21 Comments to “Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs”

1. December 3rd, 2005 at 5:03 pm
   Javier Cabrera (ClearYourMind) said

   I have a little problem with the point number eight (Is the blog essentially free of errors in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation?). My native language isn’t english, so I have a little bit of a hard time every time I need to write a post. Of course, I check my grammar with the OSX spelling checker, but I still have errors.

   Some people tell me “hey, it’s alright, your english don’t s*ck, it is just rusty” and others thinks having errors is unprofessional. Anyway, I’m learning but it seems to me that the general public is willing to accept the little errors when someone first language isn’t english! ;-)

   But still, is a little effort to make it right!

   Excellent Post!
   Hugs!
   Javier Cabrera

2. December 3rd, 2005 at 5:35 pm
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Javier,
   I think that you do fine Javier with your English. You do better than I do. I think a reasonable person should leave room for the occasional error for you. They certain have done exactly tha for me. Perhaps I stated that too strongly. I’m sorry.
   Liz

3. December 4th, 2005 at 4:55 am
   Martin said

   Nice one Liz,

   The way I see it there are two types of blogrolls doing the rounds:

   1) the massive list of links that has no end
   2) the much smaller list, but more relevant

   Have you seen the way that Des Walsh at ThinkingHomeBusiness.com does his blogroll - I like it so much I told him I’m going to steal his idea ;-) … and he’s happy for me to do so.

   I’m also one for consistency - I don’t want to link to a blog that posts 5 times in a week and then nothing for a month.

4. December 4th, 2005 at 8:33 am
   Cas said

   I guess my first point ties in with Martin’s comment about consistency (also yours on technical issues) - some form of site feed is becomming more and more important to me. So long as the site can tell me somehow when it is updated, I can live with it being updated fairly irregulary. What I object to is having to bookmark the site and remember to check back to see if there is new content for me.

   RSS is, of course, the prefered way of being notified (my aggregator and myself are developing an unhealthily close relationship), but email is acceptable. There are free and simple-to-use tools to do both of these things so really, there is no excuse not to have some form of subscription.

   The most important thing to me though, is the content. Alas, I don’t think there is a checklist for what makes good content - it is a very ephemeral concept. For me, the authors personality needs to come through the words, and the words themselves should be ‘well written’. I don’t mean they have to be grammatically superiour or punctuated to perfection, just, with some indication that care was taken with the words. I will willingly forgive hideous design, irregular posting, and a whole host of other things, if the content grabs me.

   With regard blogrolls/link lists, I like to see them because the indicate the author is concerned with the wider community around they, but too many indicates just linking to anyone regardless. I prefer shorter lists that show some consideration, maybe divided up into sections (ie., personal, business, geeky, other…)? and if it isn’t clear, some form of explanation as to what lies in wait at the end of the link.

   Ok, I’m getting off my hobbyhorse now.
   Once again, great post Liz :)

   ~Cas

5. December 4th, 2005 at 8:49 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Martin,
   No I just went to look at ThinkingHomeBusiness.com. Are you talking about the file folders in the sidebar? I couldn’t figure out which one held the blogroll. Is that your point? :)

   Google likes what you like as far as consistency goes, too. That dump ten posts at once technique makes Google think the blog is a spammer. Not a good thing. No.

   Liz

6. December 4th, 2005 at 8:54 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Cas,
   You make a really good point about blogs making use of subscription services. They are becoming more and more necessary to everyone–even those who don’t blog. I’ve gotten a few of my non-blogging friends to subscribe to Bloglines because they like to read so much.

   I agree about breaking up the blogroll into sub-lists, if for no other reason than to let readers know that we don’t just grab links indiscriminately.

   Thanks Cas, for you input and for the compliment. :)
   Liz

7. December 4th, 2005 at 9:01 am
   Martin said

   Hey Liz,

   thinkinghomebusiness.com - I should have explained myself clearer - it’s nearing midnight Sunday here so forgive me…

   It’s in the right side bar under the heading “Blog & Website Links”

   Notice how he uses the bloggers name in the link (ie: Martin Neumann at Home Office Voice) and if you hover over it he uses the title tag to good effect (like his own mini comment).

   That tells me he has put some thought into his links.

8. December 4th, 2005 at 9:06 am
   ME Strauss said

   OOOOOh Martin. It’s barely 7 a.m. here.
   I had my browser window set too narrow. Now I see.
   Yeah that’s cool. It’s also a good anchor text practice, as I learned last week–natural linking and all. :)

   Yeah, the comment in the hover also gives an ego boost to the linkee adding to the relationship and gets some folks to checkout everyone else’s link to see whether they agree.

   This is a person who knows a lot about how people think.
   smiles,
   Liz

   PS Just stop by early on Tuesday and leave your comments about Patrick’s design. We’re open all day here at Successful Blog. I have a deal with the Sheriff’s Dept. They’ve made me a Deputy. So the Blue Laws that say no drinking between 4a.m and 10a.m. don’t apply here. :)

9. December 4th, 2005 at 9:39 am
   Martin said

   It’s 7am there and midnight here - what’s worse: you dopey in the mornings (not enough sleep, I presume) or me fuzzy-headed in the wee hours (no sleep, yet)?

   open all hours, heh … get that bar stool warmed up for me, place a bowl of peanuts on the bar, hook me up to the internet (if you can) and keep the drinks cold and flowing and I’m there 365/24/7 ;-)

   You serve Nanchos? them I’m moving in permanently ;-)

10. December 4th, 2005 at 9:47 am
    ME Strauss said

    We not only serve nachos . . . that romatic little Mexican restaraunt next door makes them fresh and delivers them in minutes to you at the bar. Their salsa and their guacamole are out of this world good. Here’s your drink and your pillow.

    smiles,
    Liz

11. December 5th, 2005 at 11:11 pm
    Tuesday Design Discussion Night » Successful Blog said

    […] I tell you now in case you want to take a peek over the weekend. Before you go, you might want to print out the Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs that I’ve just put together. It’s a great tool for evaluating blog ideas wherever you find them. It’s in the next post. If you go, read a story. The writing’s worth reading. And do leave a comment. It’s an experience to get to the comment screen. […]

12. December 8th, 2005 at 3:07 am
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13. December 14th, 2005 at 2:18 pm
    Blog Basics 2: How to Code Links » Successful Blog said

    […] The little bit of extra time it takes to hand code links is good. It could be just the nudge we need to consider whether a link we’re planning is quality. The Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs is a great test for making sure the link you’re about to built will add value and serve your readers. […]

14. December 22nd, 2005 at 8:21 pm
    Checklist for Starting a Directory Listing » Successful Blog said

    […] Done with consideration, a small directory of resources that you’ve hand-picked with your readers in mind can be a real service. The service, often called “pre-selection,” saves readers time when they’re looking for something they need. Here’s how to do it well. 1. Study your niche to determine the resources your readers might find useful to have in one place. 2. Determine the strategy for defining your listing–Will it have one or more category of resources? How many blogs you wish to include? What choices you will make for readers? How many options will you offer them of each kind of thing? Know where and how you will set up your directory listing. Know how you will tell readers that the directory is available to them. 3. Use the Checklist for Linking to Quality Blogs here at Successful Blog or develop your own set of criteria for deciding whether a blog should be included. You want your directory to be small and to have a reputation for quality and relevance. 4. Invite publishers of appropriate blogs to join your directory. Be prepared to explain tactfully why others in your niche might not fit in the mix. It’s important that you hold the line here, not allowing links or friendship to tempt you to include blogs outside your strategy. You always have the option to reconsider by expanding slightly once the directory is known and its reputation is established. 5. Wait for at least three months, but begin planning how you might expand your directory list in logical ways outward from the resources you currently offer. […]

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20. July 25th, 2007 at 12:50 am
    Michael Erik said

    I think you make some excellent points for us all. Thanks for pursuing quality blogging!

    - Michael Erik
    Quality Blog Critic
    http://www.qualityblogger.com
    “The Best Things In Life Are Free”

21. October 29th, 2007 at 10:19 am
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