Official June 2011 Monthly Guest Blogging Contest Post #12
Contest Article
Creating a blog and being a blogger means getting exposed to the blogosphere or the world of blogs and getting yourself and your blog known to the internet world, most of the time. Moreover, blogging requires a lot of hardwork and perseverance given that a constant update is needed so that your readers and subscribers, and visitors, would definitely keep coming back for more.
So in blogging, basically, when it’s being based on the number of the people who managed and keeps the blog running, we have these two types – the solo blogging and the collective blogging. Imagine how big the differences are between the two, and just how essential would it be to go sailing the open seas alone, or being with some friends with you. Well, blogging is like sailing in the open seas though, and it is also stipulated that the risks are all “unknown”. So let me give you just a few words as of the way I see solo blogging versus collective blogging.
Solo Blogging and Collective Blogging – Evaluating the Odds of It
Almost all of the time, going on solo flight happens when you’ve just created your blog and started blogging for the very first time. This thing happens most of the time and t’was true even for some of the most established and well-known blogs of today. It’s not bad to go blogging solo though, and the main advantage of it is that when you get recognition, you have it all for yourself. So let’s get cracking as to how one takes on a lead over the other in each own way.
Revenue Allocation
When we say blogging solo, that would typically mean that once you’ve earned your income, it would be totally yours – all yours. You won’t get to share it with others, you receive it fully and you earn more. However, not at all times do these things hold true. Why? As we all can see it, blogging requires a lot of patience and work to do before it gets a lot of exposure to the blogosphere. Various types of promotion are required just to bring it on the top of the ladder. And besides, earning income on a solo blogging mode won’t come in easy – that’s why you’ve got to be way too patient.
As of collective blogging, even though you get to share your revenues with the other staff or the people who maintains and updates your blog, it would still be worth it. What’s more is that it is much more easier to earn income and accumulate a mass of income stream through collective blogging since you’re not the only one who would do the promotion and the monetization schemes, but all of you do.
Blogger Branding
Branding yourself and getting yourself known in the world is what most bloggers aim for. Who wouldn’t want to be popular anyway? What’s more in branding is that is allows yourself to get open in a various opportunities for monetization such as ad spot placement, sponsored reviews, and a whole lot more. Blogging alone for self branding is a bit more advantageous in a solo blogging as compared to collective blogging. I’ve seen a lot of bloggers run their blogs on their own and they’ve gotten pretty popular since they’ve made a name of their own with their blog. A great example would be Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.Net. As we all can see it, this guy is a great blogger, and more than that, he’s running the blog on his own – although he accepts some various guest post from other bloggers as well. Well, we shouldn’t also forget that the man behind this contest, Brian Belfit of BlogEngage.Com is a solo blogger as well. And with solo blogging, I repeat, branding is a lot easier and a lot faster than it is.
Promotion
I think this one would be the most obvious. How could you make it easy to promote your contents when you are all by yourself? You could do it though, however it do takes a lot of time to beat the odds. You can’t have a lot of social media accounts as well as the time to promote your blog as well. And moreover, it is quite easy to accumulate a wide variety of readers and subscribers to your blog since every member or staff of your blog would be doing their promotion part also.
Ok, now you’ve read my part and my thoughts about which is much better between a solo blogging and a collective blogging. I am also on the solo blogging side, although I am accepting guest posts from others just to augment my blog and to fill the gap between. Actually, I am also in need of a reliable and trusted blogging partner to whom I would share my blog with him/her.
So Let’s Cut to the Chase
Before you get to leave a comment below, would it be okay if I hear your thoughts about it? Well, here would be some of the questions I would be asking to you then:
• How do you find solo blogging to be? Is it easy or is it rough?
• What’re your thoughts about solo blogging and collective blogging?
• Which side are you in as of now?
• Which one of them would suit you best?
Let me hear your thoughts about it, please?
bbrian017 (189)
Holly Jahangiri (121)
Abhi Balani (58)
Kris Edison (47)
Blazing Minds (28)
Hajra (28)
Herbert (19)
Jakes (19)
Larry (19)
kirapermunian (18)
Wonderful inputs there as of the pro’s and con’s of the blogging alone or with a team.
I think you pretty much covered everything so I will just answer to your questions.
Solo blogging is tough at times even though you like what you do. If you’re not a full time blogger and your life is parted then you’ll see it might get overwhelming. You want to keep your readers updates and hooked to your blog, but can’t find time for it. I don’t find promoting a blog alone a challenge. I am not a real blogger Yet, but I’ve been circling around commenting on others’ blogs and my blog test got a huge traffic in one day due to that.
Collective blogging is FUN! You share work with other, they also promote it, you are bounded to ppl who have something in common with you. I’m not in for the money yet so not concerned about that.
The downside I see at it is probably when different opinions come in between. To open a blog and be out there in the “Spotlight” means you got a bit of guts and stubbornness can tear apart a team.
I am on both’s side bcs I know I will do both (heck I’ve done both in the past) and they have their advantages and disadvantages and it cannot be helped. Just enjoy them and try to overcome the difficulties that occur.
What fits me best? I’ll let you know when I find that myself.
Great post. Keep it up!
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks for the cool compliment Andreaa, and moreover it is good to see you here. I do agree with you that a collective blogging is FUN because you get to share your works with the other authors within your blog before going it out live. Well for me, I am still on the solo blogging side although I would be looking forward to make a team for my own blog in the time to come – even though that would be a lot of years.
Argie Monroy recently posted..How to Post Your Disqus Comments without Fail
My pleasure.
I am the one how has to say it’s good to see You here.
Well if you wanna do collective blogging as well you can join me (soon enough I hope, but on a different field that you’re used to).
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: ronniedare
Both of them are good and I am looking forward to do both of them. But I think, you have to do some good solo blogging first before doing the other one.
Ron Leyba recently posted..Palawan Underground River – New 7 Wonders of Nature
I kinda disagree with you Ron. I am of the opinion you can learn a lot in a team. If you make a mistake you got back up. So you gotta be hell good in collective blogging before starting on your own.
It’s like life. You start with a family, then get on ur own and join other “teams” on the way, b4 having your own family.
But it’s useful experience if you do both in blogging.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
I kinda agree with you Andreea, although going on a collective blogging scheme is not that easy as it might seem. It’s quite tough to look for trusted partners these days though. But I do go on with your thoughts – you’ve got a good one there and besides, collective blogging is like blogging with your family. Thank you.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Make Them Want to Read More: 4 Tips on Creating A Catchy Title
That’s what I thought of. I never considered blogging with people I never met in my life even if the are known as professionals. I need to to get to know them personally and trust them.
Other than that is ok.
I will tell you more on how I planned my blog-to-be
or should I say “our”?
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, it depends if their would be no complications on the way
Argie Monroy recently posted..3 Suggestions for Beginning Blog Owner Relationships
Twitter: kirapermunian
What I really like in this discussion is the variety of ideas. I got your point in choosing collective blogging Andreea. I am now grasping idea of why not committing myself to a group blogging while having my solo blogging too. That really sounds great hitting two birds with one arrow. It’s kinda a matter of a more enhanced passion, patience and hardwork for me. I loved it.
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Then Kira I will definitely give you an invitation to join me. Hope to be ready with all formalities, modifications and finishing touches by 15th of July. Wish me luck!
However, you’ll have to challenge yourself to a different field of writing as well. SEO, SMO, Marketing and PR are a secondary job to do and not my main focus speaking of content, but they are necessary.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: ronniedare
You have a good point there. But I think, its a kind of a case to case basis. =)
Ron Leyba recently posted..Philippine Azkals Vs Sri Lanka Football Team
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, if you don’t have your partners, then solo blogging would be the best alternative. However, it would still be more fun if you were to do it in group.
Argie Monroy recently posted..How to Post Your Disqus Comments without Fail
Twitter: ivinviljoen
I think with collective blogging the work get’s divided and more work could be done – which I think will multiply your efforts. If there’s profit sharing , obviously the costs have to be deducted first. I know of a site where the site is owned and he has a payment agreement with them. That’s a third level.
Do you think Brian is a solo blogger? I think he would agree, without the community here, BE won’t work.
Now, collaboration is another thing all together. That’s another way of blogging where every person is ‘solo’, as you say, and they comment on each others blog, retweet each others posts etc. They form a ‘tribe’ so to speak.
I like your post because it’s clean, well broken up into chapters with heading and you’re using images well too. Good luck!
Ivin recently posted..Facebook Friday: Using Photos In Building Brands & Marketing
Twitter: budwalkr
Pretty good insights Ivin. Well, on Brian’s part it is true that BE wouldnt exist without the collaboration from the BE family though. But what Im trying to mean about solo blogging would be that the blogger himself would be the one to maintain the blog, make frequent updates if necessary, and do all the moderation works all by himself. But when we speak of collaboration, well that’s another thing to talk about though, but I totally go along with what you’ve said.
By the way, thanks for your compliment Ivin
Argie Monroy recently posted..Blogging and its Benefits
Well said Ivin!
Collective blogging and collaboration (like guest posts and the other you mentioned there) are total different things. I’ve experimented both and solo blogging and must say I enjoyed them all, but even if you are a solo blogger you have a network of bloggers. A solo blogger is not a lone wolf.
And I’m with you on that: collective blogging is definitely somewhat more effective and can achieve more in a lesser amount of time.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
I totally agree with you Andreea. Being a solo blogger does not necessarily mean that you are all alone. Even though you get to run the blog all by yourself, you have your readers, you have your contributors and you have your subscribers which only shows that even though your on solo, you have others along with you as well. Cool thoughts by the way
Argie Monroy recently posted..4 Tips to Increase Your Blog Traffic
Thanks! So I think we can say just as Kira and Ivin well said above the being a solo blogger does not quite mean being solo.
It’s impossible to be solo in this world where we are condemned to communicate, we do it without knowing and without our consent.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: kirapermunian
I’ve been in a team blogging before when I was in college. We have a networking website that we maintained together with the other IT organization officers. Each one of us had a task to follow like moderation, updating of plugins, campaigns, responding to inquiries, designing, etc. I was one of the admin heads taking decision for each member’s move in the site. What I’ve found out because it was an org property, there were many times that I alone doing a lot of task due to time schedule. Some kind of a mess.
What I mean is, in the collective blogging, everything should be clarified first before considering a member to do his task. If not, the team won’t be successful. That situation is considerable to a group blogging with voluntary members. But I think for a corporate or a business blogging, each member should really perform his task to get success, seriously there’s compensation with this type. And leadership is needed in it.
For me, I would prefer solo blogging because I know I won’t be alone, there are bloggers in the blogosphere whom I can tap anytime if things go wrong . Revenue allocation and blogger branding are all damn mine even the negatives “whatever”. Promotion won’t be hard as long as you know something about internet marketing, SEO, and SMO.
Alright, just sharing my opinion. No man is an island!
Twitter: budwalkr
I do agree with you Kira. A blogging team which lacks in coordination and teamwork would eventually be just a waste of time. Supposedly, since it is a team, one should do its part, and one should never ignore those tasks assigned to him. This problem sometimes hold true it most collective blogging schemes sometimes. If coordination is lacking, therefore a bog woudnt be a success though.
Thanks for your brilliant thoughts Kira !!
Argie Monroy recently posted..How to Post Your Disqus Comments without Fail
LMAO! Nicely said! A team shouldn’t be a bunch of disoriented guys. I agree with you about the leadership in a team.
And I also am with you in the advantages the blogging solo can bring to you which is why I will launch a blog of my own in the field I WANNA ROCK as well.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, all I can say is that each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. What works on the other wont do on the other one. I guess the decision entirely depends upon the blogger himself – should you be doing it on solo or in group.
Or both as a matter of fact.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: kirapermunian
It’s always the opportunity that will make things possible. If given a chance to blog team up with someone , why not, as Andreea said,. it’s fun! And if not, then be a happy, happy solo lol! We can still tap with other bloggers right?
kirapermunian recently posted..Focusing your Blog | SEO and Marketing Values
Twitter: budwalkr
You’re definitely right with it Kira. Opportunity does make things possible, just as long as there is. I’ve been longing to blog with a group and have my co-admins as well. Although I cant find a lot of them yet.
Besides, I’m still struggling with my blog as of now.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Know What’s Trending at the Dragon Blogger
wonderful post and good discussion
liked it!!
GeetS recently posted..The Red Bellied Piranha Facts
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, thanks a lot for that Geets. I hope you enjoyed the article as well.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Social Media and the Future of Healthcare
Nice professsional blog and wonderful inputs here… Thank you so much for sharing..
Someone is Special
Someone is Special recently posted..~ Cute Tunes ~
its all depending on the purpose of the blog. If it’s a personal blog. solo will do.
If it’s for business, you may have to get a team.
webhosting prince recently posted..Microsoft WebsiteSpark
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, I do agree with you. However, it only depends on the blogger himself though. And besides, even if its personal as long as it covers a wide range of topics, then I bet collective blogging will do.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
I donno about that. I’ve seen a lot of profi blogs who are owned by a single person. Don’t think it’s necessary to have a team, but when you start on your own you’re either a blogger coming from a collective blog and have experience, or you are really a newbie, but have a network of blogger friends around that can help you.
My opinion!
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: pwweddingfavors
Hi Argie,
I think it depends on your goals. But for internet marketing niche, I would also go for solo blogging because for me, a personal blog is something that you own and claim for yourself which could be very helpful in building a personal brand. Its just me of course.lol
Twitter: budwalkr
Haha .. well, we have our own thoughts as well. Although an internet marketing niche is a great way for personal branding, there would definitely be times by which you have to seek help from others and go on a collective blogging scheme. However, this only happens when you’ve got a pretty huge amounts of traffic – like Mashable and Lifehacker does.
Twitter: pwweddingfavors
That is quite true. All of us needs help. And we can get it even if we go solo blogging.
I don’t want to raise an argument between solo and collective. As I’ve said, its just me. I understand that both can have good advantages and can build personal brands but I think it all depends on how you handle it. Whether you do solo blogging or collective blogging, the success of it still lies on how you manage it. 
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, its up with our own decisions as well. No one’s gonna direct you which should you prefer the most just as long as you know your field and which one are you most comfortable into. And I do agree with you as well. Being successful in your blogging scheme depends entirely on how you make things run smoothly , whether you do it in group – or you do it on your own.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
I think we all agree that solo blogging can get YOU and YOUR blog popular, but collective blogging as well. As long as there’s a page showing the team and the founder it’s impossible to not get some recognition even if it’s a collective effort put into the blog to look good and function well.
I will take this article in the business blogging perspective. No one knows everything on his own, one must find the right business partner who is expert on the field he doesn’t know. In blogging, you’re lucky enough to have all the skills needed, but for many of us, we usually lack of the skills that could only be found from the others. Be sure to find that partner for you to win the game you ought to play.
Goodluck to you!
azailg recently posted..Digital Roll Laptop
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks Glaiza.
It’s not unless you know a lot of topics yourself. I like the way how you look at it on a business perspective though. Moreover, it holds true as blogging for a business requires a lot of promotion schemes for it to prosper. But if you do it with only a minor business practice at hand, then I dont think collective blogging is not that necessary. Yet who knows? That small business of yours will bloom – therefore you would need the help of a partner for that case though.
Firstly, I believe that when you start blogging you do it on your field, the area you know better. You ain’t a doctor and think: “I’ll start a blog about religion.” It happens to have passions different of our field, but we mostly write about what we know, like and love.
Secondly, we shouldn’t write about a topic when we donno that topic well and even if we do it’s best to do a research before that. Check the info you have, other opinions etc etc.
Once again I say if you have friends around you, you don’t need to join a team to blog even professionally. They would help, give feedback, update you with info, guest-post you when you want to cover a subject and think it’s best to invite someone who knows it better than you.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Nice debate! Argie in a solo corner vs Andreea in a collective corner. I’ll make an analysis for you guys.
Therefore these two identities would depend on the usage and on how you would apply it to your blogging endeavors. After all it all boils down to blogging with the same goal – success! And people will choose one of these identities depending upon the background they came from. Team building and being team player is a good thing in life and in blogging, the same thing goes to Independence and working on your own.
azailg recently posted..Fourth Generation (4G) Mobile Technology
Twitter: budwalkr
Actually, I’m not really into solo blogging now. I want to be part of a group or perhaps create my own group and look for some like-minded bloggers whom I can give my trust with. Well, both ways do work, although I can’t really decide which one tops over the others. When based on a score-to-score basis, the rate would be 50-50.
Twitter: Ileane
Hi Argie! You have some excellent points here and in the discussion. I think that your personality has a lot to do with the willingness to work in groups or solo. For example, if you’re a controlling person (like me) this might be one reason you start a blog in the first place.
So a collaboration might be good as long as you end up being the leader of the group and have the final say. Have you ever heard the old saying “too many cooks in the kitchen”.
There are advantages for both styles but I like the way you have defined the separation between the two. Great post and your writing style is quite nice here.
Ileane recently posted..Three Blogging Tips To Avoid Hitting That Brick Wall
Twitter: budwalkr
Collorabation is indeed a cool thing to do just as long as you take control of all your members, contributors or co-authors as well. Unfortunately, I havent heard of that phrase you’re talking about
It’s my first time hearing such .. haha.
Thanks a lot Ileane!
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
Hi Ileane.
You’ve made an excellent point there!!! I am talking about the personality typology you mentioned there. It’s true that some ppl don’t stand being told to do smt and impose themselves. But leadership is smt you learn as well it’s not only smt native as well as learning to accept different points of views in a team.
Therefore joining a collective blog or creating your own can teach you to either be a leader(if you don’t feel so) or team-worker (if you feel you are more bossy).
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Exactly! By blogging in group, one could also learn to know each own strengths and weaknesses. And being a leader would account to the strength side of course!
Argie Monroy recently posted..4 Tips to Increase Your Blog Traffic
Twitter: GianFaye
I obviously start by solo blogging. Before anything else, I’d like to test my abilities first. To be honest, my entry on the BE June contest is my first guest post ever in my entire blogging life. Why is that so? Well, I think I still need more knowledge and experience on my field. I don’t want to risk making errors on a collective blog just because I don’t have enough experience on blogging before. Though we could gain knowledge by observing and participating on other blogs, having one is a big difference.
But but but, I also do believe that collective blogging if fun! I always want to be a part of a community or a group with the same interests as mine, but as I’ve said, I don’t want to risk mistakes due to not having the knowledge or enough skills. That’s why I prefer solo blogging to be the first step. But I believe that differs among us.
After I’m fully confident with my abilities by solo blogging, I’ll then be confident to surf the waters of the blogosphere so I could go to other islands (blogs) and be able to contribute my part.
gianfaye recently posted..BlogFest 2011: An Appreciation Event For Blogs and Bloggers
Twitter: budwalkr
Haha Gian.. we both are on the same side Gian. I also start blogging on a solo flight as well however I am enjoying the thrill of it. This month’s my 2nd month for BE and my second guest post as well, being 3rd overall. But its just normal that our very first entry would be not that much since as what you’ve said, we are still lacking experience and knowledge over time. I also want to try collective blogging as well and moreover, I am on the look for some partners to start with. It’s not bad to be a novice and incompetent in the first place though – we all start from being one. Thanks a lot.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
Twitter: GianFaye
Yeah, we all have been beginners of all sorts.
Notify us once your plan is up.
gianfaye recently posted..BlogFest 2011: An Appreciation Event For Blogs and Bloggers
I don’t think you need to be very experienced to blog in a team Gian. In a team you learn together and if you mistake you got yourself covered. They help you and you guys learn together.
It also depends on the team.
Also CONGRATS for your first guest post and wish you best of success in ur blogging career! <3
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: GianFaye
Hi Andreea!
I believe that applies to a blog if almost all of you are on the same level, and the blog is not yet too critical to mingle with. Or, if the blog owner is so kind that he is giving you a room to sharpen your skills. I believe though, that there is always room for learning. But, some people just won’t let you because they have super high standards and expects many things from you.
I guess it’s just my perfectionist ego that prevents me from doing it. I hope I could find blogs like what you mentioned.
Thanks for the best wishes.
Same goes to you as well. Cheers. 
gianfaye recently posted..BlogFest 2011: An Appreciation Event For Blogs and Bloggers
I can’t argue much on that Gian you’re true. Finding kind people to help you learn ain’t easy.
I have been talking to businessmen a bit and they don’t care as much for how high and fancy your studies are but the experience you bring. So you got a point there.
I don’t think you being a perfectionist means you have an ego. I am also lk that sometimes when nothing satisfies me and I want it to be “perfect”. Hope to open my collective blog A.S.A.P
and when it’s up and running you are invited. 
And thank you a lot!
P.S: Do you own Loading-Info blog? I’ve stumbled upon it once when I needed some info and I’ve found it LOT useful. It’s awsm to meet you!
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Some businessmen have their prides above your expectations. That would perhaps be the reason why only a few people are willing to help you in your own little ways. And I do agree that experience is what matters most, no matter your social status is and regardless of the school you’ve been. With regards to being a perfectionist, well this happens also to me sometimes. But we most always keep in mind that no one is perfect – even the great bloggers have their own errors, and I’ve seen some of them.
Twitter: budwalkr
Some bloggers would sometimes simply ignore those they thought of as of a lower level. They would regard this thing as inferiority – and the room for a greenhorn is a no-no. I totally agree with you that everyone has its own room for learning. And we all know that all those acclaimed great bloggers out there came from being such.
Argie Monroy recently posted..How to Post Your Disqus Comments without Fail
Twitter: budwalkr
Andreea, it is sometimes true that it is not very needed that much if you’ve got the experience or not in a blogging group. However, the entirety still depends on how competent the team is, how well-versed are the members within, and how stiff or tough the blogging topic is all about. It would be quite lucky if one can come up with a group that dont matter that much the experiences just as long as the eagerness to learn and engage is right in there.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Social Media and the Future of Healthcare
In order to avoid confusion I will answer in this post only to both your comments.
Regarding businessmen: They expect some experience (of course and it’s easy to understand why) but they (at least some) also provide payed work-shops/trainings/presentations/mentorship in order for you to improve.
Regarding collective blogging and stiff teams: I already stated before I wouldn’t join a team or create one as a matter of fact without knowing those ppl (like ppl to whom i can relate, friends, professional ppl, team-workers etc etc etc…).
Regarding perfection: Perfect means to me a job well done, as complete as I can make it to be, satisfying, that makes me proud and happy. Mistakes are part of the whole. Comes with the package and makes u appreciate the good part of your work and wanna improve more.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
I am presently blogging on several solo and a couple collective blogs. While I find it much easier to add to a collective blog than a solo blog, I also find it frustrating at times with the quality of the content that my collective partners are submitting. I’m speaking here more on the structuring of the content from an SEO point of view than readability.
I find that it’s easier on a solo blog to maintain the “flavor”of the blog, the SEO structure and living up to the readers expectations, but at the same time much more difficult to keep up with the comments and questions that are received. This is especially true with the blogs that receive a lot of traffic.
While it is true that a solo blog is not entirely solo because you’re maintaining a give/take relationship with your readers, the style of writing remains consistent which I think in many cases adds to the clarity of the content.
This has been my experience, although it is possible that I just haven’t gotten together with the right partners on a collective blog project yet, so I reserve the right to change my mind if or when I do get together with the right people and and the collective blog meets and exceeds my highest expectations.
David your comment pretty much sums up all that has been discussed around here!
And I love that you’re talking from your own experience, this is much more relevant than stating any other hypothetical situation no matter how much it’s been analysed and discussed.
Thank you for sharing!
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Talking from experiences is really a great tool for a great comment. It is simply because the one who’s doing it knows what are the ins and outs of it. And I pretty go along with you Andreea
Twitter: budwalkr
David, each one has its own advantages though. While collective sounds fun in the essence that you get to work together with other bloggers in maintaining your blog, issues such as a low quality blog post could somewhat discouraged you. The thing is that is it indeed easy to maintain a blog when you are in a group than being alone more especially if you’ve got a pretty huge amount of traffic. It is good to start as a solo blogger and then go blogging in a group when you receive a huge amount of stable traffic, but it would be best if you start from a group to easily gather traffic and to hasten the process.
As of me, I am looking forward to blogging in a group some time soon. I can see that its fun and it would allow your blog to maximize quickly than doing solo. But not now though – I would still be looking for my experiences. Thanks a lot for your great comment by the way.
Twitter: AboriginalMama
I can see the pros and cons here. There are definite benefits to teamwork and sharing the work load so no one person gets too overwhelmed with things. And you can learn from each otther and ultimately make each other stronger, but that’s only after you’ve already gone through the entire process of building a good team.
Delena Silverfox recently posted..Crazy Horse Tack Coupon Code
Twitter: budwalkr
Delena, it is really hard to build a blogging team though, more especially if you were to do it online. Coordination and trust is something of a great importance for it to be more successful. It is true indeed that in a team, one can learn from others and know the essence of teamwork, although there are some times by which instead of helping each other, one is competing over the other as to which is much more greater.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Choose an Appropriate Blog Theme for Your Blog
Twitter: socialmediakim
I’m definitely interested in developing a team of bloggers. Great information. Thanks for sharing. Definitely will be back to learn more.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Me too as well. Although I’m still looking for bloggers whom I could trust and who trusts me as well. Thanks for your compliment by the way.
It’s hard to say which of the two is best suited in every blogger because there is a saying that “IN EVERY ACTION THERE IS AN OPPOSITE REACTION” means there is always positive or negative in the two but in my side I’m much prefer in Solo for now because I don’t feel that my blogging skills is ready for collective blogging and you can always monitor what is the status of your blog and you have privacy. Also there is an instances in collective blogging that your group didn’t like the topic that you post. Lastly the income especially in Ad sense there is many blogger in the Philippines that cheating Google just to earn money and my friends show it to me and the equal reaction “BAN”.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Christian, I do agree that is quite hard to choose which one should you be between a solo or collective blogging. As what I’ve said, there have been some instances by which one advantages over the other in some ways. It’s not bad to start in solo simply because it would be much more easier to geared up in solo than collective one does. However, in collective blogging, as long as you have the skills, then not being ready isn’t an issue at all.
Argie, you have pretty good arguments and I could not help but agree with your POVs. And the way I see it, solo blogging and collective blogging both have their fair share of benefits and drawbacks, not to mention, they are relative. That is, other people may see solo blogging as something advantageous for them. On the other hand, some others may strongly believe that collective blogging still beats solo blogging. Ergo, we could not really point out who beats who in here.
Oh, and by the way, I like the way how the points were laid down — pretty spontaneous and generally informative and educational. Not to mention, they are all thought-provoking.
Two thumbs-up and Kudos!
Twitter: budwalkr
You’ve made your points pretty clear Glizza. It is true that the basis of which one benefits most than the other entirely depends of the own perspectives of the bloggers themselves. Besides, if I say that I prefer solo than on a group and you prefer the other, then there’s nothing we can do about it. Therefore I conclude that the clash is fair and square. Thanks a lot by the way for your insight. I really appreciate it
Great in-depth post, I’d never even thought of collective blogging, maybe it could be effective, I could see myself implementing it in some of my blogs, although not in all of them, as some are more personal than magazine style blogs,
but still a great post.
Adam.
Solar Professionals recently posted..10 Things To Consider Before Installing Solar PV…
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks for your compliment
Actually the thought of it has just arrived from my mind lately a few days ago. I somewhat believe that collective blogging works best on professional blogs rather than those of the personal ones.
Personally, I’d go for both. Admittedly, much of my time is spent on other sites that I forget to update mine. So, I do make my trusted friends be the contributors. However with regards to the revenue, I think that’s where the problem would arise. Anyhoo, for now, I’d lean on to the collective blogging side.
For only one reason – to help others who want to start out in blogging 
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, that’s good that you have your reason for opting on to the collective side, and it moreover, it would give you credits as well. Actually Sarj, contributors aren’t that much of a group blogging though and as what the name suggests, they only contribute to a blog by simply posting in a post and then leave. When we say collective blogging, perhaps it would mean that you’ve got your authors on a regular basis and they are the ones who help you in promoting the blog all over the web, writing you contents regularly and help you do updates of your blog as well. So the word co-admin or the likes would be the one to go in for a collective blogging scheme and not just contributors.
Thanks a lot for this
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
For me, I’d go for collective blogging. Personally, with so much on my plate, I don’t have regular time to update my websites. So what I would do is ask my friends to be contributors. Just like on the previous comments, it would be a good start for you and the others as well.
sarj recently posted..Kylie Minogue Aphrodite Philippine Tour
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, that would be one advantage of a collective blogging scheme – the updating of your blog. I also do the same, looking for some to write me a post, then after accumulating them, have them published. I guess that’s just one great advantage of it.
Twitter: seekably
Very nice.
Thanks for sharing this article!
Twitter: budwalkr
Well, thanks a lot also Suraj. Hope you’ve enjoyed it.
Twitter: seekably
Another Thing I wanted to add, The way you expressed “Revenue Allocation”, was really great!
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Twitter: budwalkr
Ohh really? Well, thanks a lot for that
Actually I’m still missing some points about that though. I just cant figure out which is which.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Chilling Out in The Bad Blogger’s Blog
Twitter: Gig Logo
Hi, what I have learned is that you have to adjust and bend depending on your circumstances. At times it is best to be the only blog writer on a blog and at other times it is best to get help from guest bloggers. You have to analyze your needs depending on what is happening at the time, some times people need time off due to personal circumstances and this is a time when a guest blogger would be beneficial.
Twitter: budwalkr
Karla, it is true that in blogging, you’ve got to cope up with your schedule and as what you’ve said, you have to adjust and bend depending on your circumstances. Moreover, I am actually doing this on my blog when there are times that I’ve got to seek help from others since I just cant keep up with my time. However, the needs for that would also depend on the niche you are in and the type of blog you have, be it personal or a business one.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Know What’s Trending at the Dragon Blogger
Hi Argie,
You make a lot of good points about the pros and cons of blogging alone vs. blogging with others. Choosing which path to take depends on a lot of different factors, I suppose. I’d imagine, though, that most bloggers out there would more readily opt to go it alone. It takes a certain type of person to want to blog in the first place and the typical blogger probably wouldn’t want to share a good part of their ‘fame’ with others. That’s my guess, at least!
-Petra
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Twitter: budwalkr
I do agree with you Petra. There are some various points which you need to take out before you choose which one should you opt in. For example, when you decide to pick up solo blogging, therefore you’ve got to think of your expertise whether they’re enough or not, you’re passion whether you’ve got it just right, and your time whether you can keep it up or not. I guess most of the bloggers who go alone are those who’ve got their personal blogs or people who’ve really got their expertise. Moreover, I kinda agree with your guess somewhat. Perhaps pride would be one of the factors also by which a blogger prefer to do it alone. Thanks with this one
Argie Monroy recently posted..Know What’s Trending at the Dragon Blogger
You have to be good to KNOW all the technology and to be creative at the same time .. and to do it all at once. I think it would be much easier for 2 or 3 people to combine their efforts.. their ideas and thoughts and their talents to further a good cause. But… that is not easy either as each person has to have a similar work ethic and passion for the subject. there is a happy balance.. I’m sure of it. I just haven’t found that partner person yet. I’m trying. Lynda Eggmann
Twitter: budwalkr
Two heads are better than one would simply imply your thoughts. However, not most of the time and it would eventually turn out to be “better think with one head instead”. I do agree that it is typically not easy at most times though. Therefore one should need balance, coordination and like-mindedness for a blogging group to succeed. I’m also looking for partners as well, and just like you, I still haven’t found them yet.
Argie Monroy recently posted..Know What’s Trending at the Dragon Blogger
Twitter: indihow
While I prefer solo blogging for my own blog, I like to blog as a part of the writing team on Justin’s DragonBlogger.
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Twitter: budwalkr
That’s good of you Samir. I’ve been longing to be a part of a blogging group as well, not just a guest blogger or a member of a discussion but be a part of the writing staff. Like a multi-author blog does.
It’s a great post Argie. In my opinion, you have to love blogging first before thinking of making money. These two concepts is a conflict to each other if you are thinking both when you are just starting out. By then, you are still doing solo blogging and thinking of how to make money. You have a good point in saying that making your blog and yourself popular in the blogsphere is an essential part. It is important to establish relationship and be known to common bloggers and hopefully readers where our blogs are designed.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Jkar, it wouldnt be bad to dream of money during the first few days or weeks of blogging though, however we’ve still got to establish our blog more for money to easily come our way. With regards to what you’ve said, I’m not really aiming to make money first and for all. I’m just thinking of it, but it sure will come soon
Sure..when I publish my first post, I first aimed to make money out of blogging but I soon realized that it should be my secondary priority.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Blogging for the sake of making money is good. However, we must have a clear perception that this kind of reason for blogging should not be the main priority for doing so. Perhaps the main thing which every blogger should keep in mind would be his readers and his interactions as well as relationship with them.
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Nice article. However you need to have good number of experts in every niche come together to prepare a perfect blog which is useful for that niche.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Siram, I do agree that the more well experienced you are within your blogging group, the greater the results will be. Although it doesnt really mean that a perfect blog would be made with this. Perhaps the word would be “great” or “marvelous”. It is simply because even the giants have their own minor flows.
By the way, thanks a lot for your feedback
Twitter: FamousBloggers
Hi Argie, nice post!
I will try to answer your questions from my own blogging experience!
I’ve started as a solo blogger, then I figured out that the best way to grow a blog is actually to involve more people, I like the concept of “working together”, I ended up running FamousBloggers.net which is basically a multi-authors blog since the day one of it’s creation!
I must say that each way has it’s good and bad, but being working closely with a group of bloggers makes it more interesting, at least you will find someone to share challenges with!
Now you know which side I am in, and I don’t think I will ever work alone again.
Hesham recently posted..The Unconventional Guide to Niche SEO
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks a lot Hesham.
Well, it literally is fun and challenging to be a part of a blogging group within a particular blog. You get to know each other more, you get to give each own advice and tips, and you get to promote the blog altogether. Well, your blog is a real hit in terms of collective blogging and it only shows one advantage of a collective blogging over solo blogging. Now there is typically no need to figure out which one you prefer best then – I think almost everyone can see it though
Twitter: FamousBloggers
Yeap.. This is it!
And glad to hear your opinion about the blog
Hesham recently posted..This Is Your Chance, Your Opportunity, Take Advantage and Engage with Bloggers
Twitter: budwalkr
I’m also glad for your feedback as well. Thanks a lot
I will head on to your blog later.
Twitter: newsfromitaly
Interesting post. I’m a, mainly, solo blogger, but have one guy doing regular articles on Italian design.
In theory, the more content you have, the better you’ll do Google-wise. And, if you’ve got other people working with you, it takes a little strain off your back too.
I’d like to have four or five others working with me – writing about things I don’t have the time to cover.
And, less time writing means more time promoting and sorting out advertising deals, covering events etc.
I want to start paying people to write for me one day – but I’m not there just yet. Income is growing, but it’s not great yet.
So, kick off solo, and then move towards multi, is the way to grow.
Alex recently posted..Last Minute Deal – Culture & Painting Holiday, Abruzzo, Italy
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks for that Alex. It is in my future plan to gather up a few people and make a blogging group to start with. Actually, being a solo blogger has its own benefits although I’d like to take some burden off my back. I also want to forge a solid connection with them as well, even though it means online .
How about you do some adsense sharing in the near future? That wont be bad though.
Twitter: newsfromitaly
You can forge good relationships online too, Argie.
Being solo is good – but once you start growing, the management becomes tough for someone on his or her own.
I’ll share anything via Twitter – provided it’s got to do with Italy
Keep on blogging – and keep focused – it gets you interviews on the radio.
Alex recently posted..Last Minute Deal – Culture & Painting Holiday, Abruzzo, Italy
Twitter: budwalkr
Although the main concern about making a connection online would be the trust being put unto each other. I believe that trust can be built over time even online though since this is what our company is being made of.
Being solo would indeed by exhausting to keep up with when your blog grows and it is true that the management goes tough way beyond the expectations.
Twitter: newsfromitaly
Trust is a big issue – but you can test people out, to an extent, before giving them an account, and say good bye, if they misbehave. Businesses all over the world have problems finding decent ‘employees’. With LinkedIn etc, you might be able to find people around or close enough to you to meet up with them.
I met my writer via Twitter!
Others want to do guest posts, but some are not up to the job – you’d have to watch watch out for copied content too.
Yes, trust is an issue.
Alex recently posted..Last Minute Deal – Culture & Painting Holiday, Abruzzo, Italy
Twitter: budwalkr
Yeah right. Actually I have been accepting some guest posts and good to say that they dont give me some duplicate contents. However, after they’ve submitted their post, they just instantly vanish. What I really want would be someone to keep up with me and to balance the blog in every ways possible.
Argie Monroy recently posted..For A More Viable Info, All You Need is Lists
Twitter: BlazingMinds
Hi Argie, stopping by, as I said I would, brilliant article and one which has so many points for many fellow bloggers to deliberate
You got my votes and shares 
Blazing Minds recently posted..Sound, Emotion and the Big Screen
Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks a lot for your compliment Karen. I’m just hoping that you did enjoy this one
Argie Monroy recently posted..For A More Viable Info, All You Need is Lists
Hi Argie,
Been a while and I am returning with a point I think people don’t see much regarding collective blogging.
Who opened BlogEngage? Does anyone know the answer?
If your thoughts went to Brian then you’re right. If you open a collective blog it doesn’t mean you are not reckoned for your work. The reputation of putting that blog on its feet and gathering a team for it is YOURS and only YOURS, even if you’re ONE OF THE founders.
A person is not reckoned by the collective blog but its own work in that blog, like “the designing part wouldn’t have been as good without X dude/dudette”.
It doesn’t mean that as a part of a group you don’t stand out. You are being acknowledged for what you are and what you do in a group of ppl. Ofc you are being identified with the blog as well who was built through collective efforts as well. Nothing wrong in that.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
I kinda agree with you Andreea. Although my perspective of a collective blogging is that every blogger within the group has its own specificity and distinction from one another. It is true that Brian is the one who opened Blog Engage, although I dont see this one as of a collective blogging side. He might have been getting a huge number of guest posts and bloggers write for him in his blog in exchange for some few incentives. However, that doesnt mean that as long as you’ve got guest bloggers writing for you, you are doing it collectively. The credits are still yours, all yours since you are the one who opened it up. I really want to get into a blogging group, but I just cant begin it yet.
No I wasn’t reffering to his own blog, but the BlogEngage. You can also check FamousBloggers, Bloggers.com, BizSugar etc etc etc. They are collective blogs in form of a community. People contribute with posts from their own field creating a gicantic database of knowledge and experience in form of a bigger blog-community.
Andreea Fanita recently posted..Now you’ve done it!
Twitter: budwalkr
Oh well I see. Yeah they are as what you have said about them. Without the presence of other bloggers, then such community wont be there as well.
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Great insights! I think I would have to agree with those who said that it depends on the blogger’s goal. It really has to do with knowing what you want and what you’re good at and working at that. As for me, I’m into solo blogging now since I’m practically just a newbie in the blogosphere. I’m not in the position to say which one works better since I haven’t experienced collective blogging yet. I have yet to learn a lot. And this article of yours is a big help, and so were the comments.
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Twitter: budwalkr
Thanks a lot Jen. Yes it is indeed getting to know your own wants and which one you’re good at. And moreover, it does depend a lot on a blogger’s goal whether it be on a solo or collective one. It’s not bad being a solo blogger for a newbie though since I am also a newbie myself. Thanks a lot for your insight
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Nice one Argie! If I were to choose which one of the two I would prefer, then I would on solo blogging. Why? It’s simply because solo blogging could give you full control over your blog. Besides, if you do it on solo, you will be the one who would get all the branding you could get. Collective blogging might be advantageous in the sense that you wont be lacking of contents to post on your blog, it would still be a lot of pressure. Therefore, I opt for the former.