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Opinions on who is and what makes a blogger influential rarely lacks for interesting conversation amongst mom bloggers. Whether we admit it or not, we are all vying for a spot that mentions our name and validates the real work we put into our pages daily.
In fact, new lists, contests, awards, and press releases seem to be coming out quite consistently pitting and ranking the webs current elite. Even MomDot had a Top 50 Blogs of 2008 last year. I mean, what are goals if you cant get to the top, right?
I always tell myself that my failure is someone else’s success.
*vomit*
The truth is, some of the lists can create new opportunities for those that make them and their affiliates online and can be important to companies trying to weed through the fluff. Not all mom blogs are created equal. That being said, what truly dictates whether or not a mom blog (or mom blogger) is influential?
- Statistics?
- Comments?
- Main stream media attention?
- Opportunities?
- Speaking engagements?
- Loudest Voice?
- A combination?
I happen to believe that influence can also be personal. Surely the web is so large that its impossible to get a true gauge at the subcultures that lie within themselves. I am sure for some MomDot remains an influential voice in their online surfing but for others, they may have never been exposed to the genius that is moi.
Bummer to even think about.
So how exactly can companies effectively find the voices that resonate amongst all of us?
I have been invited to join an upcoming panel next month from a well known company that will try to answer just that. Which means I am extending some market research and bringing it to the streets. (streets = y’all)
Lets have at it:
How do you judge influence online and what do you believe influence actual is within the blogosphere?
And just for kicks, tell us who you would name your Top Most Influential bloggers online (and why).
That’s just because I am curious.
And nosy.
~Trisha
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I agree with Christine; it’s integrity and credibility that leads to more influence. The quality of the material and believing in what you are writing about are important factors and I believe they lead to better credibility and more influence.
Lisa C.
I love the vomit and nosey comments:) Maybe its bad but I can think of 4 off the top. When you say influence it also makes me think of helpful and actually gives a hoot.
Your blog has helped me the most in the beginning. I was here all the time reaing your pages on how to start a blog. Then I was just plain interested in the content. I was also very impressed that you actually repond to emails. I had some pretty dumb questions at first but you took the time to answer them through personal email. Thanks by the way.
Second would be the The Mogul Mom. Another blog with great content and a person who answers emails.
Third would be Hyla at greenearthjourney. I guest posted over at her blog for a while and actually learned about things that I should change in my life. She is now a friend and always helpful.
Fourth would be Tammy from singlerose.com. She put up her site in 97 before anyone was around so she has a lot of info and is willing to share.
Numbers do make a difference to me too. Ill check out a blog if the numbers are where I want to be. If I dont like the content Ill just go back every now and then to see whats up and comment. There is a reason the numbers are so great. Im really competitive so numbers are a bad thing for me.
I do have to come back here though. Your site by far can help a person who has never heard of a blog on Monday and have lots of knowledge to get going by Friday. Influence is sprayed all over this site:)
lucy, that was very kind of you to write.
You know what? This may seem way bitchy, but it is very hard for me to name who has been an influential blogger in my life. I do not look around often and I’m too busy doing my own thing to regualrly wonder what other women think about stuff. I guess when you have been around awhile, you stop looking around in comparison. If my blog posts help or influence a person then okay. If not, who cares. My blogging helps me and that is why I started.
To each her own…
Influence really seems more negative, like a blogger is brain washing her readers. I prefer to know which bloggers really inspire their readers. No stats, no effing comment counts…just pure inspiration. Sadly, that is something not easily measured.
Kadi, I agree with you. I think too much emphasis is put on stats & stuff. I do have the little stat boxes on my site, but I don’t know what half of them mean.
I started blogging, because I had some scary experiences with my teen daughter & I wanted to inform other parents about all the dangerous trends going on with kids today. I do blog on a few other things (as a single mom), but that was the main reason I started blogging & that’s what I try to stay focused on. (I do have to admit, I love getting comments.)
There are a lot of blogs out there that I read/follow (when I have time) & I think they are all influential in their own way.
Influence IS so hard to measure because everyone has a different definition.
I’m very pragmatic and I normally think in terms of time, energy & money. So, when I think of influence, I think of people who make me change the way that I think about or use those 3 things. Using those criteria, I would say that the four bloggers who make me think differently in those three areas are:
-Nie Nie: Her personal story of victory over tragedy has inspired countless women across the web to think about what’s really important in life.
-Jennifer James (Mom Bloggers Club) – She has been in the space for a while and her love & concern is evident.
-Beth (Role Mommy)- She is one of the few bloggers that I twist my schedule around in order to attend anything that she’s a part of.
and
-Katja (Skimbaco)- Her love for social media (and living life passionately overall) is contagious and her kids are amazing. She’s someone I gladly look to for guidance.
beth is fabulous! I have heard from some bloggers that she was the only one that stopped to talk to them at functions, etc. Thats a great rep to have.
I think of an influential blog as the blogs that make you say – I wonder what she thought about this, I want her opinion on this product/topic because I like her, the way she writes, and the communication she has with me.
I think there are 3 sites that come to mind for very different reasons.
Momdot because it has a huge thumb on the pulse of the blogosphere IMHO. Trisha is up to date and the first to know some of the inside stuff. She is also VERY helpful to new bloggers that have no idea what they are doing.
Ohana Mama. I don’t know if it was Sarah’s intent but I swear when I stop by her blog I am taken away to a relaxing vacation. She has great content that pertains to me and she writes about it very well.
Two Of A Kind (Working On A Full House). I am jealous of her stats. She is like the giveaway queen! But she takes the time to email me back personally and I love that.
If you mashed those three blogs together then you would have what I strive to get with my blog eventually. Strong content, great following, prizes for loyal readers. I want my voice heard.
Hmm…that’s tough. I would think that belonging to communities has a great impact. Communities that are strong and share each others opinions, experiences and so on and get feedback are (in my opinion) very important. Which is number 30028449383293471039 reason why I love the MomDot forum. Of course comments and interaction between bloggers, followers and commentors is also important. But my #1 is content and honesty! For example, Cat from 3 Kids and Us, MomDot, Accidental Mommies and others, I trust and they have great content. Trust and honest is a huge one for me. If I can trust you as a blogger and reviewer then to me that means you are highly influential!
This was a great post, and reading through the comments, everyone is so dead on about ALL the factors that really go into defining a blogger’s influence.
There’s stats, but they mostly pay the bills:)
I think it’s a mix of standing the test of time, a loyal readership, a recognized voice in the online community (twitter, FB, etc), and really offering something new and fresh to the masses, so there is cross blog appeal, as in, you appeal to mommy bloggers, food bloggers, travel bloggers, non-bloggers, people who can BARELY use the internet.
At least, that’s what I think influence means.
thanks brittany, great points!
I think influence can be measured by the company you keep and your associations. Even if your blog doesn’t bring in the almighty statistics, but you work with other influential bloggers, your voice has worth as well.
I also think many “influential” bloggers are those that aren’t afraid to step outside of the box. They push the limits. They challenge the current norms. Sometimes everyone agrees with them and sometimes noone does, but it’s taking those risks that makes them influential.
I also agree that you can be extremely influential to a small group and that power can be more than someone who is semi-influential with a larger group. Finding your tribe and leading, that could be said to be the characteristics of an influential blogger.
I personally think it is a lot of things that factor into influence. Statistics should weigh in but remember that these women belong to communities as well. I think those women can be just as influential in the communities without showing the numbers in their stats.
To me personally The most influential bloggers first of all have time on their side. They have established themselves, have survived “drama” and percevered, and have built up a network of people who read them even when their is no giveaway involved.
Influence is defined also by integrity. When communities are built around bloggers who build each other up and support from the newest and greenest to those who are willing to mentor them. They answer questions honestly, and not look for opportunities to to just better themselves by using community members as stepping stones. Influential bloggers bring others up with them.
Influence can be seen by numbers and opportunities because those who have invested time and integrity will build those up naturally and organically. The reviews, giveaways, entrecard and other things are great to be seen, but content and quality will rise to the top. They have the type of posts that make you ponder the bigger question, and then come back because you want to see how others have answered it.
I strive to one day be one of those bloggers
I think the “most influential” are those that attempt to influence. Build communities for not themselves but all of us. That still appreciate their readers and try to reach out to everyone. Those, that while in it for themselves – attempt to bring something to everyone else too. To me it’s about heart. So…it’s hard to say. I know that I have those that have influenced me but may not be anything to others.
I have to say that the ones that have impacted me and I’ve learned from are…
Kadi, Clarissa, you and Danielle from Haute Cowgirl. All influenced, encouraged and impacted one way or another. But there are so many more too. It’s hard to pin point just one.
Influence comes down to engagement with the audience. Is there a conversation happening? 1000 one way comments aren’t as indicative of influence as 100 comments back and forth between author and audience. Traffic also plays a role but not all traffic is created equally.
Influential Mom Bloggers… they are the people I type out the address without thinking twice and/or people who actually make me think “gee – that’s a cool idea/product”. How do I find them – usually accidentally. I found you through Ohana Mama. And I do visit often to see wuzzup in the mom-blogosphere.
And I have to say – I think As They Grow Up was the only site that convinced me to buy something.
(www.astheygrowup.com).
But whats influential to me might not be influential to others. In other words, to have influence you need a following. So who are you reaching out to through followers, facebook, twitter, subscribers, unique visitors who come by on a search for valuable information, or your everyday readers. It all matters.
This is a tough one because there are many “smaller” blogs I frequent. And I have to say, I would trust their opinion on things more than I would, say…someone like Dooce. (Because I almost feel like I know them, kwim? They interact with me.) BUT I do think stats play a huge role as well. If not many people are reading a blog, it really doesn’t matter how great their writing is. No one is seeing it, so who are they influencing? I would say it’s a combination of a bunch of different things.
Trish,
Your a nosy, punchy, straight shooter who is more curious than a F*($%^in cat – but VERY articulate. That’s why I love you.
Kimberley
Founder, http://www.TheGoToMom.TV
This is such a tough one because I do think there is a place for stats in determining influence but I think comments/interaction should be factored into that as well.
Then of course you should factor in twitter, not just followers but how much you actually USE twitter.
There’s more but I can’t think of it right now, the Medicated Mommies are distracting me.
besides me, of course. oh, and you.
i think jessica gottlieb is awesome. because she isn’t afraid to voice her own opinion, no matter the ramifications.
and honestly, i listen to what other bloggers have to say. but i’m not really “influenced” by anyone. i make my own opinion and voice it.
but really, it seems that the person with the most “followers” and loudest voice…is the most “influential”
great post.