Robert Scoble
Robert Scoble is the spark behind one of the Web’s most influential technology blogs, Scobleizer (http://scobleizer.com), which offers a personal and sometimes controversial mix of discussions on technology and business, with occasional forays into other subjects. Scoble characterizes himself (and his blog) as being “in the business of having something to say about things before anyone else has something to say.”
Scoble began blogging in 2000. At the time, he was uncertain whether blogs had any value, but two friends talked him into giving it a try. He started his blog a few weeks later, and was surprised to learn that so many people followed blogs. There was obviously some value to be found in blogging.
Although Robert Scoble uses Google to draw readers, he is not preoccupied with SEO or gaming the system in the same way so many other bloggers are. Instead, an emphasis on social networking—interacting with other bloggers— has been a major factor in his success as a blogger. At the same time, he has focused less on building an audience than on creating quality content which, he notes, “beats SEO.” Scoble recommends bloggers keep in mind the following:
Focus heavily on building an audience can be detrimental to a blog’s content.
Blogging is heading toward more niche themes.
In the long term, most blog readers are referred by Google or other search engines.
Links from other blogs are more valuable than SEO, because those links give you the effect of SEO.
If you’re a better networker, you’ll get more links.
Google will bring a trickle of traffic to you forever.
Google gives blogging its power, because blogging is the best way to get on Google.
Don’t risk damaging your credibility.
Good content beats SEO.
Scobleizer
“Google is the reason blogging continues to have power.”
Robert Scoble is the spark behind one of the Web’s most influential technology blogs, Scobleizer (http://scobleizer.com), which offers a personal and sometimes controversial mix of discussions on technology and business, with occasional forays into other subjects. Scoble characterizes himself (and his blog) as being “in the business of having something to say about things before anyone else has something to say.”
Scoble began blogging in 2000. At the time, he was uncertain whether blogs had any value, but two friends talked him into giving it a try. He started his blog a few weeks later, and was surprised to learn that so many people followed blogs. There was obviously some value to be found in blogging.
Although Robert Scoble uses Google to draw readers, he is not preoccupied with SEO or gaming the system in the same way so many other bloggers are. Instead, an emphasis on social networking—interacting with other bloggers— has been a major factor in his success as a blogger. At the same time, he has focused less on building an audience than on creating quality content which, he notes, “beats SEO.” Scoble recommends bloggers keep in mind the following:
Focus heavily on building an audience can be detrimental to a blog’s content.
Blogging is heading toward more niche themes.
In the long term, most blog readers are referred by Google or other search engines.
Links from other blogs are more valuable than SEO, because those links give you the effect of SEO.
If you’re a better networker, you’ll get more links.
Google will bring a trickle of traffic to you forever.
Google gives blogging its power, because blogging is the best way to get on Google.
Don’t risk damaging your credibility.
Good content beats SEO.