Comments on: Are You Ready to Start a Blog Network?

By: Sunday Link Love: 051008 Edition

Sunday Link Love: 051008 Edition — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:51:25 +0000

[...] Are You Ready to Start a Blog Network? – Sparkplugging shares some thoughts. [...]

By: Coffee Break

Coffee Break — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:41:08 +0000

[...] Wendy Piersall at SparkPlug CEO, Are You Ready to Start a Blog Network? Wendy’s post offers an intelligent look at what goes into starting a blog [...]

By: Wendy Piersall

Wendy Piersall — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:14:13 +0000

Trisha, it’s completely automatic. I’ll send you the sign-in details and when you log in, the download will happen automatically.

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you there!

By: Trisha

Trisha — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:52:46 +0000

I signed up! The FAQ page says “You will have to download and install a small piece of software in order to view the class” – what software is that? Or do we find out in an email that is still coming?

Trishas last blog post..9/11 Tribute to Robert Fazio

By: Trisha

Trisha — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:41:33 +0000

I almost forgot about this! I’ll go sign up – but I hope I can figure out how to do the web conference thing.

By: Easton Ellsworth

Easton Ellsworth — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:05:39 +0000

Wendy, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s call. I hope a lot of people show up. With blog network stuff, it’s usually “easier said than done.”

By: Lauren Starr

Lauren Starr — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:49:14 +0000

Some great advice there Wendy. You're quite right, what works in one niche doesn't work in another, be it blogs or websites. Informative post, well done. Lauren Starrs last blog post..Natural Skin Care Tips That You Can Use

By: Mike Huang

Mike Huang — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:53:05 +0000

Starting a blog network would be something great. Blogs are only growing, but it may eventually stop after everything has been bled dry. However, a network would keep things going.

-Mike

By: Char

Char — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:25:51 +0000

I applaud your persistence and tenacity and truly believe it will pay off BIG TIME for you before you know it. You continue to be a great inspiration and source of valuable information for all of us. Chars last blog post..Website Optimization Book Review

By: Barbara Rozgonyi

Barbara Rozgonyi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:24:23 +0000

Sparkplugging is a phenomenal blog network case study. Wondering about the creative challenges of managing multiple authors/niches/deadlines. Also, do you see yourself as more of a magazine editor, a project manager, an entrepreneur, all or none of these? @wiredprworks on twitter.com Barbara Rozgonyis last blog post..Photo Prompt | talking heads or puppets?

By: Andrea_R

Andrea_R — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:04:30 +0000

All I would add is know what platform you’re running on from the get-go. It’s *very* hard to change mid-stream.

As for WPMU , it’s come a long way in the last couple years, and will be adding those social networking features… soon-ish.

But I will also say that if you think you have WP figured out WPMU is a whole different beast and comes with its own set of issues.

Which brings me back to my original point. make sure you pick the right platform for your needs and you have the technical backup.

By: Wendy Piersall

Wendy Piersall — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:45:48 +0000

@ Pink Heels – THX!

@ Margaret – We did consider MU at the beginning. We found that it had some technical constraints that we couldn’t figure out, so we decided instead to just go with separate WordPress installations.

Now, my setup is so customized that it almost runs like MU – plugins and themes are run off of one folder. But if I were to ever change, I would go to something like Drupal or Joomla, because in order to go through the headache of a migration, the only thing that would make the ordeal worthwhile would be the greater functionality that a big CMS would offer.

I do hope to be able to go to Drupal someday, actually, as there are some features they offer that I would really like to have on Sparkplugging – groups, social networking, and several other things I wish we had.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:13:02 +0000

This is a timely post for me, Wendy. I wonder as a fellow WordPress user whether you considered a WP Mu implementation as the platform for your network?

By: Pink Heels

Pink Heels — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:26:55 +0000

Your candidness about the ups and downs of blog networking is invaluable. Self-reflection is a great learning tool and I thank you for sharing your reflective thoughts with everyone. This is a very valuable post!