Paul Jacobson

SA Blogger Elite? Just who are the A-list bloggers?

I just listened to Amplitude 9 on my way out to the shops (perfect podcast for short shopping trips) and one of the topics Mike and Dave discussed was the SA Blogger Elite.  This is really a spin-off from the 2007 SA Blog Awards (yawn) debate which has been raging for a week or two now.  I am fascinated by this notion of a group of A-list SA bloggers roaming around the country, paparazzi following them around, taking photos of their shopping bags and spreading rumours about their carpal tunnel syndrome from all that blogging …

What do you think?  Do we really have a blogger elite?  Is there really a group of A-list (what does that mean anyway) bloggers and, if so, what does it take to be an A-list blogger (and is there a form of rotating membership like the United Nations Security Council)?  Perhaps more importantly, what does it mean to be an A-list blogger?  I think being an A-list blogger (assuming such a species exists) involves a degree of responsibility towards the blogging community as a whole.  Maybe the "A" in A-list stands for "Ambassador"?  Or does it just stand for "Awesome dude!"?

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  1. Neville Newey avatar
    Neville Newey

    I think there is nothing wrong with the concept of “A-list” which in my understanding is simply the most widely read, active, and respected bloggers.

    The problem we have in the SA blogging community though is that 1) This A-list is an extremely short list and 2) The members of the A-list all seem to know each other and support each other.

    There is nothing wrong with 2) per se but it does mean that it is extremely difficult to break into this list and perhaps even intimidating for someone to even attempt it.

    Reply
  2. Neville Newey avatar
    Neville Newey

    I think there is nothing wrong with the concept of “A-list” which in my understanding is simply the most widely read, active, and respected bloggers.

    The problem we have in the SA blogging community though is that 1) This A-list is an extremely short list and 2) The members of the A-list all seem to know each other and support each other.

    There is nothing wrong with 2) per se but it does mean that it is extremely difficult to break into this list and perhaps even intimidating for someone to even attempt it.

    Reply
  3. Neville Newey avatar
    Neville Newey

    I think there is nothing wrong with the concept of “A-list” which in my understanding is simply the most widely read, active, and respected bloggers.

    The problem we have in the SA blogging community though is that 1) This A-list is an extremely short list and 2) The members of the A-list all seem to know each other and support each other.

    There is nothing wrong with 2) per se but it does mean that it is extremely difficult to break into this list and perhaps even intimidating for someone to even attempt it.

    Reply
  4. Vinny Lingham avatar
    Vinny Lingham

    Neville, couldn’t agree more with you on that.

    End of the day, it’s about traffic volume and influence in both the local and international markets. An A-List blogger is someone that is a thought leader in a particular industry. Generally, though, most industries are very niche and therefore reach and penetration is compromised, although, that wouldn’t make them not an A-List blogger.

    Reply
  5. Vinny Lingham avatar
    Vinny Lingham

    Neville, couldn’t agree more with you on that.

    End of the day, it’s about traffic volume and influence in both the local and international markets. An A-List blogger is someone that is a thought leader in a particular industry. Generally, though, most industries are very niche and therefore reach and penetration is compromised, although, that wouldn’t make them not an A-List blogger.

    Reply
  6. Vinny Lingham avatar
    Vinny Lingham

    Neville, couldn’t agree more with you on that.

    End of the day, it’s about traffic volume and influence in both the local and international markets. An A-List blogger is someone that is a thought leader in a particular industry. Generally, though, most industries are very niche and therefore reach and penetration is compromised, although, that wouldn’t make them not an A-List blogger.

    Reply
  7. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Hi Neville and Vinny, thanks for dropping by and commenting. This debate fascinates me. I’d love to see a list of who people consider our A-list bloggers.

    Reply
  8. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Hi Neville and Vinny, thanks for dropping by and commenting. This debate fascinates me. I’d love to see a list of who people consider our A-list bloggers.

    Reply
  9. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Hi Neville and Vinny, thanks for dropping by and commenting. This debate fascinates me. I’d love to see a list of who people consider our A-list bloggers.

    Reply
  10. Dave Duarte avatar
    Dave Duarte

    To address the point that Neville made about the members of the (S)A-list all knowing and supporting each other: I think that’s one of the cool benefits of participating in SA’s burgeoning blogosphere – it’s got a very cool real-world crossover aspect… And it’s not a closed community either – the more the merrier!

    Paul: I think M&G’s new “secret” project will provide that A-list. I already feel motivated to blog more and increase my readership:)

    Reply
  11. Dave Duarte avatar
    Dave Duarte

    To address the point that Neville made about the members of the (S)A-list all knowing and supporting each other: I think that’s one of the cool benefits of participating in SA’s burgeoning blogosphere – it’s got a very cool real-world crossover aspect… And it’s not a closed community either – the more the merrier!

    Paul: I think M&G’s new “secret” project will provide that A-list. I already feel motivated to blog more and increase my readership:)

    Reply
  12. Dave Duarte avatar
    Dave Duarte

    To address the point that Neville made about the members of the (S)A-list all knowing and supporting each other: I think that’s one of the cool benefits of participating in SA’s burgeoning blogosphere – it’s got a very cool real-world crossover aspect… And it’s not a closed community either – the more the merrier!

    Paul: I think M&G’s new “secret” project will provide that A-list. I already feel motivated to blog more and increase my readership:)

    Reply
  13. Mike avatar
    Mike

    I don’t know all the people I consider to be A-listers.

    I don’t know if I’m an A-lister.

    I don’t know who considers me an A-lister.

    I think it’s a stupid, pointless discussion.

    Anyone who is an A’lister, whatever that means, must deserve it for some reason or another. Anyone who disagrees is probably jealous, or in need of a good shag, or both.

    Reply
  14. Mike avatar
    Mike

    I don’t know all the people I consider to be A-listers.

    I don’t know if I’m an A-lister.

    I don’t know who considers me an A-lister.

    I think it’s a stupid, pointless discussion.

    Anyone who is an A’lister, whatever that means, must deserve it for some reason or another. Anyone who disagrees is probably jealous, or in need of a good shag, or both.

    Reply
  15. Mike avatar
    Mike

    I don’t know all the people I consider to be A-listers.

    I don’t know if I’m an A-lister.

    I don’t know who considers me an A-lister.

    I think it’s a stupid, pointless discussion.

    Anyone who is an A’lister, whatever that means, must deserve it for some reason or another. Anyone who disagrees is probably jealous, or in need of a good shag, or both.

    Reply
  16. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Dude, you are so an A-list blogger. More like an A with a gold star for extra effort.

    Reply
  17. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Dude, you are so an A-list blogger. More like an A with a gold star for extra effort.

    Reply
  18. Paul avatar
    Paul

    Dude, you are so an A-list blogger. More like an A with a gold star for extra effort.

    Reply
  19. rafiq avatar
    rafiq

    rest, relaxation, so much fun to watch all of this

    Reply
  20. rafiq avatar
    rafiq

    rest, relaxation, so much fun to watch all of this

    Reply
  21. rafiq avatar
    rafiq

    rest, relaxation, so much fun to watch all of this

    Reply

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