Links and traffic are likely the best ways to measure one's influence -- as those #s show how much others care what you think.

One of the big problems is that there are so many good blogs and so little time to read (unless you blow off your job, family, etc.). And, it will get tougher for a good blogger to grow traffic and get recognized as there are more choices for us.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but will be difficult.

Still, nothing grows traffic like good content, no matter how many blogs there are. Blog quality, and they will come -- like what you have here Kami. Good analysis, tips on new tools, etc.

Mike
Mike Driehorst | Homepage | 05.11.06 - 3:04 pm | #

Kami:

I agree with you about the value of referrals. I started both of my blogs in January and I have to say that a lot of my traffic comes in via referrals.

Regarding traffic: Sometimes I wonder whether and how RSS influences blog traffic. For example I read your blog via Bloglines and rarely come to the page unless I am looking to comment. I don't think there are any good ways to pick up RSS readership. Any thoughts on this?

Best,

Fard
Fard Johnmar | Homepage | 05.11.06 - 3:50 pm | #

Fard; You make an excellent point about RSS because you really can't know who in the world read any given piece of content on a given day. So, I don't know what to do about that at this point.

My strategy is to just look for trends, what articles are clicked on, how people are finding content via search and basically, what interests the audience, without getting too hung up on traffic and links, though they both can be addictive, admittedly.

Mike; I hear what you are saying, they are the best ways we have now, but they aren't accurate. I think those of us who aren't traffic analysts, like our friends at the NSA , just have to live with imperfect measurement tools.

At any rate, I am just happy that people come to this blog to read at all, and even more grateful to those that comment.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 05.11.06 - 5:50 pm | #

Kami,

Thanks for all the favorable comments and link love. I did want to point out that it was Shel Israel and not Shel Holtz who recently wrote about Avenues of Influence. No big deal, Shel Holtz and I often find ourselves strolling down the same avenue.
shel israel | Homepage | 05.12.06 - 12:07 am | #

Shel and Shel; Isn't this funny since a few days ago I professed that I Do know difference between you two. I changed the post to reflect that. Shel Holtz, I had you on the brain since we have been cooresponding a lot lately I am not confused, but I hope I didn't confuse anyone else out there. Mea culpa.
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 05.12.06 - 9:59 am | #

How about an experiment?

Find 20-or-so C-listers and ONLY link to them for 1 month. No A-lister links allowed.

The so-called C-listers will surely like that move, and many will reciprocate.

The A-listers who read your blog may catch an idea they like and link to you, anyway? And boost the C-listers while they are at it? Who might in turn give you more linklove?

Or not. And then, what happens to your rankings?

p.s. - If you did something like this, Kami, please note that I am a card-carrying C-lister!
Todd Defren | Homepage | 05.12.06 - 10:21 am | #

Todd,
Then the C-listers would become the A-listers and be dropped from the experiment.

If you continue that experiement, eventually, there'd be no more C-listers; they'd all be A or B (at worst).

Then, it'd be A, B . . . .D, E (and on down to me).
Mike
Mike Driehorst | Homepage | 05.12.06 - 11:43 am | #

Mike/Todd; You two are hilarious, really!

Imagine the music and sing with me, my son LOVES this song:

ABCDEFG...HIJK...LMNOP...et al

Now I know my ABCs...et al
Kami Huyse | Homepage | 05.12.06 - 12:02 pm | #