I read a post recently called ‘Blogging, a Full Time Job’. It highlights just how much work you have to put in to achieve blogging success. But is it worth it?
That’s a question I have asked myself lately. I have been blogging seriously since January. I’ve posted three times a week, joined link-ups and commented on other blogs. My stats improved dramatically, as did my following, but I can’t keep it up.
I’m down to two posts a week now and I’m still joining link-ups, but I’m not commenting so much on other blogs. I haven’t got the time to spend checking all my social media sites, so once or twice a day is my max. This has meant my viewing figures have suffered.
So what does this say? Out of sight out of mind? I’ll read your blog but only if you read mine? I don’t know the answer. There are the truly dedicated bloggers out there who do this consistently and relentlessly, then there are others, like me, who do their best to keep up.
I love my blog and I love creating posts and engaging with readers. I won’t be giving up any time soon. I have to prioritise though. That means finding a balance between social media and work. Both are important but not in equal measures.
This is a valuable lesson for many of us. We all agree that we need to have a presence on social media channels. However, it is not easy to measure it’s true value. Is the World Wide Web saturated with people trying to make a point and be heard?
Over the last two weeks I spent my time trying to strike a balance between work and activities for my three children. Last week I booked them in to clubs, thinking that it would help me out. However, I used up a whole tank of petrol ferrying each of them backwards and forwards and spent more time in the car than I did at home working.
This week was quieter, with our time alternating between home and seeing a couple of friends. I’ve tried to manage our time so that the children don’t spend all day watching movies (because they would do that). It meant compromising some of my work time, but I felt it was worth it. I want to make sure that the children have some fun and make some memories during their school holiday.
Two and a half hours of fresh air exploring the grounds of Chartwell yesterday afternoon, were a worthy end to the week and just what we all needed. It’s fast becoming our ‘go to’ place of the holidays, but as we were dragging ourselves up the last slope, my five year old said to me:
‘Mummy I’ve got no legs left. These are my last ones.’
‘Oh, you mean you’re on your last legs, do you?’
‘Yes, that’s what I said. I’ve got no more left’.
I had to agree with him, as that’s exactly how I felt. Although the the smile that he put on my face through his words were enough to give me the boost I needed to get up that hill.
What do you get out of your blog?
Image courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I hope my post didn’t put you off! X
No way! I admire you for all the effort you put in.
I feel like this sometimes, too. It is such hard work, and such a commitment on top of everything else going on in our lives! What I have found great about it, though, is getting to know other bloggers like yourself and being inspired to carry on. I definitely think it’s good to have a break though. I am really trying to give myself at least 2 days off a week!
Yes I agree, there is a lovely community feel. I’m sure there is a balance that will work for me. Sometimes though, you look at what other people are doing and think ‘I could never keep up to that’.
I think having a blog related existential crisis at least twice a month is normal for us bloggers ? Happens to me all the time
Good to know I’m not the only one.
Hello! I have the same problem balancing everything with a full time job, a 7 month old baby, and a husband, it’s really hard to find time to really put a lot of effort into it. When I do, I get good numbers and when I don’t, those numbers tank. For me though, my purpose is to have a creative outlet. I need to have a project like that. But the interaction and feedback from the community is also really important to me for validation. Its a labor of love that’s for sure! I think finding a balance will always remain a struggle.
Yes, it is exactly the same for me. I love to blog, so I don’t want to get caught up in the numbers and end up getting put off. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I agree that blogging can be exhausting. I think that if I didn’t love it and feel that it was important to me personally, I might give up. I have to take a step back from the numbers and just be. If people want to read, wonderful, but I can’t force them, no matter how much time I spend online. I am hoping that over time it will grow, and so will I. I can relate in so many ways to your point, I hope you keep it up!
Thanks for your encouraging words. It is good to remember why you blog in the first place and just forget about everything else.
Blogging is tough, because it’s working from home, but without the real part-time income of a lot of other work from home jobs. I’ve struggled a lot with finding a balance in the last year, when I bought my domain name and web hosting and switched from blogger to wordpress.
But, all the time, sweat, tears, hours and hours of full-time hours and it finally seems to be paying off.. after a year.
Honestly, i just think you have to learn what is the best SM for you to use, and you can’t read others blog posts all day and all night in the hopes of receiving a few dozen pageviews and comments in return.
I only occasionally am linking up to other parties, but I co-host/host one every week, so I am dedicated to reading all of the links shared in my party and have a set day that I do so and pick my features for the next week.
But, honestly, I think you are on the right track. I find that if I buckle down and discipline myself I actually get a lot of real work done, not just socializing. At any job, socializing is important, but it’s the work that will really advance, really bring you satisfaction. So, limit checking emails/facebook/twitter to twice a day, or only during nap time, or whatever. And then make sure the majority of your time is actually spent writing new content, editing photos, sharing your OWN work, pinning constantly to Pinterest, applying for job opps, etc. Make sure most of your time online is actually building your business, not just supporting others who are working int he same biz.
Because while socializing and social media are extremely important with online content, they won’t have anything to share if you aren’t creating new, great, amazing things.
Okay, sorry for the book. Yikes!
Wow, what a detailed response. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It sounds like you have worked really hard on your blog and that it is paying off for you. It’s good to hear. It goes to show that you can find that balance and make it work.
Thanks! I think your book worthy response was so helpful!
I love how you said that you can’t force people to read you blog (in the comments). It’s so true. So much of what we do in the blogging world is a means of negotiation, when it seems like the truly successful bloggers just get read because people genuinely like their stuff. I suppose it will always take a lot of work to get to that place, but I think we have to be careful to choose the kind of work we’re doing to get there.
If the work we choose to do isn’t work that satisfies us, we’ll burn out. I say, blog/promote your blog in whatever way you truly enjoy, at whatever pace feels right to you. Great post.
It is a lot of work, but I don’t mind that. My copywriting business has taken off recently and I don’t know how much of that is down to working hard on my blog to get my name out there. But now I’m finding I don’t have the time to dedicate to it, so it has come to the stage where I need to find that balance now.
Good for you Nicola! I think we’re all struggling with balance– such is life, eh? I’m sure your blog’s followers will understand.
I swing from putting my all into it to wondering why I do it. Does that make sense? I’m with you on this whole ‘you read mine, if I read yours’ thing – why? What’s it all for? I’ve really taken a back seat over the summer, only blogging twice a week (I’d pushed it up to four times) and I’m realising that it was taking over my life. I don’t think I will ever give up blogging (not for the forseable future anyway) but it’s definitely something I need to control. Interesting post. x
It totally makes sense and you always seem to work so hard on your blog, Suzanne. I don’t know how you feel, but I have noticed a big difference going from three posts down to two, in terms of visibility. I’m not sure what is an optimum, but I am keeping at two for the time being. Four post would be in achievable for me.
I LOVE LOVE this post. It’s my favorite by far this week as I have been feeling this exact emotion about my blog. Yes I do it for me and love writing and sharing photos and our live experiences but I am the same I have worked SO hard to drive more traffic to my blog, I do as many linkys as I can and I write every single day (usually I am on vacation so I have missed a few days) but it’s a full time job and lately my traffic is down as I can’t comment as much while away and it got me thinking why? I only get comments if I comment on someone elses. i did five linkys last week worked hard on commenting on others and only got two comments back is it really worth my time? Not sure. I have also been told July August are the worse months for blog trafffic from bloggers that have been doing it years. So that made me feel a little more positive. But I have to say I am with you and glad I am not the only one feeling like this. I wouldn’t give it up but wonder am I working towards the goal I want? Will I ever get there? or will it cost more in the long run time away from family and living life for a possible break through in my blog for a career? hmmm Fine line isn’t it? Thanks for linking up to Share With Me and the continual blog support. Keep up the great work. #sharewithme
I wrote this post because I felt guilty that I had missed my usual Friday Fiction one, as I hadn’t had time. I’m so glad I wrote it though because it highlights that I’m not the only one who is struggling. In a non-selfish way, it’s good to know you are not on your own. I guess that is what blogging is really about. When it comes down to it, the support from other bloggers is what really counts. I think you may have nailed it when you say that July and August are quiet months in general. The change in routine and people being away must affect everyone.
I think it really does. Everyone is on holidays and school is out so they are doing more family things while it’s nice out. Yes so true. Other bloggers help me through so much especially living abroad as an expat. Amazing support system.
I’ve taken a big step back over the holidays and that’s been great, but I’ve actually missed the writing! I’ve only linked to ongoing photo projects, my own linky and the odd other (like this one!) when I’ve known I will actually have an hour to spare to have a read of some other posts. I do believe that reciprocation is important as so much of blogging is about community, but it does, as you say, sometimes feel a bit ‘read me, I’ll read you’. What I have completely admitted defeat on for the summer is social media! I have tried, but I can’t keep up with that and have a hope of writing anything at all, so the writing has won. Except Instagram, I do like Instagram 🙂 Like most things, you have to enjoy what you’re doing, if it’s becoming a chore, take a break; which it sounds like you’ve done. I love my blog, but there are only so many hours in the day x #ShareWithMe
It is so hard to constantly keep up with the social media streams. How people are on it all day, I do not know. I am limiting myself to once a day and try my best to follow what is going on. At the moment, the children and my work are more of a priority. I don’t know what I will miss out on whilst I am ‘absent’, but it is a chance I will have to take.
Hello. It is such hard work and I think all bloggers want to be successful. We want good viewing stats, twitter and Facebook followers, RTs, shares, links, comments…. the list goes on. We can say that we blog for ourselves but it can be addictive watching your stats go up. But blogging isn’t your full time job. You need to put your family and self first. Even if you take a rest for a while we will still all be here when you come back. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
You are so right and I am overwhelmed by the kind words I received after posting this. Blogging isn’t my full time job, but it sometimes feels that in order to be a success it should be. I don’t want to feel like that though, which is why I am working on that balance.
I’ve been blogging for just under a year and I am actually in the same kind of place as you. I make an enormous (I think) effort to take time out, read others blogs and comment on them in a considered way. I write probably three times a week on average because I like to and enjoy the creative process. I’ve no idea if I’m any good – but there is no doubt that stats go up when I join linkys and so do comments, which is very encouraging, but doesn’t necessarily mean that someone likes your blog enough to want to follow it! I love the interaction from the blogging community, and I use those and Google + to discover new bloggers and their work. I will always make an effort to follow those that I like on Google + so that I can see other posts that may not appear on a linky etc. So what I’m saying in a roundabout way is that yes, blogging can be a job in itself, but if you are like me and have three kids, and a busy work and social life, then it should be a fun creative outlet, and don’t stress about the rest. Good post btw!
Your words echo my thoughts. We have to remind ourselves that we blog because we enjoy it. As soon as you start obsessing about the stats it can start to take that enjoyment away. Thanks for the support. Keep plugging away with yours!
Hi Nicola
Your post has really got me thinking. I’ve only been blogging for a month or so. Yes a newbie! And still in the ‘honeymoon period’ but I am totally overwhelmed by the amount to time and effort that goes into a blog. It really is a fulltime job! I spend around 5 hours per night on my laptop and my husband (although super supportive) is starting to feel neglected. With two daughters I do find it all very difficult but I LOVE IT!
Ha, I had the same from my husband, as it wasn’t so much the blogging but the amount of time spent on social media, commenting and reading etc that goes with it. Something has to give eventually. But don’t be put off, blogging really is great fun and I’m glad you are enjoying it.
True! It’s the same in our house, my husband and mum have both reprimanded me for my ‘mobile phone addiction’ – basically being on twitter and Instagram too much!
Great post Nikki. I’ve had the same thoughts about reciprocal comments on Linkys. I’ll always reply (on my blog) to everyone who comments on my blog, and will visit their sites too. However I only tend to conment on their post if it is one I want to engage with. For example, my kids are older so I don’t really have much to say about nappy reviews!
Instead I tend to go through a linky and pick several posts that sound interesting, I’ll then read and comment on these. I don’t expect reciprocal comments from them as I know my blog won’t appeal to everyone. I think it works fine this way, I certainly wouldn’t comment on every blog in a linky (no time) and I like to ensure I add something of value when I do comment back.
I agree, there isn’t time for commenting on blog posts that aren’t relevant or interesting to you and you certainly can’t comment on all the blogs on a linky. Most suggest you at least visit the ones to the left and right of yours, which is fair.
Wow!! This was certainly the topic to take on 🙂
Haha! I love the irony in that sometimes!
The hamster wheel can be crazy!! I’ve started to wonder lately if we’re blogging for other bloggers, or for someone else? For us? For fame? For fortune? 😉
I think we need to sit down and be brutally honest with ourselves about what it is, and then stop bouncing all over the place, but actually make a plan to reach our goals!
I honestly don’t think they’re going to happen ‘just because’ we wanted them.
…I love this post by the way!
I think it’s easy to get carried away with all the ‘you should be doing this’ and ‘you should be doing that’ articles about blogging. I came in to it very naively and it was purely from a writing perspective. But down the line you realise that it becomes a marketing tool and it’s a case of how best to utilise it.
I feel so much the same…I haven’t even started. 🙁
Don’t want to put you off or anything!
Great post, and I agree with all of it. During the summer I was supposed to be having more time to get to grips with all my bloggy stuff but it turns out I have less. I can’t justify spending time on the lap top instead of playing with my 2 year old so he has been a priority. It does mean I don’t have as much time to comment in other posts and then feel constantly guilty because people have commented on mine. All of this does make you think, is it worth it? xx
It is the sort of thing that goes to the bottom of the list of priorities. I will be lucky if I even get one post done this week, but during the summer holidays it seems that many of us are having the same issues.
I can massively identify with what you’ve said here lovely. Although social media is important, I simply refuse to constantly be plugged in at the detriment of my family. I do what I can, and really enjoy engaging during the snippets that I am able to comment on posts or be on Twitter. I sign up to get emails of blogs I really enjoy and prioritise reading those ones above the others…
Good luck with striking your balance. Glad you’ve found a sanctuary in Chartwell. We went to Box Hill yesterday, as in walked up it, and had similar grumbles from our 5yo 😉
It is a good idea to get your favourite blogs via email, that way you don’t miss them when you are not on Twitter etc. I like my WordPress reader for that reason, but obviously that only works for WordPress blogs!
WP Reader is great, but I still end up missing loads because of only checkingin sporadically…
Hey Nic, I’m just getting round to reading some your blogs 🙂 Loved this one, so true – I originally thought I’d do weekly updates but that has turned into monthly…..I choose weekends.
My aim is two per week, but it is hard to keep up to. I enjoy writing them though and if I get chance on a weekend I try to take it. If anything, it gives me an hour’s peace and quiet.