Let’s face it: the blogosphere no longer dominates the Internet, as corporations have woken up to the importance of this highly significant medium. Gone are the days where the blogger’s voice was heard louder than the journalist or the corporate communications hack or even the freelance writer.
Today, companies such as Associated Content, Demand Media, Hub Pages, Squidoo and Examiner are creating thousands of new articles daily, based on popular and obscure key words and phrases, making it all the more difficult for the traditional blogger to get noticed or to stay relevant. Facebook isn’t just a place to visit for some, it is a destination which has replaced Google search.
But, the blogosphere isn’t dead and people who want a platform (or soapbox) to speak their minds can still have one. Those once unique soapboxes are now surrounded by millions of other ones which means if you want your voice to be heard, then responding smartly – and creatively – is a must in 2011 and beyond.
You can’t do anything about Facebook or the powerful arms of online publishing companies. What you can do is maintain a style that attracts people while wearing several hats separately or at once:
Blogger – Your personality has gotten you this far and is likely to keep you relevant for months, perhaps years to come. The danger for you is taking your readers for granted, forgetting that they have many places where they can spend their time. Modifying the way you interact may be something to consider this year, perhaps inviting guest bloggers and doing likewise for their sites.
Writer – If you are an expert in your niche and a good writer to boot, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be sought out elsewhere for your skills and influence. Beyond guest blogging, you should be an in-demand writer on websites that pay you for your work. Moreover, those sites should acknowledge your personal site or blog, giving you an important backlink to go along with pay. You need help with search engine optimization like never before and can find allies to help you in your cause.
Editor – In the early days of blogging, people used to say whatever they wanted and however they wanted. You still can, but if your sentence structure is messed up or your articles are filled with typos or incorrect grammar or what you say is factually incorrect, then you have placed a huge target on your back. That target tells everyone that you don’t take your site seriously and are neglecting the editing, fact-checking and referencing other sites employ. Remember, you are not like any other blog out there. Or are you?
Publisher – Your top position is not as a blogger, rather as a publisher — so act like you own it! This means that you not only write or assign the vast majority of articles and oversee editing, voice and style, but you’re the best advocate for your site. You use the very best blogging platform out there with all of the appropriate plug-ins in place. You also have a good web host and you market your site at conventions, seminars and with friends and family members. You have a vision for your site any media company would envy, with plans to take your blog up another notch this year.
Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Sure, but if you want to run with the pack, you have to do what they do which takes time, money and plenty of energy. Certainly, you can blog away as always and hope for the best, but if you’re king or queen of the hill, you know that the competition is ready to dethrone you the very moment you slack off. Once dethroned, you will probably never resume your position again.
Further Musings
How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur