Popular Websites You Didn’t Know Started as Blogs

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Despite being one of the biggest industries to follow the birth of the internet, the word “blog” still has somewhat humble connotations. Perhaps it’s because it’s so ubiquitous with the “do-it-yourself” mentality of the web—who doesn’t know somebody who’s started their own? But what average internet users don’t realize is that some of the most popular (and profitable) sites on the web are actually highly successful blogs.

From pop news sites like Mashable to advice sites like LifeHacker, many of today’s most popular online destinations began life as simple blogs; the vision of one person transformed into businesses that rival well-established print and web magazines. Each one is a story of success, and a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and the ample opportunities the internet provides aspiring entrepreneurs. [Read more…]

An Interview With Gina Trapani

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Gina Trapani is the much celebrated founder of popular blog Lifehacker, a part of the Gawker Media blog network. She left the lead editor role just over a month ago and is now doing columns only, as well as writing post for her recently launched Smarterware blog. So where does she stand now? Let’s find out!

Congratulations on the launch of Smarterware, Gina! What can readers expect from your new blog, and how does it differ from your previous work at Lifehacker?

Smarterware is a personal tech blog, which means I’m going to take off the distanced reporter hat I wore a lot at Lifehacker and be a fan, and speak in the first person. Blogs are perfect for that, but when a news blog like Lifehacker grows its audience and its staff, it’s easy to get away from that and read more like a magazine.

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Gina Trapani Steps Down at Lifehacker, Adam Pash New Lead Editor

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Popular blog Lifehacker, a part of the Gawker Media blog network, is seeing some changes come January 16. Lead editor Gina Trapani is stepping down, and Adam Pash will take her place.

After a wild and woolly four years at the helm, I’m stepping down from the site lead position to work on Some New Stuff on a day-to-day basis in 2009. To be clear, my decision has nothing to do with the big bad economy or any kind of scandalous company blow-up—it’s just time for me to move onto new projects. It’s tough letting go of something I love so dearly, but it’s easier knowing it will be in very capable hands.

Good to hear, no Nick Denton slashing the workforce this time.

Adam Pash has been a Lifehacker contributor for 3 years, so he should know how things work. Also, Gina Trapani will continue to post on the blog, as well as do some other stuff, so she’s not disappearing totally. A little more in the announcement post.

Gawker Media Layoffs 19, Suspends Pageview Bonuses Temporarily

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Nick Denton’s successful blog network is getting ready for harder times. 19 of the 133 employers is being laid off, while another 10 is hired to strengthen the successful sites like Gawker, Kotaku, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He’s also temporarily suspending the pageview bonus system, which have already seen some slashing, for the first quarter next year, while hinting that it might be out of the loop longer in his memo. It’s not all bad news for Gawker Media bloggers, though, since the base pay amount will be raised for the ones not getting sacked.

Denton blames the recession. [Read more…]