M50 Art District – How Creative Blogging Formats Can Set You Apart
- PerOla Hammar 陈家悦
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Super early morning here in Shanghai and here I am, as always, sitting at my MacBook typing away. It’s way too early for the coffee shops to be open, so I stopped by Family Mart on the way and grabbed a RedBull just to wake up and get the gears turning.
I’m in the M50 Art District today, and wow, there’s something electric in the air here. The graffiti-covered walls, open studios, sculptures made of scrap metal, and experimental digital art—it all feels a little messy, a little bold, and very alive.
It made me think about how blogging can feel a bit too clean sometimes. Too formulaic. Step-by-step guides. Listicles. SEO checklists. Don’t get me wrong, those are all useful, but they’re just one way to blog.
Being here reminded me that sometimes you need to break the structure to stand out. Just like the artists in M50 are doing, bloggers can explore more creative, personal, and expressive formats too.
Today’s article is about that. How to experiment with creative blogging formats that not only grab attention but actually reflect who you are.
1. Try a Visual Blog Series
Instead of long text-heavy posts, try using images or graphics to lead the narrative.
This could look like,
A photo essay with captions
A series of illustrated tips
A “visual journey” post where you walk readers through a process using only images and short notes
You don’t need to be a designer. Canva, Figma, or even just your phone camera can help you do something different. Especially if your blog leans into lifestyle, travel, design, or anything visual, this can really set you apart.
2. Use Audio or Voice Notes
Writing is great, but sometimes hearing your voice adds a whole new level of connection.
You can try,
Embedding a short audio intro at the top of your post
Sharing a 2-minute voice message with your main point
Recording a mini-podcast episode for each blog post
You can do this using free tools like Anchor or Vocaroo and embed it with a simple player. Readers love to hear the person behind the words.
3. Embed Videos or Animated Explainers
People consume content in different ways. Some like to read. Others prefer to watch or listen.
You don’t have to start a YouTube channel, but adding a quick video walkthrough or animation that supports your blog topic can give you an edge.
Screen recordings for tutorials
Short vlog-style intros
Animated bullet points or summaries
These don’t have to be high-budget. Keep it simple and personal. The point is to show up in a new way.
4. Publish “Unfinished” or Open-Ended Posts
This one is inspired directly by the art scene here. Not all art is complete. Not all content needs to be tied up in a bow either.
Try writing posts that are meant to spark thought, not give answers.
Share something you’re struggling with
Ask questions instead of giving solutions
Invite readers to co-create or respond in the comments
This creates genuine engagement and makes your blog feel more like a conversation than a lecture.
5. Use Personal Mixed Media Stories
Take your audience behind the scenes. Let them see your process, your mess, your workspace, your rituals.
Use a mix of text, photos, quick sketches, and audio. Turn a day in your life or a behind-the-scenes look at a blog post into a creative story format. Think scrapbook meets blog post.
It’s raw, human, and memorable.
Final Thoughts From M50
The M50 Art District reminds me that there’s no one right way to express an idea. Whether you’re painting on a concrete wall or typing on a glowing laptop, the goal is the same, to connect.
Your blog doesn’t need to look or feel like everyone else’s. In fact, it shouldn’t. Try something unusual. Break the layout. Speak in your real voice. Layer in your personality. That’s what makes a blog more than just a container for keywords. That’s what makes it yours.
So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself, What would this look like if I weren’t trying to be “correct” and just tried to be real?
That’s when creativity shows up. Just like it does here, on these bold, paint-splattered walls.
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