I’ve come across some other people that run multiple blogs on the Aussie Bloggers Forum - we’ve even had a discussion on the madness that is blog collecting.
First step - the definitional adventure
The talk on the forum got me thinking about what the cool kids called someone who runs multiple blogs (apart from “nuts!”) 
I thought initially that this might be called polyblogging (as opposed to blogging on a single blog, which might be called monoblogging to match). So I googled on “polyblogging” and got results that inferred the following alternative definitions - that polyblogging is:
- writing on multiple blogs,
- writing on multiple topics within the one blog, or
- blogging about polyamory.
Of these, I favour the first - and when I think about it, this is mainly because it fits my own preconceived ideas of what polyblogging might be. I don’t begrudge anyone any other use of the term. I just felt the need for a term that encompasses blogging on multiple blogs.
Let’s pretend for now that it means what I want it to mean
…and run with that one for now.
You may be wondering why anyone in their right mind would try to keep up with multiple blogs when most people hardly manage one. Good question. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of writing for multiple blogs.
Advantages of polyblogging
The advantages - to me at least - are:
- Multiple niche blogging: When I feel the need to write on information architecture, I can write for HumaneIA. When I come across a recipe that I like, I can put it on Faux Cuisine. If I want to write on metablogging (that is, blogging about blogging), then I can put it here on Facibus On Blogging or over at On Blogging Australia. Each of these blogs has a niche, and by keeping multiple blogs I can write content that will be posted amongst similarly appealing material - and this helps increase page views for first-time and serendipitous visitors.
- One person blog network: By writing for multiple blogs, I can reframe material from one and make it suitable for another. Events and news in one niche help to inform the others, with legitimate and frequent cross-linking. With the best of intentions in the world to share the link love, and making an effort to read widely, I’m still more likely to remember my own writing (and link to it). This is great for inbound links (but there is a potential downside listed below).
Disadvantages of polyblogging
There are also several downsides to writing for more than one blog. Again, speaking from personal experience they are:
- Split attention: There are only so many hours in the day, and with a heavy consulting workload, I find it hard to write more than a couple of posts a day. This has to be spread over the dozen-or-so possible blogs that they could go on (that is, blogs that I own that are even semi-regular recipients of fresh material).
- Organisational overhead: Organising posting schedules, regular research (such as email newsletters, RSS feeds and books) in multiple niches, contributing to multiple forums - all takes time and brainspace that may be in fairly short supply.
- System overhead: When Wordpress releases a new version, believe me, I know about it Keeping up with the latest plugins also takes time - there is a minimum necessary administrative overhead for any Wordpress blog - multiply that by several blogs and it soon adds up.
- Cost: Even though I’ve polyblogged on the cheap (having a hosting plan that allows multiple domains and buying them from myself via my Godaddy.com reseller account) it still adds up.
- Reduction in sharing that link love: I mentioned this as an advantage above, but it is also a disadvantage. I have to guard against being my own echo chamber, and linking to my own stuff at the exclusion of deserving others.
Monoblogging vs Polyblogging: is there a right answer?
No.
There may be a right answer for you at this stage of your blogging career - for me, I write for multiple blogs because I enjoy it, regardless of how sensible it is or otherwise.
Your mileage may vary, depending on the range of your interests and your available time (not to mention your ability to organisation and self-motivation).
How about you?
How many blogs do you write for? Are you a monoblogger or a polyblogger? Can you think of any advantages or disadvantages I’ve missed?
I think the other advantage of polyblogging is that in each different blog you can really speak to your different niche audiences. Sometimes I want to blog about completely different topics but I worry I will put off regular readers. With separate blog you may have quite a different readership, with probably some overlap between blogs in readers who choose to follow you to your other blogs. I do like to compartmentalise my posts too, so it works well for that.
I like the idea of polyblogging (which is why I have a few more in the pipeline myself). Its a good idea too when you have a lot to say but don´t want to overwhelm your readers. The big problem is finding the time for them all!
Hola Guera,
I agree with you - the advantages are obvious: if you want to niche-blog in multiple niches, have multiple blogs
The time is the thing.
Time is the limiting factor for me - the motivation is there (it keeps me awake some nights thinking about what else I could be doing)
Best regards, Andrew
I find brain space my biggest issue right now. I have 3 blogs - all with a different focus. Some of my readers read all 3 but others only read 1 or 2. I agree that it’s good from a niche aspect and also because I was clogging up 1 blog with too many posts which I thought might be off-putting for some readers.
I’d like to post on all 3 each day (or most days) but it’s not easy to get my head into the different topics. Maybe I expect too much of myself?
Hi Lightening,
thank you for your comment. Brain space is an issue.
I think that three posts a day is doable but not consistently - you could try doing it 5 days a week, or blog on each of your three blogs every second day. I find that reader numbers only drop off significantly if I haven’t posted anything for more than a week. The important thing is to stick to the schedule (whatever that ends up being) for as long as you possibly can, and only change it when you need to.
Best regards, Andrew
I think I’m a bit different to the people posting above! I find that with a full time job (and a truckload of blogs on my bloglines feed) there’s only so much time to spend on creating posts.
And I’m a bit of a perfectionist…. I’d rather write one good post than a dozen mediocre ones. (Though some might say that I’m still yet to achieve the goal of the one good post. They can bite me.)
So my blog covers whatever is on my mind at the time. It’s not a niche blog, but I hope that people will like the way I write and view the things that go on, and will keep poking their heads around the door to see what’s going on. Just as I do with other bloggers.
Hi Frogdancer,
thank you for your comment.
I think that it all depends - some people truly can manage a dozen blogs, others cannot manage one. It all depends on your definition of manage, really - I think that I’ve written some truly wonderful stuff every now and then, in amongst the mediocre ones.
Best regards, Andrew
I would love to create more blogs, but I am aware of the fact I need more time to manage the one I already have.
Hi tv brackets,
thank you for your comment.
Time is an issue, true. Sometimes I spend too much time pottering about rather than actually writing content - one quality post a week is possible for each of five different blogs (I have kept this up for brief periods of time).
That said, it is hard work in a world that seems full of hard work these days - I won’t criticise anyone ever again for not keeping up with a posting schedule when it is not their main day job
Cheers, Andrew