For those of you who missed out on yesterday’s Twitter chat with UK beer writers Adrian Tierney-Jones and Simon Jenkins, here is a recap of some of the conversation. We will be continuing this conversation in Leeds in just a few short weeks. If you’ve not already registered to attend the European Beer Bloggers Conference, there are still scholarships available.
Better Beer Blogging: #EBBC12 Twitter Chat this Wednesday
The European Beer Bloggers Conference is just weeks away and we are putting the finishing touches on months of preparation that has led up to this event. This week we have organized an #EBBC12 Twitter chat (Wed 4/25, 7pm BST/2pm EST) as a precursor to one of the topics on this year’s agenda; “Blogging: Improving Your Beer Writing.” Joining in on this chat will be accomplished beer writers Adrian Tierney-Jones and Simon Jenkins, who are also presenting on the topic in Leeds next month.
Adrian Tierney-Jones shared a few points of thought in regards to becoming a stronger writer:
Keys to better beer blogging
Keep posts short and succinct, for me 500 words or thereabouts is the ideal length, you can make plenty of good points without waffling on and losing the reader
Think about the readership — for myself I want all manner of people interested in beer to read my posts.
Try and have a unique voice — with blogging there is limitless freedom in the way you can write, so don’t feel you have to write like other bloggers. For instance, if you are doing tasting notes try and discover new ways of describing the beer in your glass — if it reminds you of Scarlett Johansson then say so. When I write about beer or pubs for a magazine or newspaper I always have the style of the publication in mind. With blogging I have greater freedom — you need to use that freedom.
Beer writing is as valid a form of journalism as film or TV writing — remember that.
Always try to challenge preconceived notions.
Do remember to check your posts for spelling and sense prior to publication.
Join us this Wednesday at 7pm BST, 2pm EST. Follow #EBBC12 and include it in your Tweets to be a part of the conversation. Be sure you are following Adrian (@atjbeer) and Simon (@jenkolovesbeer) to ask them questions and hear their thoughts, and @beerbloggers for conversation starters.