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New Bloggers: Reactions to Blog Begging...(blegging?)

Posted by helloitsme • 7/04/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic

Hello, I began my blog last month and was oh so excited to get those first comments/messages in some directories, only to find most were 'stumble me, I'll stumble you', 'fave me, fave you' stuff. Most hadn't even visited my blog! I'm going to support the implied integrity of the blogosphere and vote/fave/stumble what really strikes me. I'd only expect the same from others. What do you think? Were you surprised by these requests? Am I being too naive...too idealistic? Will I feel differently when my blog stays burried in the underbelly for years??!!

User Comments

7/04/07

MollyCrane

My advice: Dare to be different
---
Molly

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7/04/07

Witchywife

Do what feels right to you.

One time, early on in my blogging days ... somebody sent me a message "I love your blog, link to me and I will link to you".... I didn't know what to do! I certainly didn't want to be RUDE... so I added the link and they added me.

That link is still there on my blog (I'm not telling which one) but it still really bothers me because I don't read that blog and don't think its that good. I wish I could take it down, but they still have their link to me, and I guess I made a deal... oh well. But I learned my lesson, now I will only put up links that appeal to me REGARDLESS of whether they link back or not.

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1. 7/05/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Take it down if it bothers you. You can also send a private message to their shoutbox explaining your change of heart, so they can take yours down. If you don't like the blog much, perhaps visitors to that blog aren't going to be that interested in yours anyway. Lately I've been following blogrolls of good blogs and found pleasant surprises, but that's because they share related interests.
2. 7/05/07
  
  Witchywife
  
  Thanks Stoneman - I am going to follow your advice!
7/04/07

awannabe

I find if people are actually interested in what I write, they'll come back on their own. I don't ask for or promise promotion to and from others so much. I do get irritated when people spam me at myblog log and say "thank you for visiting" and leave their URL, as if I hadn't been there already. I think it is often enough to leave a short message, of thanks and if someone wants to visit your blog they can always click on your icon and see your profile and visit your blog.

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7/04/07

Tobsy

When you stumble something, stumble only what you like.
When you digg something, see above.
Expect the same thing from others.

As for being buried for years: If you build it, they will come (And, hey, blog readers don't even need a baseball field. Just good content ;-)).

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7/04/07

helloitsme

Thanks for your honest replies and good advice. I can relate to your points of view! Tobsy - too funny about the field...I'll continue focusing on the good content-o-meter. Honestly, it's still just a thrill to see my thoughts on the web! Don't think that'll ever change. Cheers, Cat

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7/05/07

clioandme

I was put off by that "blegging" when I first joined. The best part was when they complemented the blog, but didn't say which one, and never dug deeper than my user profile page. Fortunately, this seems to be a small enough minority that the annoyance soon went away, unlike the flow of spam through my email account.

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7/05/07

siahsmom

Well, I loved your blog when I checked it out and subscribed. My favorite way is to favorite a blog with Technorati and I check the posts there (I'm not exactly tech savvy with rss stuff. You've done well for a brand new blog - just keep doing what you're doing and it will NOT stay buried. Besides, turn some of your stuff into articles and you're in like Flynn

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1. 7/05/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Thank you.
7/05/07

VioletsVintage

I only link to blogs I actually read and enjoy and only one link on my blog links back to me.....I don't mind adding a link when someone asks me, if I enjoy their blog. I will add more links as I go along and discover new blogs I like.

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7/05/07

suray

You should check it out here surayblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/blogging-between-global-competition-and_04.h...

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1. 7/05/07
  
  clioandme
  
  I tried reading the post, but I still don't get how this applies Helloitsme's question.
7/08/07

Boba

What influenced me to start a blog was a show called the office, in the show the temp sets up a character named Creed (an old man) with a fake blog the address was something like www.creed.blog.www. The point being that Creed was having a great time just posting his thoughts, he didnt get any feedback so what. I just started a blog as well, I have tons of friends that have blogs but havent told any yet. It was nice that there was a few people visit the site to welcome me. Like Tobsy said if you build it they will come, if not their loss. Blogging is cool but I find that learning about other people is way more fun then posting my thoughts, Ive been reading blogs ever since one of my friends started blogging 7 years ago.

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1. 7/08/07
  
  helloitsme
  
  I agree with you, Boba! BTW, The Office is my absolute favorite show. I know exactly which episode you're referring to! Ever read Dwight's blog on the NBC website? Dwight rocks.
7/08/07

GiftsForYouBiz

I used to take links personally. Not anymore. Not after 5 years of doing it. I link to sites that I think anyone visiting my site would like to visit.

I do require a link back from about 95% of sites that would like a link from my site to theirs. But I usually don't ask for them. They ask me (I have enough links that I don't need to ask anymore, and I know that others have to start somewhere too). They place a link to my site on theirs, ask me for a recip, I check out their site, and if their site is relevant and ethical, I link to it. Otherwise, I don't.

Same kinda goes with blogging, with one major exception, I don't require a link back. I also don't just link to blogs I read, 'cause I don't get (or make) much time to read. So if a site interests me, and I like its content and concept, I fav it or join the neighborhood.

I like to be surrounded (linked) to sites and blogs that I appreciate. I often use my own site and blog as a starting point to peruse and surf.

But I certainly don't feel obligated any longer for linking to sites. It took a long while to get over it, I'd say about 6-12 months, but I did for the most part. I still do once in a great while, and have to remind myself that the link's relevance is more important than my feelings for the person behind the link.

I hope all that makes sense.

Perhaps my requirement for link recips will change over time to become more like my blogging link process... I hope so, 'cause there are even more sites out there I'd like to link to. Maybe if I knew other sites were linking to me without requiring a recip... but if I link to 50 sites without a recip, and only 5 sites link to me without a recip, I don't think that evens things out in the eyes of an SE. But as for blogs, I will link to any blog that I simply appreciate or find an interest in, no matter if I don't even revisit it for 12 months. Maybe someone else will follow my fav link to it and appreciate it as well.

My 2 cents...

Keith D Commiskey
GiftsForYou.Biz

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7/08/07

neoauteur

You're so right. Whenever I visit a blog, I always attempt to read at least one full post.

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7/09/07

ghostytwofish

When someone does leave you a comment, visit their blog and leave one yourself. Leave meaningful comments on blogs you actually read and enjoy as well. Keep doing that, and you'll have plenty of traffic - and reading - to keep you plenty busy!

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7/09/07

sapphirelizard

Thankfully, I haven't had too many of these to deal with. If someone leaves me a legit comment that shows they have read a bit of my blog, then I will read and return the favor. If the comment is vague and just seems like they're phishing, then I don't even click over to their blog.

I only link to what I think my readers might want to see.

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7/09/07

barkhousefamily

I only add links to the blogs that I actually read. I admit when some of these requests/comments were submitted in a language I couldn't understand. I posted their comments and if people want to follow their link, that's fine. I'm not adding it to the front page of my blog though

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7/09/07

am208

I have not had much trouble with this sort of thing (yet?).

Generally speaking I will only put blogs which are related to my own in my blogroll. However, should someone post an interesting comment with a link to their site, I won't remove it.

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