Blog idea, keen for feedback

[pieinthesky10]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post a quick question out to the community. The area where I live has a lot of great restaurants and cafes and I visit as many different ones as possible. Lately I have been really loving and trying different pizza's from places I visit. Im talking more the gourmet types, not the Dominos type

I was thinking of putting a blog together reviewing the pizza's I try at the various places in my area. So the site would target only really my area, not world wide. Basically give my thoughts on what I liked, dont, the decor, etc. This is more just a general interest, almost hobby blog type thing and being of Italian decent it also calls back to my history and family life.

Then I thought, well if I do this, maybe I can find ways to monetize it. Perhaps some Amazon affiliate type things like "best pizza cutters" and that sort of thing. Maybe add articles on how to make authentic Italian pizza, etc.

But I guess my questions are,
1. Is it "ok" to go and review these restaurants and cafes? Is there some protocol I dont know of? I mean, who am I to come in and say I do or dont like something?
2. Do sites like this actually have potential for making money? Or is this ultimately going to be a hobby blog and nothing more?
3. Any advice would be great

Thanks so much all!!!

 

[blogzandstuff]

i think it's a good idea, like a food critic but for local pizza and you have to try each one for your work - cool!
As of monetizing Amazon is certainly a good way to go as it's easy to implement. you could however set up a directory and add each place and charge them for a listing, so instead of a critic be a promoter. if you had like a basic listing and a premium listing you could make money that way. I know someone who did a similar type of site and he made good money

 

[Sherb]

i think it's a good idea, like a food critic but for local pizza and you have to try each one for your work - cool!
As of monetizing Amazon is certainly a good way to go as it's easy to implement. you could however set up a directory and add each place and charge them for a listing, so instead of a critic be a promoter. if you had like a basic listing and a premium listing you could make money that way. I know someone who did a similar type of site and he made good money

Brilliance right here, OP.

 

[pieinthesky10]

Thanks very much!
One of the things in worried about is what if a place sucks. Can you actually say it was bad and why? Or is that defamation? Maybe I just talk about the positives only perhaps?
Thanks!

 

[Zwielicht]

Thanks very much!
One of the things in worried about is what if a place sucks. Can you actually say it was bad and why? Or is that defamation? Maybe I just talk about the positives only perhaps?
Thanks!

Defamation is when you post a fake statement with the intent of harming the business or individual (as if there were any other intent for a fake negative review...). If you do go to a restaurant that's absolutely abysmal, you have a few options.

1. Don't post anything about that restaurant
2. Post the review, but mix in what you liked with what you didn't like. Comment on the window drapes if you have to, just try to find something good about the business.

Even though some businesses have tried suing for legitimate negative reviews, these cases almost never go anywhere. If you do have a bad experience at a restaurant, be sure to get as much evidence as you can to support the experience.

 

[pieinthesky10]

thanks!!!

Well I'd better start doing some research!

 

[FossilWall]

Did no one else think of Brooklyn Nine Nine when reading this? The nerdy character (I forget his name) has a newsletter (I think it was a mailing list) reviewing and ranking the best Pizza joints in Brooklyn

Personally I have no opinion on the subject, but then Pizza isn't the obsession in the UK it can be in other countries!

 

[blogzandstuff]

Thanks very much!
One of the things in worried about is what if a place sucks. Can you actually say it was bad and why? Or is that defamation? Maybe I just talk about the positives only perhaps?
Thanks!

the beauty of having a directory is the businesses write the content for you. you could have editors recommendations, voting system for customers to vote the best ones,comments for feedback. Basically everyone else is doing the work for you

 

[99greenapples]

get paid to eat pizza. the dream. amirite?