My guest post today comes from Jessica, author of the blog Four Plus an Angel. She’s sharing some sage advice on maintaining a blog AND a life outside of the blogosphere before reaching blog burnout. I know veteran bloggers will easily relate to this and the ideas presented here are also imperative for newbies.
We were driving home from a long weekend away with the kids when I decided I would quit.
I unplugged for four days and felt great. My eyes were not strained from staring at the computer screen for hours or keeping up with a twitter stream. I felt connected to my kids and confident that I had truly enjoyed our trip rather than worrying about my next blog post or my current stats.
As we got closer to home I daydreamed about what I would do with all of my free time now that I would not have to post nightly and blog-read every free moment.
But then I got home. And I checked my Twitter stream. And I missed my friends and wondered what they had all been writing about while I was gone.
Maybe I wouldn’t quit after all, but I would have to make some significant changes if I was going to continue. I tend to be an “all or nothing” type person so I would have to adjust my blogging attitude and reprioritize in order to avoid burning out.
I made a few immediate changes:
1. I stopped blogging so frequently. In the past I would blog 5-6 days a week. Now I blog 3 days a week and ONLY when I have something to say. If I am not inspired to write I don’t. I can honestly say that this has improved the content of my posts and increased my readership and comments. Best of all, I am not spending every weeknight staring at my computer screen for blogging inspiration.
2. I dedicated time to learning new social media tools. I invested time learning Stumbleupon, Pinterest and improving my Facebook page. I also started using Crowdbooster to effectively target my social media interaction. Utilizing these tools has helped me to network, strengthen my social media relationships and also increase my readership.
3. I give 100% to what I am doing. If I am playing with my kids I no longer check Twitter at every pause in the action and I leave my phone in another room when I am getting things done around the house. I don’t spend my day trying to find five minutes to write, I write when I have a chunk of time to do it. My mommy-guilt has decreased and I genuinely enjoy the things I am doing much more (except for maybe the laundry).
I can honestly say I am pleasantly surprised by how these changes have improved my blogging life. My stats have maintained what they were when I was blogging five or six days a week, I feel more connected to my readers and blogging friends and I even cook dinner every once in a while.
What are some ideas that have worked for you when you found yourself at a blogging crossroads?
Twitter: JackieCross
says:
I’ve felt the same way… going to quit and then I look at my twitter or reader and realize I miss everyone and want to know what they’ve all been up to.
I love your ideas! I started posting 3 – 4 days a week and never on the weekends.
Weekends are a time when I disconnect. I’ll occasionally check twitter but that’s about it. I use that time for my family.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Ever since I started doing 3 days a week I have wondered why I didn’t do it MUCH sooner. So nice, isn’t it?
Great tips! I usually post three times a week, but lately that hasn’t been possible because there hasn’t been much I’ve wanted to write about. So, now I post when I truly have something to share. I avoid posting on the weekends. And, I’m definitely working on giving everything I do 100%. That is really important.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
So important to post only when you have something to say, I think our readers appreciate quality much more than quantity!
Twitter: GalitBreen
says:
EXCELLENT advice Jessica and so, so very relatable! Excellent seeing you here, friend!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Thanks for visiting my friend
.
Twitter: JerseyShoreFams
says:
These are EXCELLENT tips! I am going to check out some of the social media pages you recommended. My FB page could use a lil sprucing, and I recently got interested in stumbleupon. Need to see how these work in the scope of social media!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I finally created a welcome page for my fb page and am really happy with it. Makes me feel a little more official
. I used Shortstack incase you are looking for something easy.
Twitter: ByWordsMusings
says:
What a great post Jessica, and you maintain a fabulous rapport with your readers still while keeping a busy family together. Balance is an elusive goal some days … you sound like you have worked it out!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I’m glad to hear I am maintaining a good rapport, it is always hard to know if I am doing enough.
Twitter: bellebeandog
says:
Yes! Yes, yes, YES!!!
Less is more is the *only* way to survive at this bloggy thing long term. I think we all have that moment where we realize we can’t post every day and return every single visit, and cut back.
I have also reconnected with my long lost love – HGTV.
I love this because it means that Jessica is around to stay.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Yay for sticking around and YOU taught me so much about posting less. Definitely worth it.
Twitter: shellthings
says:
Fabulous post, Jessica!
I’ve had to step away some, too. It really helped me to feel a little more balanced.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
It has been nice to not feel like I HAVE to be on the computer every day.
Twitter: allfookeduptoo
says:
I can’t imagine the pressure of trying to think of what to say. I write in bunches. And mostly in the morning. I never post on weekends.
When it becomes too much, make a change. I just did by adding a guest post.
Great advice. I don’t know how you peeps with little kids do it.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Adding a guest post is great, I love having a day where I feature someone. Brings in new readers and gives me a chance to take a little break.
Twitter: vinobaby1
says:
The burnout feeling stinks. I’m kind of there now (yet here I am online). Thanks for the great tips–I’ve never heard of Crowdbooster and I shall have to check it out. Pinterest is totally my new addictive time stealer though.
Cheers.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Pinterest is the best and makes me feel like I’m investing my time well because I can actually use the stuff I’m pinning. Are we following each other there? I hope so.
Twitter: sarahnewk
says:
Awesome advice! I stepped back from blogging a few months ago and really evaluated what I was doing and why. Now that I’ve started blogging again (on my own, not for someone else like I was doing for 2 years prior) I get real enjoyment out of everything I post. And that is the key, I think, to making a blog successful.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Totally agree, I feel like I am putting more effort into each post now and I think readers see that too.
Twitter: themommyologist
says:
This is such a wonderful post with GREAT advice for bloggers. I have been there so many times…on the verge of burnout. I couldn’t agree more with what you said…you have to re-prioritize and realize that as soon as your blog starts weighing you down, it is time to take a step back. There are some weeks I post three times, others where I only post once. I do what I can when I can, and I don’t get caught up in the numbers, etc.
Great reminder that it is OKAY to have a life outside of your computer!
Twitter: ThetaMom
says:
AMEN girl!!!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I’m still working on not getting caught up in the numbers. So hard not to worry when my stats fall.
So true.
I post 3 x a week now.
And then I really want to do it.
When you even feel like you dont’ want to, that’s a sign to step away.
Good advice.
I’d never quit:I love it too much.
Never quit. Blogging changed my life.
What do you know about crowdbooster??
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Crowdbooster is great, all you do is register for an account and it will tell you when your tweets are most effective. It gives you a weekly report of how many people your tweets reached and tells you exactly when to schedule tweets that will reach the most readers. Love it!!
Twitter: mamamarchand
says:
I especially LOVE that last point about decreasing mommy guilt and writing when you have time to devote to it.
Thanks for this guest post!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Posting less has absolutely helped with the mommy guilt. Glad you liked the post!
Twitter: angelaamman
says:
Thanks for sharing these posts Jessica! I am nowhere near “veteran blogger” status, but I can feel the struggle of a 5-6 post a week schedule beginning to catch up. I am trying to slow it down
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
It is worth it for the long run to slow down and we all want you to be here for the long run Angela!
Twitter: angelaamman
says:
That makes me happy
I want to be here for the long run, too!
Twitter: smhmama
says:
Thank you! I was feeling the same way and pretty started doing the same thing you are saying, but was a little intimidated since I am a bit new. It feels good to hear something like this from some one who has been doing it longer. I work full time outside of the home and I am studying for some technology certifications so to say the least I am busy and tired, and starting to feel like things were getting too much for me. After reading this, I feel much better about my decision to cut back.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
So glad! It’s all about finding balance.
Twitter: AccustomedChaos
says:
i think i am in the middle of a blog-burnout. I am committed to getting through it though. Thanks for these great suggestions.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
You will get through it, just take a step back, remember why you started and thinking about what you need to do to keep going. You need to keep going because we all need to read what you write!
Twitter: csiracusa
says:
I think I really need to commit to number 3. I often find myself off on a mental tangent. It gets in the way of life. And leaving the phone alone. Must do, for me.
It helps to hear that you’ve maintained…or even improved…your stats, etc while making these healthy changes.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I was surprised but my stats maintained. I think because I was able to write better content and also actually read more blogs because I was spending less time writing and promoting my own posts.
Twitter: _MamaJules_
says:
This is great advice! I’ve learned it’s about quality, not quantity. If I don’t have something to say, I don’t blog.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Perfectly said Evonne.
Twitter: MamaWantsThis
says:
I really needed to read this Jessica, so thank you for sharing. I’ve been teetering on the verge of burnout and the first thing I’ve done is step away from Twitter. I still post 5x a week, but because I genuinely enjoy writing and have something to say. I think I might have over-committed on guest posts because I don’t know how to say no
so that’s something I need to keep in check too.
It’s a work-in-progress to get somewhere comfortable in this bloggy life!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I don’t know how you do it. You seem to keep up with so much writing and reading. Stepping away from twitter has definitely helped me.
Thanks so much for sharing Jess. I love these. What wonderful advice. My problem is I never really have anything to say just lots of pictures to share. ha ha.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
And your pictures are amazing and well worth sharing, I don’t know how you pick just a few.
Twitter: periwinklepapi
says:
You so have your head on straight girl. Thank you for this post!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I’m glad it looks that way
.
Twitter: notmommyofyear
says:
You’re so smart! I need this reminder once in a while. The don’t say anything if you don’t have something good to say one – that’s the one I need reminded of the most.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I think I learned that one the hard way, it is sort of like delivering a bad joke to an audience that doesn’t laugh.
Twitter: JohannaGarth
says:
Great advice! I backed down to three times week for the summer and I liked it so much I think I’m going to stick with it for the school year. So much easier and less stressful.
Twitter: jdaniel4smom
says:
What a difference these things make! I need to do them more often.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
This is a great post, very helpful.
I’m new to the blogger and twitterworld and I’m loving every minute of it.
But with a busy family it can be a bit much.
Thanks for the reminder to stay balanced.
Twitter: marta28
says:
I’ve never been one to write that many posts in a week (unless I had a super lot to say) but I’ve definitely noticed that people who write multiple times even a day their content tends to be pretty flat. Plus, its so hard to keep up as a reader!
Twitter: L8enough
says:
This post is so timely. Thanks!
Twitter: PiecesofaMom
says:
As with anything in life, there has to be some sort of balance. It’s very easy to get sucked into the world of blogging. Writing posts, visiting and commenting on other blogs, tweeting, Facebooking, and those are just the tip of the iceberg. Add Pinterest into the mix, and forget about it. There goes my day!
I’ve recently tried time-blocking. Once the block of time is up, I must move on to the next item/block on my list. It really has helped me to stay focused. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in email for hours and Pinterest for an entire day.
And weekends? Well, they are made for my family unless there’s an event. No blogging. Rarely do I tweet on Sat or Sun. I save those days to recharge so I can hit the ground running on Monday.
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
I need to work on blocking off time too, I’m not good at doing that. Seems like all of my tasks run into each other and I just do whatever must be done next.
Twitter: JameeTMiller
says:
You don’t know how much I needed to read this today!!!! I feel like I am really teetering on that edge of burnout! Thank you SO much for sharing!
I’m a stay at home wife, retired, empty nester. I do my blogging during the day as if it were a job, then I stay away from it evenings. I used to stay up late to write a post for the following day and past midnite so I could post it then. Now I just post it whenever.
This has allowed me to spend time with my husband in the evenings when he is home from the office. Makes for a healthier ‘Us’.
Twitter: ITSMoments
says:
Sigh.
I really needed this post.
I’ve been completely burned out lately and have felt tempted to just walk away from it all.
I’m in the process of making some changes so I won’t have to.
Thank you for this!
Twitter: fourplusanangel
says:
Oh Nichole you can’t go anywhere! I hope that you make changes that work for you and your family and can stick around for good.
Twitter: DHousemommy
says:
Yes. Yes. And yes. Couldn’t agree more.
Something else that has helped me is coming to terms with the fact that I need to be a “seasonal” blogger. That is, when my cherubs are out of school for the summer, I take advantage of the fleeting time with them and back waaaaay off on the blogging gig…usually posting just once a week. When they go back to school, I return to my blog with renewed energy. Win-win.
Twitter: babspinfrance
says:
What a great post. I remember feeling the same after I unplugged for a while. I love the post about not posting if you have nothing to say. I think that would really make a difference.
How timely. At least for me that is. As you know, I’m forcing myself to take a break right now so that I don’t get burned out. But obviously, that hasn’t stopped me from reading.
But I’ll tell you this, I’m getting a little tired of Facebook and still haven’t “felt” the Twitter thing even though you tried to help. And now I’m thinking, why am I even publicly blogging? Do you ever struggle with this one?
Your Friend, m.
Twitter: mamatrack
says:
Such great tips! I think I’m heading in this direction too. Well, I don’t think I’ll have a choice when the baby comes in late November anyway. But being constantly plugged in can be really exhausting.
Thanks, Jessica!
Twitter: myparentingcoac
says:
Excellent advice for bloggers and non-bloggers alike! Thanks for telling me about crowdbooster!
Twitter: IHaveLanded
says:
This is great advice – thank you. Scaling back has helped me tremendously. I feel less guilty for not writing and when I do get the chance to, I don’t feel like I’m taking that time away from my kids. Of course I miss being on a regular schedule but we do what we have to do to keep our sanity.
BTW, I LOVE Pinterest!
Twitter: MultitaskMumma
says:
Great advice jessica!! I totally agree and have cut back myself
Twitter: CourtneyKirklnd
says:
Fantastic post! I think that the biggest problem I have is the trying to post 5 or 6 days a week. I’m working on cutting back and scheduling more posts. I just get too excited about a new post and hit “publish” sooner than I should.
Twitter: HStayingAfloat
says:
I LOVE Jessica, she always gives such wonderful advice!
I think I’m going to print out these three points and hang them on my wall. I’m doing them now, but I don’t want to get too caught up in all things bloggy that I forget down the road!
Twitter: NaynaDub
says:
This is a great post because burnout can happen so easily! I unplugged for 10 days this summer and I loved it! Well, I still tweeted but just had guest posts at my blog. I couldn’t agree more with #2 – I’ve started posting less as well and it has worked out so much better!
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Yes!!! I wanted to quit recently too but then realized that I really do miss all of you. I am also an ‘all or nothing’ type of person so I really had to learn how to step back a bit. I have to check into Crowdbooster though. I haven’t heard of that yet.
Twitter: staceysmoments
says:
Such a great article. I find that I am often the only one putting pressure on myself to publish content. So if I don’t feel it, I don’t do it! Great advice!
Twitter: lucilleinthesky
says:
I got burnt out once upon a time and stopped blogging for a few months. I think it happens to all of us. Yet the community is addictive…and we usually come back for more. Once a blogger always a blogger. I’m glad you didn’t quit, Jessica, because I just found you!
Twitter: anoptimisticmom
says:
Thanks for the info. I just recently experienced overload!! When the words on the computer screen were blurry, I knew it was time to walk away from the laptop. I started taking the weekends off and it has helped. I am also trying to limit my time online doing blog stuff. It is nice to know that veterans have experienced burnout and managed to get back on track without totally going crazy.
Twitter: katefineske
says:
Twice a week foe me. And really only once a week per blog since I post Tuesday evening for my personal blog and Thursday morning for the non-profit organization I blog for. Sometimes I ge t frustrated with this – as I read other bloggers who post sometimes 5-7 days a week. Should I post more??? Probably. Will I post more??? Probably not. Because this is the balance between quality writing and family time that works for me.
And I have to say, I really like reading blogs that only post 2-4 times a week… Because I feel I can keep up with them SO much better.
I’m so glad your staying around Jessica. I really ejoy reading your posts
Twitter: nikidabel
says:
I need to make these changes. I went weeks without checking twitter and didn’t really miss it. I need to figure out what works for me.
Twitter: runnermomjen
says:
Congrats on your Theta Day, Jessica!! Great advice!! And now I’m going to have to check out Crowdbooster…never heard of it.
Twitter: MakingLemonade1
says:
#3 is SO important. I’m making that my goal for October. I enjoy life so much more when I’m living it, and am less stressed to boot. Thanks for the reminder.
This is great, thanks for this! I get blogger burn-out all the time. It’s been almost five years that I’ve been blogging, and I love it still as much today as I did when I first started. I get upset sometimes (okay, always) when comments are low, which they have been lately. It bums me out and makes me question myself or my blog posts. I also wonder if I should change my look, switch to WordPress, etc… too much to think about, always! I find it hard to find time to blog lately, too – kids come first and I can’t blog when they’re with me/awake!