5 Ways To Save Your Blog’s Life
You are not Jessica Biel.
If you read the comments on my last blog entry, you’ll see a comment from a regular visitor, Steven, saying that the blog is dying. That’s because ScrawlBug is going through the period that hits every blog after a few months: lack of regular posts. It’s the thing that kills the majority of blogs. The question is how to stop it.
Some blogs die because traffic is too low and it doesn’t seem worth the effort to keep going. Some die because their content sucks. Some die because their author loses interest. Some die because life becomes difficult and takes away the writer’s time.
But how to keep going? How to resist those times? The key is to identify why it’s happening. Only then can you figure out a way to keep going.
There are five main reasons for most slow-downs:
1. Originality
The first piece of advice anyone will give you for successful blogging is to post original content. There are two ways of looking at the word “original”, though: as something no one else has done or as something in your own words. All those advice sites are talking about the latter – content created with your own voice, with phrases built as a result of the little neurons in your head firing and forming pathways unique to your grey matter. Of course, the former – more accurately “unique content” – is extremely rare.
What to do? Give up on being the next Oscar Wilde. Throw away the Shakespearian frilly shirt. Stop doing your hair like Einstein. Re-wire your brain and convince it that writing yet another post on “getting through the period when you’re not motivated” is alright. Oh, hang on… that’s what I’m doing!
2. Worries
Life is full of pressure. We all have responsibilities. Money troubles, family emergencies at the worst moment, companies screwing you out of your pay, eviction looming – no matter who you are, life will hand you a whole sack-load of things to deal with, just when you need it least.
So what? No one gives a damn. They have no understanding of what your life is really like. They see it through the distorted lens of your online presence and – unless you’re blogging about the minutiae of your day – that has nothing to do with your writing. They just want to read a regular blog entry.
What to do? This is where having a few blog posts lined up in draft mode really helps. Evergreen content that you can splatter on your site at any time, to hide the fact that you’re sitting in a darkened room, weeping into a soggy Kleenex as the bailiffs hammer on your front door. (Actually, eviction would make for a really good post, come to think of it.)
3. Creativity
All the famous bloggers are really creative, right? They come up with funky new thoughts all the time, right? They never, ever post anything boring or mundane, right? Wrong.
The myth of creativity being the driving force behind all the good blogs is utter crap, in my opinion. It helps hugely, of course, and without it you’re pretty much lost, but it’s just not possible to be creative all the time. Nobody can do it. Look at all the awful films by great directors, terrible books by wonderful authors and truly “WTF?” moments in the lives of artists.
What to do? Every blog has a dull grey post or three. That’s why the successful ones hire people to find interesting content or have guest writers. Feeling as imaginative as an accountant? Post an amusing photo or get someone else to do your job for a day. Go drink beer in the sun, watch Star Wars again and enjoy yourself.
4. Fatigue
Speaking of enjoying yourself, a lot of people forget how important it is to take a break. Of course, blogging is supposed to be fun, but when you’re faced with the Everest-sized¹ problem of trying to find motivation to type, it can be a pain in the proverbial body part. Posts become dull and formulaic, links become sparse, humour disappears… all signs that the fun has turned to a grind.
What to do? Take a break. Everyone needs a bit of “me” time to enjoy life and do pointless, stupid things. Watch a film, read a book, walk on the beach, smell a flower, throw twigs at the squirrels², feed the birds, paint your face (or someone else’s) – it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it makes you laugh. All work and no play makes Jack psychotic.
5. ROI
Low traffic and snarky comments can kill the most interesting blog. Everyone wants some kind of return on the time they invest in their site, however that is measured. It may be money or ad hits. It may be fame. It may just be a smile or a positive comment from a reader. Whatever it is, getting a return is important and, when it doesn’t happen, many a blogger gives up.
Thing is, few people really care about you or your site. There will be a few regulars who would miss it, but the majority of the world’s population really wouldn’t notice if you turned into a giant platypus tomorrow. At least not until they heard about it on CNN.
What to do? Wake up and smell the decaffeinated double latté. You ain’t Alyssa Milano³, Jessica Biel, Bill Gates or Seth Godin and, until you’re famous, no one will give two dog poops about you. On the other hand, your regulars will miss you if you’re gone. Perhaps it’s time to double-check why you’re blogging and realise that the returns are there.
So… now I just need to take my own advice! Any other tips from the folks out there in blogger-land?
¹ The mountain, not the double-glazing company.
² Make sure you miss. I’m an animal-lover, after all.
³ Who is, by the way, a really interesting Tweeter and seems incredibly normal for someone so darned famous.
God forbid if you suddenly become Jessica Biel. LOL. Or Seth Godin.
My advice is come as you are – be your quirky self and keep showing up.
It’s odd how we sometimes think the big shots have it easy. We get to see the trappings of success, but what’s not so apparent is the crazy, lonely hours these successful guys pour into their work. There’s not magic at all, is there? No magic bullet.
Just put in the time. And have fun with your work even the going makes you cry. And let loose the dog on the pesky landlord. “,)
Spike,
Good advice, delivered in your usual style (which I love). Blogs do die. I’ve seen some just disappear that I thought would be around for quite a while. The only thing I can figure is that life must be happening to them.
Thanks for the motivation and the good tips.
George
If you turn into Jessica Biel… can I make love to you?
Something that Deb said awhile back stuck in my head. She said that she does something to the effect of keep a spreadsheet that contained links to interesting on-topic articles that other people write. She also keeps lists and updates them from time to time.
One thing that helped me a lot with my blog is when Marc Emery, aka Canada’s Prince of Pot, commented on my blog. He’s a celebrity of a sorts, so it really perked me up. Also, from time to time, I do some Google searches and see my blog in the top entries. That’s pretty cool, too.
I use my blog to get thoughts out of my head and to put them down. Sometimes, people comment, and that’s pretty cool, too.
Today I posted my 101st article since starting the blog. I have ‘made’ about $1.89 in AdSense since starting from 13 clicks on 1,659 page impressions. That means I have made roughly 2 cents per article. Well, the expression sure fits… I give my two cents to cyberworld, and cyberworld gives it back. At this rate, in about 4 or 5 years, I’ll get $10 from Google. So, at this point I’m doing it for fun and for getting stuff out. I’m OK with that. Your blog is quite a bit more popular than mine – so I hope you won’t give up on it. I’m glad my comment earlier today has prodded you to give your blog a bit more attention. That was my intent.
Steven’s first point is a really good one, it is something that you and I learned from Darren on the 31DBBB course.
First, do a mind map and free thinking on a point subject, repeat and expand.
Second, group them into what might be really neat series for posts.
Third, pop them on and editorial calendar for future reference. (spreadsheet or old napkin will do.)
And if you are like me, mostly ignore it but repeatedly come back to it for inspiration.
Funny thing is; your brain chews on the titles without you realising it and when you come back, some of them fair leap from the screen yelling “Write me, write me.”
One problem with an overactive brain is that some of them can become so inflated with possible content and so demanding that they become a project of their own, and on that subject I will say no more.
Two other things I am keeping on my reserve shelf are;
Small question posts that puts out opposing views and demands reader response. Maria Schneider uses these a lot, but she has a huge following.
Write about a personal hero, next time I’m stuck I’m going to write about one of two guys, either George Angus or a Brit called Spike Wyatt.
Chat later Mr. Lobster.
Well, if this is death, I’m enjoying the throes. I would care if you turned into a giant platypus. There; I’ve said it. Can’t get more supportive than that!
After Star Wars, I’d watch Dark Star. It’s a hoot.
Adsense is utter utter utter crap. There; I’ve said that too.
Chin up, Squadron Leader. Let’s see who among us can fly ‘neath yonder rail bridge in our Sopwiths! Best regards, P.
Please don’t die, I’ve only just discovered you…
Looking forward to reading more!
Joanna
http://workincolour.com.au
One of my blogs is in danger of carking it because I can’t log into it. It is frustrating, that’s for sure. I forgot my password, applied for a new password, tried it and couldn’t get in. I repeated the procedure several times, emailed for help from the site but I haven’t heard a thing.
So, I can’t do new posts, can’t comment on anyone else’s blogs, nothing! I say, come on Orble, help me here!
I can think of one more way to keep a blog going when you go dry: offer 50 articles for $50 on the net and use one of them on the bad days (edited and perhaps rewritten, of course).
>no matter who you are, life will hand you a whole sack-load of things to deal with, just when you need it least.
Good friend of mine has a great saying. The patient can’t make it if the ambulance driver is sick.
Sorry Steven, I think you’re the one who needs to manage his expectations. I ain’t seen me no elephants fly. I ain’t even seen me a writer’s advance. Shortsighted and late to the party perhaps, however I’m pretty sure none of us have ever seen a fucking PayPal symbol on Spike’s site. Guy’s putting it out there with nowt but a Donate button and a genuine heart on his sleeve; forgive the vitriol and a fondness for semi-colon’s but how badly did you need the point-scoring?
I grant you, aside from managing two companies, I need to get out more. I don’t share all of Spike’s viewpoints yet I find myself pondering, contemplating his rants, whimsy and incisiveness for days, sufficient duration to last me until inspiration finds Spike receptive, he lines up a gem from atop his reserve shelving or one of us pique’s or pokes his interest.
Trainspotting: Sickboy’s Boddhisattva musing – everyone has a time when they’ve ‘got it’ and when they’ve ‘lost it’. I previously chipped in from the sideline hereabouts, apropos obsession clouding creative flow. McCartney once rationalised his Symphony: “everyone’s entitled to a bummer now and then”. Damn, if this is your bummer Spike, I gotta stick around and see the good stuff.
To my mind, the absence of conveyor belt production and the sure knowledge whatever karma has sought to ripen in one’s life at any given juncture will lend to the piece a depth, an energy and a poignancy no amount of regular bowel or blog movement can hope to match. We all need a pause bar in the stave of life.
I’m not sure I go with your assertion that no-one gives a damn, Spike. Leastways, not in these parts. If they don’t appreciate the uncertainty, human frailties, the simple aching honesty of Jan’s “come as you are”, the door’s up yonder there, yep, top right, the red square with the white cross (Is that democratic iconoclastic socialism?!)
Hey, Mr ambulance driver? Hang in there…
@Michael – I got my goal, which was to get Spike to write another post. Losing an audience that takes months to build due to inactivity can dishearten mightily. I couldn’t quite understand all your lingo, but the only thing I care about in regards to this blog is seeing Spike succeed and to see how he did it – keep track of the mistakes, missteps, moments of “a ha!”, and achievements. I’m living vicariously through him, so I have a vested interest to see him continue with this effort of his. If you want to say he doesn’t owe me anything, you’re right. But he does owe it to himself.
Most of the really successful freelance writers out there seem to say that it takes about a year before they really get traction in their careers. I think if he picked up on his posts he could develop a stronger community. If he drops his numbers he could also lose it. Right now he has about 5 regular contributers to his site. That’s a good start. I don’t have a community following me, so maybe I don’t have the right to say what I did. But I said it because I care. If this was a crap blog, and Spike just a boob, I wouldn’t have said anything.
Steven: I appreciate the tone of your response, thanks for being up for a debate. Grounds for continuing my counter though
You appear to define blogger ‘success’ as community numbers proportional to post quality, driven by post frequency. Valid argument in some respects but IMHO a narrow one. Ah, the definitions chestnut…
Business hat department: at the risk of repeating myself (for viewers watching in black & white, a read of my post on Spike’s marketing diatribe may aid re-tuning to technicolour here) – what the hell, paraphrase will do – one may be the greatest craftsperson on the planet, but without the capacity or interest to sell, nor indeed the means to pay another to do it on one’s behalf, a business one cannot make. Now, Spike knows, deep down inside of that marvellous shell, what one takes against, is in denial of even, is usually where the gold lies. Canny Yorkshire folk gave the world – and they don’t give much – a pearl: muck n’ brass, lad. Yeah I know I’m indulging; Taurus, sue me. Plainly restated, promotion of this site via conventional and digital marketing leads to greater numbers, not metronomic productive output by its lonesome. Keeping ‘em coming back for more does indeed depend on the quality of our host’s writing, but that’s a given: Spike’s snagged George and Jan and that’s ’nuff respect in this ‘hood.
That agreed, it is also fair to promulgate the notion it’s Spike’s ability to engage his audience that actually counts more towards furthering success as you define it Steven, than his technical ability. Engaged is not linear. He, I, you and us all are working with a creative energy beyond the bounds of straight line physics. Anchoring it in the crudity of weird squiggles we call words is but the cross we aspirer’s share and bear. Even the most inexperienced of we tortured souls comprehends people shall derive a meaning and a resonance far removed from our intent. Only those deaf and blind to our muse’s raison d’etre could therefore feel impatiently aggrieved by inevtiable pauses impinging on our industry.
Which brings me back to standing by my original posit. If we’re going to get into definitions, a weblog, to use the ancient vernacular, is to my mind a special purpose vehicle through which the originator conveys periodic understanding or lack thereof of what has, is and potentially will transpire twixt the pendulum extremes of cause and effect, for the benefit of self and other. It is, I believe, personal expression of an ineffable, mystic force greater than ourselves that invariably results in delightfully, maddeningly unexpected outcomes, reflecting back at us with teenage rebellion the more we try to control it. That means life’s twists and turns shall always affect Spike’s output any given Sunday and all the better for it. He doesn’t have to try; he succeeded just by daring to register his domain at the outset, defiant in the face of every single obstacle and challenge the world has thrown at him since he first drew breath.
Jan: No magic bullet, definitely. After I posted this, I suddenly thought – didn’t you write something similar a while back? I seem to recall seeing a tweet about it. If you did, a link would be really cool, so I can re-read it.
George: One of my favourite blogs looked like it might die a while back, but thankfully it’s still going. It’s always the good ones that suffer and disappear, it seems – there’s still a million scrapers out there, though. *sigh*
Steven: “If you turn into Jessica Biel… can I make love to you?” – what do all the women say? Ah, yes. “I like you as a friend.”
And a very big “thank you” for the kick in the pants, sir. You have, once again, done me a great service by slapping me awake.
Andy/Paul/Joanna: Nah, take more than a bit of an off-month to put down the likes of me. Just like swine flu or a bad smell, I keep coming back. Thanks for the words of encouragement (and the gentle beatings with the get-back-to-work stick).
Carolyn: Oh dear… Orble admin really is sucking badly these days. I haven’t updated there in a while (though I should, I suppose) for much the same reason: the returns don’t seem worth the time invested. We’ll see. Good luck getting Charles to wake up…!!
Michael/Steven: I have to admit… I’ve been waiting for you two to debate. Been looking forward to it immensely, in fact, because you’re both strong personalities with intelligence, an opinion and the words to say it. So you’ll excuse me if I just pull up a pew, pour me a coffee and enjoy…
Having just “retired” my blog, I would be very sad to see ScrawlBug go because 1) I always get a laugh from reading your posts and 2) you give darn good advice. But then again, I obviously understand the lure of not blogging. Here’s my two cents for anyone considering letting his or her blog enter the great beyond: Would the quality of your day or life be better off with or without the blog? Consider everything, for example, does your blog bring in freelance work, revenue to supplement your income, and/or give you an outlet for writing that you enjoy?
Although I was initially sad to say goodbye to my blog, ultimately I was proud of what I created and have been enjoying the extra time I now have in my day to pursue other interests.
Keep up the good work Spike, I’ll be reading. : )
Thanks, Spike, but I think I’m not really up to a debate. Success is achieving what you set out to do. If I read your goal correctly, it’s to make a reasonable living from freelance writing.
Lori: Nah, it’ll be staying. I just need to beat back the brambles of life’s other problems to make space for it. There, how’s that for a green analogy?
Steven: Yes, you’re right. A bit of extra cash (regularly) is my primary intent and ScrawlBug is designed to pass on whatever I learn. That does lead to a bit of a contradiction sometimes: more work means less time for the blog. Though at the moment, that’s not really a problem.
Such a usefule blog wow !!!!
i from brazil jessica tu é demais muito demais te amo i love you