To conclude the series on blog ranking and achieving A-List status in the blogosphere, its important to take a closer look at B-List status... and why it may be the preferred goal for most bloggers.
I mentioned earlier in this series that the lines of classifications can be fuzzy, and many bloggers may straddle the lines from A-List to B-List to C-List for any number of reasons. It's also worth repeating that the classifications are irrelevant in the grand scheme of blogging, unless of course your primary goal is to become an A-List blogger.
Simply put, "success" is relative to your personal blogging goals and cant always be classified comparatively against unrelated criteria in the blogosphere. That said, what follows is a general outline of the criteria that define a B-List blog...
A blog in the B-List category falls loosely within these lines:
- 100-499 inbound links in the last 6 months
- 10,000+ unique visitors per month
- $1k-$10k in monthly revenue
- 200-2,000 feed subscribers
To most bloggers (myself included) these titles and classifications are nothing more than a vanity tool. Someone who is passionate enough about their niche to start and maintain a blog on that topic is generally more concerned with reaching their market and publishing valuable information than with statistics and rankings.
Within 6-12 months, it is relatively easy for a publisher to reach B-List status and enjoy a sizeable readership and comfortable income from their efforts. Not a bad place to be, and certainly not impossible - or even difficult - to achieve.
So what would stop you from wanting to continue climbing the charts, so to speak? Shouldnt we reach for the stars and set out to be the absolute best blogger on the world wide web? Isnt it better to shoot for #1 than to stay content as #37? Not necessarily, and here are six good reasons why...
1. It May Not Be In Line With Your Long Term Goals
The goal to become an A-Lister may not match the goals you have for your blog. You should put some serious consideration into the effects of becoming 'rich n famous' versus being an 'in the trenches' publisher that delivers quality information to a focused group of readers. Decide what your specific goals are for your blog - excluding financial goals - and focus first and foremost on achieving those results.
2. Smaller Niche + Targeted Readership = Higher Conversion Rates
One of the things that may have you 'stuck' in the B-List category is the fact that you cater to a smaller niche - limiting your reach and Link Popularity potential. Keep in mind though that a smaller niche and a tighter focus will generally enjoy much higher conversion rates than a broad niche with less targeted readers.
3. Creating Multiple B-List Blogs is a Better Long Term Plan
Multiple B-List rated blogs can easily total the same annual revenue as one A-List blog. Multiple streams of income, and multiple web properties, equals less risk in changing markets.
Also, the long tail theory suggests that in aggregate the B & C Lists have a much larger audience...
4. Remain a Small Operation, or Part-Time Blogger
Many people start an online business with the primary goal of personal freedom and more time to spend with their families or hobbies. A B-List blogger has the opportunity to remain a small operation, with all of its perks - including working out of a home office. While many A-List blogs are managed from a home office as well, you want to think hard about creating a full time "job" or a management position for yourself.
5. Maintain a Better Relationship With Your Readers
One thing that B-List blogs have over A-List blogs is a closer relationship and a more open line of communication with their readers. This type of loyal "fan club" is a valuable asset - particularly if your goal is to increase conversion rates of your own sites/products or products you recommend as an affiliate (in contrast to just selling 'page views').
6. Less Pressure + Less Risk = Better Quality
It would be easy for an A-List Blogger to become a slave to the pressure of performance, and a slave to their high-paying advertisers that depend on that performance. If quality or quantity falls short, the blog may fall hard.
Remaining an independent B-List Blogger allows you to retain editorial control and also keep your risks low. Your primary responsibility is to your readers, which is exactly where it should be...
Best,
Technorati Tags: b-list, high authority blogs, technorati, long tail theory
About Lynn Terry
Great post, as you say some niches (mine) are just never going to reach the A-List status, but there's still plenty of action to be had in the B-List.
Lynn, I am starting to like your post. I do think that the statistics is not a true reflection of the quality of the blog. Rather than chasing after the statistics, the time will be better spent writing valuable content for its readers.
B list sounds darn good to me 😉 and what you wrote makes perfect sense as far as goal setting goes.
I think that the level of SPAM and other similar factors increase dramatically once you reach the A-level. That said it certainly seems to start a process that can grow on its own. People want to comment on the blogs that have high visibility. Newsies want to quote high ranking blogs and so on.
I think the right road to take is to write well, be interesting and have a day job. These should keep you from obsessing about ratings.
Maybe that was easy for me to say as I jumped into the B level in one week after starting my blog. I have other projects and I believe I have important things to say.
Happy Birthday Lynn. 34, is that 1/3rd or just getting started?
Thank you, Roger 🙂 If you ask me today, I'd say 'just getting started' 😉
I havent had a day job in over 10 years, so its hard for me to comment from that perspective. But you do make a good point - and it does make sense to diversify in regards to revenue sources.