Ever considered joining a blog network? Well, then you will probably like this edition of the Bloggers Face-Off. Those bloggers created two of the biggest blog networks on the Internet.
Jeremy Wright is the founder of b5media, a very successful network that includes some flagship blogs like Problogger.net and Copyblogger. Nandini Maheshwari, on the other hand, is the mind behind the Instablogs community, a blog network that is growing very fast. Enjoy!
 Jeremy Wright |
 Nandini Maheshwari |
|
|---|---|---|
1. How long have you been blogging? |
4 glorious, heartbreaking, wonderful, fun-filled, tear-jerking years 😉 |
1.5 years |
2. How many blogs does your network have? |
We’re at about 200 now, give or take |
133 blogs and growing |
3. What is the main advantage of joining a blog network? |
It takes most of the stress of blogging away (design issues, software updates, finding advertisers, etc) |
Great community, traffic, exposure, higher revenue potential, and technical expertise |
4. How much money does the average blogger on the network make? |
With our new pay system, most of our bloggers will earn 150-250$/month doing 4-5 hours work a week |
Instablogs, being a large community, it varies a lot from person to person |
5. What is your favorite social bookmarking site? |
To be honest, I don’t use any social bookmarking sites |
Stumble Upon |
6. What is the main revenue source for the network? |
Banner advertising through premier partners, without question |
Private Ad sales |
7. Do you think AdSense units make a blog look unprofessional? |
It depends. But even the “most professional” AdSense unit will rarely pay as a low-end inventory banner (50c-1$) |
Yes, if you overdo them |
8. Does the network invest money into promotion? |
We invest back into our bloggers. We have 2 people full time (Shai and Darren) training other bloggers |
So far, we have not spent any money but in coming days, we are planning few ad campaigns for our upcoming community features |
9. How many RSS feeds do you read daily? |
Probably 40-50. But I spend a lot of time on TechMeme |
200+ |
10. If you could give one advice for a novice blogger, what would it be? |
Find your passion and never lose it. No matter what anyone says, if you’re having fun and expressing yourself, that’s what matters |
Go read Problogger.net. However seriously, best advice would be to have patience, be consistent, and network with fellow bloggers in early days |
11. If you could read only one blog, which one would you pick? |
No question, it’s Savage Chickens |
My own (http://www.bornrich.org) |
12. What is the secret of your success, expressed in one word? |
Community |
Passion |
Well it’s good to see a Female from India riding waves in the world of Blogosphere 😉
133 blogs, how to manage them ????
Wow, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your Bloggers Face-Off series. It’s truly one of the most addictive topics I’ve read in quite a while. I’m new to blogging, and extremely interested in learning from the pros, and this is a fun way to get some condensed information, and just a general insight into the way the pros look at blogging.
More, more, more…..please ?
I think they’re ALL winners.
What’s the benefit of being part of a blog network?
Great!
Angelina, for all the face-offs the voting sessions lasts from Tuesday to the following Friday.
Why this voting has been closed 😉
I had a difficult time declaring who won this face-off. In the end I chose Jeremy Wright. However, that isn’t to say that Nandini Maheshwari didn’t share some very valuable information.
I picked Jeremy because his responses were better rounded and he has a bit more experience which definitely shines right through in his writing. I’ve had my eye on B5 for quite some time now and hope to join up with them when all my kiddos are in school. Right now with all of my internet projects and blogs I just don’t have any time to devote. And who knows, they may not even like my style of writing but that doesn’t matter because we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. (Sure hope you’re reading J)
I’ll certainly be keeping my eye on Nandini’s blog network as it’s always good to observe before jumping right in. I also have to agree with everybody that has clearly stated the obvious: Nandini is BEAUTIFUL.
One thing I have to say is that I think they are both winners and it’s unfortunate there wasn’t an option to be able to vote for both of them. But then again, if that option were available it wouldn’t be a face-off now would it?
I have to comment them both for being willing to support each other. In today’s cut-throat Internet that is so seldom. People that are unwilling to help others OR are selfish with their blogging usually don’t last long. The negative energy winds up showing through in the end and that’s a sure fire way to fail miserably at networking and making new friends.
Ok, well . I’ve rambled enough. Congratulations to you both and best of luck with your endeavors! 🙂
What a great interview and fun idea! I voted for Nandini because I’m a Born Rich junkie and because I agree with her…it’s all about passion. Kudos. What a fun series!
Nandini thanks for stopping by, it was really fun to collect the answers from my part as well.
Hey Guys.
This face off was really fun, never knew it could create such a response. Thanks Daniel for that.
For those who took it a bit seriously, actually things between Instablogs and B5media are quiet cool. Jeremy is very right when he said; things are cooperative and not competitive. Jeremy and I have been chatting for a while and exchanging ideas which have helped both networks, in many aspects.
Whew, I’m sure glad you pointed that out tee hee
I think you BOTH deserve a little recognition from time to time — even if it is just for fun 🙂
I like Instablogs but I heart b5media.
I know what side by bread is buttered on *wink wink*
Either way, I’m a pretty big fan of Instablogs. As I’m sure Nandini would tell you, b5 has offered them a lot of help (including ideas that have really helped them take off and earn more revenue).
The team there does a fantastic job, is incredibly professional and deserves every bit of success they get locally and on the world stage.
They work their asses off, and it really shows in their growth and the raw strength of the Instablogs community. It’s absolutely fantastic and Nandini and the team have every right to be proud of what they’ve built 🙂
Just a quick note on the seriousness/sexistness of this…
This is all in fun. Nandini and I chat every once in awhile (I’m often too busy or travelling to answer lately, which is my loss) and it’s never competitive. It’s always cooperative.
Instablogs rocks. Nandini rocks. And, yes, she’s beautiful, but she’s also incredibly strong, smart and a great leader 🙂
atul, Jeremy is right, the questions about how long they have been blogging was a personal one, not related to their networks.
b5 is 18 months old… I’ve personally been blogging for 4 years.
The fact stated at the top of the comparison chart sums it up for instablogs. b5 is four years old but instablogs has managed to secure that position in just 18 months of its existence, give them those four years and b5 doesn’t even stand a comparison chance .
Gayla, that is right, the voting session is just to add some fun to the interviews. The face-off is more about getting insights and getting to know better the bloggers.
Enjoy the challenge for the fun it’s supposed to be. I don’t think it’s meant to be taken too seriously 🙂
Is it?
Kate, I think most people that said they voted for Nandini because she is beautiful were actually joking.
Also, regarding the answers from the bloggers, I think they were quite succinct, not sure where you got the idea they were “marketing-speak”. For instance neither of the bloggers nominated a blog of their own network on question #11.
My goodness, what a lot of sexist nonsense.
I hardly think Enright is losing because he’s not good-looking enough.
Maybe popularity has something to do with how the votes are being handled, but both bloggers answers are full of vague marketing-speak that I am quite shocked to see among people who are respected for their honesty.
She’s beautiful and she’s smart and that makes for a deadly combination! So Jeremy watch it, WRIGHT!
For me Jeremy won with his answers to 2, 8 and 11 (Savage Chickens is class) whilst Nandini won with answers 1, 10 and 12.
So by way of the photo my vote goes to Nandini (and the fact that she’s nagging me on IM may be a factor 🙂 )
Haha Jeremy, actually you are making quite a comeback now! The poll is open until Friday so lets see how it goes.
If it helps the voting at all, my dad is Sri Lankan 😉
I heart b5media! Go Jeremy!
I think it is only a wonderfully positive thing that we are so passionate about our networks. It can only be a great thing for social media in general. 🙂
I almost voted for Nandini with the Savage chicken answer Jeremy
1. Nandini is beautiful (we all agree, don’t we?).
2. Instablogs is beautiful too. Check our homepage and decide for yourself.
3. Instablogs doesn’t look like any chock-off-the-block networks. It has evolved in a way that no other blog network did in its small gestation period
Once again, Nandini is not only gorgeous, but a great thinker too. (Who doesn’t agree?)
I remember when Instablogs launched and people were giving them a hard time. Its payback time for Nandini and her crew! They started with no money and have build an impressive media company.
Instablogs is way too cooler than any other blog Network..
My vote goes to Nandini and Instablogs…
Guys when you talk about Online Media,
Remember its INSTABLOGS not b5media.
Go Nandini go, Instablogs Rocks…
Go Jeremy! Yes, she’s beautiful but b5media rocks!
Shannon, yeah I noticed that Nandini mentioned Problogger also hehe.
This Face-Off is surely one of most heated ones, a lot of supporters on each side!
Nandini made me Cool Geek of the Week, so she gets my vote!
Instablogs! Instablogs!
Go get them…
Jeremy’s got my vote, of course!
Not only is Nandini beautiful, she runs a better designed and more functional blog network amongst the two.
Why don`t you check both network’s homepage.
Nandini is definitely beautiful…but I am more inclined to men…Jeremy you are not so bad, but if you had the shot of you here wearing Christina’s pink hat, you would look better. lol.
Also–Nandini says to read Problogger.net, doesn’t that just say it all who the better network is? 😉 Darren is the reason I started blogging.
Jeremy! Jeremy!
Jeremy’s answers were more specific, his b5media network is on fire, he likes Savage Chickens, and he writes my checks… hmmm
How important is “face” in the “face-off” vote? And can they tell which way we voted?
She is definitely pretty, but can she dance a jig with the best of ’em? You go, Jeremy!
I’ve always regretted being born a guy 😉
Yeah, Daniel. But the thing is she is actually beautiful, and running a big blog network competing with B5media.
This is cool and interesting.
Shawn, looks like many people are thinking like you :). Well it a bloggers face-off, any weapon goes!
B5media is a great blog network, but my vote goes to the beautiful founder of Instablogs network.
It’s got to be a good thing when you competition recommends your blog as the number one blog to read for a novice blogger.