think the power of observation is so important.

    I heard someone once say that great artists notice things that other don’t. I think it can be said of anyone who succeeds in their chosen field.

    Great sales people notice body language that average sales people miss. Great bloggers perhaps notice the trends that average bloggers miss.

    ~ Leisa

  • Inchirieri Masini

    April 22nd, 2009 3:23 am

    Hi this is a good article and very usefull.Keep doing the good job.
    Thanks again.

  • Rajat

    April 22nd, 2009 4:29 am

    Will surely practice this thing tomorrow and see the difference

  • gabybali

    April 22nd, 2009 10:14 pm

    Darren just told me to do something that a girl loves the most and some were even born to do this: Going to the mall aka shopping :) !!

    I did it yesterday but ended up with buying groceries (my fav!)… At least he gives me a very different task this time. And I do need to go out and leave my laptop for a while.

    Terima kasih,Darren!

  • Tony

    April 23rd, 2009 4:01 pm

    This exercise distracted me. I got caught up in all the shopping. I’ll need to go back.

  • Stephen Wise

    April 24th, 2009 12:33 am

    I basically look at magazines as well. Use youself as your own specimen, and when something really catches your eye enough for you to want to get pulled in to the article or whatever it may be, simply put a check mark on it with your sharpie. Do this for a couple of pages, but the most important is the magazine cover, and the index. Those two pages is where you should test your own psyche.

    http://onlivedream.com

  • Sam sall

    April 24th, 2009 3:00 am

    yay,I love shopping,even if just to observe,I really get caught in the blogging thing & I to go out more often.and freshen up my mind with more ideas

  • Mrs Green

    April 24th, 2009 6:05 am

    lovely to spent some time away from the computer. I live in the middle of the countryside, so no malls for miles around. However, a walk in nature is enough to recharge the batteries and get the creativity flowing once again :)

    A change of scenery and habit is great for supercharging the passion to write.

  • MeredithElaine

    April 28th, 2009 1:37 pm

    Well, I finally made it to the mall this weekend – however I was on a mission to pick up some things. But, I am very much a people watcher, and I did my fare share of time in retail – so it was interesting so watch interpersonal relationships in action at the mall – Which couples were happy? Which weren’t? The families that were at the mall on a sunny Sunday morning? And then noticing the people who are truly into retail and customer service, and those who are just doing it for a paycheck. Customer service is definitely something you either have or you don’t. Clearly, the guy who ran in the back and hid when I started to walk over to place and order in the food court was NOT all about customer service. ;)

    Not necessarily related to the challenge, but definitely food for thought. And inspiration for a possible future blog post!

  • Marsha Tomlin

    April 29th, 2009 1:22 pm

    This is a fantastic idea. I am a people watcher, especially when I’m in the mall. I’ll let you know what happens when I visit the mall on Saturday.

  • Nic

    April 30th, 2009 1:12 am

    Ok…I LOVE this idea! But I can’t guarantee that I won’t spend the whole time shopping! Haha :)

  • أطياف مصر

    April 30th, 2009 5:55 am

    that’s a new and creative article .. I shall try

  • Maria Palma

    April 30th, 2009 4:35 pm

    I think just getting out and about in general is good to get the creative juices flowing. I’ve gotten my best ideas from people watching and overheard conversations standing in line at the grocery store. This is a great exercise!

  • Kimberley Payne

    May 2nd, 2009 9:23 am

    My daughter wants me to take her and a friend to the mall tomorrow. Now I have no excuse!

  • iCan't Internet

    May 18th, 2009 10:33 pm

    This really is a great tip, and one should always try to learn from ALL situations, not only the ones that seem most logical at first.
    Life is a lesson, learn it well.

  • Hugo

    May 20th, 2009 2:49 am

    I didn’t know you where an ozzy. Awesome. I’ve been traveling around there for a year.
    Tomorrow i’ll dive into that shopping centre to gain myself some inspiration.
    Thanks!

  • Ann Sachs

    May 25th, 2009 2:51 am

    I live in the middle of Manhattan where there is no such a thing as a mall! Every day is people-watching for those of us who live here, and as I am in the theatre industry, it is what we do for a living. So this may be the only assignment of the 31 days that I won’t be doing as prescribed.

    This 31Days project is absolutely spectacular – thank you, Darren!

  • tiffany UK

    June 30th, 2009 7:48 pm

    I think the best way to promote is by commenting on others blog. Beside the promotion, we can also build a nice relation with other blogger and I think it really helpful :)

  • links of london

    July 12th, 2009 11:34 am

    This really is a great tip, and one should always try to learn from ALL situations, not only the ones that seem most logical at first.


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