5 Comments

Life On The Blogger B-List – Nick Carr Was Right, Sorta

Aug 16, 2006
by

Nice work Nick. Not for the link bait (which worked), but for starting the discussion that in reality is exactly what most struggling B-list bloggers or below really think. Sorry to my A-list friends, but this is true, take if from a B-lister like myself. The little guys feel put down by the man, err, men, err… bloggers.

The best way, by far, to get a link from an A List blogger is to provide a link to the A List blogger. As the blogophere has become more rigidly hierarchical, not by design but as a natural consequence of hyperlinking patterns, filtering algorithms, aggregation engines, and subscription and syndication technologies, not to mention human nature, it has turned into a grand system of patronage operated – with the best of intentions, mind you – by a tiny, self-perpetuating elite. A blog-peasant, one of the Great Unread, comes to the wall of the castle to offer a tribute to a royal, and the royal drops a couple of coins of attention into the peasant’s little purse. The peasant is happy, and the royal’s hold over his position in the castle is a little bit stronger.

Whether or not the A-list doesn’t agree with this line of thinking, the fact remains that the perception does in fact exist. The question then is why so?

Take it from me, I can feel their pain as a long term B-lister (but who has never worried about being on the A-list). It’s tough to play in their sandbox, or get their attention, which is partially why the perception exists. So who’s fault is it?

Is it the fault of the C-list blogger who doesn’t write anything interesting or compelling enough to bait the A-lister in? Or is it the fault of the A-list blogger who has either simply sold out to his A-list friend network, or is simply too busy to worry about the little guys they left behind a long time ago.

Of course, the answer is both, and on a case by case basis. There are A-listers out there who have sold out to the charms of big money or “inclusion into the club” mentality. Of course, there are C-listers out there who just aren’t saying or doing anything worthwhile either.

But to blame the entire A-list for a crime commited by only a few, well, that’s Nick’s biggest flaw in his argument. And yet, to call Nick an asshole for baiting him in to his story is not exactly what I’d call a mature response to a real issue. Also not a nice way to endear yourself to those who support you (the non A-listers). Mike knows what he’s doing though, which I assume was a counter link bait headline to trump Nick’s.

That’s what I would have done anyway, but I’m just a content B-lister.

I’ll tell you one thing though, if you’re an A-lister reading this, the correct response to this REAL perception is NOT to cry fowl and say “it’s not true”. Because the perception IS true, regardless if you believe it or not. Perhaps it’s time to really examine your commitment to support the smaller fish in the pond who eat your scraps? Just food for thought.

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About Jim Kukral

You can find Jim on Twitter: @JimKukral.

Filed under: Online Publishing
  • http://www.intuitive.com/blog/ Dave Taylor

    Hmmm…. while I'm a believer in the importance of popularity (sort of The Long Tail versus The Tipping Point death match?) I also think it's critically important to recognize that what most people need is *the right traffic* not just "more traffic".

    That's where I think The Tipping Point has it right: I don't ever want to be an A-lister because that's just aggregate popularity. I don't care if 14yo girls who want to learn about the latest Hello Kitty cellphone ringtone know about me. I just want higher and higher quality traffic.

    See what I mean? The very argument for the A-list is based on quantity, not quality. But if we make this a quality discussion, how does that change your thinking, Jim?

  • http://www.revenews.com Jim Kukral

    Thanks Dave, and sorry brutha, you're an A-lister, that's not a derogatory phrase either. Especially when it comes to you, you're everything that's good about being Internet famous.

    But I'm not arguing for or against the drama. I'm simply arguing that it does exist… that the perception, wrong or right, traffic or quality, exists in the minds of bloggers who aren't as successful.

    Of course, you and I and a few others realize that quality traffic is what counts, but that's not the majority reality for most bloggers who simply don't get that quantity means diddly really, unless you want to sell cpm's.

    Bloggers' today are like reality tv show contestants, all trying to get famous quick. As if fame and traffic mean everything, which they don't, but if you really look at society in general today, that's what the majority values… fame and popularity, fast.

    No different in the blog world.

  • http://www.thoughtshapers.com Jeff Molander

    "The very argument for the A-list is based on quantity, not quality."

    I think it's a bit of both… I don't think it's that cut and dry. If Mike truly had a bunch of nobodies at his site (he certainly has his share of jackasses in comments) he'd not have aggregated the power. He has *enough* quality visitors (not aimed at Dave but why do we still call visitors "traffic" when what we really want is quality… what's with the low quality terminology?).

    Also, I'll use Mike again, one must recognize that A listers don't get there based on linking. They just don't. They get there based on offline relationships and Mike is the hands down King of that game.

    If I may pick up and answer my own above question I believe online marketing/advertising professionals use words like "traffic" to wall ourselves off from the offline world. If we would, for a moment, stop pretending that online is so mysterious and difficult (only understood by us 'insiders') we might even shake loose some budget from the offline side. Just my two cents.

  • http://landof.opportunitv.com Frank Ruscica

    A transparent – and liquid – market for the ad spaces on single-creator media solves the problem, as adbitrageurs will profit from identifying and helping to popularize undervalued blogs…

  • http://www.smallbiztrends.com Anita Campbell

    Your article, Jim, reminded me why I like it in the world of small business blogging. The small biz bloggers are oblivious to the A list, B list, C list, J List, Z list, whatever List. Life's clearer that way. We can focus on our business goals and not be distracted by sound and fury.