5 reasons to join a Blog network
Fri, May 9, 2008
A blog network is usually a group of 10 or more blogs joining forces to kill their competition in a more easier way. Simple example, the b5media blog network founded by ProBlogger Darren Rowse. It might not seem as a bad idea to join these blog networks. Of course, you cannot just join like that as your blog has to be accepted to get into the network. There are few pros as well as cons in joining a blog network.
In this post, I will only talk about how joining a Blog network can help your blog in every possible way.
1. Maximum Exposure - This is what every blogger dreams about. Everyone wants their blog to get good exposure from all kinds of sources especially new bloggers who generally find it difficult to generate traffic to their blogs. Being part of a network ensures that your blog is advertised and publicized by the network to its fullest potential thus making it the obvious reason to have your blog on such a network
2. Closely Packed Community - Its like a small city with few people sharing lots of common interests which makes life a bit easier and fun. You will get to know a lot of people belonging to your same niche and also people who have blogs at the same stage as yours, so sharing your experiences with them and vice versa can only increase your urge to do better.
3. Direct Advertising - Suppose you normally sold Ad spots on your blog for like $10. When you are part of a blog network, chances are that the blog network have lots of rich sponsors or advertisers and they will make sure that you end up selling the ad spots for atleast $20-$30 which in normal cases you could’nt have.
4. Behind the Scenes - Just as a mother takes care of her new-born child, a blog network will take care of you like an angel. They will make sure your blog runs properly, loads properly, making sure your payments are all made on time, taking care of your advertising campaigns etc. All kinds of administrative work including optimizing your blog for search engines will all be looked upon by the blog networks. If your lucky enough to join a really good network, you might end up having your own personal manager to help you out.
5. Gaining Experience - Remember that you are main job is to write quality content and these blog networks only aid you to some extent so that your writing environment is stress free. One should also keep in mind that your blogging for yourself and not doing a favor for anyone so learn what all you can by gaining good experience and making sure that your blog’s reputation has only gone up.
There are downsides or loopholes in everything as no one and no thing is perfect. In my next post I will mention some reasons on why not to join a blog network. Till then, Cheers everyone.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
If there is one community that I have found success with is none other than BlogCatalog.
I get pretty good exposure from participating, albeit not the kind of maximum exposure. But traffic does increase.
Will look forward to your next post..
May 30th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I’m at blog catalog but have gotten way more traffic from mybloglog!
I would suggest using both communities!
May 30th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
this is good information as I’m a newbie to blogging. So I’m looking for information that can generate traffic to my blog. I’ll search for a blog network and test the waters. However I absolutly agree with about having good content in your blog to attract readers and advertisers too. If you have any in mind, please let me know.
Cheers
May 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hi
I’ll really like to know how do you manage to display your trackback details as I’m struggling to show mine. I have separated the comments from trackbacks but I’ll love to it the way it is here with all the trackback details.
I’m sorry if I post the question here as I couldn’t find a way to contact you directly. Thank you.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Thanks, Prem.
I am impressed by the speed you response to your readers. I really appreciate your effort to contact me directly. You made my day.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I definitely receive more traffic from MyBlogLog than BlogCatalog, but they’re both invaluable to be a part of. Can anyone tell me if there are any other good ones out there?
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
@Kari: I have quiet a bit traffic directed from BloggingZoom and BlogEngage. They are more Digg-like but focus more on bloggers.
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
@Blog for Beginners: I currently use BlogEngage, and it works pretty well for me too. I’ve just signed up for BloggingZoom on your recommendation. Their submission tool isn’t working, though. It keeps telling me that the “title and text fields are incomplete” (even though they are complete). Thanks though - hopefully it’ll start working soon.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:07 am
@Kari - The Reason your getting the Incomplete Text Message is because Bloggingzoom needs atleast 350 words of Summary, which is like atleast 4 full lines in the text box. Hope that solves your problem.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Aha, that’s the BloggingZoom trap. I don’t understand the rationale behind it. I had the same issue when I first used it. How a new user would know it in the first place? Well, every house has its rules, hasn’t it?