Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Ben Yoskovitz — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:58:45 -0000

Theresa - Thanks for commenting again. Hopefully this blog is one that gets people thinking!

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Theresa — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:59:38 -0000

There aren't many, but I'd have to say the forum I enjoy the most is v7n and yes, active participation can prove to be either a good thing or once again unreveiling the "what works" from the "what's a waste of time."

I enjoy blogs the most. Especially truly interesting ones that get a person thinking :)

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:49:12 -0000

Theresa - Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on blogs vs. forums - I've never been able to get into forums that much. Even just logging in holds me back. I do know there's lots of value in forums, but I've never found a way to get hooked on many of them.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Theresa — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:34:02 -0000

Hi Ben, I came by your post by way of Steve Olson's blog and I'm glad I found you.

I'm not "in the mix" of blog or Web 2.0 A Lists in the same way as you and the other commentors are (more involved), but I wanted to say that I enjoy blogs themselves much more than social network communities - if for no other reason then the information is usually posted so straightforward and much easier to find.

I'd much rather find great bloggers and see what they have to say then weed my way through tons of comments, reactions, etc.

LOL, I thought that was called a "forum" ;)

Thanks for the post! I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Matt Keegan — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:33:33 -0000

Well said, Ben. Irrespective of what some may think, there will always be those bloggers who are considered to be a "cut above" the average blogger. This doesn't mean that they are superior people, rather that they take their craft very seriously and do what they can to build up their base.

Blogging doesn't work too differently from the world of business where pecking orders are in place. At least with blogging, everyone can be the king of his own domain, unlike in business where bowing to superiors is commonplace.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Ben Yoskovitz — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:24:28 -0000

Web Urbanist - Heh. I didn't have a "how to reach the A-list" post planned, because I don't think there's any special way of doing it. They're just people (whether they like to believe so or not.)

And reaching them is the same as reaching anyone, the only real difference is that A-listers aren't likely to respond as quick. Part of that is because they're overwhelmed with contacts...so you reach out in different ways: blogs, linkbait, Twitter, etc. and then get others to help you too.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Web Urbanist — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:54:10 -0000

I agree with the value of the A-list and am looking forward to your follow-up: how to approach people on the A-list! Thanks :)

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Raymond — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:22:49 -0000

I never really gave that much attention to being a a list blogger to me it is all about page rank and great info....

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Brad Isaac — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:05:56 -0000

Bret makes a good point. There is a lot of pressure on bloggers to be A listers, but one question to ask is "why?" If you are a b or c lister, are you doing what is needed to satisfy your current readers?

Having a small group of loyal readers and giving them the content they need is just as important as the strive to be A-list

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Bret — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:00:45 -0000

I think the relevance of the A-List bloggers depends entirely on what the individual blogger hopes to achieve with his/her blog. Nearly everyone would love to have a plug from an A-Lister. A bump in traffic is almost guaranteed. There are others, however, that are very content to just have a small core of loyal readers. I think your point about being buddy-buddy with the popular kids is well put. It certainly doesn't hurt but it's also not always necessary.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Tony Hung — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:48:51 -0000

Ben,

Good angle in the final paragraph. A-listers -- or whatever you want to call them -- can be tremendously influential in generating buzz that can drive signups.

For some web2.0 outfits, getting the network effect in is absolutely critical for it to work ... and the benefit of having Guy Kawasaki or Jason Calacanis front your outfit can't be measured in dollars. Or, rather, it can, but you know what I mean. ;)

Cheers
t @ dji

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:03:06 -0000

Derrich - I don't think your point is random or callow.

Lots of people believe their own hype. It's human nature.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Derrich — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:01:49 -0000

Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I agree with Jason as well. Using the buzz to your advantage by timing phases, etc. is absolutely imperative.

On another tangent...the "A-list" seems to be thrown around so arbitrarily. Some bloggers even consider themselves A-listers as part of their strategy to create buzz or controversy...take your pick. I know my point of view is kinda random and callow, but I think you know what I'm getting at. I think. :P

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:11:18 -0000

Jason - I totally agree. I didn't want to make the post a detailed explanation of how the A-list can benefit a Web 2.0 startup. I did sneak in words like "strategic" though...

Without a doubt, if your strategy is "Have the A-listers talk about you," and that's it -- you're in big, big trouble.

But without a doubt the noise and buzz they can create is of value.

Re: The Blogging A-List Is Far From Dead

Jason Alba — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:07:24 -0000

Ben, I agree, and have always been interested at the power of the A-list.

I do have one comment though, which is, if you are starting a web2.0 company or something that the readers of TC (or another site like that) should be interested in, getting a mention will not be the silver bullet answer. You don't say it will be but I want to just chime in - if your marketing strategy is to get mention or a post by the A-lister in question, it won't take you to "wildly successful" - yes, it's happened, but there are still core business principles that come into play.

My two cents, as I hope for the magical post but realize there is work to do before, and after, it happens :p

Jason Alba
CEO - JibberJobber.com
:: self-serve career management ::