Written on June 17th, 2005 at 02:06 am by Shai Coggins
What Kind of ProBlogger Are You?
I recently wrote an article, Solo Blogging vs Network Blogging, which is a follow-up to the quiz: Are You A Solo Blogger Or A Network Blogger?
In the quiz, I identified four main problogger categories:
- Solo Bloggers - Those who set up their own blog/s and try to earn money this way.
- Network Bloggers - Those who are ‘hired’ by (or joined) a blogging network or two.
- Bi-Bloggers (I know, the name sounds a bit strange, but, ah well…) - Those who set up their own blog and join a blogging network or two.
- Trailblazing Bloggers - Those who may either set up their own blog, blog for a network and/or run their own blogging networks.
My own blogging history shows that I began as a solo blogger. Then, I started blogging and writing for the “megablog” (Darren’s words, not mine) , About.com. (Hence, I became a bi-blogger.) And recently, I started my own network.
What about you? What kind of problogger are you?
25 Responses to “What Kind of ProBlogger Are You?”
David
June 17th, 2005 3:12 am
I guess I am a solo-blogger… No networks yet for me.
Scott Randolph
June 17th, 2005 3:19 am
I suppose I’m a trailblazer..sort of…I have a network….of blogs managed by me :)
Cary Miller
June 17th, 2005 3:48 am
First off…Scott’s the man! (if you don’t believe me, check out what him & his friends are doing for my wife & I, & everyone else battling cancer http://www.triathlontraining.net/?page_id=63)
Second, I guess I’m a solo-blogger, though I do have quite a few blogs…so maybe I’m an overly-spread-out blogger ; )
John (SYNTAGMA)
June 17th, 2005 4:45 am
Although I give away the content on my blog free (with resource box), I’ve always considered myself a problogger, solo variety. Now I’ve reassessed this. I think problogger should be reserved for bloggers who make money out of blogging itself, rather than ancillary activities, like other writing. So I now think of myself as a Free Blogger, solo variety.
Chris Abraham
June 17th, 2005 5:12 am
I am a Trailblazing Blogger. Funny.
Ryan
June 17th, 2005 5:16 am
Ugh. I guess I’m Bi.
Cary
June 17th, 2005 5:46 am
he, he ; )
Netwalker
June 17th, 2005 5:52 am
I don’t really know if I should fit in the bi category, because I have two blogs maintained by me. : )
Gino
June 17th, 2005 7:10 am
I’d say I’m a solo blogger too.
Josue
June 17th, 2005 7:49 am
Oh my goodness, I never thought I’d be a “bi”!!!
Satish Talim
June 17th, 2005 10:09 am
Oh well, I guess I am a solo… but I do have three blogs that I maintain.
Vix
June 17th, 2005 11:03 am
I have my own network of blogs but they’re still in the development phase
Gayla
June 17th, 2005 11:14 am
I guess I am a solo blogger of 6, however, I’ve just become involved in one political blog network for a 2008. Haven’t gone gangbusters just yet.
duncan
June 17th, 2005 11:19 am
I guess I’m a trailblazer, although I don’t like giving myself that much credit, I see where you are coming from with this little exercise but label can be shallow, because as bloggers we are really all equal to some extent
Shai Coggins
June 17th, 2005 12:04 pm
David: So, you’re still considering joining a network - or perhaps, starting one?
Scott: Yep - sounds like trailblazing to me. :-)
Cary, Netwalker and Satish: Solo bloggers can definitely have more than just one blog.
John: Free Blogger… that sounds like a good title. ;-)
Chris: Why is it funny?
Ryan and Josue: hehehe
Gino: I think most blogger do fall in the Solo category. And, many feel that that’s exactly how they like it.
Vix: Good luck! I wish you well… I can definitely empathise with the ups and downs on this. Although I’ve “launched” AboutWeblogs.com, I feel as though we’re still in the development phase as well… still a lot of things to work out. And, on a shoestring budget with a one-person admin, it’s a bit of a challenge.
Gayla: Wow. Good luck to you too. Sounds like you’re a very busy person…
Duncan: I’m not sure if you really understand where I’m coming from, because I *never* mentioned anything about not being equal. I do believe that we are all the same as bloggers… as people in general. But, like anything in life, we have strenths and weaknesses… we do different things. Some of us are stay-at-home mums, some are managers, some are businesspeople, some are buskers… Are these labels shallow? I don’t think so. Is one better than the other? Not in my book. We don’t define ourselves… our core being… with these labels. But, it helps to know what we do and what we like to do. The same way it’s always healthy to be aware of our own strengths and weaknesses. Solo, network, bi, or trailblazing — these “labels” are of equal importance. One is NOT better than the other.
Chi An
June 17th, 2005 12:16 pm
I’m a solo blogger with 1 month exp :)
David
June 17th, 2005 1:01 pm
Shai Coggins - I am considering starting one once Darren gets back and most of us Canadian Bloggers that are guest blogging can devote some time to getting the network running. :)
Ranjeet Rain
June 17th, 2005 11:40 pm
Solo as of now. Would like to network. Lets hope to have some like minded people around.
Hammad
June 18th, 2005 1:15 am
Yeh lonely blogger…..
But I am on that stage where I am learing tons of new things from blog….
Felix De Vliegher
June 18th, 2005 6:17 am
Well, for now i’m blogging Solo, but definitely interested in getting involved with some network blog :) Now to just find enough people that are interested
Ryan
June 18th, 2005 10:11 am
Just one additional point about being a Bi-blogger, especially since I’m seeing several who are Bi-curious (heh, couldn’t resist).
I’m just newly part of a major network after having been solo for sometime now, and there’s this odd feeling that I’m almost “selling out” having joined the network. I’m doing my solo-blog still, and (I think) dedicating equal effort to it as I am the network-blog… but it’s a very different experience now, and I don’t know if I’ve “betrayed” my original loyal readers somehow.
I wonder if any other Bi’s have experienced the same thing?
Gayla
June 18th, 2005 8:58 pm
I’ve gone back and forth with myself on the “network blogging” or not. In short, being an STD Patient Advocate, I feel it’s in the best interest of all to expand the informational base, while at the same time I do feel it’s necessary to keep the comfort and security there for those who need it.
Gayla
Shai Coggins
June 21st, 2005 9:46 pm
Chi An: So, how’re you liking it?
David: Good luck. Who’s heading the operation?
Ranjeet: Have you been applying to the networks or are you thinking of setting one up with some people you know?
Hammad: Solo blogging doesn’t always mean lonely. Hehehe. :-)
Felix: Maybe you can start asking around and see if you want to join an existing network or start one yourself.
Ryan: Why do you feel like you’re selling out? If you’re still doing what you used to do and you’re still giving your “original” readers the best that you can possibly give under the circumstances, then there’s no betrayal there. I think “betrayal” can only happen if you’re deliberately holding things off from your readers and not giving them what you can give the best.
Gayla: I hope you get to do what you wish to do with your blogging endeavours - network blogging or not.
Chi An
June 23rd, 2005 1:03 pm
Shai Coggins: May I use McD’s slogan? “I’m lovin’ it!”
Well, I treat blogging as my exercise to improve my poor English writing skill.
Ranjeet Rain
June 24th, 2005 12:51 am
Hello Shai,
Kinda I come up with some ideas and then get busy with my work. I (can) write on varied topics. You may want to take a look at my blogs here: http://expertnotes.blogspot.com This is my first blogging attempt. I thought of renting some webspace and setup a blog on an apache server on my own. I also thought of setting up a home-grown web server. Lets us see how it takes a shape. One thing for sure, I will be giving some time to it.
Please take a look at my blogs and let me know what you think. If you think I can contribute to your blog or you would like to contribute to my blog, you are most welcome.
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