Today, FamilyMoneyValues blog became a member of a network of financial and lifestyle bloggers (Yakezie). Checkout my member post over on the Yakezie site to learn more about my blog, Yakezie and I.

Why network?
You have probably heard many times the advice to mingle, get to know people and network. The conceptual benefits of networking are often listed as enhancing your ability to:

Get connected to job opportunities

• Find new clients
• Get information and support
• Benefit from economies of scale
• Find good staff members
• Get yourself known and your business known
• Be known as having expert knowledge
• Get better promotion of your product, business, site
• Belong with a group

My Challenge
Yakezie is a bit different than other networks as it involves a challenge – post on your blog at least twice a day and get your Alexa ranking below 200,000 in 6 months. The network is founded on the belief that all members and challengers should support each other.

I joined the Yakezie challenge on April 15, 2011, so I have actually been challenging for 10 months. My Alexa score hit 200,000 well before the 6 month period was up, but the network brings members in by classes (I am in the 4^th member class – Delta) and so the longer challenge period.

During the challenge, I became more disciplined – learning to post at least twice a week. I learned much from fellow challengers and the members, including how to run a giveaway, the importance of commenting thoughtfully on other people’s sites, hints and tips on WordPress and many other things.

Did I realize the conceptual benefits of networking during the challenge?

YES.

Get connected to job opportunities.
I found two staff writing positions through Yakezie.

Find new clients.
I now have a few advertising clients!

Get information and support.
The forums, groups and other activities of the network all provide lots of help and support.

Benefit from economies of scale.
I joined an advertising network that uses economies of scale to get group deals on ads.

Find good staff members.
I have found someone to manage my advertising, design my logo, comment and submit posts to carnivals when I am unavailable to do so.

Get yourself known and your business known.
Owners of multiple financial blogs are now aware of the existence of Family Money Values through my participation in the network.

Be known as having expert knowledge.
I think I have contributed some knowledge to the group….

Get better promotion of your product, business, site.
This is a main feature of Yakezie, helping each other promote our blogs.

Belong to a group.
I’ve met many people of all ages and walks of life online – and will actually meet some of them in person at FinCon12 in the fall.

Are there other networks?
There are many other networks, such as BlogHer, Wisebread and more. I haven’t yet participated in many of them, but can’t imagine them being any better than Yakezie.

Thanks Yakezie members and challengers!