Writing a group blog to build a platform

So what are some ways to write a group blog?

I have recently started writing as part of a group of other writers [and aspiring writers] at a blog called "Writer's Rest". I've only been blogging with them for a couple of weeks but I have learned a number of things that may help you all become more effective bloggers-even when you have limited time.

How do you start a group blog?
First, decide what the topic is and find a small group of other people who'd like to write on the same thing. This doesn't need to be writing related!! Just something that interests you.

Next, communicate.
Cath West helps organize Writer's Rest and she uses Yahoo Groups to do it. We each schedule on the calendar when we're going to blog so we don't have empty days, and so we don't have two bloggers on the same day. I think it is an EXCELLENT idea. We also swap marketing ideas, chat and work on ways to improve traffic.

Appoint a leader
You need to have one person in charge of layout, scheduling and the "contact person". Make sure you find one and that they are reliable. There won't be much involved but having that one "go to" person will prevent lots of chaos.

Support each other
Make sure that you are reading postings for other people on your blog. Learn from each other, grow together. You can develop wonderful friendships from connections like this.

Market the site
What better way to practice the lessons you're learning here about marketing than by actually applying them to promote your own blog!! There are many ways to drive traffic to your blog or website. Start doing some of them. Get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

Use it to build your own platform
Writing as part of a group of bloggers can help you build traffic to your site in a few different ways. There will obviously be people who follow each blogger over to the new site. There will also be people who find this site through search engines. In order to promote this joint blog as well as any individual site you have make sure you include links to your site [and from your site to that blog] as well as occasionally talking about your own blog/website on the group blog. This does not mean an infomercial but if you blog twice a month on the group site feel free to make an announcement about something going on at your main site. If it is something that will be of interest to your readers, let them know.

So are there any "group bloggers" out here who'd like to make a comment? Tell us some of the good and bad about group blogging. We'd love to learn from you.

I have to go now, I have reading to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter