Last week I wrote about why I thought running more than one blog at a time is a bad idea. After viewing the comments, I couldn’t help but think maybe it’s not such a bad thing. That, and I’m trying to start another blog myself. I thought about it more, and want to share with you why I think running multiple blogs can also be a good thing.
The one reason I gave opposing multiple blogs is that it takes too much time to run more than one blog, and that you will have a hard time succeeding with any blog you create.
Most of the responses were in agreement, and the two following answers basically sum up what everyone was talking about in the comments:
Murray Lunn: If you’re starting a new blog after one has been around for years, it’s certainly possible due to the vast backlog of articles, relationships and traffic you’re regularly receiving on your mature blog.
You certainly wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand of writing every day – you’d burn out. However, since the mature blog is so far along, I don’t feel it’s necessary to write every day, maybe twice or so a week.
Joella Molson: It is possible to write multiple blogs if you have the passion, the time and the organizational skills to pull it off.
So we all agreed that if you ran a blog with some sort of success prior to your new blog, or you just have the time and patience to actually manage multiple blogs, then you should go for it. Of course, it’s up to you and you’re free to do whatever you want!
But why would anyone want to run another blog? There are plenty of reasons why you wanted to start with just one blog, but do they all apply to creating yet another one?
I truly do see running a second or even third blog as an excellent opportunity to really define the kind of blogger you are. I mean, look at Darren Rowse. He runs ProBlogger, TwiTip, Digital Photography School and many others. Of course he just started with one blog, but expanded and now he is one of the top bloggers in the world.
I’m not saying that running multiple blogs is the key to achieving the same success, but there are definitely many great benefits that come out from doing it that can make things a lot easier for you in some ways.
1. More Income Opportunities
Just to get the most obvious reason out-of-the-way, running multiple blogs actually means a few different things for any income you make:
- You can make more money from monetizing both blogs.
- You can make more money in a diverse way.
When I talk about diverse income streams, I mean you can test different kinds of monetization methods. So one blog you can throw up Google Adsense, and you may want to focus more on selling those wretched banner ads on your other blog.
So not only can you in fact make more money, but you can use different techniques to do it that could make you even more than just trying them all on one blog.
2. Traffic Benefits
Opposed to a single blog, running multiple blogs can really give you a traffic boost. If you get about 1,000 unique visitors a day between 3 different blogs, that’s 3,000 visits and 3,000 possible conversions.
On the other hand, if you stick to one blog and average just 1,000…well, that’s all you’ll get. Between 3 different blogs you have a bit of an opportunity to really build audiences that will have a larger impact than just one.
Cross-Promotion
A truly interesting way of marketing your 2 or 3 blogs would to cross-promote them on each other. Meaning, link to Blog A on Blog B and vice-versa.
One blogger I see who does this very effectively is Jean-Baptise Jung. He runs a looot of blogs, but the few that he is probably most famous for all cross-promote each other very well:
I have always thought Jean makes a good example of a successful blogger who runs more than one, and I want you to visit his blogs and see how he does it (in the sidebars, his posts, etc.).
3. The Impact on You
Blogging for a long period changes how you view a lot of things, in and out of the blogging world (or is that just me?). But a few things can happen when you start-up another blog that will make you change the way you feel about blogging as a whole. If you look at it closely enough that is.
- You’ll Have Fun: Blogging is fun! A lot of professional bloggers would never call what they do work, but game. Why else would you start even one blog? It seems fun to you, and running another blog with a totally different topic is going to be a blast for us blogging nerds!
- Find Your True Niche: Hopefully if you do choose to run a few blogs, they’re in different niches. It would be a mistake to start 3 different blogging tips blogs. Maybe once you started up your cooking blog, you’d realize that maybe writing about landscaping wasn’t your true passion. You never know, it could happen!
- Meet New People: Different blogs, different communities. You will meet new people in different niches, and start new relationships with them. You never know you’ll meet out there!
- Learn New Things: I guarantee that if you can maintain two post frequencies on 2 – 3 blogs, then you will have learned what it takes to be a persistent, organized, successful blogger. That’s all you want from yourself, right?
How else do you think starting a new blog will change you?
Why Should You Run Multiple Blogs?
It’s not something everybody can do well, but running a second or third blog next to your primary blog can be tough. I failed at it the first time I tried to do it before I was ready, but I am determined to make it work out the second time.
What are the benefits you see in running more than one blog? Or, do you still think they’re not worth it? Can’t wait to hear your arguments!
Why Eggs?
I like to look for images that speak in metaphors to represent my blog posts. For this post, I chose a bunch of eggs. What do eggs have to do with the topic of this post? If you get it, I’ll be impressed…there’s a clue somewhere in the post!
46 Discussions
That Jean dude just started another blog recently called PHP Snippets. That guy is insane!
Tony´s last blog ..Sponsored Tweets- Are you selling out
Not insane, just passionated
Jean-Baptiste Jung´s last blog ..Generate a password in php
You are truly insane Jean. Insane in good way of course.
Dana @ Blogging Tips Blog´s last blog ..The SEO Learning From The Current Ariel- Luna Maya- and Cut Tari Porn Video Issue
So is that 4 you now run JB or have you any other “hidden” ones? Any new in the pipeline?
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I think that for a profissional blogger more than one isn´t so hard to achieve, as time to update with quality and fresh content won´t will be a issue.
Nathan Rodriguez´s last blog ..Manicure -amp Pedicure
A problogger can definitely keep up with it, no doubt about that. But what about regular bloggers like us? It’s just so hard because we don’t always have the time or motivation even to do it all.
Thanks for the mention, Alex!
Yes, cross-promotion is the way to go. When you have one established blog, it is easy to drive traffic to your new site or blog.
To give you a concrete example, one week ago I launched phpsnippets.info, a blog about PHP code snippets. Look at my latest posts on CatsWhoBlog and CatsWhoCode: there’s no boring announcement post, but they drive lots of traffic to my new site. 7 days after launch, it already have an average 250 unique visitors per day. Not so bad, for a one week old site
Jean-Baptiste Jung´s last blog ..How to get your new blog indexed by Google quickly
Great Info Alex.
I guess there are both point of views, and a person should decide according to his circumstances. I mean if a person barely has the time to maintain one blog to quality, then starting a second blog will only deteriorate his first blog.
The benefits you give of having multiple blogs are really fruitful. I guess if you have the time, then a person should go for it.
And did you choose the eggs image to represent the age old quote ‘Not to put all eggs in one basket’?
Nabeel
PS: “Maybe once you started up your cooking blog, you’d realize that maybe writing about landscaping wasn’t (shouldn’t this be was?) your true passion. You never know, it could happen!”
Definitely some great info,
Running one blog is great and while it’s really labor intensive once you start out, as soon as you get some sort of reputation going and once you get a guest posting system going, you absolutely have nothing to stress about other than the occasionally weekly guest post. Awesome post Alex
CJ
Yes , Alex i agree you within this topic. But here i want to put some comment if you allow! Before running more than one blog we should give total focus on one particular blog.
I think it has to depend on WHY you blog – what your goals are. I found that running two blogs took up more than twice of my time, so I would actually save time by running just a single blog with twice the activity. Of course it limits other things, but since I don’t have a lot of time available for blogging, I quickly decided to shut down the 2nd blog again.
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maybe its right, but its depend in what purpose youre running the blog. if like iam who just hobby. i think one blog is enough
rainer´s last blog ..Windows 7 God Mode
Hey Alex,
Another Nice Post. I think it’s really depends on time. If a person have enough time to manage multiple blogs, then he should go for it.
Anyways, Thanks for sharing this great post. Great work as usual.
Btw. Jean is really awesome in managing multiple blogs effectively.
~Dev
Dev | Technshare´s last blog ..3 Solid Reasons Your Blog Is The Perfect Launch Pad For Your Business
Thanks for the compliment
Jean-Baptiste Jung´s last blog ..10 examples of beautiful custom designed posts
Yea man, you better teach us how you do that.
I think I own about 50 domains thanks to a period of chasing the next great idea.
But I think I now resonate more closely with the 1st post, do one blog and do it well. However I also have a “personal” blog where I put up bits of code, blogging tips… generally anything that comes to mind. It’s written for myself primarily and I don’t even monitor stats on it.
I have invested some time in the other domains to get a “static” site up so they make a few quid here and there. If the site pays for the domain renewal fee I keep it but I’m looking forward to letting most expire so that I can concentrate on doing a couple of things well.
I’ve put a ban on further domain purchases!
I have ran multiple blogs for some time mostly to keep each within its own niche. I have several interests and did not want a blog that was a little of this and a little of that with some other things mixed in. This way each stays on topic and since they are each an interest I do not mind posting to them all.
it sounds easy alex when you post about this….
But when you will sit down and see that in next 2 hours, you have to write quality articles for your 4 blogs, things will not look that nice….
give your 100% in one blog and it will bring you benefit that will equal multiple blogs
Tushar´s last blog ..The Recipe of Writing Blog Posts Daily
You raise valid points on both sides of the question.
I think one also has to address relevance. The best blogs are focused on one topic. I can’t think of an example right now (mostly because I tend to unsubscribe) but I have seen many blogs where the subject changes every week. No, not just on personal websites.
One day a photographer may be giving you tips on choosing a lens, the next he is telling you why he hates Fox News, and the next he explains how soy has contributed to his well-being.
In the right hands, all these topics could be woven into the same blog (3 Mistakes Professionals Avoid by Choosing the Right Lens, Why a Narrow Focus Destroys the Big Picture, How an Old Photographer Benefits From a New Lunch). In the wrong hands, you are looking at someone who feels passionately about several things and might need another outlet (or two) for some of that passion. I would far prefer a blogger go off and start a new project than muddy up the one I love.
As others have said, it has to do with the time you have available, the monetization goals you have for your blog, and the editorial calendar you maintain on those blogs.
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I’m sure it’s a great idea and all, but when you’re a teenager (like yours truly) and you have to strike a perfect balance between college and blogging, it’s best to stick to one blog at a time.
Though yes, I agree with you otherwise.
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I think that you should run multiple blogs if you can.I think that if you have one blog established, you can also team up with other bloggers to start a new blog. In this way you can give time to all your blogs.
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I agree that having multiple blogs is a good idea. You get to target more keywords with homepages and just get more traffic overall in the long run. Then again, if you don’t have the time to put a significant amount of content into both then you may suffer.
I am used to that posting a blog but i never heard that technique before thanks for that useful information really it s very significant.I am looking forward to read your next great article… Nice article, thanks.
Well, as long as you know something about the different niches, it is OK. Otherwise it will be hard and the information you provide will not be good.
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I agree. In fact just having multiple blogs is not enough. It is much better to have blogs in unrelated niches, so that you can just shift base when you get a block writing about another niche. Isn’t it?
I run 2 blogs and a business and to be honest I don’t understand how people can manage multiple blogs without delegating some of the tasks. I can’t even find the time to post 2 new article a week, so I can forget about starting another one
The good thing about having these two blogs is that one is in french and the other in english so I can post the same subject twice when I am too busy to create something new.
Leo@NetAccountant´s last blog ..Link-building- site trust- page relevancy- link position- anchor text
FYI – TwiTip certainly falls under “multi-author blog” which is a key to successfully running multiple blogs. Not necessarily a team of regular writers, but a constant influx of guests would work quite nicely also.
Cross-promotion is an absolute. It will be a key component when my network goes into effect. Just avoid the link-wheel effect; Google will send the boys to your house.
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Hey Alex,
I guess it depends on the person who is doing it too. If this person wants to blog “full time” then yes, it is possible. These persons can be young people who still don’t have families for example..lol
As for me, i want to run two blogs, which the other is my main domain..but i can’t, i don’t have time for it. especially in summer, gotta spend more time with the kids outdoor, plus other stuff to do besides blogging.
So it is clear to me, i can’t run another blog, except if i do “autoblog”, but then the quality isn’t good either.
Have a fab day!
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Multiple blogs can be a great thing. I have a few myself. But I only recommend doing so when you have mastered the first, and can commit to your other blogs. You should have one that is updated very often, and start out a second that is updated weekly to get used to it.
Brandon Connell´s last blog ..Ways to make money online that you never thought of
Hi Alex,
I have 18 Blogs to my name, wish I could fill you in on the details, but I’m busier than a three legged cat in a sandbox!!!
I can tell you this ……… it was a very bad idea!!!
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Need any help Jeffrey?
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Nice post, because I just decided to start running another blog in my native language and bought a new domain. My goal is to get as many guest writers there as possible to make it easier for me, unlike with the main blog which is only written by me (at least at the moment).
I guess it all depends on your passion and how you are able to delegate as many tasks as possible to other people.
Petteri Ollila´s last blog ..4 Plus 1 Unconventional Methods for Waking Up Earlier
In our niche, having a blog per city has been beneficial. That way we can target the city specifically. Having said this, I would discourage linking among them as this could be construed by Google as being a link farm.
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I would say that I have 7 personal blogs and I like to update one of them for once a day, so each blog will be updated about once a week and that’s a fun thing daily activity!
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I run three blogs. I started my fitness blog years after my personal blog. The fitness blog has been my most profitable. If you love the topic and think you’ll post regularly, I say go for it.
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Well, at the end it boils down to time. I own multiple blogs, but poor at maintaining the pace with all of them due to pure lack of time.
If I were a professional blogger who does only blogging, I wouldn’t mind having 5-6 blogs.
Of course, passion and loving what you do and doing what you love is the most important thing as you suggested.
Ajith Edassery@Make Money Online´s last blog ..WP Robot Review and 50 OFF Discount Coupon Code
I agree, when you use the leverage of having multiple blogs you can triple or quadruple your overall traffic. Though any more than three can be a headache to maintain, there are ways around that. Whether you choose to outsource some of the writing or become an expert in time management, it can be done.
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I like the idea of meeting new people through having multiple blogs. I think creating more connections lets you help more people and also increases your chances of profiting
Julius´s last blog ..A Day of a Person With Quadriplegia
Very persuasive, I currently run two, but now, I think that I may start a third, thanks ever so much
Christopher Roberts´s last blog ..Chinese Humanoid Robot Olympics Begins
Multiple blogs give you variety, security, pride (:P), apart from the ability to make a closed circuit of PR sharing!
Dehydration symptoms´s last blog ..What is dehydration
Great article. I have actually forwarded this to a number of people. I think points number one and two are the most important. I almost think being passionate about your topic is the most important. Passionate bloggers are few and far between, so they stand out from the pack and drive loyal readers. Thanx
I agree that multiple blogs give us a variety of options. I think it’s not possible for everyone. You have to dedicate your time to blogging. If you are a part time blogger this deon’t work. As Joella Molson said It is possible to write multiple blogs if you have the passion, the time and the organizational skills to pull it off.
-Sandeep
Sandeep´s last blog ..Does Submitting Articles to Article Directories Help
I appreciate that you support what your user comments.But starting multiple blogs before you make your first one “strong” will make all your blogs weak.Once you develop one blog with good pagerank and traffic,then you are free to start another blog.But a blogger must go step by step.
That’s right Aaslin.
Sandeep´s last blog ..Paid Surveys – Can you really make money with them?
Running multiple blogs would take a lot of time management, but when you have it sorted and guest bloggers are delivering you content you would be crazy not to capitise on sub-niches within your niche really!
Brad @ Maleny Accommodation´s last blog ..Kenilworth Tourist Drive From Maleny
Blogging is all about passion if you make Multi-Author blog then you can manage multiple blogs
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