Technology, business and change
So you want to get on that top bloggers list?
There is a trend right now and it’s called lists. In fact, it’s not really a new trend: top lists have always been popular on the web, but they are now getting overly popular in the Internet Marketing/blogging niche. We have all seen a lot of Top 100 or top 500 bloggers lists emerging lately based on a couple of semi-reliable metrics/personal rating and the natural reaction is: “Am I on the list?”.
While it is extremely flattering to be on such lists or can be very tempting to invest time in analyzing the different metrics to rank higher or simply get on the list, here’s my question: “At the end of the day, does such a list pays the bills?” No it doesn’t, but if you pay the bills with your online business, you will get on those lists without even trying.
I guess what I am trying to say is that there are a lot of things out there to get you focused on the wrong things. Getting on lists or getting more twitter followers is nice, but these won’t help you achieve your goals at the end of the day: they are the result of a successful online business.
What do you think?
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Being on the list adds credibility to your blog but does not mean you ll make money. Making money depends on how you ve monetised you blog and does the blog it relate to your user as an authority in your niche. YOu blog post may have 20 comments but that does not mean you ll make money. People who comment on your blog in most cases dont buy from your blog.
ZK@Internet Marketing Blog's Recent post…null
You are right about adding credibility, but I think it's true for maybe the top spots. Otherwise being 390 out of 500 doesn't bring the same credibility.
Different persons have different definitions of a "successful business online". For some it means making money and for others it simply means building a community. Of course community doesn't mean money as you pointed out.
It does add credibility to be on a list you are right, but I don't think being number 390 out of 500 gives any credibility. top 10, 20, 50 maybe…
Different people have different definitions of "successful business". For some it's money, for other it's the community. As you point out, community doesn't necessarily mean money.
I think I am still not in top 100k Technorati… and don't care.
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hehe totally right about Technorati. I think frogstr is in the top 100K, dailycommonsense isn't but yet receives a lot more traffic. So what can we say?
You are right on the money when you say if you pay the bills with your online business you will get on the lists- focusing on money producing activities will get you where you want to go on the popularity front.
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Yep exactly, it's all about building a brand and something successful!
I remember when Technorati was numero uno with all those badges, the search box, the "how much is this blog worth" widgets…
There are too many lists out there. I wait for visitors of the lists to click through and tell me I'm on such a list.
A very Seth Goden-esque post. Comes back to the value of REAL networking over what social networking sites call networking.
Michael Henry's Recent post…null
hehe you're right, a Seth Goden-esque post… I like that
Yep, I'm the same, I don't really check the list or whatever. If I get traffic from one of them I know I'm on it hehe
We're not to far away from the top 100 list of top 100 lists. Unfortunately, list get the attention of just about everyone. Put a list in the headline of a post and it gets more hit and is more likely to move up Digg.
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haha absolutely, a list of lists!
In fact lists exists because most people list "Top 10" or "top 100" whatever posts.
Absolutely true!
I've read all the lists and been on one or two. Considering the amount of blogs that so obviously got there due to friendships (lol), I don't put a whole lotta stock in them overall.
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Yep, it's always nice to be on them…But pushing too hard to get on them isn't what makes a business grow!
I agree with you. Technorati ranking, Google Page Rank and others are just to say that i am on top. At the end of day what matters is how successful i am in online business
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Yes, there are a lot of successful people running successful business or blogs online that aren't necessarily on these top lists. Still they are pretty successful.
We only really just started a blog and are already distracted by thoughts of how to get on such lists – and we're not even blogging for money!
It's not all about money, really. There's this thing called vanity, too.
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woah! hehe
I say produce content before trying to get on "top lists".
Yes, we know. But the cool badges in some of the sites we visit look really distracting. And enticing.
One of the reasons that lists are so appealing is that as humans, we seek some sort of recognition for what we do. Even if you are 200th on the list, it makes you feel like you have accomplished something.
Now, do we actually need this recognition? Probably not, but sadly, lots of us would pick being on the list as a better metric to measure success as opposed to the piles of money in our bank accounts.
Marc Norris@Small Business Blog's Recent post…http://www.bizops.ca/2009/01/19/slow-and-steady-wins...target=”_blank”>Slow and Steady Wins the Race
YOu are totally right about this feeling of accomplishment. It is always nice to feel appreciated or feeling successful/important. I guess a list isn't a metric, just like money isn't a metric either. We could go on and on about the definition of "success"
hi, That is nice post.. thanks. who don't want to appear on the list…
Thanks..
Yep, who doesn't…
I wish everyone was trying to get on my list
I guess it's just a tool and it depends on what you do with it. I love social marketing but I'll be the first to admit that I will probably never master it. I will just stick to what we are doing here – blogging.
Stick to what works for you and just be the best at it!
Well, try some other stuff too of course, but focus on what you're good at!
Thats right every body wants that. i also want that…Blogging really helps ..
Wow, The List! I have been on many peoples list but, it has not been the good kinda list. LOL!
I am not on any big bloggers list but, as far as things like Twitter followers – It does not matter how many you have but, more about how many are really listening. Same with the blog list. You can get clicks but, if they are just looking because 'guru bob' put you on a list will they continue to come back after that post is gone?
For myself, I have seen so many list lately that I do not follow many of the links.
But no matter, it would be good for the ego!
lol @ not the good kinda list!
Exactly man, all that matter is how many people are listening to you on twitter.
And yep, always good for ego to be mentioned on a list
This is so timely really. I was going to start making lists. I think that under the right circumstances they can be good. However it goes back to once I click through from a list or any traffic building post. Will I subscribe? Will I stay? Do I really care?
Yep! But I mean, if you want to start lists, don't feel bad doing so, people like them!
wow! the last time i'm here this blog is just a PR 0 but now you've got a very high traffic and a PR 3 blog! well thats because you're on the list meaning you are popular and have good credibility on your field. being on the list gives you more traffic. more traffic more income. ehehe thanks Ben! just dropping by.
hehe it's been a while buddy! How are things going for you?
Yes being on list brings traffic, but I think there are more efficient ways of getting traffic that will eventually get you on lists anyway!
I like ranks, and lists. Just because it seems like you did something the right way when you get on them. I mean those top 100 bloggers feel special that they are up their in a world where every one is a blogger.
Absolutely, it proves you are on the right path and good for ego! I'm basically not saying lists are bad, I guess I'm more saying that focusing too much on getting on them isn't necessarily worth it.
i can't even think of things to blog about so you won't see me on any lists
lol, that just mean you have to focus on creating quality content and finding inspiration!
The thing that gets me about these list is most of the blogs on them offer little or no valuable information.
The majority of these lists can be manipulated by joining groups that solely focus on building your credibility.
Aboslutely, a lot of these lists are manipulated. I know of a couple…
Good point!
My eyes do not get moist thinking of getting in on any lists. So far. My chief concern as of now is developing my blog muscles so I can keep at blogging for the long haul. And inducing stray visitors to my quiet blog to come back, cool their heels for once and start having a conversation. These are my chief joys at the moment – encouraging readers to bother leaving a word or two, or howdy.
I honestly can't say I'm bothered with lists – I would rather just stick to myself and make money quietly than have myself judged by others
That is a good point if you like to do your own things without having to bother about other people opinions.
Well, technically, they do pay the bills, because being mentioned on those lists most likely means you're making a lot of money.
Well I guess that's kind of my point and being on a list doesn't mean you make a lot of money with your blog. I'm on a couple of these lists and this blog isn't making a lot of money. That's not the goal of the blog actually…
Anyway, the point is that you will get on the lists if you are successful, so I think that if you work on building a solid blog, being mentioned on lists will come.
We all like being mentioned on a list of course…
That is the right attitude. Build a community around your blog and a small fan base is the key. Then word of mouth will help you.
I agree with you, its only the success that makes us top, so its better we concentrate on being successful rather than trying to go up one more step ahead in the list.
There are so many lists out there, some have credibility, some don't. But is there anything in particular you can do to get on the "good" lists even if you wanted to? If not, then you may as while keep producing a site that *could* get on a top list and let the chips fall where they may.
I don't even bother gathering people's names. It could be that I am wrong, as many people claim you make money with lists . . . Obviously you make money with lists. It's just not worth going through all the trouble for me. I am on other peoples lists and even though I find so much emails with attentive titles, I never click. Guess, 99% could feel this way also. I will rather invest my time more productive than getting just 1% of people responding.
Getting on a list is like putting a big fat bulls-eye on your butt. It might keep you motivated to keep moving, but eventually someone's going to shoot your @$$ off.
You're absolutely right. Achieveing of the ultimate goal should be on the first place. That's not number of lists, or RSS readers, or Twitter followers which make you money. Digg is tremendously popular, but that doesn't help them to make huge profits. From the other hand, some smart niche marketers make tens of thousands of dollars from their small niche e-mail subscribers lists.
Surely, if your goal is to get on the list…
Being on the list is substantial. It allows people to have the thought that the websites are good and they will naturally click on the sites given.This will results in more traffic flow and money will soon roll in when the users found the items they want.It's indirectly driving money to you.
the most toplists in the internet are a fake or just pushed with tricks , so u cant really believe them.
Getting on a top 10 or top 100 list is truly flattering .And once you are in a top list you are sure to get a lot of visitors and that ultimately helps
i can only dream about it
Theres a lot of pressure to get on these lists. The viewers and readers find the sites on top of these much faster I think and that pushes us all to want to be on top of that list. Who knows, maybe it's just a silly game.
Helzehen of ( http://www.anime-eater.com )
Yes, You are somehow right Ben. I have also know these type of lists. There are too many lists out there. I wait for visitors of the lists to click through and tell me I'm on such a list. Lol its really happens. nice post
I have really work hard for my website to get on top on that list, But every next week my ranking changes, And i have to work again for my website list. This is because of algorithm of search engines. Very informative post.
Thanks for the information Ben I am Working on a blog now your tips are so useful.