I had responded back in December 2005 to your original “Why you should..” post. I still haven’t seen what I consider good answers to the negative points I raised there ( http://aplawrence.com/foo-web/blogging-networks.html if anyone is interested).

For me, the biggest issue is control. I simply cannot accept anyone else being able to tell me what to do. Suggest, and I will listen and might do it. But force? Not for me..

A year later, my blog is starting to flourish. I have 7 other part-time writers, and I am moving towards an editorial position. Thanks for all the great tips along the way Darren, you have really helped me!

It seems that anytime I have a question, I can find the answer on your site.

Thanks for all of the great info. Emma

Disclaimer: I work full-time for Know More Media, a blog network.  I love working for KMM, but I’ll try not to be biased in offering an answer to the following question:Should You Blog Solo, For One Or More Networks, Or……

In terms of control – b5media owns the domain and the blog – the bloggers own the content and licence it to us to use for as long as we like. They can use it in other forums with some time restrictions.

In designing the Know More Media network we have tried to provide opportunities for independent bloggers to have a unique domain name, a handful of unique design elements and unfettered voice and editorial control. On the other hand we believe in the v…

Everyone seems to get so uptight about whether it’s a network, or a web ring, or a collection of people, or whatever (and frankly I don’t care if it’s Web 2.0 or not, either). Fact is, everyone at BFN seems to be enjoying it (yet of course heaven knows why they’d do it for nothing – or maybe not everyone is into making money, or they’re making money their own way anyway). Not wanting to start a flame war either but I guess once you’ve (eventually) sold a blog or two you start looking just at the money.

But anyway…

Just for the record, at BFN there is no revenue share because we don’t pay anyone (monetarily) – that may change in the future but for the avoidance of hype I am not at liberty to talk about it.

Content ownership: Site owner owns and is responsible for all their content, domain, design, etc. They are free to leave at any time if there is conflict or just because they want to find someone to pay them ;)

Again this may change with future blogging plans (BFN members that read the members site will know what I’m referring to) – but even then the revenue split will be geared fully towards 100% for each participator.

Risk: well yeah if I keep shouting my mouth off then I might damage the reputation of BFN but I think people are generally clever enough to realise that every member is their own person. That’s why we don’t overly restrict what people say on their own blogs either.

There’s no legal status involved with our web ring, either. (Hmm, must get some ‘previous site next site’ buttons going for the site ;)

Network: an interconnected system of things or people; An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.

That’ll do as a definition for me. I couldn’t find ‘web ring’ in my dictionary.

When I was guest blogging on “Light My Torch” .. it was quite irritating for me to sit back while every bone in my body, and a few other bloggers and readers felt that we desparately needed a better Medal Counter (and then one was available with Matt) .. Aaron was too busy with other server moves, integration of new blogs, and just didn’t have time. And, I did not have rights and privileges to make changes.

Did it make any difference in the quality of the posts or to the majority of the readers? Heck no! I’m just anal that way .. and some others might be too. There’s no reason to be stressed out while doing all of this, either for money or for fun .. right?

Good points to consider though.

Some good points above, mainly the lack of control over all aspects of the blog one which did cause me some thought before I applied to get involved with The Footie but the major plus side of getting involved in a group situation with so many other well respected and talented bloggers and still being able to work on my own blogs as well swung it for me.

The chance to write for a different audience and make contact with new people mattered a lot more to me than the way the revenue would be split or who decided what the colour scheme should be.

Sometimes the blogger will not be paid. In other words the blogger will write for free and in return the network will advertise his personal blog to get more traffic.

Can’t depend on blog network for full time money unless the network is huge and has immense traffic and revenue.