As a trusted friend once told me, “it is a pretty thin pancake that has only one side.”

Thanks a lot Darren for bringing up the downside of joining a network. Who knew?

Actually, we agree. While there are benefits to blogging for a network, it is not for everyone and every blog network is not the same. I think that is the takeaway from Darren’s post on “Why You Shouldn’t Join a Blog Network.” Darren’s post is a fair and equal follow-up to his “Why You Should Join a Blog Network” post.

As time goes by, additional blog networks will emerge and each will have positives and negatives. That is good for blogging and bloggers. Choices are what a make a market succeed. Like deciding on a job, or purchasing a car, you will be happiest and most productive if you can find a fit.

When joining a network you are becoming a part of a team and in a sense creating a partnership with the network and other authors. Some bloggers will thrive on the sense of community and team atmosphere of a network. Others will be annoyed by these same attributes.

In a blog network, like any successful team, there are role players. Some produce content (bloggers), others provides tools and software and the promotion of the network (the network). If you are a generalist and are capable and interested in doing more than writing, stay independent.

We think a network for business content is critical. Many of the best writers for business topics will be specialists – not have expertise or interest in the technical aspects of blogging. Most will understand teamwork and the concept of synergy and the economics of our business model. We think it works and is a good fit for Know More Media’s niche.

In designing the Know More Media network we have tried to provide opportunities for independent bloggers to have a unique domain name, a handful of unique design elements and unfettered voice and editorial control. On the other hand we believe in the value of teamwork, sharing expertise and feeling a part of something that can be bigger and more valuable than the sum of its parts.

That being said, we aren’t a match for most of the millions of the 30 million blogs out there. We hope to get to “know more” each prospective blogger that may join our network. We feel there must be a fit. We want to know that they believe what we believe about how one goes about business, why and how blogs can be important for business, and we need authors that have an indomitable desire to share their expertise with a broader audience. We also hope that we share a commitment to succeed in our relationship.

For the some of the same reasons people join associations, unions, political parties, etc., blog networks make sense for some bloggers. There is power and strength in numbers. It is called the network effect. Not everyone can be an A-lister but the unification of many expert writers can create an A-list network with links, syndication, premium advertising and audience reach.

As another friend used to tell me, “a rising tide lifts all boats.”