That is a good question. I did have my site as a stand alone for a few years and have have very few hits. There were many comments every time I posted and almost everyone were spam. i could have hired a consultant and spent a lot of money to set it up. But i have a real job too.

Occasionally there were real comments but it just was too much trouble to screen through all of the (5900) viagra ads, mortgage ads ad other garbage posted. I was forced to lock down the comments and screen all of them. This became too time consuming so I tended to not post as often.

My social media talents were then redirected to my Facebook and twitter account. Quite often I would receive communication from people asking me to blog more often and when the opportunity came up to work with First2Board I immediately saw the benefits of working as a team.

1) F2B provided the hosting, which on the surface is not that hard since I was self hosting already but now when there is a problem I have someone who is responsive that I can contact immediately to fix things for me on the site.

2) F2b coordinates advertising agreements.

3) Working as a team with the other F2B bloggers drives page views by cross linking posts.

4) I am now able to concentrate on content instead of format and design.

5) Better recognition of my site as a part of a larger organization.

6) F2B has an internal forum website for F2B bloggers which will act a database for files, photos, charts and other reference materials for the bloggers.

7) F2B provides artwork support and has designed the logos for most of the sites.

8) F2B provide all of the technical support to transition my website from Network Solutions platform to their platform.

9) F2B coordinates all of the contests and giveaway promotions, including the acquisition of prizes, distribution of prizes and contracting with third party contest promotion websites.

10) I am able to work with like minded people that I trust and who do not have a hidden agenda.

11) I have had very few spam comments since the go-live date, the spam filters are working great.

12) I have complete editorial control over the content, there only requirement is to have fun.

13) I own all of my own content, if I ever choose to leave they will cooperate with exporting the content back.

14) My ideas, recommendations and concepts for F2B have been accepted warmly and have driven several aspects of the site; it is refreshing to be part of something new.

The best part of all of this, is that it all happened in a 72 hour period from the time of first contact to going live. They were responsive and welcoming.

I acknowledge that the timing was essential as my site went live on the same day as the go-live day of First2Board's own website (although it was in beta for 4 weeks prior).

I have looked at your website and I think that it is excellent blog and it is exactly the the type of talent that would be a good fit with F2B. You should consider talking to them about joining the team. i would be happy to recommend you.