What Have I Learned in 6 Weeks of Running a Mini Blog Network
Read more about: Entrepreneurship, Overcoming Obstacles
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Ego bruising. Sleepless nights. Several WTF moments. And nine authors who bless me every day with their willingness to believe in eMoms at Home. The last six weeks have been probably the hardest - and most rewarding - I have ever gone through with this business.
When I launched 6 new blogs on this site and changed the format from a one-blog-show to a magazine-style site, I was taking a huge risk and leap of faith. Not only has the experience really shown me what I do really well, it also has totally exaggerated my weaknesses. I’ve learned that I know a lot about blogging - but a lot less than I thought about running a “media empire”.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
Some challenges are impossible to predict.
Although I have written about all of the subjects that are covered by the six new blogs, I obviously never had written exclusively in these niches. These new blogs are growing in rapidly different directions and the strategy to grow each one is getting more and more different every day.
I had no idea that contest and sweepstakes sites would pick up Parent Product Reviews and send more traffic than we could handle. I’m actually having to rebrand the channel and even ask Erika to write less posts until I have a better monetization plan in place.
I also had no idea that the crafting community had such a need for solid and entertaining craft business advice. They have really embraced Lisa’s new blog and she’s kicking some serious butt over there. Had I known this, I would have started it SO LONG AGO.
Balancing Promotion & Traffic on One Domain is Harder Than I Thought
One of the authors was a little concerned at first because it seemed like traffic was getting pulled away from her own blog to our site. This was the last thing I wanted to happen - but thankfully, we found that it has reversed.
But as things have settled down for her, I’m finding that the same is happening with this blog - I had a very diverse group of regular readers who are now spread out over the entire site. Traffic, conversation and incoming links are way up on the site, but actually going down on this blog.
Talk about taking one for the team - my ego doesn’t really like this one. 
Also, the social bookmarking sites (especially on SU) tend to only like to send a certain amount of traffic to one domain, and it’s getting harder and harder to get attention to great articles on this site because we seem to be hitting some kind of invisible social media ‘quota’. Some really great content is getting lots of votes , but no traffic. I don’t get it.
On the flip side, I’m really glad I kept it all on one domain, saving me from the big G-slap yesterday.
Growing to the Next Level Will Require a Different Skill Set
What has grown this blog to the level that it is at today will not grow it to a million page views a month. I see that more clearly now than ever before. I can’t count on text link advertising at all anymore. Social Media won’t cut it. Advertisers want more quality traffic than that. And I’ve networked the hell out of the blogosphere - there’s only so many ways to grow a blog inside of a relatively finite community.
I taught myself everything I know in order to grow eMoms at Home - but even if I could teach myself international PR and had a big advertising budget, I would never have the time to do all that it would take to bring it to the next level.
In other words, I have resigned myself to the fact that I can’t do this alone anymore. This was truly the inspiration behind the post Ten Signs That You are WAY Outside of Your Comfort Zone, because I am. Big Time. And whether I take on a partner, a loan, or equity financing, there is no doubt that I have to move into entrepreneurial territory that once seemed like the big kids playground.
Motivation, Balance and Positive Thinking Were Once Nice to Have.
They are Now Mandatory.
I’ve always written about empowerment and overcoming obstacles - most of the time I did it for both you and to keep myself going. I’ve always known it was important - but every now and then, I’d fall off the wagon and have a few bad days or even bad weeks and it was OK.
It’s not so ‘OK’ anymore. And honestly, this is the hardest part of all.
Honestly, I’m not so sure how this will play out - but I do know that I can use my fears as a security blanket as I push myself forward sometimes. But it’s getting to the point that I might just have to deal with my “separation anxiety”, and find new “inner fuel” for growth.
I feel like it’s time for me to put up or shut up. With tens of thousands of people watching… failure isn’t exactly an option, eh?
So perhaps I’ll just shut up then and get back to work.
But I do miss you regular readers who have new BFF’s on the rest of my site. Could you come back for a visit every now and then?
Sparkplugging Founder Wendy Piersall is dang passionate about helping people start & grow a business while maintaining life balance (somehow).
Dawud Miracle has one focus: to help you get it. The it? How your website, and blog, can change the way you do business. You can find out more at 
Teresa Morrow manages online book publicity and event promotion for authors, speakers and writers with her company 
Whenever I begin to wish my site were a little “bigger,” I will come back and read this post. Honestly, I think you are doing a fabulous job pulling it all together.
Your blog was one of the factors that pulled me to Work it Mom in the first place! I can’t even imagine all you’ve done to make it the special place that it is. You know, 6 weeks is not very long at all. Some of what needs to happen simply needs some time, so take a breath, keep doing what you’re doing, and the way forward will emerge for you.
What a heartfelt post! We all know how hard you are working to make the whole eMoms site a success based on the content and community it provides - and we are all cheering for you, too!
Thanks for sharing your challenges and successes and for letting us be there for you as well.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the inevitable growing pains that accompany success on a massive scale, just remember the simple fact that you are serving Emoms and DotComPreneurs around the world.
And remind yourself that even on your worst day, there are thousands of people who would love to trade their challenges for yours. (sometimes your problems are another person’s dream)
Live Your Dreams,
Jill
Thanks so much everyone! Perhaps I sounded a little harder on myself than I meant to. Jill, my problems are my own dream - I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world!
Great post Wendy and I truly understand where you are coming from. But, where else could we have this much fun?
Amen Grant.
As spineless as I’m going to sound right now, I’ll say it anyway:
This is why I’m so glad I write for you rather than trying to be in charge of my own “empire!” Dont’ get me wrong, in the grand scheme of things, I often prefer to be a leader instead of a follower. In this case, however, I’m enjoying being a part of this whole process but getting to watch it without having to be the one doing all of the scrambling.
Wendy, I think you are doing amazing things here; and I very much look to you as a mentor. Even on days when we don’t speak or email, I am learning things from you. To me you are a teacher, an example, an inspiration, and a warning all rolled into one.
Gee, I sound all mushy now when what I was starting out to say was “better you than me.” (just kidding) You’re doing a great job. Like the commenter above said, don’t forget that it’s only been six weeks. Everything doesn’t have to happen in an instant.
Also, I’m available to help in any capacity you need. I can offer the skills I have or learn new ones. As far as I’m concerened, I’m a part of Team eMoms, and I want to see it succeed more than most! If I can be a bigger part of that, all the better.
Great article Wendy! Thanks! I wish I was where you are now, but I know I have a lot to learn first!
Wendy, I am sure mostly everybody here is cheering you on! It took a lot of courage to do something ambitious like this. I know you feel you like you have a lot of responsibilities and you are accountable for all your bloggers on staff, but don’t forget, they are all in this boat with you together as well. I can’t speak for them, but with so many of them, I’m pretty sure there are several (or all of them) that’s willing to let you lean on them every now and then. Just don’t drive yourself nuts!
Hey, even if it comes with a lot of challenges, you know you are going to regret it if you didn’t at least give it a try!
Congratulations on the success with your change. It will be interesting to watch as this site grows and try to learn from your experience.
Thanks for your kind words, Wendy P
Wondering if my trackback to this article got stuck in your moderation cue, or did it never get out of my server? I ask cause I’ve had a couple of others seem not to get through, but then those sending TB’s can never be sure if the site they are heading towards actually display them.
Either way, thanks again. I’m one of your subscribers so I’ll be looking forward to reading more of your good stuff (it’s okay that I’m not an eMommy or eDaddy, right?
)
Strange! After my previous comment posted, I then saw the trackback. Go figure!
We’re rooting for you, Wendy.
What you’ve achieved is wonderful, and I’m sure it’s your attitude to taking on big challenges in the first place that has gotten you where you are now, and it will get you to where you want to go.
It’s been amazing for me to be associated with eMoms, and it’s only done good things for my own business and it’s been really helpful and inspiring in expanding my own skills. For that I’m grateful
You’ll get there Wendy! I don’t doubt it for a second, it’s just won’t happen, like yesterday
Yes! I agree, your blog is what brought me here in the first place…you have your readers. Maybe we can’t make it here quite as often because you’ve taught us so well that we are busy being successful!
what a humble and fascinating portrayal of success and frustration - from my point of view it’s been amazing and inspirational to watch unfold. Your honest and deeply pondering inquiry is really what makes you who you are
not having a clue what making it or big even feels like I can only say
keep asking the questions - the answers always come when you ask
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
This is one of the best, most honest, and revealing posts I’ve read. Many of us are contemplating some of the same decisions and stare at the vast unknown territory ahead. I hope you will keep us posted with your challenges and successes as you take your enterprise to the next level.
Hi Wendy:
I really resonated with this post, as I have been experiencing similar feelings in a different business lately. My husband’s business has taken off, but brought with it all kinds of unanticipated headaches and scary moments. I just blogged about it yesterday, and found the experience therapeutic, as I am sure you have sharing yours!
Just because you have been in biz, and offering great biz advice, for a long while doesn’t mean that you can’t have your own struggles. In fact, I think it is impossible to grow in expertise without living through some really hairy situations.
At the end of the day … it is all about the story! And what a great story it is. Thanks for sharing, and for leading by example by being authentic, which is less common than the “it is easy to make millions on the internet with no effort” folks. Hogwash!
-Pam
I think it’s absolutely wonderful what you are doing on this site. I’ve not been on here long enough to know the ins and outs or what page is which. I point and click. More than anything I’ve wanted to have my own business from home, and I may sometime, but I’m terrified to do what you do. I don’t know that I could do any of it alone. I believe reading about what you are going through will help me realize what it is I want to do and push myself to it.
Keep up the great work and keep the faith. you have many loyal readers still out there!!!
Wendy, you are going in the right direction you have a great blog which is expanding all the time. You have started building your list with your free ecourse. I am sure you will be sending out an email soon for an ebook or some other product.
All businesses have growing especially when they grow fast.
To your success,
David
I love your honesty Wendy, I always find it so inspirational.
There is so many good points you have made here for those of us who are still learning to grow our blogs to success. This will be a great reference for those who aspire to following you into their own medias empires.
At this point I need to get back on track, first a blog post to write.
I always find inspiration on this blog and realise I must visit the other sites. Your comments on craft have aroused my interest, time to get my Suzie Cheel blog started…. can I do it before blog world? I can’t find you in the program? which session are you doing?
This is great, Wendy… although I won’t even try to add to all the great comments already made, I will say this:
I often doubt my business; sometimes the idea of “Monk at Work” seems like it must be too obscure for people to take much interest in (it’s growing, just not as fast as I’d like, of course!).
But then you say something like:
… and I realize, “yes, my work has a purpose, a place; people need it.”
Now, to make it known… back to work!