Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
You have a blog and you write frequently and consistently. Your writing has a constant voice and many people read what you write. If you introduce other authors to your articles, the popularity of your blog will increase exponentially.
If you are the only writer on your blog, you are undoubtedly under a great deal of pressure if you are writing any more than once a week. The more pressure you are experiencing, the less likely you will be to continue writing on a regular basis. The worst-case scenario may eventually come true: you may stop blogging altogether. So, what can you do to make sure that your blog doesn’t end up that way? Bringing other contributing authors to your articles will make all of the difference to your blog and you will be pleasantly surprised at how popular it will become. Multiauthor blogging, which is a collaborative writing effort in any given blog article, can be a very effective approach. This should not be confused with guest bloggers. Guest bloggers are individuals who write their own blog article, which is posted on someone else's blog.
There are many different benefits to multiauthor blogging.
- Different points of view: Every writer has a slightly different take on things. A blog article that has many authors will have several different styles (or “voices”) and the more people who contribute, the more variety of experiences they will write about. Different people have different experiences. On the receiving end of the writing, your readers have an opportunity to learn all sorts of interesting pieces of information that they wouldn’t necessarily learn from a single blog writer. The exposure to several different viewpoints is the fodder for stimulating discussions that can lead to subsequent discussions and possibly, business. Through that exposure, your readers will greatly expand their knowledge base in several areas.
- Greater offerings: Because of the fact that one person can write only so much content, what you are offering online will be limited in quantity. However, if you have many different authors contributing to your blog articles, you can publish and syndicate a lot more and thus increase your professional online exposure and reputation. Another benefit is that your other authors can build their exposure and reputation while you are doing the same thing.
- Return on investment (ROI): When you first start to blog, you should not expect a large amount of revenue to come in to your business. That aspect takes time before you see concrete results (generally three to six months). You may find that you are spending a great deal of time and energy on your blog in the beginning. If you bring in other blog authors to help you, it will be a lot easier to handle the volume of work that you wish to contribute. The entire process will get easier over time.
- Sphere of influence: As one person, you have the ability to influence several people. On the other hand, if you are working with other blog authors, your influence plus their influence is really multiplied from what it would be for you alone. The more blog articles you generate, the more influence your blog will have and the more traffic will be generated to your website.
- Team effort: It is much easier to produce a great deal of positive results when you have the backing and support of several people behind you than if you have to handle everything by yourself. Whether you intend to blog forever or for a shorter amount of time, the approach is the same. Working in a multiauthor blog environment will create a team environment and your content will be buzzing as a result.
The importance of the collective environment
You and your other authors are all responsible for cultivating online relationships and enticing people so that they want to interact online. If cultivated correctly, there is no telling how beneficial those relationships will be.
Conclusion
The beauty of multiauthor blogging is that each author can own his or her own space but at the same time, each author also has the benefit of the rest of the authors. With that in mind, it is important to understand that the author’s content not only represents him- or herself but also represents the blog as a whole. Bringing in other talented authors means that everyone benefits. Having many contributing authors enhances your blog and the positive effects that it will have on your readers.
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Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writing Mafia
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
I really like the idea of multiauthor blogging but am wondering where most bloggers find these partners. Are they typically people you already know well, or is there a place to recruit?
Posted by Joyce Elferdink
Joyce,
You should definitely start with people you know. If you do need to recruit, you can try http://myblogguest.com
This was very informative. I believe Chedva is an example of a multiauthor blog. Please take a look and shoot me any suggestions if you'd like. Also, if you know anyone who might be fitting for the site please send me their contact information. Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Shimshon Meir Frankel
I have written for several blogs (and newspapers, magazines, websites) via HARO, Help A Reporter Out. I signed on as a source and receive 3 emails a day with requests for information.
You can submit queries free of charge.
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: For Women Entrepreneurs
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
Great advise for any blog. Thank you.
Posted by Erica Prince
I have done multi-author blogging before and it was very successful. However now I am blogging solo. But I am encouraged to find ways to create collaborative dialogues. Thanks for the light bulb!
Sheila
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Books and Writers
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
Really enjoyed this article, Carolyn! I am sharing it with my Dreams Aloud Animal Book Buzz peeps on FB. I have co-written articles and also an academic paper with great success. The collaborative process is fun and, as you identified, the promotional juice is doubled or tripled, depending on how many are involved.
Warm wishes,
Carol
Dreams Aloud Promotions
~ Linking your dreams to the world
Posted by Carol Upton
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writing Mafia
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
I try to do a great many guest blogs. I find that I drive a number of my fans to the sites on which one of my pieces appear and in turn I get exposure to new readers. This idea of a group blog sounds like a great one to me. I may suggest it to my fellow authors at our common publisher, All Things That Matter Press. It seems to me that joint marketing by authors from small houses makes great sense.
Posted by Kenneth Weene
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Business Writers of America
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
I agree that collaboration brings new perspectives to a topic; it also cuts down on the number of topics you need to come up with when you're feeling brain dead. But, I think you have to be careful NOT to dilute your brand.
Posted by Dr. Julie Miller
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writing Mafia
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
Okay, stupid question. How, exactly does guest blogging work? Do you send the material by email, post directly, or what? I'm new at the blogging game, trying to learn.
Posted by Kathie Freeman
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writing Mafia
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
First you contact the blogger. There are even some services that provide lists of blogs looking for guests. Once they have agreed, you send the blog to the blogger who posts it. Hope that helps. (Remember, Kathie, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask even though you need the information.)
Posted by Kenneth Weene
Via LinkedIn Groups
Group: Writing Mafia
Discussion: Multiauthor Blogging – Collaboration Is Key
Guest bloggers! Hey, carolyn, thanks! I hadn't thought of that! But, then, sharing ideas is what this site is all about, right? I blog fairly regularly on issues from a Native American perspective my most recent is "Bin Laden, Geronimo, and the Native American Perspecive." So I guess I'll have to round up my Native writer friends to see who would contribute on some other subject of controversy. Thanks again!
Posted by K. B. Schaller