The Downside of Using Multiple Bloggers
Ugh. One of my favorite blogs is in a quandary. Apparently, one or more of its bloggers has left, curtailing this site’s ability to provide useful and relevant information on a regular basis.
I am not going to mention the blog by name, but it does deal with the automotive industry. Usually, ten articles per day are posted, pithy pieces that are packed with interesting news.
Wanted: Fresh Talent
I knew that something was amiss a few weeks back when I read on this blog that they were openly looking for fresh automotive writing talent. This blog doesn’t use bylines, so I never know who writes what article and whether that person is new, what their experience is, etc.
However, there have been a few signs of change, which underscores my alarm when a blog that uses multiple bloggers begins to unravel. Rather than pick apart this one site, the following are my suggestions for all blogs that use multiple authors:
Use bylines. I want to know who wrote the article and what their experience is with that particular subject matter. Include a byline and a link to your About page which offers blogger biographies. Keep the “bios” short, but do offer a link to that blogger’s personal blog.
Don’t fill space. When one or more bloggers leave, please don’t keep things “business as usual” unless you have the talent in place to fill the gap. In this blog’s case, the ten article per day threshold was maintained. Unfortunately, the quality of the articles noticeably diminished. I would prefer to read 3-5 quality articles instead of an additional 3-5 puff pieces.
Someone must take the reigns. One blogger should be the “lead blogger” and be responsible for the content on the site. Not only has the content gone downhill, but typos are on the rise. Worse, one glaring error has remained in an article’s title even though your readers have pointed the mistake out when commenting.
Getting Group Blogging Right
TechCrunch, Boing Boing, and EnGadget are a handful of blogs using multiple bloggers and are doing this quite well. In my humble opinion any blog employing multiple bloggers needs to consistently provide well written, accurate, and interesting news or risk losing their readership.
We expect newspapers to provide solid, factual information in a timely manner, so why not blogs, particularly those blogs with multiple bloggers?
I agree that not have identifiable authors and bios is a bad move for a blog. The bylines and bios enhance the blog’s credibility.
I do think that some blogs probably do this to disguise the fact that they are being ghostwritten.
However, as a reader, I always want to know who belongs to the voice and opinions that I am reading.
It really takes a lot to maintain multiple blogs, most bloggers who do that have multiple authors as well. But if it’s just a personal one and not for monetization purposes, one is enough and your readers can focus on it as well.
Laura: I’m thinking the same thing too. Otherwise, why wouldn’t attribution be given?
Alexis: There seems to be a trend to using multiple bloggers which is fine, but they should always be identified. Like this blog, one blogger is all that is needed.
Matt, thanks for this info. It’s something to tuck away for those of us who do not have multiple bloggers, but perhaps aspire to someday. At first glance, you wouldn’t think of it, but it’s almost like losing a business partner.
Anthony, I hadn’t thought of it that way. I’m not prepared to add another blogger to this site, but I do write for two other blogs with multiple bloggers. Everyone knows who is blogging and when, not just because our writing styles are different, rather because we tell our readers.
I just wanted to give a greeting and tell you I like your website very much.
Thank you, SEO Beratung. I appreciate your comment!
It’s like when an author dies and they try to perpetuate his series. Archie McNally has never been the same since Lawrence Sanders died.
By the way Matt. I think this site is very professional.
Thank you, Dee. I try to maintain a professional image, but not always!
Yes, in some cases when a blogger leaves, then the blog has lost its face — particularly if the lead blogger’s voice was heard loud and clear.
A single blog would cost a lot of your time and effort and it was really needed to have multiple blog writers if you have multiple blog as well but anyway I have tried it before with some blogs and I think it is much helpful especially if someone is tired of doing some write up or blogging that day.
If I was blogging on a group blog, I would insist on having a byline with my info on it. Part of blogging is building up your identity. If you are any good, you should want your name known so that wherever you blog loyal readers will follow.
Also, I cannot believe that a group blog would operate without a lead blogger who would be in charge to ensure the blog is professional and stays along set lines.
TV, actually this blog does have a lead blogger, I know him by name. His doesn’t show up in the byline or anywhere else for that matter!
Yes, bylines rock — we need to be able to stand by what we say and get credit for what we write.
It could be that they were using freelance writers when the quality started diminishing and have now decided that they would prefer dedicated and higher quality ones. I guess that really is the main pitfall of having such a blog.
Thank you for your answer, Soccer Rag. Unfortunately, the quality of this blog has suffered with some writers who are able to write decently and others who do not. What a shame — I used to include them in my Blogroll, but I removed them when things went down hill.
I’m finding this discussion to be very helpful. Does anyone have suggestions on Wordpress MU as an engine to run a group blog?
Hi Tim,
We run a group blog - 17 founders and are looking for 3 more as we run BLOG idol!
Wordpresss is fine - all get their own user name and we GO! from there…
Blog idol — I hope that you don’t get sued by American Idol!
I can see how multiple bloggers could have problems if they don’t have a lead blogger–too many cooks in the kitchen. I work alone at this point, but you never know what will happen in the future–I’ll keep your tips in mind.
Jason, that is a good analogy. Someone has to be the Head Chef with short order cooks around to help out as needed. Even if the blogging is fairly balanced between bloggers, there needs to be one highly visible face for the readership with attribution given to all writers.