When we launched the Instablogs Blog Network, the idea was simple - a network of news-based blogs. It was to be an online version of the traditional news media, except that it was a two-way interaction between readers and bloggers.

It has been more than a year now, almost a decade in online time I guess. Along this period, we learnt quite a few valuable lessons about how to run an online media organization. Within few months, we realized to make Instablogs more successful; we need to focus on more interaction between bloggers and readers. We talked to all our bloggers and made a list of various features that could be incorporated in our next version. We even invited other blog network owners for a discussion on the same.

Most of our bloggers felt that in spite of getting better ad deals, more financial security and better blogging platform they were loosely tied to the network via network wide listing. Our bloggers were successful in creating small communities over their individual blogs. These communities grew as a family but remain isolated from other communities across the network. We felt there is a need of a Social Club where members of different communities, which remain isolated, can hang together in more personalized way. This will not only help the reader to feel associated more with the individual bloggers, but will also make him an integral part of the whole blogging process at Instablogs.

So our vision for Instablogs 2.0 was formed: Bringing Bloggers and Readers closer.

Shortly, we will be introducing Instablogs 2.0 - The Next Generation Blog Network. On Instablogs 2.0, readers can form small topic-specific communities and tribes; they will find network-wide tagging and searching, a newsroom for news submission/tipping and news link picking. They would also find all the stories in the network aggregated in one place accessible via the reading room. They can also create their network of friends. They can read, rate and comment on stories. You will find features like RSS customization for any channel, topic, writer, tag, etc. You can keep track of your friends, comments and posts easily. You subscribe only those channels you want and unsubscribe others you wish not to read. Personalized homepage is another feature we are sure our members will love. However, if we have to choose our favorite feature of Instablogs 2.0, it has to be Readers’ Rewards whereby our readers can be editors for any channels of their choice.

Our programmers have worked long and hard, Gtalking fiercely over long distances, and we have developed a service that we hope our readers will like and spread the love. To help make the next generation Instablogs News Community better, we call upon beta testers to test drive the new Instablogs Community. Browse through the system. Look under every button, every link. Tell us what you think and how we can improve the overall experience.

P.S.: We will be sending first 200 beta testers invitation today.