Discussions
Would anyone like to be a BC Category Editor?
Posted by Jaybetee • 7/24/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: bc editor, blogcatalog blog, category editor
In order to make our blog better and to highlight more of our members' work, we will be adding a Community Page (we might end up calling it something else) to the blog, which will cover approximately 10 arears of interest (possibly more, we haven't decided as of yet).
For each category, we'd like to have an editor. This editor would be responsible for submitting 2 to 3 category-specific posts per week to the BC blog. One of these would have to be an in depth review of another BC member who writes about the subject the editor covers. The other(s) simply have to be related to the editor's category but should include links to related post by other BC members.
As an editor, you will recieve a byline on on all of your articles that will link to your BC profile and your blog. The direct benefit for the editor will be more visibility on the web that will hopefully result in more traffic to your own blog.
As of now, we are asking for 5 volunteer editors to get things going.
FYI, we are discussing ways to compensate the editors in the future. At this point, we have been discussing options such as a simple pay-per-post system or a system that would take into account statistics such as: traffic, bounce rate, # of comments, etc. We may do a combo of the 2 where editors would be piad per post, but then have extra incentive-based pay or prizes based on the stats I mentioned.
In any case, right now we are looking for volunteer editors and hope community members will be interested as we'd strongly prefer to have these editors come from within BC rather than recruiting bloggers from outside the community.
If you're interested send an email titled BC Editor to jason at blogcatalog.com. (*Reponses left in this discussion or emails sent with other titles may not receive a response.)
User Comments
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Sounds like a great idea! not volunteering, just expressing my approval! -
@Jaybetee
As of now, we are asking for 5 volunteer editors to get things going.
- Volunteers? Are you kidding. This is a job.
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- @Jaybetee
Would you please clarify this for me?
If one writes 3 posts per week in the BlogCatalog Blog on subjects in the same niche as their own blog is in, the BlogCatalog Blog SEO will outrank their own blog, right? -
No one's forcing you to volunteer, timethief.
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I agree with tt
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I sent you an email. -
I would do it but I think I would be a little too offensive from time to time...especially when it comes to reviewing other cooking blogs -
I simply cannot imagine YOU ever being offensive, cooking asshole
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I know, right? But sometimes it just comes out...
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Don't ever change, CA. The world can use a few more assholes anyway. For balance.
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I agree and I have missed you CA..you have been on less than usual! -
He has his own hippie forums now. -
I also joined twitter...
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In order to make our blog better and to highlight more of our members' work, we will be adding a Community Page (we might end up calling it something else) to the blog, which will cover approximately 10 arears of interest (possibly more, we haven't decided as of yet).
There are 2 things terribly wrong with that statement:
1) There's no such word "arears" (as in 10 arears of interest)
2) Wouldn't it be better serving the community if bloggers can link more to their own blogs and have blog catalog promote their blogs instead of competing with them? The BlogCatlog blog should be strictly about BlogCatalog business ... new moderators, upcoming show, upcoming bloggers unite projects, changes or updates to terms of service, daily activities and/or insights of the owners of BlogCatalog (business plan etc),-
I mean .. let's face it .. look at that last post
10 Truths About Me: The Importance of Being Genuine
blog.blogcatalog.com/blogging-101/10-truths-about-me-the-importance-of-bein...
>> As interesting as you are Jaybetee .. that's not interesting to be a post on the BC blog. i.m.o.
added/
(that was something more for MYSPACE or LiveJournal of pre Y2K era) -
If I were Jay I would change your username to "LovesPetsAssholes"
Just kidding PtLvr! -
@petlvr
- Wouldn't it be better serving the community if bloggers can link more to their own blogs and have blog catalog promote their blogs instead of competing with them? The BlogCatlog blog should be strictly about BlogCatalog business ... new moderators, upcoming show, upcoming bloggers unite projects, changes or updates to terms of service, daily activities and/or insights of the owners of BlogCatalog (business plan etc)
I'm with you on this. I have a great deal of discomfort with the concept of the BlogCatalog blog deviating from being the "business" blog. At present we go to Google we can see BC is competing with member's blogs for search engine positioning and outranking them on keywords and SEO in the SERPs.
As I can see this is already the case, and as all our blog urls have been redirected through the introduction through the toolbar I am feeling trepidation.
IMO the best case scenario would be for the BC blog to focus on the "business" of BC as petlvr has said. To be clear what I want to see is the continuation and escalation of the scenario of the BC (business) Blog competing with member's blogs for search engine positioning and outranking them come to an end. -
The idea TimeThief is not to be in the blogging business but to highlight more members and more members blogs. The current way we have url's is to stop spam. The way the blog links will be set up is without any redirects because there is no chance of spam on here as community moderators will be selected. So anyone who becomes a moderator will increase both his/her status as a blogger and get more traffic from search engines.
The moderator will also be highlighting bloggers and blogs on blog catalog. These blogs will be featured on our home page and bloggers who are highlighted will also be featured. This means more traffic to members, more exposure for members and more blogs being recognized as great blogs. -
I think I comprehend that what's being offered initially (on a test basis) to volunteers, but correct me if I'm wrong please.
The direct benefit for the editor will be more visibility on the web that will hopefully result in more traffic to your own blog.
These are volunteer positions that result in a higher community profile and more visibility on the web. Theoretically, volunteers can expect an increased flow of traffic to their own blogs via a link back to their BC Profile page (not to their blog) from the posts they publish in the BC Blog.
However, if a volunteer publishes articles in the BC Blog that have the same keywords and are in the same niche (category) as their own blog, the BC blog will outrank their own blog, unless they have a blog with a PageRank that's over 6/10.
Provided the volunteers do have blogs that have advertising on them that they do draw an income from now, the increased traffic flow from becoming better known as a BC Editor (Community Manager) and better know on the web will result in more clicks on ads for them, and increased income.
However, if one has a blog that has no advertising on it and is receiving no income from their blog then where is the financial advantage? Assuming the volunteer is currently publishing 3 times weekly in their own blog that they derive no advertising income from at all, then they will be doubling their blogging work load (research, interviewing, writing) and will be receiving no pay for doing so.
Is this correct? Or have I gone off course? -
timethief, you do have a point here. There is obviously a greater incentive for owners of monetized blogs to become editor than there is for owners of non-monetized blogs. So while monetized blogs may reach fame and fortune, it's only fame for the no-ads blogs.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, we all blog for different reasons, and some will be more than happy with just fame and not care about the potential extra income. But it does raise a small ethical dilemma for BC in selecting editors, should monetized or non-monetized blogs be favored? Some selected editors may even be tempted to add some (extra) ads because of the increased traffic, and turn their initially no-ad blog into a MadeForA(dSense) blog.
One thing for sure, editors should be selected based on their writing skills and the overall quality of their blog. After all, they will be showcasing other blogs, and hence, their blog ought to be a showcase as well. -
- This is where I'm coming from. onecoolsite is a non-monetized blog that provides basic SEO and blooging tips, tools, resources and tutorials free of charge to all comers. I make zero income from it.
I also use the contents of my posts and my memory banks to provide the same type of blogging advice free of charge on this forum and have been doing so for over a year. Even those who dislike me have avatars showing up in the sidebar when I share valuable, valid and verifiable information, and I see the effects of them applying what I teach to their blogs - yay!
I have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the BC community by helping fellow members to become more skillful bloggers with blogs that are better structured to be reader and search engine friendly.
I am aware of the time and energy commitment that becoming a volunteer would result in. It would double the expenditure of time and energy I'm making now. I am sincerely interested in such a blogging position as a paid job. I know I can "deliver the goods," however, the introduction of the Blogging101 category. I know from the SEO POV that the BC Blog with a PageRank of 6 would outrank onecoolsite in the SERPs.
I'm also aware that if I do not volunteer for the Blogging101 category then whoever does will be in a competitive position for SEO ranking with onecoolsite as I have described above. If they have a monetized blog they will increase their income. But of I volunteer I stand to gain nothing but more work without compensation. -
And if you don't like her response then why making a fuss of it Epicaris? To each his/her own . -
What epi said. If you dont like it dont do it. no one is making you do it.
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@CMF
Well, because it appeared that she was complaining about what BC were doing for no reason. Some people were clearly interested in doing it so I didn't see why she was complaining about its existence. Now I see she is interested, she just doesn't want to volunteer. -
@ timethief
Are you saying that being an editor may not bring the benefit to my blog that I am expecting? My time and energy as an editor will go towards building the SERP of the BC community page, while my own blog is lagging hopelessly behind...is that what you mean? -
@epicaris
- This is a discussion thread. I am introducing points for discussion that others have not introduced. I'm asking questions and seeking information on specific aspects. If you have something to offer in terms of answering my questions and entering dialog on the specific aspects I am introducing then please share.
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What you are saying is 'too much effort, not enough reward'. The admins have explained exactly what they expect and what you would get in return, so you're really just reiterating the fact that you aren't interested and therefore consider it to be a bad idea.
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Ok, let's move on from timethief and any more ideas people?
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timethief does have a point. There will be a lot of work going into being an editor, and proper compensation is only fair.
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I agree with you. That's why i said let's continue with the discussion instead of jumping on her in all fours
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What part of volunteer is so hard to comprehend? If you want to be paid then dont do it. End of story.
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I am merely stating what I have observed. everyone has a point to share. let them speak. the point here is that one has to be sure what he is getting into before jumping. what if...you realize it takes so much more than you can handle? the purpose of this discussion is to weigh the pros and cons.new members have to be aware of this.
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@Epicaris & Dbowles
- Jason posted this in the OP and opened the matter for discussion:
From the OP: FYI, we are discussing ways to compensate the editors in the future. At this point, we have been discussing options such as a simple pay-per-post system or a system that would take into account statistics such as: traffic, bounce rate, # of comments, etc. We may do a combo of the 2 where editors would be paid per post, but then have extra incentive-based pay or prizes based on the stats I mentioned.
From where I sit you appear to be leaping to these three conclusions:
(1) That I don't like the idea;
(2) That I have not volunteered;
(3) That I'm not in a position to discuss future compensation when this was in fact found in the OP. -
Pro:
Blog exposure
Building your reputation
Building your brand
Con:
All work, no play (and no pay, at least initially)
SERP? (timethief is the expert here) -
community volunteers will benefit from this more than simply $.
And regarding serps, there will a huge benefit. TT is talking about how the rest of the site is linked.
Pro:
Blog exposure
Building your reputation
Building your brand
Con:
All work, no play (and no pay, at least initially)
SERP? (timethief is the expert here) -
@TonyB
Right. -
@husdal
There is obviously a greater incentive for owners of monetized blogs to become editor than there is for owners of non-monetized blogs. So while monetized blogs may reach fame and fortune, it's only fame for the no-ads blogs.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, we all blog for different reasons, and some will be more than happy with just fame and not care about the potential extra income.
- Thanks for continuing the conversation. The benefits for no-ads blogs amount to brand building and traffic, hence a higher chance of securing backlinks, and improving PageRank.
Aside from the aspects and the benefits already discussed, I been thinking through blog colored glasses, so to speak.
If I were accepted as a volunteer I would be thinking in terms of the potential of onecoolsite benefiting from more traffic.
If I were accepted as a volunteer, then that may be good timing for me to spend some money. I could purchase a domain for onecoolsite, set up web hosting and pay wordpress.com for domain mapping, so no links are broken and the PageRank is not effected. Then I'd have to consult with my BC friends like petlvr and others, who have monetized blogs and make some advertising arrangements.
I don't think it's odd for any member thinking of volunteering to look at their own particular situation the way I have. Basically I've been wondering out loud about all the aspects, and seeking more clarity. The concept is a cool one but it's clear from the OP that it's open for discussion.
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I find myself agreeing with @timethief and @PetLvr on this one.
2-3 posts each and every week is no easy task. Writing an in depth review of another member will become a giant challenge. This really is a JOB in every sense of the word.
However, yes, they are being up-front in there request for volunteers. They are putting it out there and no one is being forced to say, "Yes."
I think it will be difficult to attract quality bloggers, bloggers that will stay the course....
Rob
P.S. PetLvr, I have an idea that "arears" is suppose to be "areas." -
d'oh! yes .. that would make more sense (areas) .. I didn't even see that.
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Yeah, pretty much throwing out an idea to see what the response is. No better way to know if an idea will be accepted by the community than to throw it out there and see the reaction.
BTW, I agree with many of the points made and appreciate the input.-
@Jason
- Yeah, pretty much throwing out an idea to see what the response is. No better way to know if an idea will be accepted by the community than to throw it out there and see the reaction.
BTW, I agree with many of the points made and appreciate the input.
Thanks for bringing this to us. Thanks also for receiving my BC Editors email and replying to it.
From the OP: FYI, we are discussing ways to compensate the editors in the future. At this point, we have been discussing options such as a simple pay-per-post system or a system that would take into account statistics such as: traffic, bounce rate, # of comments, etc. We may do a combo of the 2 where editors would be piad per post, but then have extra incentive-based pay or prizes based on the stats I mentioned.
This quote above contains some things that I'm interested in discussing, so I'm also thanking you for including it in the OP.
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I actually think it's a pretty good idea. Even if it deviates from being a business blog at times, why not allow the members a little recognition. I mean after all, a site is just a site, the members are what make it a community.
I can see and understand the position of those who have another opinion, but in theory it is a good idea.-
Exactly.
BC wants to send more traffic to our members blogs, highlight great blogs, highlight members and strengthen the community.
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While the idea of establishing a community page with category editors is a great idea, it should be separated from the BC blog. The BC blog should be about the business side of BC, not the community side of BC. I have to agree with PetLvr and timethief here. On the other hand, a sort of blogs.com geared specifically towards BC blogs would be a great addition to BC, if THAT is what you are trying to establish.
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I was thinking that if it were categorized correctly and show cased in a subsection, it would work. Not the main blog itself, but sort of like a "newsletter" type section or separate page. Then should they choose to list the post, I see nothing detracting from the business side if they had an entry like "BlogCatalog Reviews" or whatnot with an entry linking to said sub page... does that make sense? That was what initially popped into my head at the time of reply
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The idea here is to benefit the blogcatalog community as well as the community managers.
The benefit to the community is that community managers would be highlighting different blogs and bloggers within a particular topic. This will get bloggers more exposure, strengthen the community and send more traffic to blog members blogs.
The community person will benefit from getting a ton of exposure for him or herself and their blog. Each post that they write will be linked to their blog and show them as the community manager. For anyone wanting to become a better known blogger, become more influential in this community, become a resource for bloggers as well as drive more traffic to their blog, this will do it. Members who get this position will increase their organic traffic from search engines too.-
Each post that they write will be linked to their blog and show them as the community manager. For anyone wanting to become a better known blogger, become more influential in this community, become a resource for bloggers as well as drive more traffic to their blog, this will do it. Members who get this position will increase their organic traffic from search engines too.
This is precisely why I am interested. -
Yeah, that's why I thought it was a great idea.
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that's what I thought. For a second there I got a little confused haha
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What sort of catagories would there be?-
Agit8r, what do you have in mind? We are thinking around politics, humor, personal blogging, business, entertainment, money bloggers. Any suggestions?
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My suggestion would be to leave out the money bloggers and add a science or learning related category.
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I agree with husdal on leaving out the money blogs.
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TonyB, earlier, you said that
The moderator will also be highlighting bloggers and blogs on blog catalog. These blogs will be featured on our home page and bloggers who are highlighted will also be featured.
I read that as highlighting blogs that you have enjoyed reading and that you think others will enjoy reading, too. Implictly that means good quality blogs. How to make money online or get rich quick does not fall into that catgeory by my standards. Besides, it could attract all sorts of spammy ventures where the editor acts as an affiliate for the pyramid scheme on the blog that is highlighted.
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Edit: wrong spot.
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Yeah, science blogs are a definite plus. Technology, too.
Edit: This should have been in response to the posts previous, but I'm not going to repost it. It should flow well regardless.-
Then let me reply here. I second the technology suggestion. There are many good techie blogs on BC, but they don't appear in the discussions that often.
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My favorite blogs (Built on Facts, Physics and Physicists, Pharyngula, etc.) are nonfictional and largely educational. I wonder if that's true for a lot of people or if I'm just weird.
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Yes, there's a lot of good stuff on scienceblogs.com, and thanks to their RSS widget for researchblogging.org I do get a lot of hits from Pharyngula and alike. Anyway, not that the BC science category should compete with scienceblogs.com, but in order to attract serious (weird and nerdy?), bloggers having a science category would be a good thing.
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I dunno...
I have a Money Blog - but I'm probably one of the most (just one of them) knowledgeable here on Gambling Online - and that form of Entertainment.
OK - it's not really a money blog - it's an affiliate blog.
But my blog could certainly stand some refreshment and new players.
And this would be an excellent start --- BUT - most companies are afraid of online gambling.
Personally - I think in a couple of years - the US is going to start making revenue off of it - and regulating it.
So it will be like Bingo and other things.
However - there are A TON OF GAMBLING blogs - and information in BC.
So - if you do want to open up a spot for Gambling - I'll do it.-
It isn't about the community managers own blog so much as highlighting other members and other great blogs. Each community manager will get a "signature" for the posts they write they include their blog url, name, twitter account if they have one. So there will be benefit to the manager. Almost anyone who has been associated with BC by doing work for the site has become a more well known blogger, designer, developer, social media expert, etc.
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Gotcha on that.
My concern is that *my blog* is about gambling.
It is about that dark, seedy, online side of life... LOL!
If I were to be in effect an Entertainment section guru, manager, interested writer, Volunteer, slave, etc.
Then what I would be getting - would be informative stories/posts/theories/etc. linking to my gambling site - my character, etc. Which would be visible.
While in theory this could be good for me...
It is theoretically possible extremely good - or - extremely bad for BC.
That is where my concerns lay.
SEO wise - this would be an exemplary move. However, BC has a tremendous Page Rank.
Google is currently knocking down gambling affiliates to PR2, regardless of how good the site is. And other places refuse to take them.
My concern is that if I offered my services (which would be fun to do, and I could do the weekly or monthly postings EASILY - and I do enjoy writing and reviewing other people's blogs...) IF I offered my services - my connection, might in effect, bring down ranking of BC.
In other words my linking out might be "BAD" to you.
Not that I can't write (egads, we've all seen that I can spin a yarn easily - LOL!)
But I'm worried if I were linked in at that level - it might drop BC's ranking or SEO level.
Am I correct to be concerned?
This is why I have not sent an email in. I would love to do it - at least to give it a month or 2 go at it... But I'm afraid that there might be consequences if my gambling affiliate blog were connected.
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My suggestion, if anyone agrees, they should at least be granted a signature. This way they are recognized as a mod and have a link to their site for their work. Cost nothing but offers much.-
They definitely will get a signature along with a page that highlights each of them. There will be plenty of benefits. In addition they will have no shortage of BC friends wanting to have their blogs reviewed. The members who are selected for these positions will receive tremendous benefits.
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politics, humor, personal blogging, business, entertainment, money bloggers. Any suggestions?
education ( a category that annoyingly stumble does have, 20 somethings,literature, society ( pretty wide open but quite inclusive, pop culture, women's issues.
It'd be nice to have pairing of people for some of the categories if you can fill them with decent writer/editors as there might be people who have jobs and go to school, who could do it some of the time.
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Good idea.
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I would love to help out, but being a (sometimes too) personal blogger, I'm not sure what I could offer.-
The ability to appreciate good blogs and write reviews about them, the bloggers and their posts is what's key.
The real focus is to highlight excellent blogs, stories about blogcatalog members, and do things that strengthen the community.
It's an opportunity for you to learn a lot more about blogcatalog, the blogosphere, social media. The result will be many more opportunities in the blogosphere for you, more connections, more friends, and more exposure for you and your blog. -
oops! wrong place - sorry
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- I ♥ the concept from the outset and the more I think about it the more I ♥ it.
However, IMO it's going to be difficult to find members, who have the time and energy to produce 2 - 3 high quality articles very week for the BC Community Page, as well as for their own blog, and who will commit to doing so year round.
Now, if that were 2 - 3 articles every month, then I think the odds of securing reliable writers (editors) would be higher.
Just saying ... [she pulls on her helmet, pulls down the face shield, and ducks behind a large boulder]
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Glad you like the concept. We've received a great response so far. The time commitment depends on the type of writer one is and how quickly you can review a blogger, a blog or a post. For some people, not me, this is a pain free and enjoyable process. At least that's what the feedback via email has been so far.
The blog posts don't all need to be very long. Some can be short posts about a particular member and something they did, or a quick post about a blogcatalog member post that stands out.
Jason is going to be away for the week, so if you anyone else is interested in being a community area evangelist, please cc angel @ blogcataolog.com and tony @ blogcatalog.com in your email. -
Hmmm ... I already sent mine in yesterday morning.
I will email you and Angie now.
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How about political blogs? -
Thanks TimeThief, we just received it.
Political blogs?, Sure, why not?-
Political blogs may be difficult as it can be hard to find an unbiased editor, or one that is familiar enough with other countries political systems to accurately write, review or comment on our diverse community members posts... Most people are so passionate about politics, I forsee reviews of blogs or members that solely mirror the editors views. Maybe not, but it is something I would look out for
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I'm not sure I would personally ever feel confident enough in my profanity-free writing or alleged expertise to be an editor or regular poster, but an occasional post? I'd contribute.
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See my above post for serious question.
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I am such a freaking THREAD killer some times... LOL!
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You discussicidal maniac!
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What a great group of people we have here. Reminds me of a Mastermind group...
JBT tossed out an idea. We all batted it around, here and in emails. Jason was bombarded with "kill the messenger" comments! LOL
After we all calmed down, people pointed out their opinions on the "good" and the "bad" and a heated discussion was had by all. The project is coming together in a doable form.
Gosh I love this place! Arrr.
Rob -
I definitely like the idea of this.
I was wondering if for every topic that gets a community editor, that it would/could also become a topic that could be used in discussion categories?-
Hmmm ... now that's an interesting idea.
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It would certainly add more structure to the discussions, and make it easier to find discussions that might interest me. Good idea.
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I also thought the community editor would be able to keep things on track in that particular discussion zone.
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I'm liking your idea.
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Thanks
I hope they do it.
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2-3 posts per week.. OMG I think that is too much for me -
I'm thinking discussion MONITORS should be in place.
But they would have to be very non judgemental.-
@wagerwitch
- I'm thinking discussion MONITORS should be in place. But they would have to be very non judgemental.
Say what? lol
I'm thinking there us no such thing as a non-judgmental human being. All human beings are judgmental, and making the call to temporarily lock a thread is a judgment call Monitors make, within the parameters of community guidelines for forum posting and the TOS, on behalf of the community.
When a Monitor temporarily locks a thread he or she has made the judgment call that the thread in question has contents that indicate Admin ought to review it, within the context of of community guidelines for forum posting and the TOS, and make the final decision on behalf of the community.
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