I just got finished reading an article on Robs Web Tips about connecting with a-list bloggers, and this must be the tenth article I have read lately talking about these so-called “A-Listers”. While I really enjoyed Rob’s article, and I read several others while I was on his site (just discovered his site today and subscribed) which were excellent posts, I just really have a problem with this class warfare that non “A-Listers” are creating by constantly talking about the A-Listers.
Let me start by saying that I have respect for big name bloggers like David Risley, Darren Rowse, and Brian Clark (just to name a few I read) and have actually had great interactions with David Risley recently through his blog and webinar he recently had. Also, I am not trying to say anything bad about the article on Rob’s site.
What I don’t have respect for is when people begin to place a class on a blogger or create a status for them. I honestly don’t think they ask to be called an A-List blogger (or any other term), it is brought on by less popular bloggers, most of which I believe are envious of these big name guys.
I may get bashed by some of my blogger buddies for this, but I am going to say it anyway. I am sick of all the rants as well as the worshiping of these bloggers. I think if you would spend as much time worrying about the content on your own blog as you do worrying about about David or Darren’s next move (again I am not picking on them, just using them as an example), then you might just create some quality content that will get you noticed for something.
Connecting With A-Listers:
Going back to why I am writing this article, Rob wrote an article on how to get noticed by A-List bloggers, and I will admit, it sparked a flame in me. Not because of his article, I think it has more to do with all the articles that have been written lately just piling up on my feed reader and my frustration about it.
Rob describes great ways to try to get noticed by these A-listers, and his article has some great techniques, but I ask the questions, why? Why do you need to be noticed by these bloggers? Why are so many newer bloggers out there spending so much time trying to get “noticed” by these guys? Do you think that if they notice you it will somehow move you into a nicer neighborhood of the blogosphere?
I am a HUGE fan of networking, and I relentlessly network and promote my site(s), it is part of marketing your business as a blogger. I just refuse to go out of my way to get “noticed” by these guys, and I personally think it is a waste of time. It is one thing to ask questions and try to learn from them (I do that), but it is another thing to grovel over them and create classes of bloggers.
Conclusion:
Spend more time being creative on your own site and less time worrying about getting noticed by “A-List” bloggers and I promise you, it will benefit your blog in greater ways. Same thing goes for bashing the big names. Use your time wisely, try thinking outside the box. There can only be so many bloggers trying to implement the same techniques before we all look the same and the value of a blog begins a downward spiral.
I try not to be envious or jealous of others, sometimes it can’t be helped because it is natural, but I respect and even look up to bloggers that are doing well, it tells me I can do it too.
Try being a leader instead of a follower, or even worse a “hater”.
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Twitter: BuildThatListCo
February 8, 2010 at 7:07 pm
That is a really good point Keith. I think we should be focusing on building a community around our blogs and networking with the people who are actually visiting instead of trying to get noticed by some of the bigger players.
Tom@Free Squeeze Pages´s last blog ..Do I Need My Own Product Before I Start List Building?
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 8th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
@Tom@Free Squeeze Pages, Thanks, man you were fast getting here, I leterally just hit the “publish button”! LOL
I think that there is much that can be learned from the big name guys, we need to learn to have our own creativity too.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Do-Follow Forum Just For Bloggers
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Tom from Free Squeeze Pages
Twitter: BuildThatListCo
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February 8th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
@Keith Bloemendaal, hah! I guess that is the benefits of an RSS reader. You’re article just popped up so I came over to read.
I totally agree! I love learning from the more high profile bloggers – because they are in a place that I am aiming for. However, there is also a lot that we can learn from the bloggers in our circle.
Tom@Free Squeeze Pages´s last blog ..Do I Need My Own Product Before I Start List Building?
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Twitter: jsinkeywest
February 8, 2010 at 7:21 pm
As someone who is/ was guilty of much of what you mentioned the main point is also that EVERYONE loves recognition and many get way more then they deserve but all your points about wasting time and focusing on doing what works is noted
Hey we can’t change or work on a problem if we don’t acknowledge it
Great post Spanky ;P Thanks
John Sullivan´s last blog ..Affiliate marketing the real basics
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 8th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
@John Sullivan, I really wanted to make that my main point, we can accomplish so much more if we stop worrying about the next guy.
Thanks for the comment Sully! See you over on the DoFollowForum later tonight….
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Add Feeds To Your Facebook Fan Page
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Compelling post you wrote here Keith, and I love your view point. However, being a networker myself I know the true benefits of connecting with “A” listers and I will explain deeper into my “rant”
By all means, do not be a “Kiss ass” to the “A” listers, because they don’t deserve it, nobody does. Also they hate kiss asses. I’m very close friends with Darren Rowse, and not once have I ever been a kiss up for his extra attention. I’ve always been genuinely me.
As for my reason why connecting with “A” listers are powerful. Since you network, I think you will get my point of view when I say this. The more people you are connected to and build relationships with in your niche, the better off you can probably end up. So why not take the time and connect with someone who is an authority in your niche, build a relationship with them and branch off into a joint-venture or end up helping each-other in someway? Me and Darren are actually doing a project together in 2011, and just by me connecting with Darren my profits and the people I am able to drive to this event to a way higher level.
As when you mentioned spend more time on your own creative site, then “A listers” I agree you should focus on your site and content. I myself, dedicate 3/5th of my time into my community each and everyday helping everyone I can out as much as possible, finding ways to improve my site, interacting with my community and I even make sure I reply to every single comment on my blog. Most importantly, I strive to make each and every article better than the last. So indeed, my community is #1, and it will stay #1. However, I believe it is important to build your connections as powerful as possible.
That’s my “Rant” on this subject. I loved you’re article, and you made very valid points in it as well.
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 8th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
@Rob, Great response Rob, and I am glad to see that you understood my points. After clicking through your site this evening I can see you are well on your way to becoming a common name among bloggers and I look forward to seeing that develop as well.
I do believe that connecting with authorities in your niche is a great move, and I try to connect with a few myself. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that you were kissing ass either
, I just have been watching more and more rants about the big guys and it seems that new bloggers weren’t paying enough attention to being creative.
Your blog is great and I am sure it will be moving up fast, especially with backing like Darren….
Thanks for the Skype chat too!
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Do-Follow Forum Just For Bloggers
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I agree!
That’s it. You got your comment. I think you’re the greatest. You’re an A-lister in my mind, Keith. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Now, can I fawn over you or bash you yet?
Jordan Cooper´s last blog ..Google Super Bowl Commercial Parody
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 12:21 am
@Jordan Cooper, Go ahead Jordan let it rip!
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Twitter: travisamorgan
February 9, 2010 at 12:26 am
I like the post. I think entering into this world of blogosphere with that mindset is a good one to have, but I’ve also noticed that partnering with A-List bloggers can help too.
Well, he may not be an A-List blogger to the strictest definition, but in my opinion, The InfoPreneur is an A-List blogger. Just honoring him and the business he’s working on has completely contributed to my blog as well.
you know the saying, “If you can’t beat em, join em.”
So I agree!! Stop worrying about what they’re doing. But I think helping them could add some HUGE benefits to your site. But in my opinion, it’s 80% You, 20% Them. You’ve GOT to have regular content. But you cannot afford to isolate yourself.
Blogging has a give and receive principle. Give much, you’ll be sure to get much.
Rock on bro, keep dishing it out.
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
@Travis, Thanks for the comment Travis, I do follow James and he is certainly on his way….
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Add Feeds To Your Facebook Fan Page
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So are you making a compelling argument about this because it makes good sense or are you saying this because your justifying your lack of success in your own failed attempts to connect with A-listers?
Everyone attacks the big name bloggers, claim that their over rates, but here’s the deal. They’re doing something right. Darren Rowse makes 6 figures per year. Why would I not want to connect with him? He has something that I want to learn about.
I don’t want to connect with him to get free links or to have him promote me. I want to connect with him because I want to learn how I can have $100,000+ per year.
Whenever I had financial trouble in college, I would go to my dad. He was a genius financially. I never once asked him for a dime. I always asked him for advice. I wanted the knowledge to achieve the success that he had.
Do I want to connect with the A-listers? YES
Do I grovel over them? No.
Nicholas Cardot@Beautiful Blogs´s last blog ..The 25 Most Beautiful Blogs in 2010
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 7:10 am
@Nicholas Cardot@Beautiful Blogs, Had a great time in in our chat on Skype last night, but just to be clear:
I am not saying anything about being able to make a connection with A-Listers, I think if you can make a personal connection with one of these guys, then you have an extra edge that most of us don’t have.
What I am saying, is don’t spend too much wasted time trying to do that, they don’t have time, and neither do you. Your time would be better spent on your own site.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Add Feeds To Your Facebook Fan Page
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Nicholas Z. Cardot from Beautiful Blogs Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Keith, as you phrase it like that I not only agree with you, but I think that you’ll find it helps you to be more effective with trying to connect with some of those ‘play makers.’
When you stop going out of your way to reach out to them with a blog that is worthless (I’m speaking generically here and not about your blog or my blog), you will then have something for them to actually notice. They don’t have any reason to notice somebody who isn’t doing anything but filling the twitterverse or the blogosphere with noise. They want to find and connect with people who are bringing some value to the table.
Nicholas Z. Cardot@Beautiful Blogs´s last blog ..The 25 Most Beautiful Blogs in 2010
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Twitter: bloggersmarket
February 9, 2010 at 12:52 am
Hi Keith,
I agree with Jordan, I’ve been following you for a little while and I get an overall positive feel from and do enjoy reading your blog. Which made me think as I read your post, what happens when the shoe is on the other foot.
Barring strangeness, and you hang in there, you yourself will be a top A-Lister one day!
Lead-On Keith!
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Super Bowl Fun! Bloggers Market Bowl
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Twitter: israelimom
February 9, 2010 at 5:09 am
Keith, you bring up some very good points. My current pet peeve with the mentioned A-listers is with the Thesis theme. I’m trying it now, and will write a thorough review once I’m done testing on a few blogs. It is not bad at all – so far – just way overhyped IMO. And I have this nagging feeling that there’s a herd of bloggers swearing by Thesis, promoting Thesis, admiring Thesis and making it into much more than what it actually is BECAUSE they feel if it’s produced by the “A-Listers” it simply must the best thing under the sun.
I’m not pointing the fingers at the “A Listers”. Just at those who get blinded someone making six-figures a year from his websites. I still follow their blogs on my reader and read posts of interest (most of them are guest posts by now).
Anne Moss´s last blog ..Google PageRank Soon Gone?
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 7:11 am
@Anne Moss, I am using Thesis here, and to be honest, I am pleasantly surprised by it’s capabilities.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..SEO Factors To Consider
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Yup at one point I got caught up in the negativity of the a-list hater club- just for a minute. Then I realized how petty and anti-productive it was.
I look to all bloggers [big or small] as a source of inspiration, leadership, team work and more.
Great post!
Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur´s last blog ..You Are Only As Great As Your Community
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 7:14 am
@Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur, It easy to get caught up in, I have too.
It really is the term “A-List” that bothers me the most. Yes, I think these guys are on another level than I am (it is obvious by my blog), but I am quite sure they don’t like the negativity floating around.
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
@Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur, That is a great attitude Ms. Freeman, I think if we work together more all of us can learn from each other.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..SEO Factors To Consider
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Twitter: tfratzel
February 9, 2010 at 6:12 am
Keith…great points…but….you can still hang out with all of us “C” class bloggers!
Todd´s last blog ..Zar Ultra Polyurethane Review
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Nicholas Z. Cardot from Beautiful Blogs Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 9:25 am
That’s right, Todd. I’ll hang out with you and we’ll make things happen ourselves. We don’t need to ‘get lucky’ and grab the notice of someone big. We just need to challenge each other to produce the best possible content that we can. I’m pleased to meet you Todd, the C-List blogger.
Nicholas Z. Cardot@Beautiful Blogs´s last blog ..The 25 Most Beautiful Blogs in 2010
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@Todd, Todd, you are far from being a “C” list blogger! I would say your story holds great merit on how to blog and make money doing it.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Add Feeds To Your Facebook Fan Page
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Todd - Home Construction & Improvement
Twitter: tfratzel
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February 9th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
@Keith Bloemendaal,
That was my point exactly….titles are just that. I’ve even written a guest post on ProBlogger…didn’t really turn into much traffic….but I just keep doing my thing and creating quality content..the rest just comes with it.
Todd – Home Construction & Improvement´s last blog ..Zar Ultra Polyurethane Review
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Cool post, Keith. And I do agree. The blunt honest truth on my end is that I don’t consider myself an A-lister and was surprised when somebody first called me that. What it goes to show is that it is all in the eye of the beholder. I’m just doing my thing, creating a business around a blog, doing what I know and love. Aside from the blog, I’m just a dork from Florida.
To these bloggers who name-drop and complain, my advice is just to find something more fruitful to do with your time. There are no lines in the sand in the blogosphere except for those who draw those lines in an effort to get attention.
David Risley´s last blog ..Guest Appearance on The Metropolis, with Deborah Shane
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
@David Risley, I am just a dork from Florida too David
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Not making any comparisons, but I have noticed a greater amount of newer bloggers reaching out to you and you engage with them. I think that is one reason you are different than some of the others.
Great comment on drawing the lines in the sand too…
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..A-List Bloggers
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Twitter: arafat21
February 9, 2010 at 11:23 am
In my first 2-3 month on blogging, I even don’t know those big name and like that time I still think it’s better to concentrate on my blog article than thinking about any other blog.
Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Theme For Windows 7
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Twitter: digitivityorg
February 9, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Great balanced viewpoint on “A-listers”.
Don’t make them into gods, and don’t make them into demons.
Just do what you want to do.
The Digital Life & Tools Blog´s last blog ..Updating Your WordPress Blog Too Frequently: Avoiding Getting Banned from Ping Services
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Amen brother. (I was going to just leave it at that.)
Luckily I never fell into the trap. I heard all the names, read a post or two, did my own research, discovered the holy unethical means by which most rose to the top, and decided it wasn’t for me.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Here We Go! Theme Construction Part 1 – Your Participation Is Wanted-Needed!
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am
@Dennis Edell, I still think there is much to learn from big name bloggers, I just watch from afar most of the time. There are a few I have much respect for, I just don’t spend all my time drooling over them or imitate their sites and writing styles.
I prefer to be me…
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..SEO Factors To Consider
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Twitter: steve_wlw
February 9, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Hey Keith,
I am definitely not one to kiss an A-lister’s ass but you need to be where the traffic is and these guys get a ton of it, you have to at least respect that.
You know what getting on Oprah’s book club can do for an author and book sales, the same is true for your blog traffic and the big name bloggers.
I think if you have a blog with great content a nod from the A-listers will bring your site up a level, and as much as I hate to admit it there is a class system in all aspects of life, both on and offline.
Steve
Steve@ Bissell Carpet Cleaner´s last blog ..Bissell Cleaning Products
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Twitter: ralphcarlson
February 9, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I think you are talking about sucking up, seeking attention by being annoying in one way or another. It is a bad strategy in blogging as in anything else. What you are looking for in the online community is relationships – as Chris Brogan calls it, Being one of us. You do that my seeking value and adding it when you can
Ralph´s last blog ..The offensive ‘HE’
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Twitter: redeyeblogging
February 10, 2010 at 2:28 am
I would rather not worry about the A-Listers. I am focusing on creating my own blogging community by building relationships, and friendships with people whose blogs I actually enjoy reading and interacting with.
Brian Inman´s last blog ..Putting Your Own Spin On Your Gaming Blog Articles
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Twitter: ExtremeEzine
February 10, 2010 at 7:52 am
We are very fortunate to have a great group of bloggers that seems to be growing quickly that help and support each other. To me it’s about enjoying friends and building wealth together and I can’t see anyone getting that from being a blogger groupie. Spending all their time commenting on the mega-blogs hoping to get noticed by the big guy is just pathetic. There’s certainly nothing wrong with commenting on a good post we enjoyed no matter who the author and that can be found on blogs of all sizes. Great topic Keith.
Brian D. Hawkins´s last blog ..New Look With A Faster Loading WordPress Theme
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Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 12th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@Brian D. Hawkins, So true Brian, sometimes I am truly amazed at the help I get from those around me!
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Does Your Twitter Account Suffer From Erectile Dysfunction?
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Twitter: extremejohn
February 10, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Great post as always bro, all though this is my first official comment and post on the new domain haha. My father always told me, don’t worry about everyone else, worry about yourself. That’s what I do, let the A-Listers be A-Listers, I will be me… regardless if I am on a list or not.
Extreme John´s last blog ..A Day in the Life of.. Episode 1 [video]
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 12th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
@Extreme John, Glad you finally made it over here John, hope to see you here more too….
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Does Your Twitter Account Suffer From Erectile Dysfunction?
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Twitter: Ileane
February 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Keith,
Didn’t you hear the news yet? Well if you check out my comment luv post below you”ll see that I started a Twitter list called B-list bloggers. This is the description: “Not quite A-list bloggers but just as good (or better)!” And the best thing about B-list bloggers is – they actually know who I am!
See I’m kinda funny when it comes to Twitter, if I retweet you 5, 6, 7 times and you never thank me, I’m done.
I don’t know Darren, or David or Brian (and I’m pissed that no-one ever calls out a woman as being an A-list blogger, what about Lisa Irby – hello!).
But guess what – I know Rob and I know Nicholas and I know you. So you see it’s like 6 degrees of separation. Now you’ve got your A-list, your B-list and your C-list is anyone going for D-list?? LOL
Thanks for the conversation Keith, I see you’ve got all the players here today.
ileane´s last blog ..Some Serious Blog Engagement
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Twitter: tycoonblogger
February 12, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Amen brother! I am fed up with all the A list crap as well. I really don’t get it because I am not very impressed with many of the A list club, especially John Chow. All he does is try to sell Shoe Money’s system. He may have wrote a good ebook back in the day, but come on already.
Tycoon Blogger@blog promote´s last blog ..Promote your Blog with Blogger Luv!
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 14th, 2010 at 8:38 am
@Tycoon Blogger@blog promote, I don’t follow Chow or Shoemoney so I guess that is 2 less I have to worry about…
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Comment Links: Are They SEO?
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You actually need not contact any “A-Lister” ever. You simply need traffic. I don’t care how many friends an A-lister has. Google has more. Forget the social traffic and go for search traffic. get the fortune forget the fame. nothing wrong with making some friends on the way though
JB´s last blog ..Metal Gazebos
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 14th, 2010 at 8:41 am
@JB, I have contacted a couple of a-listers, and have benefited from doing so, there is much to learn from these guys. I am talking more about people either groveling over them, or being so envious they bash them all the time.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Does Your Twitter Account Suffer From Erectile Dysfunction?
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I’m not sure that the term A lister is helpful. One of the comments earlier refered to you as an A lister and that’s great. If someone finds the content you write useful, then you are their hero, I buy that. But that isn’t dependent on site traffic. whether you have 10000 hits a day or 10. Content is king after all.
Secondly, I’m sure that the likes of Darren and David etc never set out to be big names in blogging, they were just looking to earn a crust or too. I’m sure other people who earn money doing their job don’t get as much grief.
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..You never know what a blog will lead to
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 18th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Matthew Needham, Fortunately the one that referred to me as an A-Lister is a comedian and was joking around. Not that I wouldn’t like to be referred to as an A-Lister, but I don’t think I am, and am not even sure what makes one an A-Lister.
More important to me is that i am constantly networking with bloggers from all levels, am working on making my site better, and I am making money.
[Reply]
Twitter: GrowMap
February 17, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I don’t worry about who notices me or not; I simply focus on sharing what I believe is worth recommending. I AM a HUGE proponent of our dofollow, CommentLuv, KeywordLuv community – one you belong to too.
There are different blogging circles online. Some of us span across many of them; others stay in their own. Eventually those A-list bloggers may end up joining our community instead of the other way around.
Gail @ Do Follow Lists´s last blog ..KeywordLuv: How Using It Benefits Us All
[Reply]
Keith Bloemendaal
Twitter: kbloemendaal
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February 18th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@Gail @ Do Follow Lists, I try to network with all types of bloggers because I think we can learn from all of them, no matter what level you are.
Keith Bloemendaal´s last blog ..Comment Links: Are They SEO?
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Twitter: kmadhav
February 19, 2010 at 12:14 am
I am agree with @Gail from Do Follow List. Just do worthy blogging you will noticed by not only new bloggers in community but also A-List bloggers also. A-list bloggers also new one day when they come in this blogging section. Hard work matters a lot. Just do your best result will follow you.
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