Are You In My Network?
I have a section on my blog that syndicates the posts from all my favorite blogs. I unveiled this section earlier this month. However, I wanted to offer a brief follow up post about it.
The “My Favorite Blogs” section is located at the bottom of my home page. It is pretty demanding of server resources so I don’t offer this site wide. How this section works is pretty simple.
You can check the comments on this post for updates and additions to this section. Additionally, a link to this post can be found directly below “My Favorite Blogs” section titled, “What is this? – Learn More“. In the comments section of this post, I document and announce when I add new blogs into the mashup.
How Do I Get Listed?
I am sure that many people might be interested in getting listed. The only way you can get your blog included is by contacting me and informing me about your blog. If it becomes a blog that I read on a regular basis, then I will consider including it only if it also is a blog that I feel my readers will enjoy reading also.
Where Is The BlogRoll?
I don’t have one… blogrolls typically are abused and many people use blogrolls to barter link exchanges. Also, after having a blogroll myself for almost the entire year of 2007, I can tell you that for me, blogrolls are very ineffective and a waste of space. According to my stats, not many people click on the links within a blogroll. In the few weeks I have had the “My Favorite Blogs” section up and running, I have sent more traffic out of that then I did all year with my blogroll.
What does that mean? Well, in blogger’s terms, this means I am passing out more traffic and link love by using “My Favorite Blogs” instead of my blogroll.
Can I Subscribe?
You sure can… I have “My Favorite Blogs” mashed up and also burned in FeedBurner. If you would like to subscribe to the feed of “My Favorite Blogs” you can do so here.
I Want More Details About This!
No problem! I have all the details written on my original post here.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Do you like “My Favorite Blogs” section? How effective has your traditional blogroll been for you? What are your thoughts about doing something like what I have done in exchange for having a blogroll? Do you think that I am being greedy by not having a blogroll? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear your feedback!
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11 comments
Garry, it’s actually really hard to see which content is what. There are so many links on the sidebar and footer that it seems like spam/ads to some people..
-Mike
p.s. I love the idea of the “My Favorite Blogs”
Mike,
Every section on the sidebar as well as the unique sections that only appear on my home page footer has a clear and concise label that accurately explains what the section is. I would love for you to expand your thoughts on this further as I always look for ways to improve.
I did receive your email request to be added, and I will subscribe to your blog in my Google Readers and see how things go. If your blog becomes something I read on a regular basis and if I feel it is something that my readers will enjoy reading too, I will be glad to add you!
Thanks for the comment as well as the request to be added. I look forward and invite you to drop another comment so that you can expand further on your thoughts about this.
Dear Garry,
As usual, you give me good info. About that Blogroll thing, well, since I’m so technical NOT, I just use the Blogroll for fast links to sites that I check on a daily basis. Guess that’s not what it’s supposed to be used for, huh? Why am I not surprised? Sigh!
Brennan
Brennan,
Actually, that is a great purpose for a blogroll. If these are sites that you truly read on a daily basic, that is as organic of a link you’ll find! Most people barter with their blogroll by trading links back and forth, where you have instead focused on using your blogroll for its true and original intention.
Nice work!
Garry, I have a similar section on my blog, entitled “Latest Posts From My Blogroll”. (In fact, you are on it.) I really like it. This way I see posts from my favorite blogs and can click on them easily. It has pretty much replaced my feed reader. I feel it benefits my readers too.
I would love it if you would consider my blog for inclusion in your “My Favorite Blogs” section.
Happy New Year all!
I will have to look more into this. I do love this idea and it would be so much easier for me to keep track of those blogs I read daily as it is. Many of your readers are actually daily reads of mine so I kind of use your little sidebar now to see what they are saying lol. I do think having this little thing could help cut back on my saved favorites.
Brennan – that’s how I startedout using my blogroll, but then found myself with a huge list and then started reading about how most other bloggers used them as an exchange and started being more thoughtful about adding sites to my blogroll when I learned about SEO techniques.
One of the best things you can do for your friends is write a post about them. Organic links found in a blog post is way more powerful than links in a blogroll. That is kind of part of the reason why Google has a war with PayPerPost, ReviewMe.com and the others.
If there is something that you like and want to share with the world, the best thing you can do is write a blog post about it.
Hi, Garry!
I love your Favorite Blogs. I’m subscribed and check out the posts each and every day. And I’m very honored to be a part of it! Thank you again.
Happy New Year!
You are welcome! I enjoy reading your blog and hopefully I do a great job with considering what my readers enjoy reading also.
Happy New Years to you!
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