Experiencing Blissdom was good for me in many ways. I learned. I came away inspired. I came away with new goals.
I also came away with a new focus, which may be one of the most valuable take-aways I could have gained.
This blogging thing really pulls you in a dozen directions at once.
Or…more like 4 dozen directions at once.
What I’ve come to realize is this: You are better served to focus all your energy on just a few things rather than spreading yourself thin trying to keep up with a few dozen things.
We all know that blogging is so, so, so much more than simply writing and hitting publish on a new post. We need to visit others’ and comment on their posts. We need to tweet. We need to Facebook. We need to respond to emails. We need to maintain our site. We need to guest post. We need to collaborate. We need to Blog Frog. We need to Stumble, Digg, Buzz Up, Reddit, and Delicious Bookmark posts. We need to claim our site on Technorati and claim ourselves on Klout and PeerIndex. We need to visit all the blog and writing communities we’ve signed up for. We need to… We need to… WE NEED TO…
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To take a step back and really look at what we do and how we spend our blogging time, is a sobering experience.
And don’t get me wrong; I am absolutely including myself in the “I NEED TO” mentality.
I signed up for every community I noticed a badge for, but how many of them do I actively engage in? And what do I get out of all of them?
For most of them the answer is: Very little, if nothing at all.
::So I removed the majority of them from my blog.
There are more social bookmarking sites than I can count, but how many of them are an appropriate fit for a parenting and lifestyle blogger like me?
::Just a couple, so I’m no longer bothering with the rest of them.
I *could* follow back every Tweep who follows me on Twitter, but do we have anything in common? And how many people can I realistically keep up with?
::So now I need to connect with something in their Twitter profile, have them “@ me” during a convo or be followed by my good tweeps in order for me to follow back.
Twitter is where my heart is at, and I don’t have time to interact with people both on Twitter and on my Facebook fan page.
::So I devote my time to Twitter and limit my FB interaction to adding maybe 3 post links a week to my fan page. For me, Facebook is primarily my IRL friends and family anyways, and only some of my posts are relevant to them.
I’ve done a lot of “spring blog cleaning” in the past few weeks. I’ve also forced myself to let go of some things that I used to spend a lot of time on because the payoff to me wasn’t worth my time investment. I’d rather put all my energy into the few things that I personally deem to be most important, and turn a blind eye to the rest. Plus, I want to put some of my energy in other projects.
Some people will absolutely tell me that I’m a “bad” blogger for making this decision, but I’m a firm believer that I’m not being effective at anything if I’m trying to keep up with everything. Plus, I’m in this for the long haul.
I only wish I had some words of wisdom for the newbie bloggers out there. Blogging is a whole new world, so naturally there is much to learn. But other than suggesting to take things one step at a time and ask as many questions of experienced bloggers as possible, I don’t think there is a good way to ease up on the learning curve.
So what do you think? Do you feel pressure to set up an account and be active on every new site you hear about? Have you chosen to cut out anything because it was just too much?
Okay – so quick question – what is your Twitter traffic compared to your FB traffic? I stopped spending as much time on Twitter when I realized that FB traffic was much higher – like 6 to 1. Now it is actually 8 to 1.
But I have way more Twitter followers than folks that are friends on FB or fans of the page on FB.
I’m just curious because I’ve never asked anyone.
For me, it’s the opposite. BUT, I think you need to do what works and what makes the most sense for you. Some people swear by Facebook!
I have a lot more traffic from facebook then twitter but my comments come more from twitter people. I think it depends if you’re hoping to build your community with regular people or other bloggers.
Gah!!! I’m out of the loop for a whole week, and when I finally get around to reading again, I click over and see you’ve got a whole new look. I love what you’ve done with the place. It’s fantastic and so YOU!
And thank you for writing this. As a self-admitted bad blogger for quite some time, I loved hearing your points on this. Especially when you’re new-ish, you hear all about the things you *should* do. It’s easy to lose sight of what you really *want* to do in the midst of that.
Liz— You know from when we met at Blissdom, that I am totally amazed at what you’ve built for yourself in such a short amount of time. Such a loyal following or engaged readers.
I post 5 days a week and I have a full-time (albeit mainly stay-at-home) job. I found myself spending so much time and energy trying to get people to read my site that it was stressful. And taking it’s toll on “real life”. Since most of my free time came after my baby went to sleep, my husband suffered the most from my blogging obsession.
Lately, I’ve been scaling back my time spent on promoting my site. My general readership has suffered a bit but my loyal followers are continuing to grow. It’s causing me to reevaluate what I want out of the blog but I continue to post every day because bottom-line: I enjoy writing it.
I’m a new blogger, and I was totally with you…for the first few sentences. I had NO IDEA there were so many things I “need” to do. I’m just trying to increase my readership right now, so I spend a lot of time on Twitter, Facebook, and by sending out emails. I also use Entrecard, which seems to at least increase traffic to my blog, although I’m not sure if I’ve gotten any followers yet.
Of all the sites you mentioned, is there one for me that could help increase readership? Or should I stick with Twitter?
The hardest one for me is facebook. It is on the scale right now and being wighed as to its being worthwhile. I love twitter and I really like facebook so we shall see!
i had the same ‘need to’ feelings early on.
it’s crazy really – why i put that mentality on myself when i started the blog for FUN, (like a creative mind-engaging hobby/file cabinet) in the first place. i needed to constantly remind myself of ‘my purpose’ and not fall into the trap of needing to feel ‘successful’. tis so tempting though, i understand.
good for you on your blog clean-up.
i took down my fb fanpage within weeks of setting it up…just seemed silly to me. i use twitter for blogging purposes and FB for more IRL friends as well. now, on occasion blogging peeps do cross over to the IRL world, but that’s not immediate…it’s after a healthy amount of comment swapping, occasional emails etc.
enjoyed your post – your thoughts are valuable!
~h
There is an amazing amount of pressure and stress that can come from blogging. I think you are so smart to have figured out what and where to spend your time and energy. Blogging could easily take over my life. More than a full time job. It is a relief to accept what you can and can’t do and just enjoy it and I have found that the lack of stress leads to better posts.
THis is really great info. I am relatively new to all of this social media stuff…and at times it can be quite overwhelming. I thought it was necessary to “do it all” and then find myself neglecting real-world stuff. There’s no time for all ofit. I appreciate your take on it because I look at you as a successful blogger. So thanx for all of the great info!!!
I do what I can, when I can and don’t expect too much in return. That is the best you can do when overwhelmed with life, aka an infant. many of my followers don’t comment anymore because I can’t visit as often. I’m ok with that. I started blogging for me. The fact that others read what I have to say, take something away from my words, that a bonus!
such good points and advice. i think for me, it is really all about what’s fun – right now its twitter, but next month it could be quora.
i also think i will take a blogcation again in the summer. my kids are home then and the weather is nice, so unlike now when i like nothing more then wandering around online, reading and writing i like to be outside enjoying the few weeks of warm weather and time with my little ones…
A long time ago, I had a dream of becoming the driving force behind a blog similar to yours (your going to think I’m crazy, but I seriously admire and respect what you have done over here.) But the truth is . . . I can’t. I can’t keep up. I don’t know how you do it – but between home, work, the hubby traveling and life in general – I can’t do it. So, I came to terms with the fact that I’ll probably be around the 150 follower post for the rest of my existence in blogland – and I’m good with that. Because I have also come to realize that I am doing this whole thing, really, for myself. As a way to express my thoughts and to create on a completely different level from how I have ‘created’ in the past. So, I’ve kind of taken a back seat to the communities and all of it. I do what I can, visit who I can, leave comments when I can, and share my stories when the time is right. I’ll always love and respect what you do here – but I for me, my blog is just an itty bitty teeny bit of this whole blog universe – and I kind of like it that way.
p.s. and I embrace my imperfections – typos and all (boy oh boy – sure had my share of them in the post above. Gees. Must be my southside edumacation.)
Sign me up for bad bloggers anonymous.
Blogging has opened doors for me and since Parenting hasn’t offered me a job a year later (can you believe it?!), I’m also reevaluating my direction. Maybe I really am a – gasp- mommy blogger and maybe that’s ok.
Excellent advice!! I firmly agree with the mindset that it’s easier to keep up with a few things than with everything. I’ve done some blog cleaning, recently, too. Feels good
I totally agree. We must figure out what works & is worth it because time is one of our greatest commodities.
I focus on my personal blog first, then Twitter & Facebook (I love my Facebook fan page!) and then all my other gigs. And I’ve learned to say no to things that don’t fit my blog, my vision or my time so I can focus of the things that matter and bring me joy.
I love this post. I get so overwhelmed by the things I think I have to do. It’s koo koo!
ooo! This totally struck a chord! I know the blog/business? could grow so much more, so much faster if I just put MORE time into it, right? Haha. Ya. Its not gonna happen.
I SO needed to read this post today. There is SO much judgment in the blog world…I’ve even written about it before. We’re expected to be on the computer 24/7…otherwise we are labeled as bloggers who don’t reciprocate. We are expected to keep our success and achievements quiet, otherwise we get labeled as being egotistical. I could go on and on, the bottom line is that bloggers need to do what is right for them and their blog. I just wish the judgment would stop…I feel it every single day.
If you’re a bad blogger, then I am going to blogger Hell.
I do NOT follow everyone just because they follow me. I choose my blogs with care and intense pickiness. I don’t just follow things willy nilly (and you bet your sweet bippy I just said “willy nilly”).
Also, j’adore a good blog spring cleaning (this time, I went French on your j’adorable ass). If someone hasn’t posted in over 6 months, that junk is gone. Some people have an even shorter attention span. For example, my posting has been spotty as hell lately, so I can’t really say I blame those who choose to peace.
All in all, I think you’re swell.
so true! I was spending too much time on all! So now I only visit those that are relevant to my life and make me laugh, cry and then some more!
jen–:)
Yes, yes, yes! Quality over quantity! I’m amazed at how much time some bloggers are able to devote. No judgment, just genuine curiosity. I know I can’t do it all so I really do try the best I can with the limited time I have. But yeah, sometimes I feel guilty and then I have to remind myself that it’s supposed to be fun! Oh, and what’s PeerIndex?! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
This is so, so, so true…and so necessary to remember from time to time. We can’t give 100% of ourselves to 100 different things. Now to just work on that…I’ll letcha know if it ever happens…
[...] Why it’s okay to be a “bad blogger" by Liz @ A belle, a bean and a Chicago Dog: I’m not the only person who is loving this post. I’ve seen several people post their own posts about this post [yeah…I just said the word “post” about 12 times…]. Liz addresses the nagging feelings that come with blogging about all of the places we “need” to be and things we “need” to do to be successful. Definitely a great perspective on clearing out the crap in our blogging lives. [...]
I struggled with this once I started posting regularly last summer and then got totally overwhelmed around Christmas time. I finally realized recently that I created the blog for me and my family and friends. I wanted it to be a documentation of my new life as a wife (and eventually mom) and all the other roles I will have throughout my life. Thanks for such a great reminder and affirmation about blogging. Sign me up for the “bad blogger club!”
You know I totally do all of these things, and then some….totally kidding, really.
This is why I won’t write for any collaborative blogs. For blog traffic? Yea, if I’m taking any more time out of my day for blog related stuff, I better get the green stuff for it, money that it is…
Who has time for all of that? I tweeted a few minutes ago, but I think I need a minion or two…
Wow 154 comments! I’m with you on this one. I can barely keep up with SITS and TMC but I’m determined to. However, Blogfrog, Diggs, Stumble – forget it. I just don’t have time. I also tweet more than I facebook. And I care more about the connections than the fame (I’ve finally discovered).
Who knew blogging was such hard work beyond the writing component – not me! Sometimes I just feel like saying “i’ll follow you if you follow me” it would make everything so much easier and calmer and what did I get myself into?? my writing has turned into a stat checking, follower counting, blog reading and comment making ALL day experience.
Love it!
K
I love this, retweeted and stumbled.
It is SO easy to get all caught up in all the different social media outlets and the pressures of trying to be the “perfect” blogger. It’s exhausting. Truly. I don’t know how you do it. And when I say you, I mean, people in general. It’s all I can do sometimes to just get up a post that is relevant and meaningful to me. I promote on Facebook and Twitter and then try to visit as many of my favorite blogs as I can.
I keep losing and gaining the same two or three followers. I can’t get passed 223 to save my life it seems.
I can’t wait to attend Bloggy Boot Camp in San Diego in a couple of weeks to lament, learn and be inspired by other bloggers.
Thanks for writing this post!
Thank you! Thank you! I started blogging originally to keep track of our homeschooling journey, but really dedicated myself to it more recently because I LOVE to write and it is such a great way to make myself write everyday. Plus, when I started out homeschooling, I craved stories and information from people who had been doing it a few years. Now that I have been doing it a few years, I thought I might be able to help others.
Anyway, I have recently felt so much pressure to “promote” my blog and it is just not in me. I want to write. Yes, there are things I am going to have to do to get the blog out there, but this post helps me focus and prioritize.
Thank you again!
Such good advice!
I was feeling the mounting panic of not being able to get a post up tonight when I came across this post and man, I needed to read it. It allowed me to take a deep breath. I’m new to blogging – about 4 mos. – and then I got into Twitter etc. and I do feel pressured, a blog is like a live thing that needs all kinds of attention if you want to keep it alive and growing – I just refuse to neglect anyone who actually already is alive/breathing in my family (although I’m sure they would disagree!) Anyway thanks so much for this post, it helped me. (-:
I’m so glad that this helped you! It can be so overwhelming, but – yes – we’re not doing anyone any favors by trying to keep up with it all.
There is such an ebb and flow to blogging. You’ll find your rhythm again soon.
I’m finding focus in the blogging world to be so tricky. Like you talked about. I just don’t have time to accomplish all I want to. And, I’m not sure I’m focusing my efforts in the right places, but hopefully, I will figure that out soon.
i have so struggled with this since I began blogging, not knowing what social media to get involved with. Thanks for this great advice. I’m gonna have to pass it along.
I’m glad this post helped! It can be so overwhelming because there is a lot to learn and there always seems to be a new trend. But there are only 24 hours in a day, and we each need to stick to what works best for us, even if it means putting blinders on to all the other blogging and social media “distractions”.