It’s been some time since I mocked Robert Scoble, mostly because I’ve mostly stopped reading him. I guess i just don’t find seesawing between promotion of the A-List bloggers and apologetics for the sins of Microsoft all that compelling. But today I must have had more free time than usual, so I found myself reading his Tips for joining the A list. Surf on over there and read it, and then come back for the question I think you should be asking…

Ready?

Why don’t his tips on how to become an A-List blogger include any hints on making compelling content?

His tips are basically:

1. Use lots of graphics and screenshots.
2. Use lots of tags.
3. Link to other bloggers, even other Z-listers.

It’s not that these are particularly bad ideas: I use these techniques as much as the next guy. I just think they just should not be the meat and potatoes of your strategy in trying to attract readers.

Here’s my idea: let the A-List do whatever the A-List is doing, which is apparently standing around, patting one another on the back. Write about what you want, and let the popularity contest do what it will.

[tags]Blog, A List,Scoble,Rants and Raves[/tags]

Addendum:  Jeremy Wright gets it.  Quoting:

Blogging is just like high school. And, just like high school, who is cool right now doesn’t really matter. What matters is who is still cool in 10 years, and you are much more likely to get there if you don’t listen to Scoble’s advice than if you do.

Amen, Z-list brother.