How Do You Handle Blog Burnout?

Online Blend said:

Happens to me regularly as well, good opportunity to slow down and try out some different things, I think it's important not to force yourself too much or you will start to really resent it :)

Rachel S. said:

Maggie,

I totally understand what you say about managing the content for your organization and how that could be a reason for blog burn-out. I manage several blogs for clients, so I can relate.

Personally, I struggle with blog content because there is pressure to be consistent and keep up with the content, but also because people look to me as a resource, and I don't want to let them down. I really respect your ability to admit that you struggle with fresh content - admitting that you are human - which is what social media is really all about.

The way I overcome blog burn-out is to keep a pile of topics handy, continue reading blogs daily (for ideas), and to keep a schedule of postings and stick to it. Some days are more exciting than others, but overall, I tell myself I need to do this, even if it is as simple as letting folks know that I am hitting the wall!

Thanks for this post. I am glad I am not alone!

Roger said:

Blogging is tedious when you don't have anything good to write about.  By "good" I mean something that YOU find interesting and that you know your readers will like. My thoughts on how to overcome that block:

- Skip a day or two.  Better that than pushing out one or more forced posts.

- Read a book or a magazine that might be related to your topic but isn't your usual fare.

- Read some other blogs you don't normally read.

- Do some keyword searches on Google News to spot something interesting you may have missed.

Some combination of those usually works for me!

Marc Ambit said:

To me the key is to have new stimulations. It's not about (not) having time to write. It's about the pressure I feel to post something. But, as someone said before, you'd better not publish anything than posting rubish. So, in this case, what I need is more stimulation about the themes that I write about. Read books, talk to people, watch documentaries, surf the web... In one sentence: I need to listen before I talk.

Mark Longbottom said:

I would simply say write when you have something to write,  and back what Tmara said its a passion for the subject matter not the service that people enjoy.  But if your emotions regarding why to blog  run over let that be the blog.  Write your thougts not the perceived thoughts of a nation waiting. Who am I to say, but having rules will only reduce the creativity whether a personal blog or business blog, i'm bored of corporate grey ion business blogs when everyone else has colour why shouldn't they too.

Thats  not to say everyone should be out there going  wild, it has to fit but it also has to have personality.  Too much social media is beginning to lack personality after last years surge.  Good luck with what ever happens, and  do it in your t ime don't be pushed.

Julie said:

I am in the same type of rut, except with me it's regarding my weekly ezine.  I took a break from my American History Fun Facts weekly ezine right before Christmas, and I just can't get back into it now.  I'm struggling to find something interesting to write about today, so that I can resume publishing my ezine.  I know that once I get this issue done, next week's will be easier, but getting started again is hard!

 

Tamara Jacobs said:

I feel your pain and have a couple of suggestions. Firstly, don't blog because you love writing, blog because you love what you're writing about. The most successful blogs will always be those that are written about our passions. Passion usually doesn't run and therefore nor should your content.

However, if you are feeling up against a wall, maybe try reducing the number of times you post per week. I have a blog and while I could post a few times a week, I only post once. The reason for this is because I know how busy my schdeule can get, I consider things like writers block and as a result only promise what I know I can deliver.

Another idea, is to write lots of posts when you are feeling inspired. Create a bit of an archive that you can draw upon when you're feeling stunted for ideas.

And finally, remember that publishers (online or off) are content curators. If you don't have anything to say, then add value by collecting and assorting other peoples thoughts and opinions. That- in many ways- is just as valuable as creating the content yourself.

Good luck!

amberpagewrites said:

As my job becomes more and more about social media, I find I have to work harder to stay enthused about my personal blog. When I do face total burnout, I back off for a little while, but don't shut it down entirely. Perhaps spend a couple weeks posting "Best Of" oldies but goodies, or posting less frequently (or both), and spend the time you'd normally be writing seeking inspiration on other people's blogs.

Emily Brackett said:

I went through a big rut last year. I wondered if my blogging was worth the effort. What I did was I just resorted to some of the drafts I had started and not finished. The funny this is that 1 or 2 of the topics I was thinking of not covering ended being really popular with my readers. This gave me a boost and re-energized me. It also made me realize I could spread my wings and cover a wider breadth of topics, which ultimately made the blog writing easier.

Now, my reader numbers are growing fast and I'm glad I stuck with it.

Joel Cohen said:

For my restaurant marketing blog, I've found that it has a lot to do with winter and being couped inside. Try getting out more to get the creative stimuli working. It will come back, and don't rush it. And, yes, if I don't feel like writing, it's okay to call it a day because I've also realized that no one's actually holding their breath waiting to get the next post tomorrow. 

le4ne said:

Sometimes a shift in how you're blogging helps. For example, I love all things geeky. So finding a way to use an iPhone app to post, or even the ability of being able to email posts to my blog so that they get posted straight away, has made me feel re-energised for my blog. It now seems even easier and more accessible... and therefore takes less time out of MY time. Also (and I've found this personally to be true), if you blog because you love to write and yet you're struggling to write on a personal blog level, then you may want to consider that you personally need a small break from your busy/hectic schedule? Now I'm not talking anything major like a career break lol, just do something you enjoy and haven't done in a while? Go see a movie or do something mindless? Go for a walk to blow some cobwebs away! Hope this helps :-)

EmmyInNM said:

I've been in a blogging rut for about a month - I just don't have the urge to do any writing on one of my blogs.  Sadly, it's my business blog!  I have 2 others that are just for fun and I have no problem writing for them almost daily.  Not sure how to break the wall down but I hope something happens soon.