I certainly add a yes! to Asterick*s ideas of what makes a successful blog.
This is very well thought out. I noticed that technical things don’t top the list, nor are they mentioned. I find that interesting because we know that the majority of people who blog do so because they find the medium relational.
Technical things matter, a blog needs to work, but it isn’t why we read them.

Well written. Good content will make or break your blog. Period. This it the #1 thing that makes a blog successful in my book

Frequently updated. Unless you’re a guru of some sort you really need to stay on top of it. This can be a real challenge.

Consistent. This is kind of a combination of the first two. I like sites that are able to maintain quality and frequency overtime.

Open. I like to read people who are honest and willing to talk about tough issues in a free and open way.

Responsive. Those who respond to feedback and try to adapt to the wants and needs of their audience get high marks from me.

Well designed. Yes, I do judge a blog by its design. It’s not the most important thing, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter at all.

Aware of its audience. If you don’t know your audience it’ll show.

Varied in topic. I feel there are lots of people who would disagree with this, but I like sites that change the subject every once in awhile.

Personal. I tend to enjoy a blog with a bit of a personality. I want to “get to know”, to a certain degree, the person(s) behind the site. Tone and style have a lot to do with this.

Thick skinned. With any successful site comes nay-sayers, trolls, pedants and spammers.

Honest. Readers are smart and they can smell bullshit.

Accountable. Mistakes are inevitable and there are times when it’s best to fess up and admit where you’re wrong.

Funny. I like a blog that can make me laugh on occasion.

When you work on the web
Cre8d (Rachel Cunliffe) runs a successful web design business. Before she takes a business person or potential blogger on as a client, she asks questions.
Answering the questions helps her client define a sense of direction and purpose.
Well, to put it er, gently, some clients.

1. Describe a typical user coming to your site. How often is the user online, and what does he generally use the web for? How old is the user and what does he do for a living? (Use as much detail as possible in profiling your target user. Profile more than one type if appropriate.)

People from a specific gender teenagers up

That just about covers it.

Do you have a specific budget range already established for this project? Can this project be divided into phases to accommodate budget and timing constraints?

Budget not set at this stage

Fair enough. Some of us are dreadful budget-setters.

List the URLs of any sites you like the designs of. What specifically do you like about these sites?

Cant think of any at this stage

I’m beginning to see a bit of a problem here.

3. What is the basic structure of the content, and how is it organized? If possible, please draw a site-map and or an outline. Is all content currently available?

????

Um, what part lost you?

4. Do you intend to keep the site updated? If so, how often? Who is responsible for updating and providing content?

That can be decided when we talk however It makes sence having Cre8d look after that side of things

Ahem. I think this potential client needs to think things through.:^)