Bobby’s Batch #13 - Niche Free

Being niche free means absolute freedom to write about whatever I want. I am truly thankful that I chose to not take this blog in that direction; however, I may one day start something like that. Being niche free means:

  • I don’t worry about stats or how much traffic I have
  • I link to an extremely wide variety of blogs
  • I receive links from many different types of blogs
  • I am here for friendship above all other ideals

I have built a strong blog with many readers, and a fair amount of traffic. That’s why I have made one of my most important goals to share with others, especially those who are just starting out or struggling for a link. Sure, any blogger can take a viral approach like link trains and such, but these links really don’t mean anything. I personally don’t want 5000 links from people who don’t actually read my blog - that’s why I no longer participate in anything viral. I am extremely proud of my diminishing Technorati authority - down from 900 to a little over 300. If I wanted, I could easily pump it back up but see no reason.

I see people linking to these prominent blogs and I cannot understand it. They don’t link to you, so why waste your time helping people who already have all they need? It’s like giving Donald Trump a Christmas present.

If you adjust content to improve stats you destroy your own validity. I remember when I first got into SEO, it really changed my content in a not-so-good way. Later on, after I gave SEO less attention, all my blogging stress went away. Then again, I am more of a writer than a tech freak. I have friends from nearly every niche and every country, which is a fantastic goal.

Being niche free means I don’t discriminate against any blogger because they write completely unrelated content. People who write highly focused niche sites rarely visit me because of that very reason. I really notice that since I started using Entrecard. Sure it’s brought me a lot of traffic, but most of it is a one second visit, just to drop a card. Overall, it’s not bringing in people who really read. Most folks are only out to gain for themselves, which is at the root of many world problems. I will reject no Entrecard ads unless the site promotes pornography, racism or something similar.

I give out 80% more links than I receive, and will not stop any time soon.

My goals in blogging have changed somewhat and I’ve gone through many phases. I’ve tried everything in blogging in someway or another but I am really happy with where I’m at - just being a writer who loves to learn. Here’s this weeks batch:

Bloodstone Chapter 1 - A fifteen chapter tale by Floog, one of the best writers I’ve ever seen in blogging. The story is long for a blog but is worth reading (though I haven’t yet finished yet…haha!). He definitely has the skill to become a famous author and I hope he does. Floog, Please put this in an e-book!

Flipping Blog Scams MMO Niche is Full of Jerks - Garry Conn comes unglued at the seams in an explosive fulguration of brutal honesty with this much needed post. I completely understand his angst and agree with him 100%. I hold Garry’s integrity in high regard, and am very glad he wrote this. I became somewhat disgusted by the way many MMO (make money online) sites operate. Many of them have pathetic content, write on a third grade level, are filled with disgusting greed, will use you, rip you off and then say nasty things about you. All the sites Garry mentioned deserve being told and put in their place.

You People Make Me Sick - Ed Philly wrote a scathing article where he explodes like a nuclear inferno. Because his site is written from scratch, I couldn’t figure out how to link to a post, but is no problem - the article is on the front page. Ed, if you give me the correct url, I will fix this. WARNING: This article does contain volatile profanity, but I completely understand why he wrote it. I like to see people let it all out and he does it like no other!

Avoiding Copyright Infringement in Your Underwear (or Swimsuit) - DCR Blogs wrote this informative and entertaining piece. He has an uncanny ability to add humor into many of his posts, even when getting serious, something we should all learn to do! I love that weird picture Dan!

Greencard Soldiers - Menopauseprincess wrote this disturbing post about how the Bush administration is trading citizenship for fighting in the war. I had no idea they were doing this and think it’s wrong. Be sure to check it out.

The Yiddish Handbook: 40 Words You Should Know - an invaluable resource for fiction writers.

The Best Gross, Unpleasant, and Otherwise Strange Dating Sites from Vat19 is one freaky post. I was shocked to see how bizarre these dating sites are. It is hilarious!

Invisible Executive Order Deserves a Closer Look: This is a great post from Rational Outrage about the new Bush executive order. They can legally freeze assets of anyone who “threatens the stabilization effort in Iraq”. However, the order could easily be abused. Definitely take the time to read this. I believe Bush has destroyed our civil liberties and the middle class - I cannot wait to see him gone. Just look at how horrible the American economy and value of the dollar is now. I strongly suggest you do not vote for McCain.

24eyes - The Premium RSS Dashboard on the Internet - This cool and powerful web 2.0 application allows you to read all the news from every source on one page. If you’re a news junkie like me, this is very useful.

I usually have more links than this but I am tired - so I’m exercising my right to be lazy :mrgreen:

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April 20, 2008 · Filed Under Bobby's Batch, social networking

Comments

24 Responses to “Bobby’s Batch #13 - Niche Free”

  1. dcr on April 20th, 2008 8:58 pm

    Thanks for the link! Glad you enjoyed the post–and the image!

    dcr’s last blog post..Steampunk Saturday

  2. teeni on April 20th, 2008 9:49 pm

    You are allowed to be lazy every so often. :) But I have some strong feelings for and against niche blogs myself. Many of them seem only to exist in order to make money and some people have a bunch of them. I don’t understand that. My blog doesn’t really fit into a niche, but if it did, I think it would be a “social” niche and I like to think I’d try to avoid the snobby sort of attitude I tend to feel when I visit some niche blogs. I love your attitude and I know your “batch” posts are worthy so I’m stumbling this post.

    teeni’s last blog post..Broaching the Subject of Brooches

  3. Genie Princess on April 21st, 2008 3:09 am

    Hi Bobby ! I’m glad u are niche free, I get to enjoy some light and easy topics here and not just ur deep, sometimes gory posts! :)
    Thanks for advertising on my site today Bobby, I love having ur EC at Mariuca’s! Hugs!! :)
    Genie Princess’s last blog post..Explode Your Traffic!

  4. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 3:22 am

    You be veddy welcome Dan :mrgreen:

  5. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 3:26 am

    Thanks Teeni! Many niche sites are well done, so I applaud those who know how to run one and make people feel welcome. Many of them make me feel like I’m visiting the WalMart site…haha! I guess my site fits a somewhat “social” niche, but I make sure to vary my content (mostly because I’m scatterbrained) :mrgreen:

  6. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 3:28 am

    You mean you don’t like my gory posts? Hahaha…it’s ok, you aren’t the only one :shock: My ad is up? ALRIGHT!!!! :mrgreen:

  7. Waterlearner on April 21st, 2008 6:46 am

    Hi Bobby,

    I very strongly agree that you have created a very good solid reputation of linking to a wide variety of sites. No wonder you are ever so popular.

    Oh ya .. here is your visa to be lazy :-)
    Waterlearner’s last blog post..Choosing What I See

  8. rubeina on April 21st, 2008 7:53 am

    I am niche free too and my blog is also anti google hihi. Blogging can be so much fun without the whole SEO thing. Imo what matters most with blogs like ours is getting more readers rather than search engine rankings. I think I became addicted to your blog :P

  9. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 7:59 am

    Hi Karen! Thanks for the lazy visa! Can I charge stuff on it? I need to buy some things…haha! :shock:

  10. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 8:09 am

    Hi Rou! :smile: I’m calling you by your pet name…haha! I think SEO is interesting and I admit I really got caught up in it while back but I just tend to have fun now. Awww…a little addicted, really? I really like your blog too! It’s really great to have met you :mrgreen:

  11. Robin on April 21st, 2008 8:41 am

    I subscribe to a lot of blogs, but yours is one of the few I actually read. I enjoy your wit and humor. I’m new to blogging. I like how you are very interactive and respond to every single comment, so I’ve started doing that myself. Keep up the good work!

    Robin’s last blog post..Would your Ex give you a Reference?

  12. Genie Princess on April 21st, 2008 9:58 am

    Bobby!! My ad is at ur site and yours is at mine! How cool is that? Woo hoo! ;)
    Genie Princess’s last blog post..Explode Your Traffic!

  13. gypsy on April 21st, 2008 4:28 pm

    Hi Bobby, niche-free blogs are great. They are more centered towards what the blogger really likes (to post). I think they are more interesting…and entertaining! :mrgreen:
    gypsy’s last blog post..American Idol Season 7 Top 6 Poll

  14. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 8:49 pm

    Thanks so much Robin, your blog is quite witty too! Blogging becomes so much more rewarding if you reply to all your comments - it helps in every way especially in making friends with people. I’ve become friends with people through blogging and I consider them to be real friends, not just a reader. :smile:

  15. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 8:51 pm

    Haha…yes Marzie, that is cool! I guess people will get caught in a loop, clicking back and forth! :mrgreen:

  16. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 8:53 pm

    Hi Gypsy, yes indeed, I think niche free definitely means more interesting. I love to take chances writing unusual content that is really different…it keeps things spicy! :mrgreen:

  17. Haney on April 21st, 2008 9:24 pm

    That’s the pros of having free niche. If I settled on a niche, I might update my blog once a month :lol:
    Haney’s last blog post..Music And Your Background

  18. Revellian on April 21st, 2008 10:07 pm

    Once a month? I would only visit every 3 months to read 3 posts…hahaha :shock:

  19. Jean Chia on April 22nd, 2008 12:32 am

    hi bobby! i am still clueless in SEO topics, even tho’ you’ve written posts on it. But i guessed i dont need to fully understand it to blog, rite? As long as i’ve a bunch of good freinds on net, my blog stay alive! :D I’ve just dropped my card at yr EC. Great to see Mariuca’s at yrs today! :)
    Jean Chia’s last blog post..The Age That I Wish To Go Back To

  20. Revellian on April 22nd, 2008 5:04 am

    Hi Jean! That’s right, having faithful blogging friends is the best way to do it! Cool, I will check out your ad! :mrgreen:

  21. Stefanie on April 22nd, 2008 11:38 am

    Hey, thanks for the shout-out on the dating post. I hope you don’t think I meant any of those as suggestions after reading your posts on crazy women and dating woes! I’d hate to think I drove anyone to that :)

  22. Madhur Kapoor on April 22nd, 2008 4:51 pm

    I remember when i started blogging, i didnt know what to blog about and so i wrote about a lot of random personal things etc etc. Wish i could go back to those days.

    Madhur Kapoor’s last blog post..Demonoid is back online

  23. Revellian on April 22nd, 2008 10:53 pm

    I couldn’t imagine someone really using those sites to find a date! It seems better to find a normal person who hides all their lies - you find out later after you fall in love…haha! :mrgreen:

  24. Revellian on April 22nd, 2008 10:56 pm

    Hi Madhur, my goal is to be a eager beginner blogger forever who writes about random subjects…it works for me. I get bored writing about the same stuff so I let my unstable psychoses run wild…haha :mrgreen:

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