The Blogging About Blogging Bloggers
This post may not be real popular, and it may ruffle some feathers. I’m new to the blogging about blogging community and I have noticed several strange things. My experience has been in political blogging for six years, two years of blogging for business, with one year of running several micro niche blogs. I did not really even know that there were so many bloggers blogging about blogging, until I created Cyber Smart Business Web Solutions and joined a few blogging community networking sites.
As I visited many of these blogging blogs (who are often providing “expert advice” and “how to blog tutorials”), I just couldn’t help but notice how many of these blogs do not even have the basics of SEO employed on their own blogs. Title tags all messed up, no internal linking, no use of heading tags and on and on.
My biggest laugh this week was a Tweet by a blogger that was titled “how to write a post for SEO.” I went to the page and it was one big paragraph! No title, no division between topics, and nothing that would indicate that this person has the slightest clue about SEO.
I also noticed many of these “expert” bloggers are running their first blog! How could they be an “expert” when their first blog, often under one year old, is about blogging? Reading ProBlogger and signing up to Darren’s email list does not make for an “expert” blogger. It takes years to learn the skills of professional blogging.
Not only years, but money. There is much information on SEO, SES, SEM and blogging, that you will not, and cannot find for free on YouTube. You have to take classes either online or in your local area.
6 Ways I Can Instantly Tell If You Are Not An Expert
- If you are on the free end of WordPress or Blogger, you are not an expert blogger
- If your title tag has a “cool” punch line, but tells search engines nothing of your site, then you are not an expert blogger
- If you write your post all in bold or in heading 3, you are not an expert blogger
- If you have no anchor text links on your posts and pages, you are not an expert blogger
- If you cannot show any posts that show up in top Google search with over one million listings, then you are not an expert blogger
- If you have a blog that is eight weeks old and are claiming to have 39 thousand visitors per month without posting your Google Analytics report… well, you are SO full of bleep.
To be fair, I have also seen a few true expert blogger sites. The key here is “few.” Three to be exact! Of all the blogs claiming to be “experts” that I have seen over the past month, only three have looked to be true experts. That is out of about fifty blogs that I have checked out.
One of the most important factors in blogging is building trust. Claiming to be something you are not, will not build trust. You can’t start a blog on “how to make money online” if you do not make a living making money online. You cannot say you are an SEO or webmaster when the simple basics on your own site are an SEO joke.
Marketing “gurus” to the left of me, SEO experts to the right, here I am…
Stuck in the middle with you
What say you?
Good reading. We feel that most blogs will die off as a victim of their mistakes and egos. To be somewhat of an expert, you have to "walk the walk" and "talk the talk."
This was a nice wake-up call to the blogosphere.
Source Blogger
"Determined to make you a better blogger"
My recent post Why You Should Not Become A Blogger -The Truth About Blogging
Chuck, I have these two things to say:
1. Can you please list the 3 expert blogging sites?
2. Reservoir Dogs is one of my all time favorite movies.
Thanks!
@Ileane
My recent post Top 5 Blog Topics
I'm not really wanting to name drop. I could have linked to some of them, but this is more an editorial than an investigative report. You know who is and who is not. You are on their sites all the time. "-)
Well, I'm not on their sites! Just teasing, my concern is content and I leave the technical stuff to the folk who know and learn more than me….and it's more than a "few" of them!
No, no.. there was nothing directed at you. "-)
Yes, of course I know better.
But, you know there are a lot of us still a little wet behind the ears and we don't need to follow the wrong crowd….the self proclaimed chosen ones.
I'm a good student. I take heed (sooner than I did a few months ago.) If I had listened to Ileane half the time then like I do now….I probably could be one. Ha! Imagine that.
Oh the mistakes that I have made! I would be much further along myself if I was not so strong headed and always trying to figure everything out on my own.
The last link goes to one of them Do you know Lisa? "-)
Yeah! Lisa is the (wo)man!
My recent post Professor Walter Lewin – Best Way To Learn College Physics
I read the article you mentioned above "write a post for SEO" and I see stuff like that all over the net. Personally, I started my latest site (need information) because I self taught myself blogging and SEO with WordPress because I owned a local fence contracting business and wanted to dominate the searches for my industry. It was recommended that I try "blogging for business" so I did. It took me only 3 months to take a brand new domain and site to the top of more than a dozen terms.
I am new to blogging about blogging too, I don't claim to be an expert and really don't look at any one person as an "expert" on SEO, it is way too complicated and constantly changing to be able to make that claim. SEO is one of those sciences that has multiple answers for one question and multiple ways of getting your result.
My hope is to share those experiences so that others may be able to do the same thing without spending thousands of dollars on so called SEO experts (especially ones that use black hat tactics), I believe people can do it themselves and the secrets are a bunch of BS. I have some advertising on my site to try and offset time and money I spend on it, but I have a fulltime source of income as well as other sources of income, so my objective might be different than others.
My recent post Do you Use Disqus Or Other Comment Sign In App?
I'm the same, my first business website was for my roof repair business. I brought it up into top listings in Chicago with basic SEO and good content. Now that sit is for sale, and I have several clients that I serve as webmaster for.
I'm doing a podcast soon on what it is like to be a political blogger, the place where I got my start. It is the HARDEST blogging.
I as well offer and encourage business owners to run thier own sites rather than paying web designers insane amounts of money, and they paying Google insane amounts of money every month. That is the actual purpose of this site and business. Blogging about blogging is a secondary here.
And I don't claim to be an "expert" per-say. I will not take on clients that are above my pay grade. You have to know your limits. I got a call from the owner of Probiotics a few months back. I had to take a pass because my skills are not advanced enough to compete in that type of competitive market.
It's graet that so many people like to blog, and I'm willing to share my experiance, and learn from those who are better than me. It's all about honesty and trust.
Thank you for the thoughtful and honest comment.
Great post, MCS! I think the real experts don't have to hit people over the head with a club proclaiming they are. We all know there are too many people, from the pres. on down, who give themselves high marks, when in reality they do absolutely NOTHING!
Thanks for your expert Blog and websites, you know your stuff! I still am too busy/lazy/stressed to change to a paying host site, or switch to wordpress….for now I'll stay with Blogger and my humble little blog! I have too much going on in my life to switch all that now, but when I'm ready, I know I can read your sites and watch your video's and know JUST what to do. Happy New Year!
You can do well right where you are at as well. Your site looks fantastic, and you have a loyal readership. If you are not going "pro" I would not change a thing, other that a little better basic SEO. That would go a long way.
Happy New Year to you as well! Glad you are off work! Kepp the vids coming, and remember to "steal those tags." "-)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Amusing Bunni, StreetWisePundit. StreetWisePundit said: The Blogging About Blogging Bloggers http://bit.ly/8WGytP What’s Up With All The Blogging “Experts” [...]
"just because an "expert" doesn't do any of the 6 things you've listed,'
If the "expert" is not doing, or is doing the things that I listed, then they ARE NOT an expert. I was not directing anything at people who are sharing what they know. That's all well and good. But, I see a lot of bad info at many of these blogs. I keep my mouth shut for the most part, I have other things to do. I'm just surprised at how many people are claiming to be what they are not. I don't feel alone in my observations.
By the way, your blog is one of the three that I was talking about. You have a solid grasp of SEO and blogging in general. Funny that the blog that is named NOT a pro blog is actually quite professional. "-)
Thanks for stopping in and have a fantastic New Years!
Hi Chuck,
I'm not an expert, my site has been up and running for 8 weeks. I am actually quite thankfull you have written this in a way, because it has made me realise I really do need to work harder on SEO.
All but about 4% of my traffic comes from social media and direct visits. I don't use GA (well didn't but will from now on, thanks to you!) because I was told it doesn't recognise owl. url shortners.
Either way thats by the by, As I said, I have never said I'm an expert or a problogger, yeah I use wordpress.org on the thesis theme because for me it's the best tool to use and as someone has already said their are some extremely successful blog sites that are using blogger.
I'm going to be really humble here and say that from now on, i'm going to start working on my SEO by using this site and your advice.
As for the stats I am giving they are from my Chikun plugin. I'll take a screen shot and email you the report if you like.
Hopefully this comments comes across properly, i'm not an expert and as one of my posts says I'm a dumb ass but I'm doing it.
By the way thanks for the link love!
My recent post Here is What I Have Done Today
Personally, I'm not comfortable with any internal stats. I'd have to see your GA. Your claim is absolutely outrageous. I knew that when I first read your post. #6 is you. I've been doing this a long time and your claim is just as likely as me walking on water. Blogging rule #1… DO NOT make claims that you cannot back up. I would NEVER post something like that without showing my GA up front.
The people who know me in the political blogging world know that I'm good at busting false stories. Ask Bunni, she comments here all the time and knows that I bust false stories. No GA, no believe you. Sorry.
As I said, I'll start using GA from now on, do yo know if it recognises owl. url shortners properly?
I've sent you an email too.
My recent post Here is What I Have Done Today
GA knows every time you take a breath. I think you will find you are getting just a little less than 40 thousand. "-)
Two down and one to go! Maybe if I keep reading these comments I'll find out who the third blogger is.
You missed out on the live chat Jordan from NotAProBlog had the other day. I had a ball and met some cool bloggers (none of them claimed to be experts though, well maybe there was one. I'm not sure if he says he is an expert, but he's charging $47 for an ebook).
My recent post Fun Twitter Promotions for Your Blog
WOW… NOW that is telling it like it is! I am so new to blogging & the information you provided in your post today has helped me with future researching other competitors and or experts. You provide GREAT information & I plan to follow your content…
Again, thank you for keeping it REAL!! Be blessed!
And may Peace be with you and yours for many years to come. Thank you for your kind words, and I am so glad that it was of use to you. Please come again.
I agree with some point that you mentioned here, but not completely agree with all point.
On a single day I have read many articles, but what I see that most of bloggers do not write to the point. They mentioned some unrelated points by far away from the main point, which I do not like.
Well I am running my blog on blogspot, its not my goal to be expert on blogspot blog, but I am just testing blogging by using by blogspot blog.
My recent post New programs at google home affiliate netwrok- December 30, 2009
That's cool. We can agree to disagree. "-)
I do agree with that comment Rose, I believe Matt Cutts is on Blogger, isn't he?
My recent post Why Comments Build Community On A Blog
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/
It's a blogger theme, but not on the free end. The free end has so many limitations it's like fighting a boxing match with one hand tied behind your back.
In general, there are exceptions to every rule, but overall you do not see big time bloggers using free…
Love this post. I've always hated the circularity of some of these themes:
I made my fortune blogging about how to blog.
I made my fortune writing a book about how to write books.
One of the reasons I LIKE Rowse, is that he started blogging about blogging AFTER he became successful at blogging about photography. Show me REAL, PROVEN expertise and I'll listen.
I've been blogging for seven years tomorrow. My anniversary! But I still only consider myself an "expert" in very specific areas of blogging. I'm learning all the time and trying to expand that expertise into related areas that can extend my ability to market. There is so much to learn!
Anyway, thanks for calling this out. Makes me crazy, too, mostly because so many are mislead by these tactics.
My recent post 6 Steps to Startup with WordPress: The Guide for the Wannabe Blogger
Hey congratulations! I figured you had been at this for some time.
I would agree with Rose. While I do think that using a free host is generally a bad idea if you are a serious blogger — with many limitations and ownership issues and just plain ugly/icky stuff — there simply ARE plenty of bloggers who are very successful using those platforms.
Julie Powell (of the Julie/Julia project that was a hit movie this past year), for example, started on and remains on blogspot. I dare say she's more successful as a blogger than 99% of us, by any reasonable measure.
My recent post Online Bargain Shopping – Never Pay Retail
Sure, like I said there are exceptions to every rule. But- she spends a lot of time posting on other blogs- that are not on the free end. Her specialty is also cooking rather than blogging. Again, you can find a FEW, and I mean a few, successful bloggers on the free end. In general, it is considered unprofessional to run a business on a free blog. For good reason in my mind.
And in the world of professional bloggers that blog about blogging, which is the subject of this post rather than cooking, this is even more true. If you are on the free end of WordPress for example, you can't even use plugins. How can you be a 'professional' when you are more than likely in the dark on things such as plugins? You can be an expert cook however, and use a free blog. This makes you an expert cook, not a blogger.
I'll go so far as to ask for a link to a pro blogger, not a cook, or author, or counselor, but a blogger that is giving or selling information on "how to blog" that is on the free end, Matt Cutts, who was mentioned above, is not on the free end of Blogger. He uses blogger, but not on the free end. And if he was on the free end, I think he would be alone on that.
I'm staying with self hosting myself, though I do have several sites on the free end. "-) Thanks for the input and have a safe and happy new years.
Jordan;
Not for nothin' but the last 3 or 4 comments I've read from you on a bunch of different blogs all include the qualification "I"m playing devils advocate here…".
You seem to relish the role as sh**T disturber these days.
Just sayin'…
@donpower
My recent post How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
Unfortunately Jordan will not be able to respond to you on this blog. I noticed the same thing. Just about every comment he has left here has had an edge to it. I HATE banning people, but his IP is now blocked.
I'm about to get ready to go out for the night, but I watched your video and I am going to respond to the comment you left. In fact, I have a few questions on your equipment.That was a nice quality video, and I'm having fits with my Movie Pro 16…Possibly you could help. "-)
Ok…so it wasn't just me who picked up on this…
Moving on – thanks for the feedback on the video! I would be pleased beyond belief if I can help someone for a change – instead of always asking for help – hahah!
I used a digital camera to capture the video and Camtasia to capture the screen and create the video itself. Ileane and BeginnerBlogger have suggested it would be cool to do a "howto" video on how I created it – both from a hardware and software (and home studio – hahah!) point of view. I'll work on this in the New Year. But in the meantime, if I can answer any specific questions, just shoot them by me.
But a qualification – I'm no expert
- Don
My recent post How to Ruin Your Reputation in One Easy Step
Don, Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, Have you ever used the Movie Edit Pro 15? I love making videos with it, but I just can't get the compression correct and can't upload to Youtube… Gerrr.
So true buddy, I'm on your back.
I say new bloggers should be humble, not claiming to be expert nor "teaching" things. They are better to make something like journal, rants, etc, far from claiming as 'expert' of 'teaching'. Such self-claim doesn't really help anyone, right?
I have no problem with new bloggers who share blogging tips, but it's a different thing when they openly claim as expert, mentor, or teacher. It's quite a proud move. That is not decent.
Here is a post of mine about the concept of "sharing" and "teaching": http://www.goblogger.net/2009/12/sharing-or-teach...
My recent post Why I Moved to WooThemes
Lisa is my hero, because she tells it as it is. I am on my second site. I started in 2008, my first site failed because I did not know what I was doing. I have been working with my second site for a year and I am still learning. NO one should think that Internet Marketing is a GRQ business.
My recent post Free Home Based Business Ideas That Can Make Big Money
You may notice that Lisa is on a short list of people that I link out to. You know exactly why. "-) Thanks for the comment and please come again. I'm having a comment contest right now.
http://www.cybersmartwebmarketing.com/top-comment...
I find some of the blogs online very interesting. Lisa is my favorite and this blog is becoming a fast favorite. I wish I had come to this blog when I first started, but that does not matter, I am here now and learning a lot. I love my niche and I have a tremendous amount of education and experience in the subject, but I finding out that many of my visitors that contact me want a fast way to make money online and when I tell them that there is no fast way they either do not believe or they want to tell me of a fast way to make money they tell me what they have heard about. I try to let people know that there are ways to make money off line, but for some reason people think that making money online is easy. This may sound horrible but I think some want me to tell them about away to scam people. I had an offline home business for 13 years and I made money, I believe working online is away to reach more people and the overhead is so much less, but I think people need to realize that blogging is W-O-R-K! Even though I am a business expert, the Internet is a new frontier.
Melva´s last blog ..Easy to Start Home Business for the Stay at Home Mom
You should never claim to be an expert until you have enough followers claiming you’re an expert and have the results to back up your own words.
Even then, be careful what you call yourself.
Above all, seriously, great article!
Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other