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You are here: Home / Blogging / What is a Blog Meme?

What is a Blog Meme?

posted on May 16, 2007

Blog Memes, what are they? I just got tagged with another Meme. Last time I mentioned Memes I got a bunch of emails asking what they were, so before answering this Meme let’s clear up what a blog meme is, shall we?

In science, a Meme (pronounced to rhyme with “theme”) is a self-propagating unit of thought that is spread from one host to another. Richard Dawkins invented the term as a kind of idea-gene. Like genes, as Memes spread they mutate or die. Only the fittest Memes survive.

For bloggers Memes have become synonymous with internet quizzes, surveys, and novelties that people link to and pass around on their blogs, forums and via email, things like the “which superhero are you most like” test…

You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man
100%
Superman
65%
Green Lantern
60%
Robin
50%
Supergirl
45%
The Flash
40%
Wonder Woman
30%
Catwoman
30%
Hulk
30%
Batman
25%
Iron Man
0%
You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.


Click here to take the “Which Superhero am I?” quiz…

Fun or just interesting, it is only those that capture your imagination that you will take part in and propagate, apart from those you do out of a sense of duty to your friend who started it. The latter don’t tend to get very far.

Why Meme?

Memes are interesting content when done right, and can give you an insight into others personalities and histories that you wouldn’t ordinarily have access to. But it’s mostly about links. The initiator gets a ton of links (all participants link back to the person who started the Meme) and everyone else gets some amount of link love too. You link to the next in the chain (“tag” them) and they link back when they complete what they have to do to participate.

How to start your own Blog Meme

Just think of something interesting. What would you most like to know about your fellow bloggers? What would readers find interesting or amusing? How can you sweeten the deal? What can you add to make it even more attractive?

Example Meme

So as I said above, I have been tagged again. George tagged me with a Meme that has gone around in various ways before; “Why do you blog?”. The reason why I am answering this now, again, is partly to give you an example of a Meme that is happening right now and also because I have come to a realisation since I last answered the question.

I was talking to Liz and it dawned on us that what I was really about was teaching. Something in me gets a kick out of teaching people stuff and sharing my experience. I’d never really acknowledged that before. So I blog to teach. Weird, huh?

Meme Me

In conclusion, I have an experiment and an offer for you. If you think you would like to start a Meme, tag me along with anyone else you want to take part. The best ones I will complete and tag some others and let’s see how far it will spread. As well as the obvious benefits of links, if I like your Meme and take part, to sweeten the deal I will send you a free preview copy of my much-delayed next ebook.

What are you waiting for? Get Memeing! 😀

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