I Don’t Hate Blog Networks
by Deborah Ng
Lately we’ve been writing about how it might be more profitable for bloggers to start and build up their own blogs. This leads to a flurry of emails and tweets asking why I’m hating on the networks. Actually I’m not. I love blog networks, I started one of my own, remember?
I owe a lot of who I am today to various blog networks. They offered top notch training, technical support, and a platform on which I could write about my favorite topics. I still believe blog networks offer invaluable tools one can’t find elsewhere. Networks also offer a sense of community and a warm fuzzy feeling you can’t always immediately get blogging for yourself. Trust me, I don’t hate blog networks. I think they’re ideal for beginning bloggers who are just learning the ropes or bloggers who aren’t really in it for the money.
My only concern about blogging for a network is whether or not the ends justify the means. Does the amount of money you’re being paid adequately compensate the work going into your blog? If you’re working your butt off for less than minimum wage, you may want to consider whether or not blogging for a network is a good choice for you. Or you can use your network blogging to supplement your income while you’re building your own blogs, which is what I did.
FWJ has always made more money for me than my nichey blogs at networks. I don’t believe certain niches bring in huge amounts of traffic, so they won’t bring in a huge income.
No, I don’t hate blog networks. With the exception of one network, my experiences with blog networks have always been positive. I do believe in being truthful however, and that may mean encouraging bloggers to start their own blogs to earn 100% of the income. It’s a lot of work, and it takes time and patience, but it’s very rewarding.
By all means, check out the various blog networks and see what they have to offer. If the payment terms and the expected work agrees with you, rock on. Only you know what works best. Don’t work your butt off for little or no money though, you can do better than that on your own.
Interesting read Deb. I agree that blog networks have their place, and for some, they are the only way to go. As long as people know what they are getting into, especially with what rights they may or may not be handing over for their content, and it works for them… then great!
I agree that networks are great for beginners. The experience, new contacts, and exposure are worth it for a while. But after a few months you should transition to blogging on your own if you are interested in making money that isn’t divided between thousands of other bloggers.
I got started blogging in a network which sold itself to a bigger network and that worked out okay for awhile. I needed that time to get my feet wet, etc.
I’ve recently spun out on my own and it looks like the first month I’ll make almost as much as I did in the network before they cut their pay. I’m surprised and delighted.
I don’t hate networks either and now I’m grateful the network’s change in pay rate etc. got me to move.
Anne Wayman, now blogging at http://www.aobutfreelancewriting.com