I’ve talked about two things on this blog often enough. One is that I want to be known as a big time blogger, or whatever; I just want to be big (and I don’t mean ‘body’). Two, that there are always ways to find inspiration for things to write about if you just pay attention.
 Links by Penelope Billington |
In this case there were two different blog posts I visited that gave me a little bit of inspiration to write this one. The first was from a guy named Dragos (I’m trying to remember where I found him first), who wrote a post titled 5 Unusual Ways To Measure Your Online Reputation, where he talks about how he started to learn that he might be successful. One of his points was being quoted on other, non-related blogs.
The second was from a guy named Mitch Joel, who writes a weekly post along the lines of this one that begins with Six Links…; this particular post is his 20th. He doesn’t just pop up links to blogs he’s visited, but websites as well.
My thought on both of these is just what is it that makes people quote worthy, let alone link worthy? And how do we all capture that? Kristi of Kikolani has her weekly Fetching Friday series, which I’ve made a couple of times here and there, but hers are all topic related; if the topic is WordPress then she puts up 5 links that talked about something related to that. So even though it’s nice when you make it, you’re never going to be listed there “just because.”
I read a lot of blogs. One thing I’ve noticed I do that not as many other people do is link to a lot of other blogs, as well as my own blog, in my posts. I like acknowledging other people when I’m talking about a particular subject, even if it ends up not actually being what I’m writing about, if it inspired me in some fashion. And I’ve been known to link to someone else’s blog if I mention their name on this one as well.
Overall, what makes one link worthy to others? Is there a magic formula for success in that area or is it always just a roll of the dice? People who join blog communities think of it as visiting other blogs and leaving comments, but I think that kind of thought is limiting because commenting isn’t the only thing that helps uplift others. I mean, for what it’s worth, I just gave the two people above some serious link love, whether they care or not. And over the last few weeks I’ve visited blogs and seen people commenting that I had never seen on those blogs before, mentioning they had seen me mention them and wanted to see what those blogs were all about. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have helped bring someone else’s blog into the eyes of folks who visit here all the time.
Unfortunately, this time I don’t have a formula or even an idea. It’s just something I wanted to talk about to see if anyone else has thoughts on it all. Yeah, I know, that’s a lot to think about for a Monday. But think about how it might make the rest of your week go so much easier. 🙂
For what it’s worth, as I’m nowhere near to being a ‘big’ blogger, I also like to link to other blogs, though I don’t do it very often as a lot of my content is very ‘me’ and not so much about other people, but when I do, I tend to link to blogs in which the blogger’s personality comes through clearly or in which – if I link to specific blog posts – there is a consistent theme running through the post itself and it doesn’t jump about from one idea to another.
I can only speak for myself, but for me, being able to say “so and so is talking about such and such” and knowing that the person who clicks on the link and goes to read it, will instantly know what I’m talking about without having to search through the post, is the important thing.
I’d think that for someone to link to your blog, they’d need to 1. be doing a commercial blog themselves. 2. find something in your posts that leaps out of them as a kind of ‘eureka’ moment – something that is so you and yet so connected to them (in other words, empathetic to them) that they just have to link.
Your blogs, Mitch (to my mind, anyway) are a curious mix of personal and commercial. I like the personal elements, but for myself it just doesn’t mix well with the ads and commercial links. For instance, if it weren’t for all the ads here, I’d be very happy to link to posts such as the one about your father.
Despite the fact that my blog is personal, whenever I look at which of my posts are the most popular, I usually find that they are ones in which I’ve written about struggles or problems in my personal life, not my artwork, not my photos, not my funny stuff, not my ‘blogmatch’ series (which hasn’t really got far yet). So, I suppose if I were to chase popularity, I’d write more of those. People like to have something they can identify with. And people most usually identify with the nitty gritty of people’s lives.
So… I dunno. Go figure!
Thanks for the comment Val. The ads and stuff are always a personal choice, and for me, they’re my personal choice to have there so they stay. However, I’m not one of those people who eschews a blog just because it has ads; I will shut one down if it has too many popups that get in the way of reading or a comment area that makes me jump through hoops to participate in their community. But if someone says something that makes me think about a post I now want to write, I’ll link to them in a heartbeat.
Hmm, this post comes during a time when I’m getting back into blogging. Well, sort of. It’s more like updating my RSS feed.
Every day this month I’m doing a “Blog Tour” that links to one site in my niche, describes why I like it and mentions a page, post or series that I think my readers will appreciate.
I don’t think it makes me big time but seeing what other’s chat about has either bolstered my resolve about certain topics or inspired me to delve into unknown territory.
Thing is, Mitch, finding active bloggers is a chore: it took most of last month to be able to do this month’s Blog Tour. Perhaps that’s why some bloggers don’t take the risk?
Why link to a blog/site that’s infrequently updated or may not even exist 7 months from now?
Natasha, welcome back! The thing isn’t necessarily to link to a blog, per se, as much as a particular post that intrigues you. One assumes that you’re not finding a post from an article that was years earlier, although I’m sure that happens, but a more current post. In that case, you know the blog is still active, so it’s all good. At the same time, I always figure that it’s not up to me at the time to figure if a blog is active or not if it’s something that’s intrigued me.
I never left you, Mitch! Just lurked, is all. I link to both the blog landing page and a post that I like. Mind you, you’re approach to go with what intrigues you. Good one!
Thanks Natasha. Lurkers are always allowed as well. 😉
Not trying to be big (and is shows). 🙂 I do make a habit of linking to websites and blogs which have information I feel a reader would be interested in pertain the topic of my blog posts. I have a good group of people who comment.
One way to expand is to see the blogs and websites who comment on blogs you link to. Thus expanding your blog-o-sphere. I try to mention the blog I came from so the blogger has a reference to how I got to them.
That’s pretty much my point, Scott. That’s why I link as often as I can, because if I glean an idea from someone else, not only is it great giving them attribution, but from an SEO perspective it helps reinforce what I’m talking about.
I want to say the bigger the blogger the less they link out. I’m not sure if this is true all over the internet, perhaps that is just the fitness industry where I spend most of my time.
Personally, I have found that when I link out to other websites in my posts I get a little bump in my google rankings. Big time bloggers probably don’t think about that as much as someone in my position does. Just my thoughts…
Actually Susan, if you looked at one of the links I showed, Mitch Joel is considered a big time blogger and he gives links out all the time. Still, I think it helps everyone if we acknowledge people when we can think of it.
Mitch, I’m stumped. I think one of the best ways is commenting.
Let’s use Patricia of lavenderuses.com.
It doesn’t matter whose site I visit, I’m going to see her already there before me with a meaningful comment. And before her there was, my girl, Ileane. http://basicblogtips.com/
They’re both in communities that I belong to but I see them more on other blogs commenting … like this one. I haven’t checked yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if Patricia hadn’t already left her mark 😉
Hope this little contribution means something to you, it’s all I got … for now.
Kissie, it’s enough for me. 🙂 Pat’s really been active, and I notice her in more places these days, and that’s a good thing. Course, I’m betting you see me in a lot of places also.
Yeah Man, that goes without saying. That’s why I was so thrilled when you popped back on my site, I didn’t feel worthy.
Well, I appreciate that Kissie, but I’m not sure I deserve that much accolade. Hey, we all grow together; how’s that? 😉
That works.
Thanks for the mention Kissie. I went to bed before midnight last night (Perth time) so not get here before you lol. I love Mitch’s blog as he shares on such varied and interesting topics. Patricia Perth Australia
I know, that doesn’t happen too often. 🙂
Hey there Mitch,
I think that’s the million dollar question for most bloggers, and there are a ton of answers.
* Comment more.
* Link more.
* Share more.
* Write more.
* Argue more (always a good one!).
But one thing that I think is more important than anything else is don’t try to be the next Blogger X. Instead, be the first Blogger You.
Blogger X already has their audience – that won’t help you get yours. But YOU will.
Write for you first, and everyone else second. Being you is what will attract the people you’re after. 🙂
Good stuff Danny. I obviously do that last part well, but overall I think I ask a question that many other people ask every day. It’s possible that some people just got the jump on the rest of us, but in general I think that’s a copout, and it’s not true. But it’s nice to have a goal, and that’s mine.
True. Mind you, being first doesn’t always lead to being the “winner” – just look at HD-DVD versus Blu-ray 😉
Hope for everyone.
Man, you’re telling the truth on that one. Glad I waited. lol
Hi Mitch
As you know I love visiting this and other blogs and leaving a comment; hopefully one that encourages the blogger or ask a question (especially if it a techie blog lol) and to me that builds community. With the different time zones it can sometimes be a challenge to keep up with all that is happening but I know that if I write content rich posts and interact with other bloggers that will surely get me noticed.
Patricia Perth Australia
And it’s working wonders for you, Pat. I’m all for the community; trust me I am. But it’s kind of like my one fantasy that never came true and won’t, of walking into a room and having all the women gasp because my appearance took their breath away… in a positive way of course. lol Yeah, I know, pipe dreams are under the bed. lol
Probably direct marketing is the idea, but direct marketing with not direct competitors. Lets say you have a fashion blog which make reviews of clothing, may be the best idea is to approach other blogs that have jewelery or shoes reviews and make some agreement for content exchange and blog roll. As well video posts.
I include links to other blogs occasionally.
Heck I’ve linked to you twice that I can recall as one of the people that encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and get on WordPress…
Funny I stalled so long and it wasn’t that big of a deal when I did it.
Now I share that knowledge with others.
I’m glad I had a hand in that Carolee. You have to feel liberated by the experience. And yes, you’ve linked to me; thanks!
I link to people sometimes because it is related to the topic and sometimes because I found something interesting. I think if you do converse often in comments people are more likely to link to you because you are like part of that blog’s family. BTW I think of you as part of the fam, too :). I did a post on plants and did a shout out to Patricia because i thought of her since she is such a loyal supporter and she writes about plants.. So it was the perfect opportunity to send some love her way.
Thanks Melinda; you’re part of the family/community as well, the funny one. lol I kind of include this topic in with the one about making certain top 10 or 50 lists and how someone gets big enough to make one of those kinds of lists.
I love to comment on other blogs but I don’t do it unless the piece lends itself to a comment. There is nothing more discouraging to a “small” blogger than to open up comments and find a ton of crap – not spam – that’s sort of expected, but something someone wrote that comes off as very disingenuous. As for links – I love to link to great content on other blogs – I love to share stuff and get good conversations going or make some new friends. I think it’s the best way to be an active part of a community and to give back to someone who’s work gave something to me.
Though provoking piece Mitch – thanks.
Thanks for your comment T. I think you’re right, no one wants a comment just for the sake of receiving one. However, new bloggers might still get a kick out of it if they’ve received few comments beforehand. The active community part, though; right on point.
I think you need to build a certain amount of authority and credibility before people will quote you, and commenting on other ppl’s blog will help towards that goal. If you’re just a new blogger and say something controversial, people probably won’t notice and quote you. If you’re an expert and say something controversial though, you can bet lots of bloggers will mention you and link to your blog post.
So Henway, how does one build that kind of authority and credibility? For instance, I’ve been writing this blog almost 3 years with almost 900 posts, and my other blog for 5 years with almost 800 posts; certainly makes me not “new” anymore. Authority; I’ve talked about lots of authority related topics. I’m not sure either of those are enough most of the time. I’m starting to believe it really has more to do with two things; community and getting a positive push of some type.
It’s this really amorphous formula of quality and somehow getting noticed that equates to a link worthy post. I think that you have to build up some relationships to other blogs and many times link to them first. Although, I haven’t linked to as many other blogs as others do, when I do link out, I will generally see a link back to me. I just try to make sure I’m linking to quality content and not just doing it for the sake of doing it.
Thanks for your comment Richard, and welcome to the blog. I think the way I’m working my blog is kind of a grassroots movement, but to tell you the truth I’m really hoping I don’t have to wait 4 more years before being “discovered” by folks who put lists types of things together. That’s my quest, to be someone who folks like CNN or Time or Mashable look at when they’re putting together top 25 or 50 or even 100 lists and says “this guy Mitch is something else, and you should check him out.” But we’ll see.
You definitely were everywhere, Dennis, and you were the standard for being visible. Not saying you’re not still, but I don’t see you in as many places now as I know you’re working on your own site. Still, even when you were getting a push, I’m betting you’d have still loved to have your blog ranked higher in some fashion.
No, like what this post is about lol