Why I'm So Disappointed in Some A List Bloggers

I'm Mike CJ - welcome to Mike's Life! If you'd like to know more about me then please click About Mike.

If you're new here, please join the extraordinary community using the form above.

And come and say hello on Twitter @mikecj

"Mike's Life is where you can stay current with the life, thoughts, successes and failures of Mike Cliffe-Jones. Never knowingly ordinary, Mike shares as much as possible about his work as an author and CEO of two companies, as well as his enviable lifestyle on and in the oceans around The Canary Islands."

Like many learning bloggers, I avidly read what the A Listers are writing, and I’m very grateful to them for the ton of terrific free content they pump out. But over the last couple of weeks I’ve been surprised and disappointed at some of the things that have happened. Here are the stories:

Blogger A

This is a young guy who has really “made it” this year, with a truly different blog and a novel approach. I loved reading his stuff, although I had detected that perhaps he was getting just a little too big for his boots in recent months – the posts were sometimes bordering on being “preachy.”

A couple of months ago he wrote a really scathing piece about internet marketers, and ripped into one particularly, who had dared to send him an email suggesting a marketing method to help him build his list. Now I don’t agree with what the guy was suggesting, but at the end of the day, he was giving a free opinion based on his knowledge and experience, but boy was he slapped!

This particular A list blogger makes his money from selling his own books and products, so whatever way he looks at it, he is an internet marketer. So I wrote a pretty gentle comment, which told him I was a fan, but suggested that I might be smelling “the faintest whiff of hypocrisy” in his post. The comment never made it past moderation, so I contacted him via DM on Twitter and asked why. He told me that his “editor” moderates all the comments, and they couldn’t possibly publish them all. It seemed a fair answer, although I was a little perturbed by the whole “editor” thing – maybe I’m naive in assuming that all bloggers moderate their own comments, as it’s such a vital part of our communication? However, I have since noticed that this particular blogger doesn’t ever publish comments that don’t agree with his posts. In fact, almost without exception the comments are all of the “Awesome, you rock” variety.

Is this A lister moderating out any comments that don’t praise him?

Blogger B

This blogger is a pretty established star. He built his reputation on delivering fantastic content, and there was a time when I looked forward to each post, and devoured every word of it. I’m also subscribed to his newsletter, and loved the additional content he used to send out to us.

But recently, it has felt like every email, and every post has been focused on selling me something. Don’t get me wrong, I’m interested in his stuff and I have planned to buy some. But where free content used to be delivered in spades, now it’s rare. Just to check I wasn’t being unfair, I looked at his last ten posts – of those, 5 are specifically selling me something, and of the other five, two are guest posts, and the other three, whilst not just about selling, are full of links to his products.

Has this A lister lost his sense of balance?

Blogger C

Another long term star, and another one I’ve been a fan of for some time, announced to the world recently that he would no longer be using email. He gave some good reasons why, specifically he wanted to liberate more time to be creative. I have some sympathy with this, and I guess many of us have problems with the time email takes. But I also have a big issue with it. Surely as bloggers we need to make ourselves available in whatever medium our readers and clients choose?

Apparently now we can only contact this blogger through email if the subject contains specific key words, like for example “Advertise.” The huge irony of all of this is that since his announcement on 27th July, I have received no less than 5 emails from him! Each is leading towards a future product release, but the timing couldn’t have been worse for anyone, like me, who was irritated at being told he could no longer contact this blogger via that medium.

Is this A lister really so important that he can’t accept email from me?

Network Marketer D

You’ll note that I’ve changed the title from blogger to network marketer. This is a genuine A list network marketer, who has become hugely popular in the very recent past. She’s built a strong brand, seems to have made some serious money and has definitely made some big connections in the business.

She also has a blog, which I have been reading for some time. It’s not a great blog, but it seems to serve as a useful vehicle for building her email list. I was reading another mediocre posting on it the other day, that somehow seemed familiar. I Google’d a sentence and found the post was simply lifted from www.articlesbase.com and also appeared on a number of other sites. That was a shock in itself, but not inexcusable for someone who has a busy life. What is really bad though, is that she hadn’t credited the article as such, and when I checked through all her posts, many fell into the same category.

I’m sure she isn’t the first to do this, but I feel duped, and the dishonesty really doesn’t sit well with the brand she has built up.

Will this A lister get found out?

So what do you think? Am I over reacting by being disappointed? Was I expecting too much? I’m interested in your views.

Trackback URL for this post:

http://www.mikeslife.org/trackback/258

i feel the same about a list bloggers :)

is blogger B John Chow? ;)

No, blogger B isn't John. He makes no bones out of the fact that his business is based on affiliate sales and paid reviews, so I kind of expect that from him, and appreciate what he does.

This one is someone who isn't known for that at all.

Mike

I know who blogger #1 is and I'm glad to see someone else comment about it. I don't understand the point of moderated comments. My blog let's your comments publish on their own if I've approved 2 others in the past. I think criticism is good for business and I've seen several bloggers try to become preachers once they've made the big time.

Funny how many cliques exist in the blogging world.

I think I know who D is, but not 100% certain. Regardless, way to take a stand and do what you feel is right.

Nathan Hangen's last blog post... Why You Need a Blog

I do agree that comments should be moderated. You do get a whole lot of spam coming through. For me, I am on the bad end of trackback spam.
Having said that, an even balance of praise and criticism is good for a blog. Not everyone is going to agree with you. If you cant accept that, give up blogging

Robert Bravery's last blog post... Apple iPod ? New Weapon of Mass Destruction

I can point out blogger C but I have no idea about the rest. In general it feels like more and more people are trying to earn some extra cash by turning on their readers and just promote products with little or no value.

Stefan's last blog post... Monthly Roundup ? July 2009

Some time ago as part of a blog improvement course I was on the accompanying forum and someone mentioned an A list blogger. I signed up for some info but it seemed to me like pyramid selling and I said so. Boy, did his fans come down on me like a ton of bricks.

Quite how top bloggers get this god like image I have no idea but some of them need taking down a peg or two.

Kevin Tea's last blog post... Simple But Powerful ? The Buzz That Drives WizeHive

Hi Mike,

I zoned out of the whole Superstar Blogger thing about a month ago now. I got sick of receiving endless emails that always finished with a sales hook, plus loooong scrolling web pages with the corny sales pitch, illustrated with a lovely sunset, pictures of family being hugged etc etc.

Seems to me that most of these people are making money on the internet telling people how to make money on the internet... Very few offer real success examples other than other businesses selling... you guessed it.

Now when I was a kid and mail arrived through the letterbox, it was called pyramid selling.

I do get your point about many of these annoying behaviors but I'm wondering if it will be lost as people will spend more time trying to figure out who all the bloggers are?

The thing is, I'm so far from the A list that I'm not even in the alphabet, but I can't help but have some sympathy for folks once they get to the top and have to maintain it. I know just on my little site, I've had to do some things to keep the site as a whole running that made some people upset, think that I'd lost touch, etc.

For example Blogger C, who I assume we all know is Leo of Zen Habits, I actually admire him for having the guts to publicly say that he's going to do this, even though I'm sure he's anticipated some would see it as being a diva or unappreciative. It's not what I'd do, but if I wanted to know what I'd do and how it works out, well I'd read my own blog. Heh.

The selling can and does get annoying after awhile. I understand moderated comments although I wish that some bloggers had some sort of button that would consolidate comments into "Tracy + 87 others said 'great post' and nothing more of substance" so it would be easy to scroll down to the meaty comments.

Stealing work is never okay, but I don't know the terms of the article site so I won't pass judgment on this particular blogger.

I did like this post though, it is a lot of food for thought. It makes me think of how to better handle myself now and in the future when I finally make it into the alphabet. ;-)

Tracy's last blog post... How dare she?

Nice long and thoughtful comment Tracy. I hope not revealing who they all are doesn't detract from the message, and I do share your sympathy for some of these guys - I struggle to keep up sometimes and I'm not yet in their league.

I think in each case something fundamental has gone out of the window - I accept that things must change when you're inundated with stuff and have a huge mailing list, but I think it each case, they've made a bad decision on how to cut their particular corners.

Mike

You did bring up some great points Mike and I hope I don't come across as saying that whatever the big guys do is great, because I don't believe that anyone is above helpful criticism.

I try (and fail often) to avoid attributing mistakes to defects in character and instead look at what circumstances made the mistake possible. Not because I'm a great hippy dippy airy love child, but because if I think the other guy messed up because he's a greedy ass, well I'm not a greedy ass so no use worrying about making the same error myself.

Although this is a case where I'm purely commenting out of sheer nosiness and being totally intrigued by the whole blogging culture because I don't know that A list blogger is on the agenda for me!

Tracy's last blog post... How dare she?

Man I'd love to know who they are even if it's only to stop wondering.

Here's a question though. What defines an 'A' list blogger. Is it subscribers, content, comments, length of posting or a combination of all of those?

Tim Brownson's last blog post... How To Make Money Blogging

So far I've had a load of Twitter DMs and a dozen emails asking me to reveal who they are - keep 'em coming, I might weaken!

I guess it's a combination of those Tim, although I suspect in some cases it's more about perception!

Mike

Mike,

Great post. Don't moderate this one to the loony bin. Just kidding. I might have an idea as to who some of these bloggers are. You're absolutely correct. I too have found myself unsubscribing because they have become to much of a sales pitch rather than giving me something worth my while.

While what ever they are selling might indeed be worth it, I just don't want to be reminded of it all the time.

It's like you have given a Salesman Carte Blanche in your home.

Robert Bravery's last blog post... Apple iPod ? New Weapon of Mass Destruction

Then we can all stop guessing and simply unsubscribe, or even subscribe. One thing you must remember though is that the reason they want you on their list, and the reason I want you on my list and you want me on your list just like anyone else, is to sell something down the line. Usually it only develops into a pitchfest when there is no real content left, they have said all they need or want to say.
The content is the hook for the sale. The best bloggers and marketers keep giving good content.

Graham's last blog post... Tax in Spain - Video Post

These could be waaaay off the mark, but I'll have a go.

A. No idea.

B. Steve Pavlina maybe?

C. Leo Babauta

D. All I can think of is Naomi Dunford, but it doesn't sound at all like her style. Also, I love her to death, partly because she is a client and partly because I did before I worked with her anyway. Hope it isn't her to be honest.

#1 is Chris Guillebeau

#2 my guess would be Perry Marshall

#3 Zen Habits that don't make sense (never was a fan)

#4 Ittybiz

Am I close?

The only thing with which I'd take issue is the person who uses PLR articles. I *HATE* unoriginal content with a passion; sources should always be credited.

The other bloggers and like....I believe that everyone has the right to run their blog/business as they see fit. If their list members don't like it, they have the right to unsubscribe as well. That's the beauty of running one's business online; you can always choose to whom you give your hard-earned cash.

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach's last blog post... 9 Soul-Searingly Wondrous (yet Amazingly Effective) Steps To Add Video To Your Optin Page Part II

Hi Mike,

Thanks to Barbara Ling tweeting this, I found you.

Personally, I don't have time to pay attention to what the A-Listers (whomever they are) are doing, or not doing.

That said, I do appreciate all of the free information bloggers like Darren Rowse or Lorelle VanFossen have provided. If it wasn't for them and their helpful tips, I'd still be banging my head against the wall and/or would have given up on blogging over two years ago.

From what I've seen, many bloggers are selling "something". Whether it's in the form of ads on their blogs, a dream deal for a book, freelance writing gigs, an ebook or .... With the "A-listers" we should expect they would want something for the time they invested -and some truly deserve it. So, I'm with Barbara on this one. If we don't like that we're being sold to (or in the case of "a" - being ignored), we can easily unsubscribe.

Just a clarification about blogger A. If I am correct in my guess, and I think I am, I'd like to mention that although him and I disagree from time to time on things such as that, overall he has been very approachable (at least with me) and has been a great sounding board when I've been in need of help. We don't talk every day, but I really do think he is a great guy with a lot of talent. Overall, I think his blog is very unique and very fun to read.

However, like all popular bloggers, there seems to be some sort of strange culture that develops and early fans might find they don't fit in as well as they used to.

Nathan's last blog post... Why You Need a Blog

Come on, Mike. Time to reveal them. You're not writing libel here, just balanced opinion. And you're not doing it out of hate or in a ranting manner. Also, if those four bloggers know who you're talking about, you may actually make them take a look at themselves and their blogs to reevaluate. I'm sure they would take it as constructive criticism.

Cheers.

Gordie Rogers's last blog post... Book Review: Tribes

I know, it's your blog and all but I'm with Gordie on this. I've been blogging since 2003 and back then, Rule #1 is if you want to call someone out, call them out by name.

One Fine Jay's last blog post... Menu Label: a new feature for AIOSEOP

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sara

@Sara
Spammer!!!!

Gordie Rogers's last blog post... Book Review: Tribes

It seems to me that some of these A Lists bloggers have grown their businesses, without having the right operating systems in place to smoothly and successfully run their businesses. So they've taken shortcuts, swapping quality for quantity...so are you going to reveal who they are?

Annie

@the two Barbaras. I agree with you that any blogger has the right to run the business exactly how they want. My disappointment stems from a change in what they're doing and the mismatch between words and deeds. As you say, I can simply unsubscribe.

@gordie and Jay. I didn't write this to "call out" anyone and doubt that I will. It's more about a lesson for me and Mike's Life readers, and hopefully will be something we all bear in mind when we reach the heady heights of A list stardom.

Mike

Blogger E

This is a more mature guy, that teases his readers. He writes interesting posts and then leaves crucial snippets of information out. Is he doing this for traffic reasons and to provoke comments we wonder? ;-)

Tim Brownson's last blog post... How To Make Money Blogging

Heheh! I like it - touché!

This post has generated a lot of traffic and comments, but the truth is it would have been much better from that point of view to have named them. Their audiences are far larger than mine, and no doubt many of their readers would have come here to read it and comment in their support.

Mike

Hi Mike

I have to say what a wonderful insight into blogging this article really is....I have often wondered how "god like" some of these top guys and girls are? I guess they aren't.

As you know I am extremely new to all of this, but am by no means new to "forum type" interaction having been a PC Gamer for many years which then diluted from gaming into visiting different gamer sites and forums and getting involved in the "keyboard hero" arena where player A accuses Player B or clan B of hacking etc etc etc

I totally agree with you that if you had named names originally then this would have created masses more traffic, probably of the unbalanced, far more personally critical and sheep like formats than you have already had.

To only have one mildly critical follower to this post is a triumph in itself and would offer evidence to the fact that your original post was well written, objective and found to be very interesting and topical to the base that it was aimed at.

Personally I don't think that you should name them. I am sure that doing so would degrade the replies to a base level as suggested.

Thanks for the heads up Mike, great job.

Chris

Make money with your website using the DevHub.com free website builder. DevHub.com Turns Building Your Website into a Game.

Designed, created and powered by

Camel Media Group

I'll be there. Will You?

Why I'm So Disappointed in Some A List Bloggers

Trackback URL for this post:

Join The Extraordinary Community

Sponsor

Get the RSS Feed

Friend Me!

Say Hi on Twitter

Recommended

Who's Mike?

Most Popular

Today's:

All time:

Last viewed:

Lists of Posts

Navigation

Recent Comments

Recent Popular Comments