Interesting how everything popping out at me lately is about blogging networks and the sense of community they instill in bloggers. Just yesterday I was pointed toward Darren Rowse's series of entries at ProBlogger about blog networks, then today I came across this mention of mom bloggers banding together over at ClubMom.
As the author of two blogs here at Know More Media (Workerette and SmallBizMentor), I can certainly see the benefits of blogging professionally in a network rather than off on my own. The folks here at KMM have selected incredible writers for each of the blogs (including my partner here at Workerette, Amy Vedova-Phillips) and they've taken the time to make sure we are in touch with each other and given the opportunity to welcome newcomers. This not only builds a sense of community and makes me feel like I "know" my colleagues a bit better, it also helps each new blogger in the network gain traffic and comments when we pop in to visit each other.
On a personal level, I also maintain a blog on a network hosted by a homeschooling publication. The community created there is different, of course, based on our shared journey through home education. With the diversity in the homeschool community, it's easy to find folks who I agree with, or disagree with, and it's easy to "meet and greet" newcomers and frequent posters, as well as to keep up on the folks in charge of things via their company blogs. Parenting and education are just a few of the many topics discussed on that particular network, as you can imagine, but the overall tie that binds is an educational option, versus the business practices that link me to the folks here.
All in all, I can see many benefits to blogging in a network, and I highly recommend that you Workerettes get out there and create a blog on a network where you feel a common bond and shared strength, whether it's based on business, education, parenting, cooking, etc. Just remember that this is the Internet, so standard safety rules (no posting your address and phone number, gals, unless you truly want it available to everyone who stops by!) and my usual plea to SPELL CHECK apply.
That said...get out there and blog. Enjoy!
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