Sugarrae - Never Mess With a Woman Who Can Pull Rank

FWIW, I’m grateful for the wealth of info provided by the “rockstar” class of SEO pros. I rather feel we, the audience, owe you guys for sharing your info.

Most of you are at a performance level that we strive to achieve. Not the “fame” (even incestuous ball licking has its perks), but the skill, knowledge and insight.

Keep it up - and we’ll keep learning and appreciating.

People are always going to be asses–I think every industry has this. A lot of people are super power hungry, but don’t have the chops behind their desire for power. So they nitpick over others’ successes and find a million petty things to criticize in the hopes that if they make you look bad, it somehow makes THEM look good.

I’ve observed you and many other SEOs/SEMs being incredibly generous with your knowledge. and so, like RJK, I have to say that your audiences should be thanking you, not dissing you.

But I guess in this world, that’s asking too much…

Okay, I can’t speak to the topic with personal experience as I know nothing about SEO rockstar life nor being a SEO douche bag (at least I don’t think I am). However, I can say with certainty that I don’t like seeing individuals that are as giving as you to the community get this pissed. So, that makes me pissed at the a-holes that provoked it, because I benefit from your knowledge and want to continue doing so. This is a little pep talk to say continue being you without compromise and hopefully that will rub off on others. If it doesn’t, they were douche bags to begin with and will continue being one until karma bites them in the ass.

“Lucky” HA!

Here’s a quote I read recently:

“Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.”

I KNEW I’d find somewhere to post that in public ;-)

Please pardon the forthcoming language. Having had your experience already and understanding what might be aimed at you, I understand.

—

Fu*k the ba*tards.

I’ve been there, got sh*t on for giving back to the community and f*cked right off and watched them bit*h that I left. Different community, same sh*t

Rae - we appreciate what you do and the amount you give back to the community. You may find that you have your detractors but as you say, they’re envious and want the fame without the work.

Those of us who appreciate the work you put in often say nothing - mainly because we’re shy (*raises hand*) - but we appreciate it nontheless.

I wish it were easier to be vocal as an appreciative fan and have it not seem weird but sometimes it can be a worry that someone who appreciates someone elses work is then labled “fan boy” - a rather derrigatory term.

Years from now when you’re retired at 50 or 45 and they are still going nowhere with their life, you’ll be able to mock them into your morning latte (at noon) or whatever.

Until then - fu*k them all to h*ll.

How can it have “no credibility” with someone, yet bother him so much?

Huge thanks. I love how you write…

Those who volunteer and give back, often at great personal sacrifice involving family, time, money, whatever, often make the biggest, most generous contributions to the industry. To feel unvalued by one’s peers is a god awful feeling and worse when you put yourself on the line or push yourself personally and the end result is public bitching and critique about it.

Thank you for putting into words what so many are afraid to express.

dudes on webmasterradio just hyped this post

Rae, don’t hold back hun, tell us how you really feel :)

great post Rae, sadly I don’t see this type of thing stopping anytime soon

Without you and other giving people like you there would be a lot more failure around. People need to get it through their stupid thick skulls that not everyone has time for everyone and that doesn’t make them an ass bag.

It’s ironic how being nice and giving to the community is making you want to not be nice and stop helping. It’s ironic and it’s a shame. Some people need a smack in the head.

**glad no one knows what I look like**

No one voted for me! I’m not popular! I don’t get asked to speak at conferences!

I’m not deemed important enough in the bizarre cult of personality surrounding a bizarre and highly competitive industry to satisfy my need for recognition which I crave because I’m psychologically damaged by years of repressed agression for being a socially outcast ultranerd! Waaaaaah! Waaaaah! Waaaaaah!

Wait a minute. Whose balls do I have to tickle?

after this post I am now an official sugarrae fanboy.

If you feel that you’re a rockstar when you look in the mirror, who cares what anyone else thinks?

People who whine about not being acknowledged are idiots.

“People who whine about not being acknowledged are idiots.”

That may be so, but to not say something on behalf of someone or something that you feel deserves to be acknowledged isn’t productive either. Everyone, no matter who they are, appreciates “thank you”.

And to express the hurt of being slapped down takes a lot of guts.

We also need to remember that with events like awards for sites, the site owner more often gets the praise and honor, rather than their staff who may have contributed the content, run the show or built the thing. SEL won an award, Danny is associated with the win, but consider the huge number of writers they have who technically made that win possible. Quick. Name them all.

haha, this was an amusingly great post. you should donate them a couple of your conference stalkers so they don’t feel left out.

Rae,

I love your content and I’m very thankful for all the free SEO content given out every day by the “big boys.”

I wonder if Andy’s rant wasn’t a little linkbait of his own?

Amen !

First of all, thanks for the linklove. I didn’t even check whether or not you might have spitefully no-follow’d it but I don’t care, it was a beautiful rant.

Now that you’ve expressed this human side of you, I won’t chide you for taking both your whining, and what you’ve characterized as others whining, so seriously. It’s a mental illness, actually, but, so far, your seems very mild.

The difference between your rant and mine is that mine was a creative piece of satire on an appropriately titled blog. Yours devolved into a kind of madness where you even went so far as to whip out “the stalker card” for maximum pity…

…or so it seemed.

Anyways, I have a mailing list of about 30k readers of my internet marketing reports and, only on occasion, do I send them to my blog, so don’t worry about my feed count. Not many people are suited for what I write (as you so aptly demonstrate) but there IS an audience for it and they are a very loyal and appreciative crew.

Well, I must be going now. Thank you for such a wonderful rant - the only thing I would have you change is how seriously you took yourself while writing it. Otherwise, Bravo!

Best wishes,
Sam

wow. this was definitely the best rant. I honestly think it deserves a semmy, ball tickling or not.

way to put things in perspective, honestly. sometimes it seems like a ‘no win’ when you need folks to participate in something and inevitably people are left out.

Nice post.

1. I rarely nofollow and I never do it out of spite.

2. Your sarcasm would usually be appreciated, however, I’m in no mood today.

3. You’re right, my blog, with its “rants in bitchland” category filled with posts is no place for a rant. I mean, by god, a rant on my blog? Who would ever have thought. You’re right… Sugarrae and “blunt” and “rant” have never been used in the same sentence. Not ever.

4. Pity and my name have never been used in the same sentence. It was to illustrate what people like you don’t get… that it isn’t all ball tickling. It comes with a lot of bullshit. Some moronic temper tantrums like yours and some in the form of people being *way* too overzealous. I almost stopped speaking because of the “stalker card” asshole. Say what you want, but I’m no fucking liar and if I wanted pity, I have way more ways I could have sat around and eaten it up (which anyone who is a regular reader to my blog could attest) - but I never have and never will. You have no idea how much I have never let pity even enter into my time of fucking day. You’d know that had you bothered to read anything about me before making personal assumptions about my intent.

5. Then make your money, be happy and shut the fuck up about not being adored by the people you so desperately want us to believe you don’t care about. I’m not worried about your feed count or your signs of popularity. You are.

>>>the only thing I would have you change is how seriously you took yourself while writing it

You and pricks like you are some ungrateful little fucks - seriously.

I hesitate to write this here, but don’t know where else it fits. GREAT rant. Seriously, Rae. Wonderful writing. Awesome communication. Thanks for sharing.

I have watched you since around 03 or 04, and you have changed quite a bit from my observer perspective. From hands-on survivor/risk taker to RockStar to successful business woman. And you fostered that viewer perspective, didn’t you? The persona, the style, via the blog, the sites, the posts, the forum participation. Love your use of gray and pink by the way..it was ahead of it’s time, as was your…shall we say.. frankness? And did it help you? Did the fan base provide encouragement and instill confidence? Maybe? All those hours spent hanging around the show floor with the Rockstarz waiting for someone to pick a restaurant, decide who’s invited or not, be seen or whatever, saying the right things or not saying the wrong things at the right times, etc. You had the patience. You bothered. You “made friends”.

So people don’t like you. That’s the trade, isn’t it? For each few who do, you get one who doesn’t. And the ones who don’t are more likely to rant about it. But isn’t that a compliment? People don’t bitch about not having a chance to meet Robert Pickton. And mildy disappointed people don’t rant. The really frustrated, disappointed ones rant.

The SEMMYs look GREAT. That’s why the whiners are so upset. What a compliment… and now a burden for Matt. So this is news? The business plan stage should have outlined where success lies on the way to a successful industry awards program, and I am quite sure it isn’t in Year One. Careful reputation management (branding) should be in Year One for any pubic project, especially an awards program.

Like Rhea (whom I have met.. lovely person IMHO) I want to encourage you to be yourself, even when criticized. There’s at least one reason you can now say you are busy and run successful businesses, and without disregarding the incredible amount of determination and hard work involved, I’m betting it has at least something to do with the more palatable aspects of this crazy community.

All due respect, Rae. You got fans, too.

Hi Rae,

I don’t stalk you, but your good personal branding over the years mean I remember reading lots of your posts over the years, mostly from forums. You frankly sound like you need a break from the SEO community. Maybe you should throw yourself into all those sites you own instead of running around giving your little buddies awards. I used to just get bored by all the petty reputation jockeying in the SEO industry, but at this point I am getting actively annoyed, and to my judicial eye, I think that sentiment is spreading across the community.
Parts of your post, reflect to me the self-importance that we see many SEO currently exhibiting in print. Do you really think you can’t “give the fame back”? Drop it. Now. You can still be friends with all the other superstars, although i think you would find that their ardor toward you had cooled a little. You might be much more famous than I realize but I’m pretty sure you could probably swing the box lid closed again.

Hey joe, you’re right, I probably could, but at what cost? I would need to sign up for new user accounts to any community I would still value being a much less known member of (example, I was a supporter at webmasterworld long before I was a mod). I’d need to close down this domain name and relaunch a personal blog (which I used to have but had to yank down when the seo community starting hitting it upon my “name getting out there”) where I could never utter my name or have the whois information in my own name.

I could never attend another conference because my face is known at those - I can’t take that back, though, if I were a complete hermit for quite a while, it being so “widely” recognized might die down.

I’d also need to change my company names (all are known to be mine) and cell phone number.

And I’d wouldn’t be able to use my real name online in regards to the numerous other sites I own.

So, before you say “drop it” - think of the actual intricacies of what you’re saying to do. It isn’t as easy as “stop blogging, speaking and posting on forums”… it would take quite a time of silence on my end to be forgotten - and giving up damn near my whole professional life (and some of my personal life) to do it.

I don’t see myself as being “famous” - you’re mistaken there… I hate even being called a “rockstar” and don’t consider myself one. But I know others do - and I can’t change that. And yes, I do need a break from the “community”.

Personally ball tickling always gives me a Semmy but I digress…

A brilliant and beautifully written rant, Rae. The problem as far as I can see it is as much about the way the industry has developed over the last few years as it is anything else. Actually it’s also about the whole “rockstar” mentality in general.

People seem to want to be famous for being famous.

As someone who works in the entertainment industry, I meet these people all the time. In fact when I think about it, the acting community is no different to the SEO community.

There are those who have worked their butt off to get to the top of the tree, there are those who got a lucky break along the way, there are those who slept (linked/ball tickled/whatever) their way to the top and there are the talentless arseholes who bleat and grizzle when they don’t get what they believe is their God given right to be loved, admired, paid a shit load of money.

Sadly that’s the way life is these days. People seem to think spending 5 minutes in an industry gives them some kind of golden ticket to fame and fortune. The explosion of the Internet over the last few years has meant everyone is suddenly an expert and they feel they no longer need to serve any kind of apprenticeship.

Ackk…I had a point somewhere down the line but I lost it. Ho hum.

[...] “Today,” and the next thing I knew I was reading through The Mad Hat and Sugarrae’s awesome rants. After I was done, I tried to figure out what I was supposed to be doing. Then it hit me. I realize [...]

1. I rarely nofollow and I never do it out of spite.

It didn’t really matter.

2. Your sarcasm would usually be appreciated, however, I’m in no mood today.

I doubt it has anything to do with “a given day.” But given the difference in our hormonal tendencies, I’ll let it slide.

3. You’re right, my blog, with its “rants in bitchland” category filled with posts is no place for a rant. I mean, by god, a rant on my blog? Who would ever have thought. You’re right… Sugarrae and “blunt” and “rant” have never been used in the same sentence. Not ever.

I’ll leave that last paragraph up to your shrink to decipher. What I’d said was that the difference was you take yours seriously. That’s not bitchiness, nor a rant, nor satire - it’s narcissism, and I never said it wasn’t ok so there’s no need to be so defensive about it.

4. Pity and my name have never been used in the same sentence. It was to illustrate what people like you don’t get… that it isn’t all ball tickling. It comes with a lot of bullshit. Some moronic temper tantrums like yours and some in the form of people being *way* too overzealous. I almost stopped speaking because of the “stalker card” asshole. Say what you want, but I’m no fucking liar and if I wanted pity, I have way more ways I could have sat around and eaten it up (which anyone who is a regular reader to my blog could attest) - but I never have and never will. You have no idea how much I have never let pity even enter into my time of fucking day. You’d know that had you bothered to read anything about me before making personal assumptions about my intent.

Excuse me, then. I see your point. What you employ is well beyond self-pity - it’s more along the lines of apathy and bitterness which result after self-pity hardens. In fact, self-pity would be a more favorable diagnosis in your case.

And no personal assumptions have been made. Well, there was ONE - and it was your calling my satire a “moronic temper tantrum” - anyone who wants can have fun with me and my articles after they’re written but you have some real bitter angst which I find deliciously irreverent.

5. Then make your money, be happy and shut the fuck up about not being adored by the people you so desperately want us to believe you don’t care about. I’m not worried about your feed count or your signs of popularity. You are.

You mentioned subscribers (feed count) first so to now suggest it is irrelevant suggests something along the lines of multiple personality disorder (or borderline personality disorder). As for “not being adored”, puhlease….

Here’s a few dozen testimonials which lay your claim to rest even though I do not seek to be adored.

I just think the SEMMYs should include fresh DNA lest its offspring come out looking a little odd…

Anyways, thanks for your kind reply… but if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And I think I could find a place for you.

Best regards,
Sam
ps. You and pricks like you are some ungrateful little fucks - seriously.

Listen, I don’t know what his name was, but you have to go find him and confront him in order to get real closure, no matter how long ago it happened. And let’s not pretend otherwise…

[...] 3. From Sugarrae.com - The SEMMYS Launch, The WHINEYS TBA [...]

LOL… can we nominate this post?

As for people who feel they are entitled to your time, attention and insight without giving any thanks or appreciation at all… “Nill illigitimi carborundum”. ;)

Thanks once again for the great post.

>>>Listen, I don’t know what his name was

Oh, I get it now. See, people had been messaging me all day yesterday to say you were a troll, but I always try to believe some people have valid points to make even if they rub people the wrong way when they do it (which I am no stranger to)… but now I see talking with you is useless as you are indeed a troll. And I’ve learned over the years not to feed trolls. Have a nice day :)

@Mike. Wow. “ball tickling gives me a Semmy but i digress”. fantastic! now that’s the type of comment I’ll come back to read.

@Rae, i just happened to come back to see what was going on w/the comments here and caught some pretty angry stuff.

>>”you & little pricks like you are some ungrateful little fucks”

I actually thought it was directed @ me for some reason after i was giving you props. Thank god it was directed at some other asshole. i’m not defending him (or pricks like him) at all, but it sucks to see you get so damn angry at some dude clearly just trying to get a rise.

Listen, for whatever it’s worth, ($0.02 actually), i hope you don’t get too worked up about the whineys. You guys did a good job with the first Semmys. i’ll post something about some ideas for the next (a real ‘academy’ perhaps?).

Your humor is a gift. How about some “Semmy” jokes? :)

Rae - Honestly, couldn’t agree more. (No ticklin’ anything … really) I gotta stop here more often. I’m dyin’ reading this …

(I guess your hard disk crash took me off Facebook - my first ‘withdrawal’! …. well, I mean … well you know)

Come back so I remember to visit. I’m officially the oldest fart around (I think :) and … ugh … YOU taught me how to use it in the first place ?!

When it comes to quality folk like SugarRae, for every troll like this fella, there’s 10 of us fanboys :).

ROCK ON!

Re: post. All true. Rock on, indeed.
Re: trolling. When a person must descend to sexism in order to make a point, you can rest assured that you’ve won.

Hold on…I’m getting a call from the SEMMY’S!

Rae, I love your openness (and profanity). And for that, I hope I get to at least catch ya to say “hi” at SMX West. :)

[...] course, the SEMMYS are highly controversial and generating its fair share of [...]

I’m sure you’ll play “defender to your needy crowd” after this but I’m just so aghast at how easily your followers roll over intellectually. After all, my original post was a piece of satire - a sense of humor, something you lack.

You took it as whining lol Naturally, everyone here has had to smell your bad breath for ages now so they’re not going to bail on you now but seriously, you are a bitter, angry person who wrote a bitter angry post, and mine satired the Semmy’s as a scene out of Deliverance.

You WISH you were that creative.

Anyways, best wishes in navigating the strong currents of your fishbowl. And to all your adoring guppies.

Sam

>>>you are a bitter, angry person

Don’t forget that I’m also a female, with, how did you put it? “PMS”. And for the record, the whole post was not about you… after the first “fuck you” the rest of the post was meant towards those types of people in general.

I also won’t be defending anyone… they’re big boys and girls and can defend themselves should they feel the need. But I don’t think anyone does at this point. Thanks dude. Your opinions are duly noted. :)

[...] the Hell, Search Engine Strategies! Calacanis? So, between whining, taking down my SEMMY trophy case and switching my loyalties, I totally missed the announcement [...]

[...] Sugarrae: The SEMMYS Launch, The Whineys TBA [...]

Wow…That’s a pretty harsh rant…I hadn’t realized that so many were so bitter about not getting a nomination…
I’ll admit my initial reaction was bitterness, but pretty quickly that changed into “Well, I guess I better write better stuff for next time”
Kinda assumed that was the natural reaction…
Seriously, some egos in this industry are getting a bit excessive..