This post is for you, fellow bloggers or bloggers-to-be.
It is going to be kind of long and rambling, but basically my blogging sensors are telling me this:
Blogging is changing.
And we need to learn how to deal with it if we want to succeed.
Profound? Probably not. Sorry. But, I’ll proceed anyway.
When I first started blogging four and a half years ago, it felt like a pretty small community where you just might actually get to know everyone in your niche. Of course, it wasn’t THAT small, but it certainly was MUCH smaller than it is now. And I’m sure the year or two before I started blogging, the world felt even smaller.
Award – 2007
A few years back, you would write from your heart and if you were decent at blogging you could still stand out in a sea of blogs. It was still really hard work, but if you were diligent, persistent and better than average at providing good content and building a community through blog comments, you probably could survive and succeed as a blogger.
Things seem a wee bit different now. It feels like everyone is getting in the game, which is great! But today, it seems blogging isn’t only about blogging well. It is evolving to be about the numbers you have all around the internet and how clever or persistent you are at getting those big numbers to drive big traffic back to your blog.
These days bloggers concern themselves with things we never even knew we would need to think about back in the day. Like, how many pins did your project get? And how many will you get if you are just a little bit more fancy with Photoshop or do a few more pinnable posts? How can you get the most Facebook likes or Twitter followers? Did you get any RT’s on twitter? How many people follow your images on Instagram or your pins on Pinterest? Do you have Klout and is it rising or falling? Should you go to a blogging conference? Which ones should we go to? Who got asked to speak where? Should we join a promo group to promote each other to the top of the game? What kind of camera do all the “successful bloggers” use?
It is kind of complicated (and sometimes expensive) to be considered a great blogger and online influencer. In fact, just thinking about it, my head *might* implode from the crazy endlessness of it all.
When is “enough” really “enough?” Don’t get me wrong, I adore blogging. I still LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I’m not against competition or numbers or the growth of the internet, those are good things.
But let’s just say I don’t really like to be pressured or even tempted to do more.
So how does one go about setting goals for blogging success these days?
There is power and reward in numbers and influence. But, should those markers of success be our real goal?
While I think having specific numerical goals is helpful and necessary at times, when I’m setting blogging goals I would rather think about what it is I’m really looking for. The underlying building blocks of a well-lived life. Things like more contentment at home. More peace. More joy. More meaning. Health. More family time. All that real LIFE stuff.
{this artwork with the fabulous message can be found via Home Grown Hospitality}
Can we achieve those ideal life goals while reaching higher numbers and more influence online? Sometimes, yes. It is possible to grow a blog, be happy and maintain sanity. But for a lot of people, more time on the internet and more numbers to watch means we end up feeling a wee bit more crazy and scattered. Not “more at peace.”
It is so easy to lose yourself and lose sight of your real goals because you are being pulled every which way online.
So, how do you focus your online energy and what is ENOUGH when it comes to setting blogging goals?
Do we have to choose between a successful LIFE and a successful BLOG? I think the answer for me lies somewhere between taking deliberate action to grow my blog business (which is important to me right now) and knowing when to say “enough” (which is VITAL for my overall long term health and success in life). I don’t always get that balance right, but I know it means I cannot do it all and do it all “well.” I have to make choices every day.
It comes down to being intentional. It actually always has. The times might change but the goals really don’t. Even “back in the day” being intentional was the key to feeling successful. Two extra hours on the internet each day or two more blog conferences across the country or two more DIY projects this month might bring me more followers, pins, likes, or more influence, but I might lose myself and distance my family in the process.
Being intentional about our real underlying goals at home and in life first, before we set our blogging goals, might keep us balanced enough as people to stay in the blogging game for the long haul. Four and a half years later, I’m still here so I haven’t gone too crazy yet! By first looking at the end result we want to achieve in life, it is easier to make choices about where to spend our time now. Today. This minute.
Otherwise, we might just head toward burn out or imploding heads. And no one wants that.
So bloggers, let’s talk about blogging with intention!
How do we pace ourselves?
If you are a blogger, would you share in the comments how long have you been blogging? What is your experience with the growing and changing nature of blogging? What advice or questions do you have for other bloggers, old-times or newbies?
What are the things that drive you crazy about trying to grow your blog while maintaining your sanity?
What are some ways you are intentional, set goals, and say “enough” when it comes to time spent on blogging and related blogging activities?
Awesome post and I really enjoyed reading other people’s take on it. I’ve been blogging for about 1 1/2 years. Just in that short time I’ve seen a change in blogging. More people just blogging for money. Period. Instead of loving writing, taking photos, etc and then finding money in it later on down the road. It’s almost like it’s the new Amway or Tupperware (no offence to Amway or Tupperware people, my Mom used to sell Tupperware).
I do find it hard to get noticed with all the other blogs out there. I do not want to post a wild, crazy, out of this world post just to get noticed, because I don’t feel that is being authentic. I do post on Twitter and Facebook, but really don’t have the time to do it all that well. So I guess that is where I say enough is enough. I can’t be on my computer all day and still be “present” in my life with my husband and son.
Such great points you make in this post. I’ve been blogging 5 1/2 years now and find it can be so easy to get sucked in to all the things I “should” be doing. Every other day there are list posts telling me to do x,y and z if I want to have a successful blog. The problem is if I did all those things my family life would definitely suffer and so I tune most of it out and dance to the beat of my own drum. Sure my blog hasn’t grown as fast as it probably could have but I’m okay with that. Sometimes I feel bad about certain things like when I can’t answer my email within a reasonable amount of time or comment on the many awesome posts I read (I’m the worst!). I’m still trying to figure out how to alleviate the guilt on that one.
The one other thing I do though that keeps me from getting in over my head is obsess about my stats. I rarely check them, maybe only once every 3 or 4 months so I can update my advertise page. What a world of difference it makes. It’s not productive for me and I don’t need the stress.
I also don’t participate on Twitter that much but I do enjoy Facebook.
Bottom line is everyone needs to do what’s right for them and not worry so much about doing it “all” but rather maybe pick 2 or 3 things to concentrate on and do those things really well.
Happy New Year!
Laura
Laura recently posted..52 Weeks: #52 Congratulations and Planning for the New Year
True, yes….do what you love or need to do and do it well. Then don’t obsess about everything else!! Good words!
Interesting post. I’ve been blogging 3 1/2 years. My previous blog, A New England Life, started out small. When I quit posting on it this fall I had advertising, and anywhere from 30-60 comments per post. It was to much. I felt overwhelmed.
Now I have my new blog which is much more personal and it feels like home. No advertising, just honest, fun photography. I don’t know how the more well known bloggers like yourself keep going day in and day out. But I say all the power to you! I love all the diversity. It’s like looking at magazines without buying a thing. Blogging has made me realize just how much women rock not to mention how damn smart they really are : )
Sharon recently posted..Joy
Wow, I thought I was the only who felt that way!! I’ve been blogging regularly since 2009, and I felt so great about it early on. I could keep up with comments and I felt like I was getting to know my audience. Now, there are soooo many blogs out there clamoring for attention, you have to shout (or link up to 56 blog parties) to be noticed. I don’t like that feeling. I wish everyone would just slow down a little bit and enjoy the community aspect. I want and need to grow my blog just as much as the next person, but I don’t want to do it at the expense of my sanity or my family’s well-being.
I’ve been blogging for 6 years now and watched my blog “audience” grow slowly but steadily. I even made some friends in the process. I started blogging as a way for people to get to “know” me in relation to my online quilt shop, but it wasn’t all about business. It was fun then, in the early days, but has increasingly become work and feels very competitive. I’ve discovered my own real life again as I backed away from the computer. I don’t get many comments any more and when I do, it’s from my steadfast “friends.” I don’t visit nearly as many blogs as I used to either, partly because I don’t want to spend my time that way, but also because a lot of them became way too “commercial” and I rarely leave comments. Unless you blog for a “job/living” I don’t think you should worry about stats. Just enjoy what you do and do it for yourself as if no one reads it. Relax, enjoy life, and have fun!
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Twitter: affordpassions
says:
Thank you, Melissa for this post. The timing is perfect for me!
I have been blogging since 2004 (although my earliest posts no longer appear in my blog). For most of the past 7 years, my blog has been about my hobby (cross-stitch); it’s only in the past year that I’ve started reading non-cross stitch blogs, and when I picked up a copy of “Artful Blogging” a few months back, I became hooked on all kinds of gorgeous blogs. I decided that I wanted to focus more on learning to take gorgeous pictures, and so decided to take a step back and re-focus. In the meantime, I’ve continued to read blogs for inspiration etc.
I’m not about the number of followers I have, or stats (I can’t remember the last time I looked at my stats!). I don’t advertise, and I’ve never linked up to any kind of party (I wouldn’t even know how to do it!), but what I’ve discovered in the past couple of months is that although I want to continue to blog, and grow my own blog, I’m not just going to mindless follow blogs, and comment for the sake of commenting. I’d rather feel connected to my readers. I stopped reading a number of blogs when I realized that although I was often the only person who commented on many blog posts, some authors couldn’t even take the time to acknowledge that I was commenting. I don’t want to turn into that kind of person.
I understand it when a blog is hugely popular, and receives tons of comments on a daily basis, but if you only receive one comment a day, how difficult is it to respond to that commenter? I don’t want to lose sight of why I’m blogging – because I enjoy the interaction with like minded women.
Here’s to a happy medium in blogging, and to a wonderful 2012!
I love the interaction too, it is hard sometimes to respond or comment to everyone and I certainly can’t do it all either, but when there is a back and forth discussion in the comments, that is what makes it fun!
Brazilliant reflection my friend, oh I could go on an on and on. I wish we were sitting over margaritas like we did in NY that night. Oh I think you’re so right, what starts as a hobby and hopefully a passion can quickly morph into a wierd competition where you choose to be online caught up in some numbers game rather than living your life and my favorite bloggers are the ones who do (and write about) the latter.
You really have to decide where you want to invest your time and then call it a day cause let’s face it: a year from now it won’t matter that you busted out one more project or post and killed yourself to photograph it perfectly. What WILL matter are those moments you chose to serve your family and keep your priorities focused on them.
amen sister, miss you,
Kate
Amen amen amen. Miss you too Kate!!!
Yes!
I am new to blogging (1st year greenhorn) and I Initially started after a little encouragement from my husband to carve out a little space for myself aside from my life as a stay at home mom.
I was really enjoying pouring myself into writing, sharing things I am passionate about, and participating in a few little linky parties here and there. I found my little Stat page and to my surprise, I had visitors. I built a bed and posted about it, linked up, and started getting a little attention.
That was when the monster was created. The drive to produce
more posts, more pictures, link up. Shift my focus; less talk, more tips… sponsors, giveaways, stats.
Needless to say, I am overwhelmed. This awesome thing I started has now become a source of stress.
So what did I do? I quit. I’m on hiatus till I can get my heart right.
I am now going through what I like to call the “Blog Guilt” phase. This is where I feel bad for all of the projects and events I have not posted since my absence from the blogosphere.
It is a total heart issue for me…I struggle with contentness daily in my personal life and I know that my heart is not aligned with God’s will when I get all wound up trying to force something that in all actuality wasn’t intended for that purpose anyway. If blogging isn’t blessing my family (whether that be time, energy, or mommy’s mental health, haha.) then I guess I don’t need it.
Love this post Melissa!! I am a newbie blogger, just at it for 10 months, in that time I have learned a lot! Mostly from so many wonderful professional bloggers like yourself. At first I blogged because I liked the community of so many talented women interested in the same things as me. One thing I never considered is the friendship and networking, and awesome ideas I would learn from so many like yourself! As of now I’m not getting caught up in the numbers, or business side of it, I have just decided to enjoy the ride……..
Noelle recently posted..Picture Perfect!
That is exactly how I got started and I think that is the best way to do it. If you want to evolve in time to more, you can. That is the beauty of blogging, you can carve your own path and do it YOUR way.
Another perfect example of why I love reading your blog! I have only been blogging a little over a year but read blogs for a year or so before that. I can see the changes you are talking about. Sometimes I feel the pressure and think I should be doing more or adding another feature to my blog or writing more frequently…but then I don’t think I would enjoy it as much. I get the most enjoyment out of reading other blogs and getting great ideas as much as I enjoy sharing my own. Where else can you share an obsession about decorating and home projects with people who as equally obsessed?!! But I agree with your observations and I really don’t know where blogging is heading. I guess the people who truly love it will keep doing it and the people who get into it for other reasons will get bored and move on to something else! Anyway, I love to read your opinions and have always enjoyed your blog! Best wishes for 2012!
-Shelley
Shelley recently posted..My Favorite Posts for 2011
I’ve been blogging since 2008 I believe and I do not blog for income. Mine is a sharing my life with extended family around the country and around the world, things I’m thinking about, learning,etc…
I have found a nice niche of friends online – I blog pretty regularly, and enjoy it but if I miss a day or two I don’t worry about it.
When something becomes a burden, it is time to reevaluate what your doing, and see if the Lord is in it!
Thanks for this post, Melissa. I’ve been following you for about 4 years now (I remember the brown background:);yours was the 1st blog I ever discovered and I have been inspired by you from day 1. From that very first post I read and then all the other blog discoveries I came across after your blog opened a new world to me, I have thought of starting my own blog. The one reason I have not in all those years was I am afraid it would consume me and take me away from my family and life obligations. And then, could I even measure up? Posts like this could just give me the resolve to go ahead and jump in (yes, I’m slow that way). But I guess you could call that intentional on my part. Anyways, thanks for all the ways you inspire, here and at incourage.
Thanks for your comment Faith, it was encouraging and I’m thrilled to hear you are considering blogging. I like to put the truth about what it is like out there so people know all sides of blogging, but knowing what you want out of it and what it will take is the best way to make an intentional decision to jump in and LOVE it like I do!!
What a wonderfully timely post, Melissa. As we head into the new year, I’ve thought about many of these very points. What do I want from my blog? How can I keep it fresh and interesting to not only my readers but (just as importantly)to me too? Do I really have the time to devote to the kind of blog changes I’d like to implement and maintain in the new year? My list goes on and on.
I’ve been blogging for four years (you were one of my first regular readers). You’re right the blogging population has exploded and I do think it’s harder now to continue to stand out in such a large, overwhelming crowd of lovely sites. My stats go up and down and I’ve learned not to be obsessive about the fluctuation-lol.
It’s great to see what you’re readers have shared on this topic because I think these are issues we all mull over.
Allow me to share with everyone a few things I employ in my blogging efforts:
1. Blog about the things you love and truly find interesting.
2. Pace yourself and focus on quality not quantity of posts.
3. Include large, colorful photos if possible. We’re highly visual creatures, aren’t we?
4. Inform or educate. I call this my “news you can use” approach to blog writing.
5. Have fun. Try incorporting new regular segments to make your blog more fun to write. This is something I’ll be working on more this year.
I don’t blog hop as much as I used to but it’s always a pleasure to pop by The Inspired Room to see what you’ve been up to. I love how you’ve transformed your blog over the years into an easy to navigate, inspirational, destination site.
Take care, happy blogging and Happy New Year, Melissa!
Lisa recently posted..That’s a Wrap
Excellent tips, Lisa!!! I love your blog and you do such a fabulous job at inspiring us through your creativity and posts!!! Happy new year!!!
I’ve been blogging under a year. For me it’s just a way to document things for my family for myself, like a new spin on a scrapbook. I really don’t care about numbers. Facebook and Pintrest are too much of distraction for me, but I understand the appeal. I’m just chugging along doin’ my own thing.
Pam recently posted..A Little of This a Little of…
As it should be! We should all be chugging along, doing our own thing. Whatever that thing is!! All the best to you in 2012!
I really enjoyed this post and it has made me sit back and think about what I want to achieve. I only started blogging 6 months ago and didn’t have much clue as to what I should be doing (still don’t really)! I read lots of other blogs stating what I should/shouldn’t do, how to make money etc etc which was not what I wanted to achieve. In 6 months I have picked up a handful followers and have had more page views then I thought I would. However, I haven’t had nearly as many followers as some blogs, and I was worried about this. I thought should I be doing what everyone else does, should I Tweet more, advertise etc? But your post has made me stand back form all this. I started blogging as a way to record things that have happened in my life such as travel, photography, DIY and baking. It’s a way for me to look back when I am old and see what I did (as I was always rubbish at keeping a diary). If the only people who are interested in this are some close friends and a few followers who tun into ‘e-friends’ then so be it! I’m happy with that. I’d rather have say 10 dedicated followers/friends who are interested in my thoughts and opinions than be forced into turning my blog into something I don’t want it to be. So thank you! Have a fab 2012!
Thank you for writing this. As we are at the beginning of a new year I have been thinking about ways to change my blog, make it more interesting, improve my photos and writing, but still keep it something that I am proud of. I don’t care about the numbers or the games. When I read other blogs that get too “commercial” I lose interest and will move on to other blogs. I care about the people and the story, not about the latest giveaway. I think your post speaks exactly to this.
Oh man, what a great post! First off, I love what you said about doing a few things, and doing them well, rather than trying to do all sorts of things and just doing a half way job. I started my blog the summer of 2010, right when I moved into a new house. I thought it would be all glossy and great as I got settled into my new house! Haha! Once I realized how much work blogging would actually take, I had to take a long break, to organize my real life, and once that was somewhat done, I redevoted myself to my blog. I LOVE blogging because it really does motivate me in so many ways to accomplish and create. But like others have said, once it becomes a burden, reevaluation must take place!
I started my blog in the Spring of 2011. Less than a year ago!
My husband and I started scouring thrift stores and CraigsList for furniture for our teen’s room makeover that she wanted. I wanted to document our furniture makeovers as we were complete newbies to it. I also am an avid crafter and thought I could share my hits and misses when creating new things. That was it.
I guess I thought in the beginning that if I could make a little money while showing the world what we do, all the better. Shortly afterward I realized that I didn’t want to be concerned with the whole numbers thing. Better to just share with the world what I thought was interesting and if no one was interested in what I had to say, that was fine.
Watching the whole stats thing on a regular basis can be stressful and who needs more stress in their lives?? Now if I check them, it’s just to see what cool places in the world I reach, not the number of people. I surf around on Pinterest occasionally, but not often. Don’t twitter, either.
A few months ago I started having some semi-serious health issues and I have dropped off the radar a bit. I still enjoy reading my favorite blogs and finding new ones to follow. I hope to get back into blogging and have even plan to attend Haven in June. Right now I am just doing what I can when I can. It’s too cold to refurbish any furniture (we don’t have a garage or basement) and the health issues had me in the dumps and not wanting to craft. I am determined that this new year will bring a change of attitude and a renewal in my desire to craft, thrift and blog!
Thanks so much for posting this!
Jenny
Jenny recently posted..Yummy Pumpkin Bars
I started blogging in May 2010~and found a whole new world of creative inspiration and fellowship among like minded women. I love blogging, and think that is the key thing for me. If I stop loving it, I will stop. When I first started it was hard not to watch my numbers grow..and want them to grow…but now it is a backburner issue. I just am writing about the stuff I love, and I am always amazed when people who aren’t bloggers send me emails telling me how much they love seeing a post from me. It feels good to connect with people who think and feel the same way. I kind of gave up twitter to some degree, as it felt more of a thing I had to do instead of loved to do, as in blogging. My klout was going up, but it felt more of a clique in twitter like in high school, where as in blogland it feels more like a kinship. So twitter is not a priority, even though all the different aspects of SM are recommended, for me, I am not going to worry about it. I do want to connect my blog to facebook and am a beginner in that department.
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I started my blog just over a year ago. I did it to work through my grief after the loss of our daughter. It pushed me to craft/sew/quilt. It brought me back to “life”. I love that family froup can keep up with me. I love that I can write what I have on my mind. Even my hubby says “I didn’t know that was in your head!”. And I love the documentation. I tried freelancing for a local magazine a few years back and hated the restrictions. The need to interview the companies that advertised instead of who I wanted. Instead of having to write what the editor wanted. When I stop loving blogging…I will stop. For now, I keep trucking!
Heidi recently posted..Hawaiian Quilt
Melissa, great post. This is the second blog I read today addressing the stresses of blogging (Hooked on Houses was the other one.) I appreciate you sharing. I am a newbie. I have only been blogging since November. I got into it because I decided to take the advice I give my kids, which is to follow your passion and do what you love. Well, I am passionate about interior design and I love to write! So here I am, just getting started. I don’t even know all the terminology thrown around in the blogosphere, struggle with web design, and am still rather clueless about getting people interested in reading my blog. Already I am being sucked into stressing out about my stats. After reading your post, I am taking a deep breath. Thank you!
Twitter: E2gather
says:
It does get so hard and weird and competitive. I have to remind myself monthly if not weekly the grass is always greener, then ask myself “why” did I start blogging in the first place. (I started in 2009) I do, do many of the social media things, but only when I have a minute, I don’t ever plan it out or preprogram my tweets or whatever. I have no adds on my blog…but I have to admit, it would be nice to make a little denaro at some point, money was not the reason I started blogging so I have to keep that in perspective.
I will say that I have had some pretty amazing adventures because of my blog, and met so many talented people. I have truly been blessed.
I do wish that I could get more comments. It’s encouraging when someone comments. One of my love languages is words of encouragement. So it makea sense that I would want to hear from my readers. But you can’t force that…at least I don’t want to force it.
I could go on and on and on, but I better stop. thanks for taking the time to write this post. I made me reflect on my “intentions”. And one of my goals this year was to be more intentional and focused about my blogging. This life isn’t all about ME. How can I use my blog to inspire, bless, and love on others. I like the word art you used and how it sayed at the end ps forgot to pray. I wonder how many bloggers pray before they blog? Many blessings to you this year Melissa! xoxox
Sheila recently posted..Jerk Chicken over Cilantro Lime Rice
Thank you, what a sweet and heart felt comment! I agree, the comments mean a lot. XO
Blogging worries me a bit. I started blogging in 2007 to share updates with my family and friends. I’ve grown a little, including my sewing successes (and failures), a few crafting pieces, some recipes, etc.
Today, I sit down to scroll through Google Reader and skip over so many blog posts because they just look too good to be real. I really don’t want to see an incredible, perfectly organized linen closet. I don’t care to see the color someone has repainted their living room for the 6th time. Everything just seems too perfect–and frankly, I’m not, so they intimidate me.
I don’t know where blogging is headed. However, I do know where my blog is headed: Simplicity and Realness. I will post pictures of the craziness, the chaos. I will share my feelings, whatever they are. I will post unflattering pictures of myself (within reason). Those are my blogging goals this year.
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