Now and then I might blurt out a post/content on something I really am passionate about but the quest to be an A-lister isn’t on my book and definitely not within my reach- speaking of of obvious personal limitations and difficulties.

Still, more than happy to connect with bright minds and kind souls online. I’d like to say it’s networking but I’d rather use the term distant friends.

Great post, Geoff along with the insightful comments.

Best.
alain

To Robert, if you’re reading this. You were a pioneer, a true early adopter. Every industry has people like that. One of the first in the pool and you also have carried yourself with a certain ability to expand on it while not becoming too big for it.

Geoff is doing that as well – at least here in the DC area.

I often equate all of this to playing the guitar. Or acting. There are plenty of great guitarists that never make it big because a break didn’t come. They’ll have a regional following. People will wonder why they’re not huge. But the reality is that there is only so much room on that “A” list. Sometimes it’s about quality, sometimes it’s connections, sometimes it’s luck, sometimes it’s determination. Usually it’s all of the above. And it’s getting all the more difficult. So be it.

Jonathan (who was once ranked as a “C” blogger)

@Alex I look forward to meeting you soon.

@Robert @Frank Agreed it can be done, but I agree with Valeria in that you have to be realistic. It’s not that easy anymore. People aren’t bubbling out of the woodwork like they used to… I think this is analagous to starting your own business and successfully building something. It’s a real ass kicker. Yeah, the dream is still there, but you have to earn it.

In the Washington Post today, there is an interesting article on blogging, which discusses some of the business uses: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/24/AR2008082401517.html

To complement that in a more positive manner, and maybe to support Scoble’s last comment, there is the value of having a distinctive voice/personality online. Gary Vaynerchuk comes to mind.

I like the four-legged framework you’ve described. But, it seems like there are other ancillary factors that can help someone successfully establish their online “blog” presence (along with “their pedigree”) — whether those factors become make-or-break depends on how solid they are on the four factors you described.

@Alex – “how to” posts can be crafted to make you think. The two are not mutually exclusive. You just need to dig a little deeper to do it that way. Also, sometimes the content that makes you think/inspires to action long term is that you may not even agree with, or want to comment on short term.

@Scoble – you are invited to show me an example of an anyone just like me who has made their name on the Web without attending every new media event (I’ve got a day job that right now is a bit at odds with being fully immersed), covering a lot of news (again, you’ve got to be there or be on the radar to get the news in the first place). Finally, online as in my career, I have found that being a woman means I need to work at least twice as hard to get somewhere to the north of half or a quarter of the credit. I’ve got a lot of help and support to even be mentioned in posts like this one. C’mon, let’s be realistic. Give me a shout if you’d like to talk more.

Anyone can make a big name on the Web. Anyone.

I hate it when people say that the A list is all decided and all that and that it’s too hard to break into it.

I have example after example of why that’s total bullshit.

That’s why I got worked up.

I’d add another reason why it’s so hard to get enough traction to be able to really monetize blogs: Time.

Not many entrepreneurs can find the time in their daily lives to consistently blog and connect and blog and connect. It blows me away when I see the Arringtons of the world suggest that entrepreneurs just forge ahead and they’ll have press contacts in no time.

Substitute the word “people” for entrepreneurs and its even more telling. People have spouses to be with, kids to read to and tuck in at night. Spending an extra two hours a day researching, writing, and responding is too much. Joining the conversation can get you notoriety – which is what most want anyway – but it will take a good dose of luck (if desired) to monetize.

So glad you posted about this. This is a big part of the huge misconceptions that exist about working – even in part – within and along side “social media”.

Companies and individuals look at the benchmark bloggers like Scoble and think it’s just a matter of tossing some stuff out there to see what sticks. But I love your point about building a network being more than half the battle. A strong community can help drive, support, and even improve content. But no amount of content can build a community if that’s all there is.

The rules of blogging have changed, and will continue to do so. The ubiquity of online voice for individuals, companies, and communities will no longer reward someone just for being there and for having the power of a big flashy brand behind them to lend credibility. Like anything else, it will become about careful planning and lots and lots of hard, dedicated work.

The standouts will be those that, over time, truly understand and artfully blend their creativity with business value for their audience, their need for self expression with the long-term needs of their community.

Thanks again for some thought provoking stuff.

Amber

It’s also like most other professions in that not everyone is suited for being a pro-blogger – i mean – not everyone can be an all start football or basketball athlete.

Everyone has to find their niche!
(And sometimes finding that niche takes a long time)

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http://twitter.com/franswaa