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This weekend I got caught up with my RSS reader and spent several hours reading articles that I just did not have the chance to read last week. One subject that was discussed in the blogosphere is this whole A, B, C list blogger thing. I don’t really know what to call it other than a thing. The discussions varied from certain “A-List Bloggers” either being defensive and defending themselves to bloggers trying to prove that they earned their “A-List Blogger” status.
For the record, I am far from an “A-List Blogger” which is maybe why while I was reading several of these posts, only one thought kept popping into my mind:
WHO GIVES A DAMN?!?!?!?!?!
I don’t really want to spend a whole lot of time on this subject, but I did want to raise one important point. Whether you have an RSS readership of thousands or just launched a blog yesterday, it does not matter. There is one constant that will never change in the blogosphere which is if you create something that people will want to read, watch and/or listen to, the traffic will come. If you offer something that strikes a chord with a user (no pun intended), your message will get out via other blogs and all of a sudden you will wake up one day and you just might be an A-List Blogger.
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But we live in a society where unless we put people in a class we have no way of describing them
Sounds sad right?
Matt - Yes it does. The good news for me is I prefer the dirtbag class. I am just so warm and cozy there why go anywhere else :).
I agree with WHO GIVES A DAMN!
There have always been, and will always be classes and the blogoshpere is no different. If you listen and follow those who complain about A-Listers getting all the readers, you will usually hear a little jealousy in between the cries. And yes, there are Z-Listers who should be A-Listers and there are certainly A-Listers who have nothing to offer except the coat tail they rode in on, same as life.
I agree as well. Does it really matter at all what someone’s ’status’ is?
I write a fashion blog and I have to say, most of the more interesting commentary that I read from fashion blogs does not come from “a-listers.” More often than not, the truly inspiring and original takes on a subject come from the lesser-known bloggers.
It’s a shame that status has to come into it. There’s enough room for everyone as far as I’m concerned.
Amen, Cord.
I would venture to take what you say even further.
Who gives a damn about even becoming an A-Lister. Certainly it’s nice to have the notoriety, but the point is what you raised. If you have a messenger that a certain group of people enjoy hearing and are bettering their lives, or giving them something they like- what does it matter what list you’re on, whether it’s A, B, or Z.
With that said. Would I like to be an A-Lister? Certainly. I’d like to be better off than I am on the whole. But even if I had 20 dedicated readers who really enjoyed what I wrote, or even just people who I was able to establish a friendship with due to blogging- That to me will trump me being on A-List anyday. Who knows, maybe i’m just crazy, though.
Cyber - I could not agree more. I would add that it seems to me based on reading A-listers to others, is that when you become an A lister, their blog becomes more about them which at times can turn me off.
Briana - First off, that is some avatar you have there!!
I think you make a great point, the truly inspiring and cutting edge writing tends to be from lesser known blogs which is one of many reasons why I love the blogosphere so much. Everyday there is an opportunity to find someone else who can inspire or team you something. Thank you so much for your comments.
Nathan - Amen right back to you my brother. I never set out with the goal of having this blog be some huge a-lister blog. I have been lucky enough to meet a small group of people who I enjoy discussing and speaking with. And I have been even luckier that each day I seem to meet more and more interesting folks. Could you ask for anything else? Thanks for your always welcome thoughts.
So, if you build a better [mousetrap] blog, the world will beat a path to your door? I think market dynamics are more complex. Quality and popularity do not come hand in hand. I appreciate the quality of your blog. For me quality is first, and for others popularity is first. So in the ‘Big Brother reality’ world of blogs popularity is important! Just accept that for some people categorisation, classification, status and celebrity is important. It is NOT sad, it is just part of human behaviour. You never know, it may be useful?
Mark - I don’t disagree that market dynamics are more complex than I make it, but when it comes to this blog, my blog, I believe if I offer good content, interesting discussions and a good experience people will want to come back again.
I also agree with you that everyone is different and there will always be people looking for the next hot or popular thing. Though that is what I see changing in the web 2.0 landscape. What is going to be successful is niche communities. People banning together because of a common interest. Those size of those niches will depend on the popularity of the interest.
So there will always be sites like Perez Hilton out there, but there will also be very healthy and interesting communities on sewing and things that are not in the “popularity” radar.
Let me know your thoughts and thank you for your comment.
Aw, why did you have to dog Godin?
In my mind, A, B, C or in some cases F list is dictated by public demand. If your work is horrible, and you are considered A list, it’s temporary.
And to your point, if you create something great people will read it.
BTW, happy to join you in dirtbag class.
What level are you?
http://www.kineda.com/are-you-an-a-list-bloglebrity/
Proudly posting as a z-lister every chance I get -
Jeremy - I wasn’t dogging Godin, I liked the cartoon. Godin is a fricken god to me, he is da man.. Welcome to the dirtbag class, we welcome all comers.
Matt - I am listed as a B level blogger… That and 35 cents can buy me a paper in the morning.
Bob - Damn right!
Thanks guys…
Wow, I had no idea my avatar was that huge. I thought MyBlogLog resized pics for you. Guess not!
Briana - I am sure no-one was bothered by your large avatar.. LOL.
Hell ya, that is the power of UGC, it is leveling the playing field. Ya got good stuff, you’ll win, if ya don’t well you won’t. We (the little guy) are getting more chances to be seen, now the question is what will we do with it. I don’t give a damn about the A-Listers, IF and only IF the playing field is level and I my stuff has a chance to win on it’s merit. If so, I say play ball ya’ll. Bring a big bat, you’ll get there.