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Another quick idea.

By Barry Bell on December 1 2005

A couple of years ago, I built a multi-user, multi-blog, blogging application (in ASP), called it nanopress and released it as donationware.

I liked it. It worked fairly well. But being the first application I ever built (and the last, funnily enough) it was a little rough around the edges. Still, lots of people downloaded it, and lots used it until they found something better. Not that I could see anything better on the market! ;o)

And, being donationware, I made some money from it. Albeit $43. But that’s not quite the point of this post.

I never got around to coding another version of nanopress, however, I left the holding page up. And even now, a couple of years later, I get at least 3 or 4 enquiries a week asking when the next version will be released.

I should really take that holding page down, huh? But that’s still not quite the point of this post, either.

I’m just thinking about putting the domain name (www.nanopress.co.uk) to better use. It’s at a PR of 5 right now, and I think ‘nanopress’ is a spot-on domain to use as the name/hub for a network of quality UK-based lifestyle blogs.

Really.

So, does anyone here in the UK want to help me get something like that off the ground, split 50-50?

Contributor: Barry Bell

I'm a freelance writer and designer with over 10 years’ experience of creating award-winning recruitment and consumer marketing communications, together with a wide range of other creative marketing colateral. ... more »

WURK profile: http://WURK/profile/admin
Contributor website: http://barrybell.com

COMMENTS

By Mike Sigers
December 2, 2005 4:10 am

Here’s a question for you. Or two. Or three.

As you can see at the URL behind my name, there’s 3 of us who co-author a blog, split 3 ways, so we know it can be done, but why did you choose to openly ask for partners, versus asking some confidants and why did the help have to be UK based. IS the lifestyle of the UK and the lifestyles of US based readers that different ?

Would it be better to have co-authors based several timezones apart so the posts are added almost around the clock ?

Not trying to be critical..I’m trying to learn from your opinion.

The blog behind my name is one of 12 we do.
By Barry Bell
December 2, 2005 11:12 am

Well, the domain name is nanopress.CO.UK, which kinda lends itself more to a UK based audience. The clue was in the question. ;o))

As for openly asking for partners: why not? There’d be no big secret about it.

It’s not a group blog I’m thinking about – more of a network of high-quality blogs, 9rules-style, but with a UK-based flavour.
By Mike Sigers
December 2, 2005 2:29 pm

Seems like good answers.

I think the UK part is limiting the numbers of readers, but still should be plenty.

As for open auditions, I can’t fault it, but would think private invitations would be less likely to create ill will by those that are scorned. They will probably be the first one’s to bash your network and will continue to do so diligently, just a a customer who thinks they got bad service.

Good luck and happy blogging !
By Barry Bell
December 2, 2005 3:00 pm

Network bashing hasn’t happened with 9rules. As far as I know, anyway.

Anyway… I was more thinking of partnering with someone who fancied helping me set it up, rather than looking for blogs to join the network right away. Shoite! – there isn’t even a network there to speak of. Yet.

And sure, a UK-based network will limit the readership to people in the UK. Just as a network about growing giant comedy-shaped vegetables will limit the readership to people who grow giant comedy-shaped vegetables.

Can’t be all things to all people.
By Mike Sigers
December 2, 2005 7:54 pm

You’re right about all except the bashing of 9rules.

That is a daily occurence in the blogging world.

Somebody goes after Scrivs and/or 9rules EVERY time he/they open their mouths.

It happens to anybody or any team that wins or is on top.

Human nature.
By Barry Bell
December 2, 2005 9:40 pm

Yep… point taken. Cheers. B
By Scrivs
December 6, 2005 8:55 am

Heh, I am finding that people bash me and then say that the Network is doing a good job. Go figure.
By nowax
January 12, 2006 7:20 pm

i can’t believe i read the whole thing…

Scrivs skates the interweb.

UK flavor seems to be a very good point.

It would be nice to work with a Team of professional bloggers and make money. I don’t have a clue why none of my friends want to work this way. Most of my clients don’t seem to quite get it either.

Skate Everything Faster…