Krysta and I have been co-blogging since the beginning of Pages Unbound in 2011. I wanted to start a book blog and invited her to join me. I’m not sure it ever occurred to me she could have said no. I have no idea if I would have started out on my own. Long story short: she said yes.
And I think we’ve had one of the best co-blogging relationships since then. We have similar visions and haven’t been in any power struggles—yet. (She may not know about my plans to take over the blog with pictures of adorable cacti.) We generally trust each other and don’t usually get into the nitty gritty of asking each other if we can do things. If she wants to plan a Jane Austen event or start a new feature about desserts in books, she goes for it. I may have entirely changed the graphics for the blog a few times and alerted her after the fact…. I don’t think this is the way co-blogging works for everyone, but it works for us, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Benefits of Co-Blogging
- You always have someone to bounce ideas off of.
- Someone will always pick up the slack if one of you is having a blogging slump.
- Your blog has a variety of voices.
- The workload is not as intense.
- You know at least one other person is reading your posts—which can be pretty motivating.
Disadvantages of Co-Blogging
- You might have conflicting visions for the direction of the blog.
- You might think you’re pulling more weight than the other person.
- You might not know how to confront your co-blogger if you’re uncomfortable with his or her behavior.
Tips for Co-Blogging
- Have a schedule. Make sure you know who is supposed to post what when. (I post reviews Mondays. Krysta posts reviews Thursdays. We used to alternate Saturdays until I became a slacker and Krysta started doing them all.)
- Be clear about how serious you are about the schedule. Does everyone have to post a review once a week? Is it a big deal if you miss two weeks in a row?
- Figure out who is in charge of social media. Will you have one blog Twitter account? Will you have separate accounts? What should be posted on shared accounts and who should post it?
- If there is money being spent on the blog (design, giveaways, hosting, etc.), decide who is going to pay how much and when, and get the details in writing.
- Have fun!
Have you ever had a co-blogger? Have you ever considered having one? What are your co-blogging tips?
Pages Unbound | Book Reviews & Discussions 
I’ve been blogging solo for two years now and I’ve recently been pondering on finding a co-blogger since I’m gonna get really busy with school soon. I think that’s cool that you two have such a trusting relationship and if I do venture co-blogging in the future, I could only hope I find someone whose taste and decisions I trust too.
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Yes! I think it can be really scary to start trusting someone else to work on your blog, but it’s so much fun when it works out!
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I have thought about it. Sounds like it might be fun to have someone else on the blog. But I guess for me I’d be looking for someone I get along with and easy to chat with and not awkward. I feel like it would take a few days of knowing someone before I would make that choice, maybe even longer. I wish I could recruit rl friend, but alas not many would want to.
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Yes, I think finding someone you get along with is key!
I also wish more of my real life friends were interested in books and blogging. It is possible to find great co-bloggers online, too, though!
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Oh, yes, I have two co-bloggers. At the beginning it was difficult because I didn’t know how it would turn out. Of my first original co-bloggers, only one is left, and I had to look for another one (in case any of you are reading it: Evelyn and Tash, you’re awesome!), so I agree about it being a difficult task. But hey, it’s also great! What is better than a blog full of diveristy on voices and opinions! And great friendships too! Great post. 🙂
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Two co-bloggers sound so much fun! We tried to get a third blogger once, but it didn’t quite work out. I’m glad to hear you were able to replace one who left!
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I think yours is the only co-hosted book blog that I read, so thanks for sharing this! I have thought about it in a very general way. I like best the idea of having someone to pick up the slack 😛 But, I prefer to work independently and anyhow, I don’t know anyone who would want to blog with me.
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I’ve just started my blog and am wondering if I should get a co – blogger but I don’t know who would be interested in blogging. Am thinking of going solo maybe since am a beginner but if I ever reconsider then I’ll use your tips since they were very useful. Thank you!
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