Did you know that the top Digg user (with a popular ratio of 34%) makes serious cash just by promoting stories articles on Digg? His popularity allows several stories to make Digg’s Home Page…at which point he makes even more money.
Invesp managed to land an interview with “Mr. Digg”, as we’ll call him (this person wants to remain anonymous…duh). “Mr. Digg” gives us quite a provocative look behind the scenes in Digg-world.
Get this…Mr. Digg gets up to $700 per article for his promotion. If that same story reaches Digg’s home page, he gets an additional $500! Now why didn’t I think of this gig? Here is the interview…
“When did you get involved with Digg?
I have been involved with Digg since early 2006.
What is the nature of your involvement with Digg?
At first the concept of user driven promotion seemed intriguing. You would see an article on the upcoming page and the more it was liked by the community the more it had chances of moving to the front page. It was a great concept at the moment and still is. This was the main reason I got started at first. It was sort of one stop for all your informational needs. But as I started using Digg more often I started seeing manipulation of the system by couple active users. Although the first reason in getting involved was to gather information on different subject from one place, it has now become a competitive game of power.
At this point, I would say my involvement with Digg can be summed up as an obsession. And its not just me. Most people that have been using Digg for a while have been competing to be the top users. It has become a game played by many to reach the top and end up first on the leader board.
Before we get deeper into the interview, what kind of success rate do you have with Digg?
I had a popular ratio of 38%. But due to recent algorithm changes that have been implemented my popular ratio has gone down to 34%. I still think that is a good success rate considering the fact that it has almost become impossible to hit the front page. There are times when almost 300 diggs can’t get an article to the front page which in my opinion is ridiculous.
So, as one of Digg active and powerful users, what kind of services have been able to provide to outside companies?
This is a tough question. A little known fact is that most top users from Digg offer social media promotion services. It is easy money. Once you reach a certain number of following and you start being recognized by the community its not that hard to get a certain number of diggs.
This allows most users ( including me ) the benefit of charging for such promotion, given that a front page on Digg can easily bring traffic anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 plus to one single article.
I have worked for many popular blogs and I know most top users do. As of now I am involved with three blogs/companies that I regularly help with social media promotion, especially on Digg. To put it in short : my status and reach within the community allows me to help businesses leverage their opportunities by reaching a different crowd and a large crowd for that matter.
How much do you charge for these services?
There are couple different ways I offer my services. If someone wants me to submit an article without any promotions involved, I charge anywhere between $300 - $500 depending on the quality of article. My submissions grow pretty fast so most people do not opt for promotion. For a submission and promotion I charge $700 irrespective of whether the article is good or not. As you know a front page can never be guaranteed.
These prices are irrespective of whether or not the article makes it to the front page. If the article does make it to the front page there is an additional charge of $500.
Late in 2007, Digg changed their algorithm. How did that impact your submissions?
I have already addressed this issue above. I personally think that its ridiculous that at times you need almost 300 diggs to make it to the front page. My popular rate has certainly gone down but my reach within the community has grown tremendously as I submit more often than used to. Like I said, its a race for power, a race to be on the top. This is one of the reason why you see lot of power users engaged in 10-15 plus submissions each day. The more you submit, the more your chances of hitting a front page.
Being a top Digg user comes with a lot perks and status in the community, can share some of the benefits you gained by being a top user?
One of the main benefits is obviously being known within the community. The other perk that I find extremely satisfying is the fact that I can make money doing something that I would otherwise do anyway. Of course, I have put in my due time and effort to reach the status that I have today but I would still say the benefits far out weigh the efforts.
How can the top Digg users get so many votes on their stories since most of them seem to reject using the shout function?
Following. Whether its the the real world or the virtual world, the best way to be known is by being seen by movers and shakers. Most top users reciprocate diggs and keep an eye out for each others submissions. This makes it easier as they never have to send a shout or ask for diggs at any given time. Most new users tend to follow top diggers right away hoping they will follow them as well but most times it is a loyal following that follows each submissions from a power users. Its a give and take game that we have become very good at.
What are some of the secrets you can share with us about the top Digg users?
I am already sure this is going to cause some controversy and I am not really keen about sharing everything here. However, some of the secrets are that most power users make use of their status and reach to game the system ( including me ). We help promote articles for blogs, small and big, and most of the times there is not much work involved either. Besides that one of the biggest secret if not known is the fact that digg users don’t only use digg for information. They use Digg as a way to reach the top and claim the no. 1 position on the leader board.
Is it typical of the top Digg users to provide services or charge for them?
Not really! Most Digg users have yet to utilize this opportunity. Some refuse to do so and some don’t have the idea of converting their popularity and reach into cash. In my opinion, if anything brings you bread and butter without having to do much and something that you love doing, go for it.
Do you feel like you are cheating the Digg community?
Yes! I would feel guilty if I was the only one but find me one Digg user from the entire community who doesn’t cheat the system, who doesn’t
ask for vote and then I will spill my guilt. But at this time I have no guilt whatsoever. I do what everybody else does. It is obvious that good content does not make it by itself on Digg.
What can a person who cannot invest the time in the community do to get their content on the first page?
Hire me. Kidding. Content still is the key but without a substantial reach within the community it can sometimes be a pain. I would suggest that you put your time in, that’s what we did. I agree most people do not have the time to build a strong profile, in that case start making friends. IM, email, digging other users submissions each day wouldn’t hurt. If you want it that bad, it shouldn’t be a problem to dedicate one hour each day to follow couple users submissions and be noticed by them.
Where do you see Digg 10 years from now?
Honestly, I think Digg will still be around 10 years from now but it won’t be as active and as influential in social media scene. Some of the newer services coming out have way more potential that what Digg does. But you know it, when you have been around for longer it takes a little
long to get thrown out of the throne. 10 years from now I think Digg will still be there but buried somewhere deep.
Finally, many will doubt that you are a real user, what is the real reason you are willing to hold this interview? And why not give your name and profile?
Let me be blunt and say it : You are paying me for this interview. Second, sometimes you just want to share things and let others know of what it actually is and how the system works. But due to my reach and “power user” status I can never really spill any information out.
…You know why I can’t give you my name and profile. Although I game the system like everyone else does I have had involvement with Digg
for a while now. After a while you develop that sense of brotherhood. As a matter of fact when I do Digg promotion for my clients I make them
sign contracts which states that the service I provide is confidential.
Simple reason I can’t give my name and profile is because I have a reputation to withhold and this interview can wreck opportunities for many. Somethings are better told but are better when told in secrecy.”
Well, looks like I’ve got some Digging to do.
P.S. - Some of you have noticed that some strange links have been popping up in my blog. Very observant of you. It appears that my blog is being randomly splattered with ‘easter eggs’ pointing to valuable money-making ideas and tactics. For those who have missed it, I guess you will have to start paying more attention.
Now, stop reading. Start making money.
Well, I decided to re-join PPC-Coach today. It’s been a while since I had been over there and, earlier this year, I decided to bail in Month Two. Why? I don’t know…I just lost focus, I suppose.
Later today, you should be able to download the new Google Chrome web browser and take it for a test drive. 
