I've writing posts about the concept of hosting your own mini blog networks and it's benefits for traffic. Mini blog networks focus on 4 to 6 blogs and share ad costs that drive traffic to the central network. There the blogs are highlighted and promoted according to relevance. Blog networks in general tend to gain more ad opportunities. What are your takes on this concept and do you think it's valuable for traffic? Has anyone participated in hosting a mini blog network? How good is the concept and will it be mainstream soon? This concept tends to gather a lot of interest from smaller blogs trying to gain exposure and traffic.
Are you talking about the kind of setup Engadget/Joystiq/etc. (Weblogs Inc.) have? Or simply a collection of independently owned blog owners gathering together and sharing the traffic and wealth? Assuming you are talking about the latter, though at first it may seem like a good idea, a partnership on that level may not be a wise choice. I like to be myself. Partnering with others makes the content seem more of a shared effort between the bloggers. In this way, ultimately, once a network of this nature expands, disagreements may arise between the bloggers. One blogger may tend to not post as much as the rest of the bloggers, one may be getting all the ad deals while the others are left empty handed, etc etc. Too confusing. If people like my content, then my blog will grow on its own. That's just how I feel.
I see your point. You want more control over the whole operation otherwise it becomes too much of hassle. Well, then have more control by hosting and leading your mini blog networks. Partnering may seem great in theory, by sharing the power, but I don't think that is a wise solution. Rather, host your own networks and add blogs accordingly. For some it would be a great advantage to have a strong leader at the helm directing them and improving their situations. This concept may seem more for the entrepreneurial type. It's tough enough going at it alone, but having to lead others through thick and thin may be too much. But, what seems hard for some, others excel at. So, then I would think if properly managed the benefits of traffic, profiles, and money, could be enhanced. On the topic of ads, you can't expect it to be that confusing. Just develop a method of payment tables and make it aware before attempting to sign on members. Thats just in my opinion. It's probably not as great as your iTapped idea though.