I am trying to find out some information. And hopefully learning something along the way. Call it a solicitation for opinion, ranting, musing, whatever... on the part of JUsers and others, if appropriate.
What does it take to be a Respected Blogger?
There are many reasons why you would respect a blogger...
Opinionated... and literate enough to convey that opinion to others.
Have a readable style.
Post on interesting topics.
Conduct a well-moderated intelligent thread, not allowing it to escalate into a flame war.
Possess first-hand knowledge on a topic.
The ability to be light hearted when possible and deeply serious when necessary.
Defend opinions against trolls and flamers.
Able to admit when he/she is wrong.
I think blogging in and of itself means that you want to share your opinions with the world. You therefore must be just as prepared to receive criticism or ridicule as you are to praise or adulation. Not everybody is going to agree with you, simply because we all view the world through our own little window that is colored and shaped by our life experiences.
Let's take a moment to define what a Respected Blogger is...
First, the RB does not beat around the bush or mince words. RBs will call you out if you are an idiot or a troll. The RB will defend his or her opinions to a dying breath. The RB will call a spade a spade, if you will. They do not, however, lower themselves to a level of abusive or demeaning language. They neither start the fight nor do they end it.
Second, the RB keeps the flames and trolls to a minimum. They direct the thread back on topic while defending against those who would only rear their ugly heads to defame and move on. The RB conducts a lively and thoughtful conversation and gives praise when a good point is raised. (But also see #1.)
Next, an RB is one who responds in a lively manner to others' threads. They neither horde points nor do they whore points. The RB has something to say on many topics, from global warming to the Olympics to a new kitten.
Last in my list of definition, in my humble opinion, a Respected Blogger is one who genuinely wants to be a voice for social change. Whether that social change is towards the right or the left, towards moderation in diet or anti-pollution, stupidity in government or in social programs... an RB has something to say in which he/she believes passionately.
What are the benefits of being a Respected Blogger?
In other words, "What's in it for me?"
Well, the respect of your JU peer group. People will bookmark to your site and eventually flock to your site to seek your opinion on vital issues. You will get your point -- your point, not someone else's -- across to the masses. Your readers will come to know you as a person and understand you.
Like the Depeche Mode song, "Somebody":
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She will hear me out
And won't easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she'll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
So what do you think? Do we have what it takes to become a "Respected Blogger"?