Well, it seems I have created quite a stir with my Why I No Longer Link To The Likes Of ProBlogger And John Chow post. I know this to be true because in a matter of a few days it’s become the most popular post on this blog. The poll on whether or not commenting can harm your blogging success so far seems to be favoring the no it won’t side, but I will leave the follow up post for when I have accrued more votes.
I sort of wonder from some of the comments left on David’s post, how many people actually took the time to actually read my post? I got the impression that people thought I was attacking the Probloggers of this world for not replying to any of my comments. How stupid and arrogant would that make me, to presume that just because I left a comment they were obligated to return the favor.
Nope, what I was saying was that as far as I was concerned my time would be better spent to associate with people who thought the same way as I do, who thought so highly of their commentators that they interacted with them. Seeing as how some of the Probloggers pointed out that time was money and all they would appreciate that line of thought.
Also I don’t believe that I ever said that they had to reply to every single comment. Heck even I don’t do that, although I do answer most of them. 
Yet a lot of the comments insinuated that was exactly what I said. 
One guy even implied that I did the post as a form of link bait to get the attention of the Probloggers, when in actual fact there were no links to any of them. Man, the purpose of the whole post was why I wasn’t linking to them, and linking to them in the post would be defeating the purpose.
Still, it was an interesting exercise, and I still believe in the stance that I took. I understand the time argument, as I know all about the lack of time, seeing as how I run a successful offline business, have to allow time for my family as well as maintaining seven blogs. When things are tough I simply have to be careful how I allocate my time and the less important blogs are the first one to be put aside.
One thing I have learned is that the unwillingness, or inability for the Probloggers of this world to give commentators their proper due, leaves emerging bloggers with an advantage. When there is more than one business in the same niche trying to compete for a particular market, what they do differently is what can make them successful.
As bloggers we are up against a sea full of competitors. Perhaps taking the time to interact with our readers, as well as providing good content and service will help us to stand out from the rest. And, if we were to link to others who also believed as we do, perhaps we would be starting a new era of Probloggers?
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Tagged with: commenting • social interaction
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I think it’s pretty simple – the probloggers either doesn’t have the available time to comment/reply to comments (and they do receive a lot of comments themselves, so I can understand that) – or they just don’t want to bother spending time with “less valuable bloggers” since they are now so big and pro that they have no value in doing it.
Sorry that people insinuated the wrong things about your previous post – just goes to show that it’s easy to get misunderstood on the Interwebs :)
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..The Dreaded Cookie Law Crumbles =-.
Hey Klaus, I’m not worried about what they think of me or the way I blog, I’m way too thick skinned for that.
Originally I had planned to link to each of their blogs in this post, and with each link I was going to have a rebuttal, but for some reason or other, perhaps there was a fault with Disqus or something, there was no longer any url attached to their name.
Whatever their reasons are for not interacting with their readers, I reckon that perhaps it may give the rest of us a little advantage.
Has anyone noticed David Risley replying to more comments on his blog lately? Lol! I think David is humble enough to try to improve where he can and it’s cool he cam across here to comment on the aforementioned post too. Kudos also to Darren Rowse for popping across to this blog.
.-= Gordie´s last blog ..Why You Should Make Your Life Remarkable. =-.
Hey Gordie, you noticed it too? I thought that perhaps I was imagining things. Maybe deep down, even though he won’t admit it, he sees the positive aspects of being more interactive with his readers.
Ah, were you the one who mentioned his name last time? lol Actually, I believe it’s only temporary, and as this topic winds down it will be less and less. Then again, he did state that he doesn’t totally ignore people.
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..It Pays To Be Bad Sometimes =-.
Well, it will be to his benefit if he kept it up, then again, he did say it was more important to deal with the money side of blogging, as it’s his business, rather than the interaction.
True, but even that wasn’t a blanket “I’m never going to do it”.
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Limit Login Attempts =-.
That is so true. I reckon it will part of his next major business decision.
Hey Mitch,
Wasn’t me who mentioned him last time. However, we all now know that he can track when his name is mentioned in comments. :)
.-= Gordie´s last blog ..Why You Should Make Your Life Remarkable. =-.
I can see why people are insinuating what they’re insinuating. I’ve seen quite a few bloggers’ careers boosted by catfights, some of which I suspect were staged. And if you did drop a line to boost your blog, would that have been so wrong? They were in no way obligated to read or even respond to your post. You took the risk of alienating them and many of your readers who adore them. I don’t know if this was a calculated gamble, or if you weren’t aware of the potential outcomes of a post that mentions other bloggers by name. Regardless of how things turn out for you, you will have learned valuable lessons as will all of your readers who are following the post and its fallout.
Speculation about your methods aside, I do think your post was quite valid, timely and brave. We all need to take a look at how we’re spending our time, and who we are supporting. Are we visiting and commenting on blogs as a knee-jerk reaction, or because we truly enjoy them? There will always be people who prefer to do what everybody else is doing so they can feel as though they are a part of something. And I can understand that. And there are people who are willing to explore alternatives, who crave new and fresh voices and opinions.
As far as popularity goes, it’s almost always the same. The tail wags the dog. People at the top have a vested interest in protecting their position. One word from them could volley others into their stratosphere, so they are careful to be sure that these people will enhance, rather than detract from their future success. In a sea of equally talented bloggers, all it will take is one word from a superstar to give us that “in” that we need. Without that “in”, sometimes hard work is not enough. Sometimes people need to get creative in order to promote themselves. I just hate to see people do it at the expense of others. (And no, I didn’t mean you.)
.-= Heather Kephart´s last blog ..The Universe Speaks to Me =-.
I know you didn’t mean me Heather, and honestly the intent wasn’t to attract all this interest. I just thought it would make for an interesting post. I would have linked to their sites if I wanted to get their attention, but that wasn’t the aim of the post.
As to alienating people, well Che Sera Sera. Man, if you could hear me sing that song, now that would cause a whole heap of alienation.
: 
LOL … just in case I was the “one guy” who insinuated that the post was “link bait”, I would like to point out this disclaimer in my little paragraph I wrote on my blog about your post:
Keep havin FuN!
Todd
.-= Todd@Todds Tips´s last blog ..Todd Shares The Good Stuff – 12/11/09 =-.
YOU arrogant?? Pfft. hehe.
LOL @ link bait with no links. It’s amazingf what goes through some minds, ain’t it?
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Last Chance! MaxBlogPress Christmas 4 Plugin Package At 75% Off Deal Expires TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!! PLUS Something Extra From Me :) =-.
Actually, re-reading Sire’s post, and now Dennis’ comment …
You guys do know what “link bait” is right?
It has nothing to do with who or what you link to in your own post. It’s when you write something either so good, or in some cases so controversial, that people feel the desire to share and/or respond … it attracts links … thus the term “link bait”.
I suspect what you guys are thinking of is trackback “spam” … linking to high PR blogs purely with the Hope that your trackback link will show up in their comment section. Whole different (and significantly less effective) animal.
just my two pennies,
Todd
.-= Todd@Todds Tips´s last blog ..Why Do You Blog? =-.
Actually I didn’t know that at all Todd, I thought it meant linking to their site to get their attention. Thanks for clearing that up.
Also I wasn’t referring to you when mentioning link bait in the post.
@ Dennis – exactly, I’m the least arrogant person on this planet.
Maintaining 7 blog is really tough work and I don’t think I ever able to do that. Anyway, you are right it may be hard for problogger to interact with commentator except Daniel Scocco.
.-= Arafat Hossain Piyada´s last blog ..Toshiba Introduced High-Density Embedded 64GB NAND Flash Memory Modules =-.
I don’t write on all them all the time Arafat, but I make entries when I can.
i think probloggers are just there to write an article to get backlinks, that’s it, they dont have anything to do with sharing knowledge or unique article.
Actually that is far from the truth Pete, the Probloggers are all about sharing knowledge otherwise they wouldn’t be where they are today.
So, it is okay if we have plenty time to play in problogger blog, right?
.-= Dana @ Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Create Contact Form for WordPress Blog =-.
It’s a free world.
I can’t really imagine how so many people got confused with your initial post, I took it for what it was worth personally.
I happen to have a strong opinion about the entire “Problogger” concept anyway, I thought it was written well. For the easily confused it’s too bad they missed the point.
.-= Extreme John´s last blog ..Toys for Tans Free Week of Tanning Details =-.
Hey John, have you been pissing someone off lately, because this is the third time I’ve had to dig you out of the spam dung pile?
I’m not surprised that some people miss the point, especially if that point means they have to change their way of thinking.
I just checked my spam and John was there, hmmm. Good thing I don’t go deleting my spam all willy nilly.
.-= Anne@AnneOnLife´s last blog ..New Theme & Image Issues Abound =-.
I think John must have been a naughty boy!
I hope Santa doesn’t find out.
Of course John’s been a naughty boy; didn’t you see his pictures from the Playboy party?
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Limit Login Attempts =-.
Yeah, but then he’s always in the middle of those photos, lucky bastard
Way to go Sire! These articles are perfect example of creating controversy and a buzz at your blog.
Honestly, I think you made some valid points in your original article, and other people took it the wrong way. OH WELL!
The point I got out of the article, is how much of my time is wasted commenting on blogs where there is really no conversation (which is why I like to comment). Whether it is big name “probloggers” (or as some call them “A-List Bloggers”) or some itty-bitty blog just starting out, if there is no interaction or conversation in the blog, then it is just reading, so why comment?
I for one will continue to read Darren Rouse because I continue to learn from his blog, but I will think twice before commenting if there is no real interaction.
Anyway, that is how I see it. And I think you should write on YOUR blog what you think your readers want to read. You “got it” this time for sure!
Thanks for sparking actual brain activity and conversation!
.-= Keith@FenceMaterials´s last blog ..Vinyl Vs Wood Fencing =-.
Keith, I wouldn’t say your time commenting on those blogs were entirely wasted as long as those comments were of good content, and yours always are.
As far as interaction goes, well that’s another matter entirely.
All my post are linkbait just for the record. I also don’t think it’s wrong to call out anyone.I used to give all those well known people HELL:) when I first started but then I realized they don’t care and are not going to change so I moved on.The bottom line is the only difference between them and us is they had a few years head start that’s it.Their lack of manners and basic social skills will get em in the end WATCH :) Time is on our side
I’m giving away free pr3 links
thanks
.-= John Sullivan´s last blog ..How blogging will capture the prize =-.
John, I reckon even at 50 odd years of age I still have a lot to learn. Perhaps I will purposefully try link baiting in a future post. Shit, If I could get that response without even trying, imagine what I could do if I tried.
I’m in full agreement with you many of the “problogger” sites can’t even be bothered to moderate their comments. I’ll confess I still read lots of A list blogs and occasionally comment not because I hope I’ll get a reply, I know I won’t. However on occassions good discussions happen in the comments section. Such a shame the actual bloggers miss out on this, and also allow conversations to be ruined by trolls looking for link love.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Enjoy 60 Good Seconds with me – Beginner meditation in 60 seconds =-.
Michael, I have to admit that the lack of moderation is quite surprising, but then they don’t really have the time for that now do they?
I read the original post and I think I understood you and your intentions right. For me, like for you, answering religiously to each blog comment and email is part of the bigger plan to become an authority in my niche. Not out of calculation, just because I am who I am ;-) If I ever reach the tipping point, i.e. having more comments /emails I can reasonably answer, I would outsource that part to somebody I trust and that has the same “vibe” as me. Just my 2 cents for the probloggers of this world to think about, SY
.-= hospitalera@blogging tips´s last blog ..How not to win a SEO contest =-.
That’s what I would do. Also if I was earning a six figure income from blogging, I wouldn’t need my normal business any more, so I would sell that and that would free up even more time to spend online promoting, writing and answering comments.
Hey Sire,
I loved your post. I think it was very balanced and showing certain truths that many people don’t want to say simply because they don’t want to rock the boat ya know?
There’s so many wishy washy “politically correct” people who are scared of being themselves and saying what they think it’s sad. I mean really! People should just be themselves and be free to say what they want as long as it’s not highly offensive to others (and I didn’t see anything offensive with what you wrote). So anyways sorry to rant but sometimes I just have to- LOL
All the best,
Eren
.-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..How to Make Homemade Eggnog Recipe =-.
Eren, your comments, just like your blog, always have a very calming effect over me. I’m glad that you liked the post, and I’ve always thought, that just like in the real world, online political correctness usually has more harmful results than positive ones.
I don’t have a problem with telling it the way it is as long as you don’t go around attacking or belittling people just to get your point across.
Now Sire you wouldn’t want “someone” accusing you of attracting and chasing drama with gusto. lol
Just joking. ;-)
I never for once thought your prior post was some ploy to get traffic. I think I understood your intentions right in your previous post & if I somehow misunderstood anything than please accept my apology.
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Naughty Christmas Ornaments-Pornament =-.
Thanks Rose, and I’ve not come across any of your comments that would require an apology.
Truth be told, I don’t have a problem with people disagreeing with me as everyone has a right to an opinion, and it would be so damn boring if everyone stood around nodding their heads when deep down in their guts they would love nothing better than to voice their real opinion.
I do however think it’s wrong to insinuate or misquote something just so you can score some misconstrued brownie points.
I’m not sure I follow?
Just that there were some comments left on another blog in regards to my post that were either misquoting me or didn’t read the post and came to an erroneous conclusion.
Oh, Phew! I thought you were saying that I was misquoting you to score some misconstrued brownie points. I was thinking- hu. :)
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Novelty Penis Items – Etsy =-.
Nope, not at all.
Good Sire. :)
I understood your previous post and am glad it generated so much attention. All those accusing you of using link bait apparently were not so smart as they ‘took the bait’ so to speak. Maybe this is why they are a bit pissy. A thought, no?
On another note. I noticed I was getting tweets from John Chow, so I looked at my most recent follows. Sure enough, he was there. WTH? I didn’t follow him, though. It doesn’t appear that my Twitter account has been hacked either. I unfollowed as I really was not interested. Just thought I would share.
.-= Anne@AnneOnLife´s last blog ..New Theme & Image Issues Abound =-.
John Chow huh? If he was following you, it’s either because he liked your posts, your avatar or both. Can’t blame the guy for that.
There’s nothing wrong with following any of the Probloggers. They still come up with good content occasionally
Actually, he wasn’t following me. I was following him, but I know I haven’t opted to do that lately. It was a bit odd. I don’t care for him, but I do follow Darren Rowse. I guess that’s because his blogging book is one of the first ones I bought when I ventured into the online world last year.
Really, you were following him? Oh, that’s right this in the age where men are followed by women and not the other way round. Shit, it would have made things a lot easier in my day if I was running from instead of running after women.
LOL. It’s these twitter software or extensions that sometimes automate some actions without you knowing, e.g. following someone you didn’t intend to follow. Like I said in a previous comment, JC (or his people) was showing this bait software where he says ‘give me your email, then you can use this twitter app. Follow me, then I’ll follow you’. I had no such luck. Three months or so after I followed him, he never followed. So much for promises.
.-= James Moralde´s last blog ..Help Save MySQL =-.
Yeah, I remember that comment. I also remember that post Chow did to build his Twitter followers. He did follow me for awhile, and then he un-followed me. No drama as I was getting sick of his eating out tweets anyway.
If I remember correctly, he did a post on why he had to clean out his Twitter account.
John Chow followed me first on Twitter then I followed him back. He’s a friend on Facebook then when I saw him online few days ago, I tried chatting with him and said “Hi!” but no response. I assume that he’s just busy but hey, I don’t want to be talking to thin air! Nobody does.
.-= Mathdelane @Software Critics´s last blog ..Ways To Easily Recognize Phishing Emails =-.
I wasn’t always so brazenly forward. Wait a minute, I wasn’t that brazenly forward this time either.
I use Power Twitter predominantly so I don’t really get how this could be a program thing. Not that it really matters. I am no longer following him.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Arafat Hossain , AussieSire. AussieSire said: RT @AussieSire Update On Probloggers And Commenting http://bit.ly/5vLjJw [...]
It certainly did turn out to be an interesting discussion, to say the least. All because one guy mentioned another guy’s name that you and I had never heard of, of all things.
I obviously stopped over to take a look and see the reactions, and though some people were eager to jump on his bandwagon, for the most part people agreed with you and your position, and that should have told even the probloggers of the world that they need to pay at least a little bit more attention to those who darken their blogging doorsteps and give them a bone every once in awhile. I think Darren proved that by showing up here; that was a classy move.
You linkbait artist you!
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Be Sure You Know Your Audience Before You State Your Case =-.
Yeah, Darren was pretty classy wasn’t he, must be the Aussie in him
As to learning from the reactions, well that remains to be seen.
I miss being more interactive with my readers, and that is one of my goals for 2010 – to get back to commenting, replying, and being more social. I think what you wrote is a good wake up call to any blogger who may have been neglecting the community side to blogging, and even those who don’t admit it probably did learn something, which means your post helped make the blogging world better!
~ Kristi
.-= Kikolani´s last blog ..Ultimate Freelance Resources – 100+ Links to Freelance Jobs, Blogs, Podcasts, Guides & More =-.
Hey Kristi. I noticed there was a little less reaction on your blog, but then I just figured that, you being newly married and all, that you had other things on your mind.
I think, as loyal readers, we can cut you a little slack.
Thanks, I appreciate it. :) Although married life has been part of the distraction, work has been another major part. I’m getting back on track again though.
.-= Kikolani´s last blog ..Best of Social Media on Kikolani in 2009 =-.
No worries Kristi, it’s great to see that killer smile again.
Yes, we miss your commenting Kristi, but I have to say how I’ve been impressed with where you’ve taken your blog. I mean, you have an Alexa rank around 35,000, and for a blog that’s phenomenal. Way to go!
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..Mailwasher =-.
I actually really miss the commenting. I’ve been taking today to focus on nothing but, and it has been very refreshing. :)
.-= Kikolani´s last blog ..Best of Blogging on Kikolani in 2009 =-.
Kristi,
One tip from a new blogger to an experienced one:
Answering comments and engaging in the conversations around the “water cooler” is paramount to build up your reputation and trust in the blogosphere! When it comes to recommending new products / services, whom would you trust? The one that answers your most stupid question and goes out of their way to help you forward or the one that only addresses their readers to sell them something? Just my two cents, SY
.-= hospitalera@blogging tips´s last blog ..How not to win a SEO contest =-.
I definitely agree. Although I haven’t been replying to comments on my site, I have been trying to email responses directly to those who ask questions. I think I might break down and get the threaded replies finally and make it easier to do so on my site. :)
.-= Kikolani´s last blog ..Facebook Applications Adding Embarrassing Content to Your Profile =-.
I have to agree. That’s why I adore Gary Vaynerchuk so much. I can’t get into it too much but I am sure you are aware of the little things Gary does to show his viewers and readers that he cares and shows gratitude. It is game changing and an integral part of continued success.
Great job here!
.-= Scott Webb´s last blog ..Photography Business Cards – Moo Cards Edition =-.
Scott, I am sorry to say that I have never heard of Gary before, but that is what I love about blogging. It exposed you to so many ideas and new people. Reckon it’s time to see what Google has to offer on a Gary Vaynerchuk
>Probloggers . . . (leave) emerging bloggers with an advantage. When there is more than one business in the same niche trying to compete for a particular market, what they do differently is what can make them successful.
Well put. For every Pro-Blogger there are LOTS of very good blogs in the same field with some of the same information. I don’t even go to most of the sites you are referring too.
.-= Ned Carey@Baltimore Investing´s last blog ..Inspirational Video =-.
Yep, and when you are just starting out, or even if you’ve been doing for years like I have, you want to make use of every advantage you can.
I learned something from this article Sire
When there is more than one business in the same niche trying to compete for a particular market, “what they do differently is what can make them successful.”
Indeed and undoubtedly true. It’s in every bloggers activity on how they make their selves successful.
How the linkbait works without even a drop of link existed?
I like the way you say this to people Sire, I believe this is not a linkbait at all. It’s just the thing that you that sometimes people don’t get.
Thanks Sire.
.-= Jp Manching @ Beginners Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blog Priorities 1: Quality First, Quantity Follows =-.