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I've really started to get into the groove of blogging on Gamasutra. I really like the exposure that comes from being listed among the fine folks of the Gamasutra community.
I've even been featured a few times, which is really flattering, but here's what I don't understand: What's the pattern?
Does one of the editors sift through the posts and decide what gets featured? Is there a script running which automatically features a post after a certain number of views?
Also, there seem to be two classes of bloggers: Members and Experts. What distinguishes these two groups? How does one go from member to expert?
If you have answers to either of these questions, I'd appreciate you leaving them in the comments. Thank you!
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I seriously doubt it is just a switch that gets turned on when there are a certain number of views. A blog with a naked Lara Croft impersonator might get a ton of views but they would probably not want to feature it.
Really, when it comes down to it, Gamasutra is a business and their goal is to increase ad revenue. So, if your blog posts can help them do that, while maintaining a basic level of decency and quality, they will get featured.
Most of these rules are probably internal and not formally written down but having experience with a few commercial blogging websites I can venture a guess as to what their general rules are for these things.
Featured member blogs are member blogs that the blog editor is willing to put in the "latest blogs" section on the main page(I'm 99% sure of this - and it seems that all "expert" blogs are put here regardless of whether or not they are featured). They want to maintain fresh content in here - so even if there are a series of subpar member blogs they will still feature them to keep the section fresh.
I think there are a few rules to getting into this section:
1) Your blogs should be focused on video games. If they are focused on something peripheral to video games - like movies or painting or politics you will not get featured. or if they often drift into something peripheral - they will not get featured(I know from experience).
2) The grammar must be sufficiently decent.
3) They can not be insulting, rude or blatant flame bait.
4) If they suspect that your account is not an accurate description of who you are or a complete fabrication - they will not feature your post.
5) If the blog editor believes they are interesting and people will actually read them - obviously they want to increase ad revenue just like any business. This is obviously highly subjective.
6) If you are an ugly 55 year old man, who is inexplicably interested in blogging about video games for no reason, you are not likely to get featured(I know from experience).
"Experts" on Gamasutra are people who have actually worked in the game industry it seems. Whether that be on the journalism/marketing or development side of the coin. I've noticed a few people who have been moved from experts to members. This is an obvious snub - but understandable as they have to maintain their subjective quality control.
Expert posts are more likely to get featured. This makes sense. If you were an industry professional - it would be kind of insulting to not have your opinions put on the same level as everyone else - even if your opinions are kind of stupid. Since almost every expert blog is featured I would consider it an obvious snub to not get featured but they have to maintain quality control somehow so this is the only reasonable solution short of just getting rid of the feature option altogether - which isn't such a bad idea in my opinion as it would encourage more equal consideration of every post.
Another interesting thing is the ad revenue they get from the bloggers and commenters themselves. People who repeatedly view their website. Although maybe not their biggest source of revenue - I'm sure it is taken into account. I'm sure their is a pity featuring every once in a while too so you can always hope for that.
Again, it is a business and their goal is to increase ad revenue. So, just remember that, don't take it personal and I'm sure you will have many good fortune cookie.
Oh yea, you get an automatic +10 for high quality Octodad interviews in my book.
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"In addition to the Member Blogs, we have a group of Expert Bloggers, professional developers who post regularly, write informatively, and can draw on a wealth of real-world development experience.
The Expert Bloggers section of the site is currently comprised of a number of developers we already know, but we will be adding more as we get requests from developers wishing to contribute -- or as we begin to notice standout bloggers among the Member Blogs."