People LOVE Lists – You Should Make One

01 October 2007 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Make money teaching a class at Prfessor.com

It’s pretty amazing that a one-person team with no investment money can, and has, completely kicked the butt of an established service in a matter of a year.

techmemelb300.pngI’m talking of course about Gabe from Techmeme, who’s new “Top 100” list will in my opinion finally drive the nail in the coffin of Technorati.

The full list, a day early, is posted here.

There are several conclusions to derive from this news.

1. People LOVE lists. You want attention? Make a list of a niche of something. I don’t care what it is. It could be the top 100 sites that talk about underwater basket weaving. Be the FIRST to make the definitive list of those sites and watch the links and traffic roll in. Just ask Mark from 45n5.

2. Technorati should be ashamed of themselves. It’s very sad to see them not capitalize on the traffic they’ve had for years. I mean, what have they done that is truly innovative? Nothing. I don’t think they get the blogosphere. I truly don’t. All of that data and power and they never grabbed hold. I’ve written about this with a company called Icerocket before.

I mean really. I could think of 100 ideas to launch Technorati into a hugely successful solution. Maybe they need a geek marketer over there.

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  • yeah, making that list was probably the single best thing I've done for bringing new eyeballs to my blog. At least in the past few months. Thanks for the mention.
  • For so long they were the only game in town. Too bad they don't have a leader over there that sees the value. When Sifry left it was the begiining of the end in my opinion. I too think they need the right person to pick them up and get them back on the horse. Maybe I'll send my resume.
  • I agree, and believe in the power of lists, which is why I'm soon to launch a site that will be a list of GLBT-friendly colleges in America, as rated by current college students. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on making money with such a niche, outside the standard Google Ads.
  • @45n5, no problem, nice list.

    @Jim, you should!

    @Brent, good luck with your list!
  • I've got to agree with Scoble here... "Lists are Lame."

    I do think this is a death-blow to Technorati, and am glad to see something to compete with that out-of-date system.

    But seriously... blogging is not about making or creating lists or finding the best way to capture eyeballs. It's about writing what you're passionate about and communicating with the people who are passionate about the same thing (or converting a few others to share that passion). Of course that's my personal opinion.
  • You're right Sam, but we're talking about marketing, not so much blogging. A blog is a marketing tool in this discussion.
  • Steven Hodson
    as I said the other day in a post there is nothing wrong with ranking (making lists) it is a natural part of our social and personal make-up

    http://www.winextra.com/2007/09/26/theres-nothi...
  • "You’re right Sam, but we’re talking about marketing, not so much blogging. A blog is a marketing tool in this discussion."

    I don't see the need for a distinction. Two sides of the same coin.
  • They're doomed, doomed! Why couldn't Technorati see it coming? A top 100 list? Brilliant! Jim, you need to hope...no pray, that one of your competitors doesn't publish a list that puts a nail in your coffin.

    Seriously, I just made my first visit to Techmeme because of your blog (yep, today's the first I've heard of it) and I fail to see the face of Technorati's grim reaper. Yea, they have a top 100 list, but so what?

    The site doesn't look any more usefull than a hundred other sites. Maybe they've got some cool code, but again, so what? That means nothing except to the techies.

    Maybe someday Technorati will commit suicide, but Techmeme will have nothing to do with it.
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