I??m curious to know what your thoughts and expectations of daily link posts are.
If you??re a blogger who publishes daily links from del.icio.us, a blogger who has chosen not to publish these links, or looking at the topic from a reader??s perspective, please consider answering these questions, either as a comment or as a post of your own:
1. How do you see your link posts adding value to your readers?
2. Through how many channels do you promote these links? Is it too many?
3. Do you feel a blog would suffer if these daily links posts were deactivated?
Why am I asking? Well, after reading this post and its comments, I??m curious to know where you??re coming from on the topic. In his post, Mitch writes:
??With the ability to subscribe to any-one’s del.icio.us page or shared links via Google Reader, and the capability to add both of those as a widget in your Facebook profile, why do we still allow Bloggers to get away with a random list of links as a Blog posting??
Don??t know about you, but I??m not too sure that I agree with this line of thinking. I??m pretty certain that many readers of this blog aren??t connected through Facebook, Twitter and del.icio.us. Sure, some are, but does your blog??s audience consist of only the people you??re connected to through multiple channels ?? or also to clients and colleagues who are just getting into this space and are only reading blogs?
To answer my own questions:
- I won??t link to anything that I haven??t read, thought about and believe will add value to readers. I also use the space provided by del.icio.us to add my thoughts about the link. If the link post doesn??t appear on a given day, that??s because I haven??t had the time to properly recommended valuable links. I also try to have a little fun every week by posting Saturday Video Links for your viewing pleasure. ;-)
- I post links from del.icio.us to this blog and to Facebook. To be honest, I don??t think it??s too much, but I am curious to know from my Facebook network whether having access to these links is valuable.
- I think the blog would suffer, to a degree. I believe these links give you insight into my interests as a marketer and me as a person. I also believe that you can learn quite a bit from the writers I point to. Sometimes, when I come across something that I think is incredibly valuable, I just want to share it with you ?? call it a little Give + Take Marketing in action.
So, what are your thoughts on the subject? If I may be so bold, I wouldn??t mind getting the ball rolling by tagging some of you:
Link-of-the-day bloggers: Matt Dickman, Kris Hoet, Greg Verdino
Non link-of-the-day bloggers: Drew McLellan, Ryan Karpeles, Cam Beck
***
BTW, if you’re so inclined, why not connect with me through these other (link sharing?) channels as well:
December 4th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Hey Mark,
I was pretty sure that Bloggers who do run automated links daily would disagree with me. That’s fine.
A couple of points based on your excellent post above:
- If this works for you and you’re getting positive feedback, then I’m just one perspective. Mileage may vary.
- I actually like the fact that you take the time to comment on each item, but I would prefer your bigger thoughts on one item that really struck you,and then the additional links after them - that sounds more like a hybrid solution.
- One big pet peeve of this automated link post is the title of the Blog posting - I have no idea what I’m in for. It usually just says Links and the date. With tons of great Blog content in my Google Reader, I don’t link through (and usually ignore) because the title doesn’t inspire. So, even your great commentary rarely makes it to my eyeballs.
- I like using the other channels (like Facebook) in addition to my Blog. Not instead of.
- If people really want to know what I’m reading they can also subscribe to my Google Shared Items - whenever I “share” anything - they get it in their feed… separate from my Blog.
- What I’m suggesting is having a link in your navigation (that people can subscribe to) to the “stuff you’re reading.” If you have a link like that you are creating two feeds - one is your Blog, the other is the stuff that you’re reading.
My biggest issue here is that most Bloggers are not using the automated links to supplement their Blog postings… they are using them to replace Blogging. I don’t like that… I want to know how they think about things - not just what they tag in del.icio.us.
Lastly, it’s amazing to see what you’ve built over this short little while. I remember our first meet-up, so to see your success is truly remarkable.
Continued success. I’m subscribed (links and all ;)
December 4th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
It’s not the tech, it’s the content.
The questions are if the referred subject matter is relevant and how many times they’re given.
I personally prefer an aggregate link post like Matt or some other bloggers do. It takes fewer threads in the reader, and gives a personal briefing/commentary on the subject matter. A little personal touch :)
But if the Delicious link is relevant and not in overbearing numbers, then that’s ok.
December 4th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
For the record, I read everything in Google Reader (until I go to comment). Personally I like the delicious links and see no problem with them whatsoever. Why?
1. They’re quick and easy. If the title interests me, I click through. If not, I keep scrolling.
2. They’re from trusted bloggers. Basically like accelerated WOM.
3. If it’s a good post, it’s easy to pass on.
Don’t know what all the fuss is about… And I’m not sure why anyone’s being criticized for this practice. Seems a little silly to me ;)
December 4th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Like Mitch, I do appreciate that you add comments to your links. A lot of other bloggers skip this part, and the lack of context bothers me as a reader. Sometimes I’m not sure if they’ve given it any thought or if it’s just an automated feed from de.licio.us.
I also think a hybrid approach may be more valuable to the reader. Offer up a few paragraphs of thought on the one or two items that really grabbed your attention, and then a few short snappers with links at the bottom.
Then come up with a common “links post” title that stands out from the usual “daily del.icio.us” or “links for Dec. 3/08″ titles.
All that being said, I do enjoy the blog and have discovered a lot of interesting content through your recommendations.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Mitch: Good suggestions here. A personal pet peeve of mine is also the titles of these posts. I agree that they’re not exactly inspirational. Short of actually editing your post and changing the title manually (which I do for my Saturday Video Links), you’re stuck with this headline. It stinks.
I also like the idea of having a separate feed for shared items. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for my eventual redesign.
Where you and I will have to agree to disagree is when you say that if people “want to know what I??m reading they can also subscribe to my Google Shared Items - whenever I ??share? anything - they get it in their feed? separate from my Blog.”
I’m just not sure that this thought is mainstream enough. Sure, many of your readers may understand this, but I’m also sure many don’t know about Google Shared items or other social bookmarking services. Jeez, I’m sure some people don’t even realize that they’re reading a blog. ;-)
Mario: I’ve seen two types of link posts. There are the posts like Matt and I have, where all the links we’ve bookmarked in a day are posted together (with commentary), and then there are the one-link-at-a-time posts, like David Armano uses. Personally, I prefer the aggregated type with the commentary.
100% agreed that it’s about the content. As long as you’re adding value for your readers, I think the links are a viable way to share.
Ryan: I like your second point here. Chances are, if I’m subscribed, I value your opinion and if that’s the case, I’ll probably be interested in knowing what’s of interest to you. Of course, I can also know this by joining your delicious network or subscribing to your Google Shared items, but let’s just say I don’t, don’t care to or don’t know how to. If your links are on your blog, then I can get to know what makes you tick a little bit better. I also have a choice ?? read ‘em or don’t.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Colin: I think the hybrid approach is interesting too. Wouldn’t it be great if delicious made this a little easier? For one, let us title these posts without having to edit them once they’ve been posted. Secondly, maybe a higher character limit for our comments would encourage some people to add more thorough commentary as we’re bookmarking. Not sure this is a solution, but it would allow us to offer a more “hybrid” solution.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Thanks for responding Mark. I think we’re in violent agreement. The Google Shared items idea is only a tactic - not a strategy.
It’s the strategy that still doesn’t work for me - the fact that Bloggers are doing this instead of Blogging, not to supplement their Blog. This was the major topic of my Blog postings… and my feelings.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Mitch: All’s good. If someone is only posting these daily links, I would probably give up on ‘em as well. And rightfully so. Insights, opinion + passion are what I look for in a blogger. Links and links alone aren’t going to cut for me either.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Hey Mark - Your post actually nailed my thinking EXACTLY. I most definitely see link posts as a supplement to my original posts (although when my volume of output is low, as it has been since US Thanksgiving, it might look otherwise.) I also like to use my link posts to (1) give readers an idea of some things I’m interested in and paying attention to, but don’t quite feel would make for a compelling enough post, or (2) occassionally thread together multiple posts on a single (or set of related) topics. I also don’t feel compelled to roll links every day. Some weeks I may not link at all; other weeks I might roll a couple of link posts, but if you ever see more link posts than ‘real’ posts in a given week, you know that I’m having a rough time. :-)
December 4th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Mark: great points here. Mitch certainly raised some valid points & counterpoints on his own blog and here, but I have to side with you. I actually put this question to my readers a couple of months ago, and opinions were split (of those who chose to comment).
Bottom line: social media, if nothing else, is about choices. Never before has it been so easy to give your audience a variety of ways to consume content. Mitch or you are I are not so omniscient that we can presume how every reader prefers to consume content. So why not give them everything and let them choose?
Blog posts, del.icio.us links, Google Reader shared item, Twitter streams - it’s all fair game!
December 4th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Greg: Yeah, I look at the balance between link posts and regular posts the same way. However, I will say this: if you’re busy and don’t have time to put together a post that meets your standards, then at least your link post tells your readers that you’re still paying attention. I can’t think of anything worse than leaving a blog completely fallow when you’re busy. (And that’s an opinion based on experience.)
Scott: Beautifully stated, my friend!! I really believe that yours is the perfect answer to this debate. As Christopher Penn stated in the comments over on Mitch’s post:
“The unsubscribe button is one click, too.
Because there’s no email address to ping, once someone unsubscribes from an RSS feed using a feed reader…
-= you have no way of reaching out to them to get them back =-
The attention economy is entirely based on value you provide. No value, no attention.”
December 5th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Although that’s not the track I USUALLY follow, I do OCCASIONALLY do a link-only post.
I have nothing against them. In fact, I’m subscribed to several blogs that are primarily about the links they find. No commentary at all. It’s like an RSS feed that constantly changes, opening up a whole range of experiences I might not ordinarily find on my own.
But with a fixed amount of time and all the blogs I read these days, there has to be something about the headline and/or explanation that makes me believe it will be worth my while to click over.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Right, Cam, I think the link post title is one of the key shortcomings of these posts. The title is so important for helping people filter their feeds and decide on what to read.
But when it comes down to it, as Scott mentioned, it really does come down to the individual’s choice. If they have time. If they’re interested. If they’re curious. Not everyone wants the deep thoughts behind the link, they only want to scan through to find the compelling headlines within the link posts to generate their own ideas.
December 6th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Mark,
It’s been an interesting discussion. You’re right…I very rarely do a links only post. About once a month, I will highlight 3-4 posts that really caught my attention and I try to link out to relevant posts within my own posts.
Here’s my take:
1) If we all did it exactly the same way, what a snore.
2) I view those of you who do include link posts to be like screeners, out there looking for the best to share with me.
3) I, like many of other commenters, appreciate it when you link lovers give me a sentence or two highlight, so I can decide if I want to click.
4) I think the success and popularity of blogs like yours, Greg’s, Scott’s, Matt’s and Kris’ suggests that readers do value the links. So why rock the boat.
Bottom line — everyone adds value in their own way. Subscribers, comments, traffic etc. are pretty clear indicators of what’s working and what is not.
I’m grateful that we all bring different things to the party. Just because I don’t do it that way doesn’t mean I don’t value that you do.
Drew
December 6th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Well stated, Drew. The “screener” reasoning is a big one for me. For example, when Kris links to something, I know it’ll usually be to a story or article that I haven’t seen, simply because his interests are a little different than mine. Without him pointing to them, it would be information I would miss altogether. So he distills the important stuff down and passes it on.
Pretty lucky for us, if you ask me!