As part of an interesting project run by Janette Toral over at www.influentialblogger.net, I’ve selected my favourite ‘emerging’ blogs of 2009. The definition of emerging can be debated, however, I’ve selected blogs which are new or have a very niche following… [And blogs must have started after May 1 2008]
My reason for participating? I like the fluid & community approach of this project – interested to see the result.
UPDATE (19/5): After receiving a few comments about this being a blatant link baiting campaign, I contacted the organiser and asked for her response. She said that she would respond in due course. In the meantime I’ve decided to scrap all the links until I get a response. I still highly recommend these blogs, and might add them to my blog roll instead.
UPDATE (20/5): Based on a bit of feedback I’ve reinstated the links to the blogs, however, I’ve removed the links to the sponsors – it just seems a bit wrong.
Since May 2008
Mumbrella – Everything under Australia’s media & marketing umbrella
Come Together – Thoughts on Community and Conversation
Love Digital – Making digital media less scary for marketing people
digitalOZ - Australian Marketing Online
Before May 2008
A digital perspective – Jye Smith on social media, marketing & the internet
Acidlabs - Conversation. Collaboration. Community.
Only Dead Fish – Advertising, digital, media, communications, planning, magazines, life
This writing project will not be possible without the support of sponsors such as Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, and Business Summaries.
May 17th, 2009 on 10:21 am
Thanks for thinking of me, Simon, but my blog isn’t eligible for the competitive part of the project. It started in its present form in February 2006, and the “emerging” criterion is “blogs that started anytime from May 1, 2008″.
May 17th, 2009 on 3:35 pm
HI Simon,
I’m enormously flattered to be on your list. Thanks!
Having had a quick peek at the site running the competition though, I’m a bit cynical that it’s more a piece of link baitery on their part rather than a genuin attempt to add value to the blogosphere.
The other issue is the insistence of links for the sponsors. To me that comes pretty close to what Matt Cutts (cuddly Google search meister) has warned against in terms of paid links.
What do you reckon?
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
May 18th, 2009 on 8:10 pm
Hey Simon,
Extremely grateful… thanks.
I’ve enjoyed getting involved in the social media sphere – and learning tremendous amounts along the way.
Love the idea behind the ‘emerging’ blogs as it can seem particularly daunting for even the most insightful contributors to get involved.
Although, like Timbrella I’m a bit dubious about its obligatory linking policy?
Regards,
Brett.
May 19th, 2009 on 8:06 pm
hate to sound like a cynic but these blog lists seem like straight up linkbait … this one even more so (ie the Influential Bloggers main link).
So we have black hat SEO … is this black hat social media … trying to game Google/Technorati etc?
May 19th, 2009 on 10:29 pm
Hey gents,
Thanks for raising your concerns, I have highlighted them with the organiser, who said she’d respond in a week or so. So in the meantime, I’ve decided to strip the links out of the post (I hope that’s the right thing to do)…
Question, should I leave the links to the blogs I’ve recommended or take them out as I have now?
May 20th, 2009 on 8:15 am
Hi Simon,
To add a little more background, there’s an interesting post from Matt Cutts of Google here: http://www.dullest.com/blog/text-links-and-pagerank/
It seems to me the main risk is if someone reports paid links (which I guess those sponsors are) to Google (piece about that here: http://www.dullest.com/blog/how-to-report-paid-links/ ) then Google can penalise sites that link to them in terms of their own search rankings.
There is a way round it, which is to code the links as no-follow. But that’s a huge pain in the backside!
By the way, Brett, I’ve no doubt that Simon’s intentions are all good – it’s the original organiser I have questions about.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
May 23rd, 2009 on 12:20 pm
Hi Simon. Thank you for joining. The main reason for the writing project (on its 3rd year) is to encourage bloggers to recognize new blogs out there. Some notes:
1. Linking back to the writing project is meant to encourage those who read your post to have an idea about it. We did not require any keyword to be used as it is not for seo as some have raised here.
2. Linking to the sponsors is only asked for if you want to take part in the raffle. That is our way also of recognizing them for their support. It is not mandatory to link to them.
3. Blogs you have cited will still get counted if you’ll be able to make a complete qualified 10 by deadline date.
I hope this helps Simon and thank you again for joining.
June 18th, 2009 on 7:02 pm
Hi Simon!
Just wanted to put my blog out there and may be you can consider it in your 2009 list. Many thanks and keep up the great work!
May 17th, 2009 on 10:24 am
Hey Stil, yea, clearly my head is a little fuzzy this morning, I’ve updated the list, those who aren’t eligible are still recognised.
May 17th, 2009 on 5:24 pm
Hey Tim,
I’m mostly intrigued as to how it will unfold. I have met Janette a couple of times and it would seem out of character for her… However, I could be wrong.
May 19th, 2009 on 10:50 pm
Hey Simon,
If you’re honest in your approach to take part – I don’t think it matters. Your intent is obviously genuine and raising a concern shows that.
On a side note: it makes me wonder if it wasn’t SEO that fuelled the growth of social media. But that’s for another discussion.
Brett