6 Steps To Getting Back Into The Blog Saddle
Every blogger is faced with situations that don’t allow them to publish as frequently as normal. Could be a slump. Maybe they’re too busy. Or…wait for it…they could be taking a vacation!
When there’s some planned time away from the computer lots of bloggers will set the publish date on stories in advance, so the stories go live automatically - but that’s not always the case.
My last post was Tuesday, February 27th - probably the longest gap ever. The reason: I was moving. A new house means lots and lots and lots of boxes. It took me 2 days to crawl out from under the boxes, let alone squeeze my arse out from behind the dryer that I had to install.
But I’m back! And along with a host of other major changes in my life (to be discussed soon, I promise) I’m hopping back into the blog saddle.
Thinking about the blog saddle a bit more, here are 6 steps to help:
- Read More. Now is a great time to catch up on some reading - be it your feeds, or, dare I say it, an actual book. I spent a few days reading some magazines and the newspaper, letting new ideas and thoughts percolate in the back of my head.
- Take Some More Time Off. Sounds strange - you’ve already been out of blogging for awhile - but take some more time off anyway. Don’t rush it. If you jump back in desperate to publish something the result won’t be as good as you want. So don’t panic; get back into the swing of things by taking just a little more time off to prepare.
- Think About a Series of Posts. While you’re taking just a little bit more time off you should think about writing a series of posts. A series is a great way to get back into things because you’re preparing a few posts in a row and thinking longer term. Instead of trying to get back on the saddle with just one post, you’re now thinking about a real story arc that can help re-build momentum.
- Write What You Always Wanted To But Never Did. Every blogger has a post or two in his/her mind that’s been sitting there for ages. Now is the time to finally spit it out. If you don’t, you might lose it and never find the right opportunity again. Maybe it’s a controversial post, or something a bit out of synch with what you normally write…that’s fine! Give it a shot. Grab your readers’ attention back quickly and suck ‘em in.
- Keep It Simple. No matter what you do, keep it simple. The worst thing you could do is blurt out a million different ideas in a hundred posts in a very fast period of time. You’ll overwhelm your audience. And as Darren Rowse points out in a recent survey he did, most people unsubscribe from a blog because of too many posts. Shock and awe isn’t really suited to blogging, especially when you first get back into it.
- Give Me Something Unique. Don’t come back into blogging with a link post, or something that might be considered “content filler.” Give me something unique, interesting, thought provoking, funny. Your first post back has to really resonate with people, who may already have forgotten you were there. Hey, people are fickle! So keep it simple but don’t be chintzy. (Granted, a post about how to get back into blogging might not be the most unique; so I may be breaking my own rule!)
Getting back into the blog saddle isn’t easy. You may be a bit unmotivated, distracted, tired, overwhelmed, bored…Even if you’re absolutely raring to go it’s not always obvious how to jump back in. Ultimately you just do it. You won’t be wholly judged on that first post, so don’t throw yourself into a frenzy about it. Write something, make it as good as you can, and plan the next few posts as quickly as possible. You don’t want to tease people with one post only to disappear right after.
The most important thing is to find your groove again, and as soon as possible. I know my groove is packed away in a box somewhere…if only I had labeled these boxes better! Kitchen, bathroom, dining room, blog groove…
Photo by Rexys Lightgarden.
Point number 2 is similar to a podcast I heard from Merlin Mann of 43Folders: honor thy energy. If the creative juices just aren't flowing, the energy just isn't there. Time for a break. Of course, if you have a deadline (as I do at the moment for an article I'm writing) you just don't have the luxury to “honor thy energy.” Ugh! Back to work.
The most successful media personalities take time off during the “non-ratings period” (I wonder when that is for new media) so why not the ever popular byosko? We knew you'd be back so don't sweat the small stuff.
You know what happens when you are in the saddle for too long ….. saddle rash! Yuk!
Great list, and I think this was a great comeback post. I was wondering where you were!
That's a hard one, but there truly is something to be said for having less/better content. There are some great blogs I subscribe to that only post once a month or so…
Point number 2 is similar to a podcast I heard from Merlin Mann of 43Folders: honor thy energy. If the creative juices just aren’t flowing, the energy just isn’t there. Time for a break. Of course, if you have a deadline (as I do at the moment for an article I’m writing) you just don’t have the luxury to “honor thy energy.” Ugh! Back to work.
Thanks sooooo much…I posted about 4 times today and thought it was too much…which is a HUGE reminder to get my other blog sites developed so I can go over there! Thanks
The most successful media personalities take time off during the “non-ratings period” (I wonder when that is for new media) so why not the ever popular byosko? We knew you’d be back so don’t sweat the small stuff.
You know what happens when you are in the saddle for too long ….. saddle rash! Yuk!
Great list, and I think this was a great comeback post. I was wondering where you were!
That’s a hard one, but there truly is something to be said for having less/better content. There are some great blogs I subscribe to that only post once a month or so…
It's good to see you back, Ben!
I've always been a great believer in quality over quatity whether one takes a break or not.
Whenever I take a break, I usually come back with slow and steady posts, gradually building up my momentum–spreading over a couple of weeks. Good for me and my readers.
Thanks sooooo much…I posted about 4 times today and thought it was too much…which is a HUGE reminder to get my other blog sites developed so I can go over there! Thanks
Thanks for all the feedback folks.
Saddle rash sounds unpleasant, so I think I'll avoid that…but I don't see myself taking too many more breaks here. In the future I'd probably plan out a series of posts and set the publish dates in the future so WordPress does it's magic without me even being around…
It’s good to see you back, Ben!
I’ve always been a great believer in quality over quatity whether one takes a break or not.
Whenever I take a break, I usually come back with slow and steady posts, gradually building up my momentum–spreading over a couple of weeks. Good for me and my readers.
Thanks for all the feedback folks.
Saddle rash sounds unpleasant, so I think I’ll avoid that…but I don’t see myself taking too many more breaks here. In the future I’d probably plan out a series of posts and set the publish dates in the future so WordPress does it’s magic without me even being around…
I have this problem sometimes (like right now). I heartily agree with your first item - read more. I've been knocking down books like crazy. I'd add a couple of suggestions:
7. Find a new source of inspiration. I try to add at least two or three new blogs to my feed reader each week. A new perspective from an unknown blogger (like me!) often starts the idea mill.
8. Keep a list of ideas. If you're feeling the itch to write but don't have anything to write about, you're not going to produce anything worthwhile. I keep list of ideas written down (in Backpack or Google Spreadsheets) for when I get the time and energy to put into a real piece.
Welcome back, Ben! Nice photo of you, BTW
Bah! I forgot to mention in the post — THAT'S NOT ME! *laugh*
I've been on a horse once, that was enough for me thank you very much.
I have this problem sometimes (like right now). I heartily agree with your first item - read more. I’ve been knocking down books like crazy. I’d add a couple of suggestions:
7. Find a new source of inspiration. I try to add at least two or three new blogs to my feed reader each week. A new perspective from an unknown blogger (like me!) often starts the idea mill.
8. Keep a list of ideas. If you’re feeling the itch to write but don’t have anything to write about, you’re not going to produce anything worthwhile. I keep list of ideas written down (in Backpack or Google Spreadsheets) for when I get the time and energy to put into a real piece.
Hiya Ben!
RE: “(Granted, a post about how to get back into blogging might not be the most unique; so I may be breaking my own rule!)”
Obviously we all wanted to read this because we can all relate in some way or other… and that was the whole spectrum of bloggers from experienced to… yeah, okay, whatever (not into self-condemnation these days). My point is that unique is not always what we want to read.
Pssst… rules are made to be broken! Glad you got your keyboard hooked back up! Move is a 4-letter word! Blech!
I just wish my saddle was a little bit better oiled and broken in! Enjoyed this. Thanks!
Welcome back, Ben! Nice photo of you, BTW
Bah! I forgot to mention in the post — THAT’S NOT ME! *laugh*
I’ve been on a horse once, that was enough for me thank you very much.
Hiya Ben!
RE: “(Granted, a post about how to get back into blogging might not be the most unique; so I may be breaking my own rule!)”
Obviously we all wanted to read this because we can all relate in some way or other… and that was the whole spectrum of bloggers from experienced to… yeah, okay, whatever (not into self-condemnation these days). My point is that unique is not always what we want to read.
Pssst… rules are made to be broken! Glad you got your keyboard hooked back up! Move is a 4-letter word! Blech!
I just wish my saddle was a little bit better oiled and broken in! Enjoyed this. Thanks!
Dude, teach me you ways.
Seriously
Naked Jonny - what do you want to know?
Maybe it's in the archives somewhere… *smile*
Dude, teach me you ways.
Seriously
Naked Jonny - what do you want to know?
Maybe it’s in the archives somewhere… *smile*
Im an entrepreneur like yourself and have just launched my first ever blog, Naked Business, which is basically taking a first hand look at building a company from scratch following myself and my business partner.
Business books are great and necessary and there is alot of them out there…a lot, but we wanted to get people involved in a real journey that hasn't been predetermined yet with real time lessons and risks.
Anyway the blogs up and running but with basically no one knowing about it. How on earth did you get to the top of “blogtopsites” in just 6 months.
Appreciate your interest btw.
Hey Naked Jonny,
Kudos for writing a blog about your entrepreneurial adventure. I think you'll find a lot of interest out there in that sort of content.
A few things you should look at / thing about:
* ABOUT page - it's got nothing on it.
* Who are you guys? People will want to know. If they don't know and can't know they won't care as much.
* Read copyblogger religiously on how to write better blog posts.
* Network online - start leaving comments on other blogs and connecting, like you've done here.
* Write more personal stuff but also give details. Your posts right now are very thin in both.
* Get rid of the calendar in the top - it's useless. Put pictures of you and your partner there with an explanation of what you're doing.
* Get rid of all standard WP things - like your blogroll *smile*
Hope that helps!
Cheers Ben, thanks for your time and advice, it helps alot. I will be looking to implement your suggestions as soon as possible. Keep up the good work on your blog, I will definately keep checking it out. If you fancy following our journey through Naked Business, any further advice you could give along the way would be greatly appreciated and who knows, you might be able to use us as an example in one of your future blogs.
All the best
Im an entrepreneur like yourself and have just launched my first ever blog, Naked Business, which is basically taking a first hand look at building a company from scratch following myself and my business partner.
Business books are great and necessary and there is alot of them out there…a lot, but we wanted to get people involved in a real journey that hasn’t been predetermined yet with real time lessons and risks.
Anyway the blogs up and running but with basically no one knowing about it. How on earth did you get to the top of “blogtopsites” in just 6 months.
Appreciate your interest btw.
Hey Naked Jonny,
Kudos for writing a blog about your entrepreneurial adventure. I think you’ll find a lot of interest out there in that sort of content.
A few things you should look at / thing about:
* ABOUT page - it’s got nothing on it.
* Who are you guys? People will want to know. If they don’t know and can’t know they won’t care as much.
* Read copyblogger religiously on how to write better blog posts.
* Network online - start leaving comments on other blogs and connecting, like you’ve done here.
* Write more personal stuff but also give details. Your posts right now are very thin in both.
* Get rid of the calendar in the top - it’s useless. Put pictures of you and your partner there with an explanation of what you’re doing.
* Get rid of all standard WP things - like your blogroll *smile*
Hope that helps!
Cheers Ben, thanks for your time and advice, it helps alot. I will be looking to implement your suggestions as soon as possible. Keep up the good work on your blog, I will definately keep checking it out. If you fancy following our journey through Naked Business, any further advice you could give along the way would be greatly appreciated and who knows, you might be able to use us as an example in one of your future blogs.
All the best
I saw the word saddle and was instantly intrigued being a horsewoman myself
I have found that unplanned (or planned for that matter) breaks in the action , actually further the action; slow down to go faster.
An unplanned encounter with a sheet of ice 3 weeks ago while running forced and unplanned (and cranky i might add) absence from riding. I've found that with the return to it, a gratitude, energy, new focus … different arena, same theme.
GP in montana
I saw the word saddle and was instantly intrigued being a horsewoman myself
I have found that unplanned (or planned for that matter) breaks in the action , actually further the action; slow down to go faster.
An unplanned encounter with a sheet of ice 3 weeks ago while running forced and unplanned (and cranky i might add) absence from riding. I’ve found that with the return to it, a gratitude, energy, new focus … different arena, same theme.
GP in montana
[...] I sold $480 dollars of link ads, so I feel kinda like I better get my butt back in the saddle and start making those advertisers some [...]
Great post!
I think writers block is probably the biggest thing that is on a bloggers mind, even beyond site maintenance and “how to make extra cash off of your blog”.
New and creative content is the only thing that separates blogs out.
I've blogged a little here and there, but never could get anywhere with it. I'm hoping your ideas will actually get my site somewhere.
Great post!
I think writers block is probably the biggest thing that is on a bloggers mind, even beyond site maintenance and “how to make extra cash off of your blog”.
New and creative content is the only thing that separates blogs out.
I’ve blogged a little here and there, but never could get anywhere with it. I’m hoping your ideas will actually get my site somewhere.
Dave - Good luck with it. Original, quality content is definitely key. You can't really get around that, even with all the social media marketing in the world…
Dave - Good luck with it. Original, quality content is definitely key. You can’t really get around that, even with all the social media marketing in the world…