I have to admit, there are times I feel very discouraged about my potential in the world of blogging. It is a lot of work to invest for no pay, and so far, only a select number of readers–a very intelligent conglomerate of readers, but nonetheless, a very few. Because of the effort I have been putting forth, and the lack of any monetary incentive, these readers are truly what keeps me going. Getting their feedback and support is crucial in maintaining motivation–otherwise what’s the point? I have recently received some very kind reviews on MissAdventures Abroad which has definitely helped to fuel me. I feel fortunate to have these loyal followers, and considering most of them maintain their own high-caliber blogs, their praise means that much more.
But then I see unsettling things to off-set the balance. I came across a blog so spam-laden, so clustered, and so poorly-written, that it frankly looks like the work of a child. The “articles” do not even contain complete sentences or thoughts! The post titles are nothing more than key words slapped on in no particular order! Seriously, this blog is so bad, I went out of my way to show it to two different people, because you can’t even grasp the intensity of badness this thing reeks of without seeing it for yourself. I have read many of the posts, just shaking my head with a puzzled look on my face because it is literally incoherent gibberish.
Now in and of itself, seeing a blog like this would not bother me; in fact, it would probably serve to make me feel better about my own blogs (which I am extremely critical of), since I can say that I devote a fair amount of time into each and every post, believing that quality is of greater importance than mere content. However, in the world of blogging, content is what gets you the hits. Content is what gets you the reimbursement. The more spam-a-lot you have, the more graphic pictures you have, or even simply the more times a day you add junk to your blog is what gets you noticed.
Here’s what disturbs me: Not only does the aforementioned blogger make money by putting together this piece of nonsensical slop, she receives perfect ratings on BC! Perfect 10’s, I tell you! And many of them. Err? Back the truck up. Well, there was one, and only one, honest review out of the whole bunch (which gave her a ‘1′ stating similar complaints). The only explanation I can fathom for these individuals unscrupulously doling out perfect 10’s for this senselessness, is that they couldn’t have possibly looked at this blog, and likely had the hidden agenda of rate swapping. Hell, even the blogger herself has rated her own blog a 10 at least twice! Hello? Is something wrong with this picture, or is it just me?
Although I can assure you that I’m not losing any sleep over the issue, I will tell you this: Giving indiscriminate reviews completely upsets the integrity of the entire rating system. I, like a lot of other bloggers I know, have worked very hard to earn the ratings provided us. If these appraisals are completely irrelevant, then why have them at all? If grading others’ blogs is supposed to be a means to highlight worthy material, then it is being grossly abused.
Some of us actually care about the messages, content, aesthetic appeal and functionality that we display. And while I readily admit that I would love to receive reimbursement for the long hours and dedication I put into blogging, it wouldn’t mean anything to me if there was no integrity of content. Is there a way to have both? I honestly don’t know; I do know that, although she may be a very nice person, this blogger does not deserve those ratings, and it unsettles me that she’s rewarded and encouraged for her method to “slap on the crap on”.
I would never give a poor rating because I don’t agree with the content, or don’t like the way a blog “looks.” I would even try to find something, anything positive to avoid giving a ‘1′; but I think we have the responsibility to be honest in our ratings and to call a spade a spade. We ought to at least have enough respect for ourselves, as well as for the other legitimately hard-working bloggers to only give credit where credit is due.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
hehe. You actually did a great review of this blog INADVERTENTLY. I’m actually VERY curious about this blog now. Ahem.. can you share the URL with me?
March 5th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You are a talented writer, blog or no blog. You have only been doing this for a few months, but I can almost guarantee that after a few more you’ll be on top as you’re on the right track. Also I bet I know who you’re talking about!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Piebuko,
Sent you the information you requested =)
Doug,
As always, thanks for your optimism and encouragement!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
You raise some valid points on the ratings systems that I agree with. I have to admit, rather than give a poor review or rating, I tend to just walk on by as I don’t like to be rude or disrespectful.
I only ever give high ratings and praise if I truly believe that what I am reading is worth such merit.
I think we all march to the beat of different (and sometimes similar) drums, and what one person finds interesting or stylistically appealing, another finds dull and boring. That’s kind of what I love about we Humans, our diversity, and as a newbie blogger, it’s also one of the pro’s that keeps me interested.
My only gripe are with these so called ‘expert on earning money and getting 1 million hits’ blogs that keep cramming the communities or else pestering me when they have not even checked to see if I have anything in common with them before wanting to be my friend and exchange links!
Some of us write for pleasure, and like to remain smaller with a handful of ‘proper’ blogging friends. My appologies for getting on a soap box there. I’ll get my coat….
March 5th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Wonderful post. My only complaint is that now people will want to see this awful blog for themselves (as did piebuko) which will onlly add traffic to it. Maybe you could do a couple of screen shots and post them on your blog so we could look without actually going there and therefore satisfy our curiosity.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Floog’s Ramblings are always welcome. With or without a soapbox.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Also, just for the record: The blog in question does not belong to one of the more well-known members of the BC community. It’s not someone with a ‘theme’ or that I’ve seen get very involved with the community, via discussions or whatnot.
Just wanted to clear that up because of an incorrect assumption
March 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I understand how you feel when you see what appears to be that sort of inequity. Honestly, those reviews won’t advance her much, and as her own material sounds quite spammy, I’m fairly certain those review we from others in her “niche,” so to speak.
I used to get riled about those sorts of things, until I discovered one of the spammier bloggers I knew, who stood for most everything I don’t, actually wasn’t getting TRAFFIC. That for all the bluster and show, there was nothing behind it but spin.
Now I try to concentrate on my own readers, who are good eggs. Hang in there. YOU can write. And believe me, that makes ALL the difference. Best wishes to you!
March 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I had been listed in bc since it was just a listing agent and only started looking at it last spring as a social network, I had joined a few other networks the fall prior to that as part of a study I was particiapting at my university, other than that I had never had an interest in them. They are more entertainment to me BC especially. The ranking system at BC has no meaning except in BC. I suggest really not looking at it. What matters is your readers your content and your goals, and probably as with mine most of mine, though I did find some excellent blogs at my blog log last year - many of them listed at BC - most of my readers are long term growing slowly over time.
There are some good blogs on blog catalog but thre are so many great blogs not there that it really doesn’t pay to worry about it. I started looking at social networks two falls ago while assisting in a study at school, prior to that I hadn’t used them at all or even given them a thought, maybe you should do the same?
There are some good blogs on blog catalog, but there are so many great blogs out there that it really doesn’t pay to worry about it.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I can appreciate your frustration, as a few months ago I came across a number of blogs that looked suspicious to me. They all had similar posts (a number of them were discussing travels to Rome, while a few more were discussing a new Kodak camera). They all had poor English and grammar, and none really provided anything of substance (a story would discuss preparing to travel to Rome, or how nice it would be going to Rome, but none actually mentioned anything about being in Rome). One of these blogs linked to a scrupulous looking Blog Networking site that was selling reviews from its “network of 100s of blogs”. I was actually shocked that people were paying for reviews from this network as the “corporate site” was filled with bad grammar, typos and errors that an 8 year old would catch.
The two characteristics I noticed most often was that the comments were turned off (so you couldn’t say anything back to the scrupulous blogger) and contained the default Wordpress About Us Page (which basically says that this is where you put info about your blog).
I have no issue with people monetizing their blogs, but you should do so ethically.
I should probably step down from my soapbox now.
March 6th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Great post, and I share your opinion 100% on this. What really burns me up is to see a mediocre blog getting huge amounts of traffic — dozens or even hundreds of comments per post. Okay, I admit it burns me up because my far superior blogs are just getting a trickle of readers, which really reflects my lack of skilz at marketing the stupid things. But still.
Anyway, you are doing a great job with all of your blogs, please keep it up!!!
March 6th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I SO want to know what this blog is! Like you, I care a great deal about what I put in my blogs. I do not allow any ads, even though it would be nice to get some financial reward for the gobs of time I put into it. Because if you allow ads, they are selected randomly based on your blog’s topics or keywords, and I am sure I’d get ads for a lot of crappy dog products that I would never in a million years endorse. To be honest, I harbor the secret (or not so secret) wish that my blog might result in the same thing it did for my book/blog/humor idol, Jen Lancaster (First book, “Bitter Is the New Black,” and blog “Jennsylvania”). While unemployed during the dot-com crash, she started a caustic, hilarious blog, word got around, and publishers came knocking. Her third book will be out soon. Longshot? Oh, yeah. But other than speaking my mind, meeting other bloggers, and the occasional ego boost, it’s something fun to dream about! Keep up the incredible work, sweetie, because YOU are a big “plus” to the blogosphere!
March 6th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
VS, great rant!
I tried “monetizing” my blog when I first started, and was disappointed at the clicklessness on my little ads. Then I decided I really didn’t care about the money part. It wasn’t worth the time I was putting into that aspect of my site. I prefer to have more time to read and write. Though I have to admit, I still try a few things now and again.
Also, I can’t worry about what other people are doing. I’m old. I don’t have time to waste. I do my thing, and look for others doing things that are interesting to me. There’s something for everyone, us cool people, and also the bullshit bloggers.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
I’d guess blogs like that are of the “pay per post” variety. Their only intention is to make money through advertising. They join every listing available, and trade good ratings with others who do the same. Sad, but true. I think there are ways to make money through a blog, without being blatent about it; but to have a blog whose sole purpose is to make money seems like a waste of the reader’s time.
Love your blogs though, always something interesting to read! Choo Choo
March 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Just discovered your blogs (all 3 of them) and have spent the entire morning reading all your posts. I have really enjoyed the time i have spent (virtually) in your world and will be returning on a regular basis. I find your stories and comments literate and entertaining and its a pleasure to come across such blogs. They are like a shining beacon in a sea of c**p! May the Great Spaghetti Monster touch you with his noodly appendage:-)
March 13th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Thank you so much, Choo Choo and CharmaineZoe, for your thoughtful remarks! I really do appreciate you taking the time to comment!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Well, I am both a semi-deep thinker and a greedy blogger. I have ads and a few paid posts and would like very much to leave my real life behind and make enough from blogging to retire to the south of France. It does strike me funny that there are now so many blogs setup telling just how to get rich blogging. I am mainly just getting tired from blogging.
I like your new blog and wish you the best of luck.