9rules, Blogging Networks & Web Publishing

September 22, 2005 | 7 Comments

There’s been a lot of chatter about blog networks of late. It seems like a new one pops up every day. I’ve been following along as I’m able and I find it mostly interesting. I’m most interested in the whole idea of blogging and blog networks as they’re seen outside of the circle of industry insiders.

I mean, we hear all the time how people “in the know” feel about various developments in the space, but I don’t feel many Web publishers have a really good idea of what most people reading their sites really think. Same goes for networks.

I’ve been working with Gawker on Lifehacker and we get tons of feedback. Most of it isn’t really the kind that tells you much of anything aside from a readers opinion on a single post. I think in general the concept of a Blog Network is kind of like that of a TV Network.

They don’t care all that much as long as the shows are good.

Learning About Web Publishing

I’ve worked with all sorts of Web publishing ventures. I’ve done my own thing, trying out several publishing models in my personal ventures. I’m working with Gawker. I’m working with Ziff Davis on Publish. I’ve got To-Done in 9Rules. In the past I’ve worked with Digital Web as their Managing Editor.

All of these situations are vastly different from one another. They’ve all do something things well, and other things not so well. To me it’s one huge learning experience in which I get to participate, observe and learn.

To that end I’ve decided to put my personal site, Asterisk, into the 9rules network. I’m interested in what they are doing and I’ve been really impressed with the content coming out of there. Plus their model allows me to keep total control of my site and keep doing it how I want to do it.

So, what’s the point then? I asked myself the same question. It’s about reaching out to new audiences and seeing where it takes me. It’s about learning a bit more about publishing on the Web. It’s about experimenting and seeing how things work.

Things here will stay the same with the sole difference that there may be a few new readers coming in.

To those of you who are new—welcome and I’m glad to have you aboard.

Filed under: Web General
Keyword Tags: 9rules blog+networks web+publishing

Comments

1. Yannick said:

Good to see Asterisk joining the network. Keep up the good work Keith.

Posted on September 22, 2005 05:28 PM | #

2. Bryan Veloso said:

I’d say welcome… but I guess I don’t really have to. ;D

Posted on September 22, 2005 05:28 PM | #

3. Michael Moncur said:

I’d love to see a followup when you find out just how many (if any) new readers this brings in. I’m very curious, considering that with a “loosely coupled” network like Tall Monkey Network 9rules, the potential for new readers might be the only benefit.

Posted on September 22, 2005 08:36 PM | #

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Posted on September 22, 2005 11:59 PM | #

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Posted on September 23, 2005 04:36 AM | #