{"id":12496,"date":"2010-04-14T16:05:35","date_gmt":"2010-04-14T10:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=12496"},"modified":"2026-10-13T15:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:35:09","slug":"how-to-become-problogger-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Blogger Collaboration: 8 Ways Small Bloggers Grow Together (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every new blogger dreams of becoming the next ProBlogger, but copying what the big blogs did years ago rarely works when there are millions of blogs in every niche. The faster route for small sites is <strong>blogger collaboration<\/strong>: teaming up with other bloggers in your niche to share audiences, work and income. This guide, first written in 2010 by a freeware blogger who did exactly that, is updated with the collaboration ideas that work best in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-65550\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration.webp\" alt=\"Blogger collaboration ideas for small bloggers\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/blogger-collaboration-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Blogger collaboration means working with bloggers in your niche instead of competing alone. The best ways in 2026 are newsletter recommendations and swaps, co-written guides and expert roundups, joint podcasts or webinars, collab posts on Instagram and LinkedIn, shared sponsor packages, and running a site together. Avoid mass link exchanges, which break Google&#8217;s spam policies.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ace1582271dc\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ace1582271dc\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#Why_going_solo_is_so_hard\" >Why going solo is so hard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#Two_collaborations_that_worked_2010\" >Two collaborations that worked (2010)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#Best_ways_to_collaborate_with_other_bloggers_in_2026\" >Best ways to collaborate with other bloggers in 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#How_to_find_bloggers_who_want_to_collaborate\" >How to find bloggers who want to collaborate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#3_rules_for_a_collaboration_that_lasts\" >3 rules for a collaboration that lasts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#What_is_blogger_collaboration\" >What is blogger collaboration?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#Are_link_exchanges_still_a_good_idea\" >Are link exchanges still a good idea?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/how-to-become-problogger-2\/#How_do_I_split_income_from_a_joint_blog\" >How do I split income from a joint blog?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_going_solo_is_so_hard\"><\/span>Why going solo is so hard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The big blogs started early, when competition was thin. Today, a search for almost any topic returns millions of results, and new bloggers who follow the same steps as the big names often give up within months, as Hans wrote in his post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/04\/blogging-passion\/\">passion as the key to successful blogging<\/a>. You may never be ProBlogger number 2, but you can move from number 1,545,254 to number 875 much faster with partners. As the old acronym puts it, TEAM: Together Each Achieves More.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Two_collaborations_that_worked_2010\"><\/span>Two collaborations that worked (2010)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The original author, Ishan, ran a freeware blog and tried two collaborations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Running a site together:<\/strong> he wanted a second blog on netbook freeware but had no time to run it alone, so he pitched a partnership to fellow freeware blogger Mezanul of MyTechGuide. They agreed up front who would do what and how to split revenue, then launched the site together.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Selling ads together:<\/strong> selling ads on one small blog was hard, so he teamed up with Michael of CravingTech and offered advertisers a discount for buying on both sites. They sold ads quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Netbooks are long gone, but both ideas still work: shared projects and shared sales.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_ways_to_collaborate_with_other_bloggers_in_2026\"><\/span>Best ways to collaborate with other bloggers in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Newsletter recommendations and swaps:<\/strong> platforms such as <a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Substack<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beehiiv.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beehiiv<\/a> let you recommend each other&#8217;s newsletters at sign-up, which is one of the fastest ways to grow a list today.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Co-written guides and research:<\/strong> combine data or experience from several blogs into one in-depth guide and publish it on one site with credit and links for every contributor.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expert roundups:<\/strong> ask five to ten bloggers one useful question and publish their answers; each contributor shares it with their audience.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Guest posts that add value:<\/strong> write for each other&#8217;s sites on topics your audiences care about, not just for links. QuickOnlineTips was built partly on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/02\/guestblogging-2013\/\">guest blogging<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Joint podcasts, live streams and webinars:<\/strong> co-host an episode or a workshop and promote it to both audiences.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collab posts on social media:<\/strong> Instagram and LinkedIn let two accounts co-author a post so it appears on both profiles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shared sponsor packages:<\/strong> like the 2010 ad deal, offer sponsors a bundle across several niche blogs or newsletters.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Run a site or product together:<\/strong> a joint blog, course, ebook or tool, with clear roles and a written revenue split.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>What to avoid:<\/strong> &#8220;link to me and I&#8217;ll link to you&#8221; schemes at scale count as link spam in <a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/search\/docs\/essentials\/spam-policies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google&#8217;s spam policies<\/a> and can hurt both sites. Links should be a by-product of useful collaboration, not the goal.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_find_bloggers_who_want_to_collaborate\"><\/span>How to find bloggers who want to collaborate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Look at who else ranks, writes newsletters or posts on social media in your niche at a similar size to you.<\/li>\n<li>Join niche communities, Discord servers, Facebook groups and subreddits where bloggers talk shop.<\/li>\n<li>Comment usefully on their posts and share their work before you pitch.<\/li>\n<li>Pitch one specific idea and say clearly what they gain. Expect several no&#8217;s before a yes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_rules_for_a_collaboration_that_lasts\"><\/span>3 rules for a collaboration that lasts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Be honest:<\/strong> split money exactly as agreed, even when the project does better than expected. Remember the hen that lays golden eggs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make it win-win:<\/strong> if the deal favours you, it will fail. Explain what your partner gets before what you get.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Help your partner succeed:<\/strong> link to them, share their work and send opportunities their way without being asked.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>New to blogging? Start with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/08\/blogging-tips-for-beginners\/\">blogging tips for beginners<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_blogger_collaboration\"><\/span>What is blogger collaboration?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Working with other bloggers on content, promotion or income, such as guest posts, roundups, newsletter swaps, joint products or shared sponsor deals, so that everyone grows faster than alone.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_link_exchanges_still_a_good_idea\"><\/span>Are link exchanges still a good idea?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not as a strategy. Occasional natural links between partners are fine, but excessive link exchanges are listed as link spam by Google.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_split_income_from_a_joint_blog\"><\/span>How do I split income from a joint blog?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Agree in writing before you start: who does what, how revenue and costs are shared, and what happens if one person leaves.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Ishan, a tech blogger who writes about free software at ILoveFreeSoftware.com. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every new blogger dreams of becoming the next ProBlogger, but copying what the big blogs did years ago rarely works&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":65550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[44,49],"class_list":["post-12496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","tag-guest-posts","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12496"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65551,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12496\/revisions\/65551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}