b5media

September 18th,2005

Not another blog network!

By Duncan Riley

It’s a natural question to ask, and I’ve even seen it discussed on one of the 9rules federation sites, and I cant think of a better way than to start this post.

Not another blog network!

Yes, its another blog network, but in my case its from already having my own blog network, Weblog Empire. Although not formally articulated as a network, Darren already has a network of blogs in all but name, and Jeremy is regularly popping up with new blogs and projects.

When I originally set out with Weblog Empire I had many grand plans, but a mixture of time constraints and limitations, both in terms of technical expertise and knowledge has limited my growth. On the same token I’m certainly not suggesting that it was a failure as an exercise, indeed its been a great success. Blogs like The Gadget Blog and Windows Vista Weblog continue to grow in leaps and bounds. From my perspective moving forward I had a couple of choices. I could continue the regular growth from what I am currently doing, or I could look at doing something bigger.

Enter b5media.

As well as giving me the opportunity to work at the corporate level with two really great guys: Darren and Jeremy, it also provides a bigger opportunity in terms of blogging. Readers of the Blog Herald would know my obsession with numbers, and the numbers on b5media stack up. The diversity of talent at both the corporate level, and with the great mix of bloggers we’ve got onboard, both now at launch, and the many we will have join us as this journey continues, adds up.

Its a sum of many that provides the opportunities for greatness.

Is it going to be the greatest network ever? only time will tell. I recently advertised a position and copped a bit of flack from some people who are suggesting that the pay isn’t good enough. I want to tackle this one straight away: its not the highest in the industry, but we also aren’t the toughest in terms of restrictions as well. Over time I believe the hybrid compensation structure will prove worthwhile.

Writing for b5media isn’t just about the money, its about the experience as well. I want to see b5media help launch the A-List bloggers of tomorrow. For some people we’ll be able to provide a long term gig to, for some it might just be a short visit (6 months) on a bigger journey to superstardom. We want to promote our writers as well as our blogs, and in this regards its a people enterprise. We want to make better bloggers, we want to give the opportunity for bloggers to find a bigger audience, and also make some money as well, and at the end of the day we want it to be a win-win for everyone involved.

But before I make this post even longer than it is, there was a point in Darren’s post I want to reiterate: we all want b5media to have a global outlook. I’ve been fortunate in my blogging life because I’ve managed to get to know people from all around the planet, and yet the blogosphere can sometimes sound, look and smell monocultural. Geography has been overcome in terms of data, but I suspect that it may still have limitations in the minds of some (if you’ve ever applied for a US based position/ item etc.. and been knocked back because you don’t live in the States you’ll understand me). b5media is an exotic mix in itself being owned and run by 2 Australian’s and a Canadian with the company being registered in the United States. In our first round of blogs we’ve got bloggers from the Philippines, Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. It’s not diversity for the sake of it, because I’ll be the first to rally against anything that suggests that merit shouldn’t be the first priority, but its diversity because we won’t be closing our minds to people from different backgrounds and countries. Whilst a lot of the content will be global in its presentation, the diversity of those writing it will be one of its biggest strengths, and I believe one of the keys to b5media itself growing strongly.

If your currently working with us, enjoy the ride, if you’re a casual observer, I hope that along the line we’ll provide quality blogs that will cover your interests as well (if they are not already there).

We still have some work to do on new blogs and existing blogs, and even after launch you’ll be seeing changes for some time as we iron out the bugs, make sure that the layouts and design is up to scratch, and that everything is comfortable and working for the long trip forward.