"Required reading" for today's smart writer.

"Required reading" for today's smart writer.
Information & inspiration to hone your craft and increase your cash...Since 2009

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Why Many Bloggers Are Calling it "Quits" And How You Can Help Prevent it...




Imagine, if you will, your disappointment at finding that your favorite TV show has been cancelled. Or a local book store you adored, closed its doors due to poor sales and a lack of support.
Or your political candidate was knocked out of the race due to a lack of votes.
Though these things certainly wouldn't devastate you, you'd probably feel the void in their absence.

Well, a similar fate is brewing in the blogosphere.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING 

The other day, a blogger I once stalked  followed, announced that she felt that the time she devoted to blogging and maintenance could be better spent writing for paying publications. So she threw in the towel. Though I was saddened, I understood.
As a professional freelancer, I can not argue with her logic; it's simple business math.
And I must confess that there have been times that I have felt that same gravitational "pull."

In fact, over the last few years, I've witnessed a growing number of "successful" blogs close their virtual doors, never to return. And it could very well happen to your favorites too.

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS HERE


1. A LACK OF COMMENTS OR ENGAGEMENT FROM READERS
2. COMPETING DEMANDS (i.e. family obligations, a 9 to 5 job, clients' work, etc.)
3. BLOG BURN OUT/ FEELING OVERWHELMED AND UNDER-APPRECIATED
4. THE DESIRE TO EARN PAY FOR THEIR SAY

Because there are millions of blogs in the blogosphere, you might mistakenly think that these blogs wouldn't even be missed. You'd be wrong.
Each blog has its own focus, personality, "voice," style, agenda, purpose and reach.
Also worth mentioning, is that the really good ones add value to our collective community, and when they bail out on us, there's truly a deficit.

We lose the blogger's talent, take on life, personal stories, truths, and their unique experiences.
Which is the reason that we as readers, must become more than passive "spectators" if we want more virtual doors to stay open.

With this in mind here are 7 ways to encourage & support your favorite bloggers... 
(Choose 1 or all 7)
 
1. Make a simple comment on their blogs on a regular basis. Even a brief "thank you" goes a long way.
2. Submit a guest post to help ease their workload.
3. Share their blog posts with your social media circle. Tweet your peeps.
4. Buy their books or products (they need to eat and feed their families too.) :-)
5. Support their advertisers.
6. Take out an Ad on their site.
7. Donate money to their site, to help with expenses.

THE WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? FACTOR... 
 
Good blogging enriches us, entertains us, inspires us, and informs us.
And there's no cost involved.
It's a venue where people of different cultures, countries, perspectives, creeds, and intersections of life, can come together--laugh, learn, debate and share. It's one of the things that makes this country great.
 
Let's not take it for granted. If we do, we all lose.
 
 Thanks for your readership.
 
...A penny for your thoughts
 


16 comments:

  1. This was SUCH a good post, Jennifer. Wow, I could really identify with all you said. I've been blogging since 2009 and loved every minute of it. It's wonderful to meet people from all over the USA and the world! All you have said is so true. We need to support each other, even if it's a "Thanks for your post" comment. So, thank YOU! Susan

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  2. I've considered throwing in the blogging towel a number of times. (Not today, though. lol) The main reason being the time necessary to devote to my other commitments - some weeks it's hard to fit it all in. It is a tricky balance, for sure. It helps me to keep general goals and the big picture in mind. That and taking regular breaks. :) Appreciate your insight and solutions. Happy weekend!

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    1. It is indeed a delicate balance. Much appreciation for your thoughts on this, Karen. :-)

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  3. My reasons for lack of blogging aren't very good, but they're all I got :)
    I don't think I began to feel less and less about posting and/or commenting until many of my original blog friends abandoned the Blogosphere to jump onto Facebook...or they just kind of disappeared in general. That along with other things going on in life, none of which were enough to take all my free time, just kind of left me "blah" about blogging. I can't let myself totally quit, though, and every now and then I even announce on my blog that I'm coming back to a regular schedule....

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  4. Hi Becky,

    Great to re-connect! I value your feedback here. :-)

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  5. Such a good post, thanks Jennifer. I've seen blogs disappear that I really used to enjoy... but I understand, I am struggling myself to keep balance in my writing.

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    1. Hi Marja,

      It's a pleasure to hear from you again, today. I think that this is a topic that most "serious" bloggers can relate to. Blogging is much harder than it looks. And engagement from readers helps maintain momentum. :-)

      Thanks so much for adding to the mix here.

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  6. Blogging is a commitment. And comments are the reward. A simple hello or brief comment can inspire a blogger to write on. I blog as much for myself as I do for my readers. My posts are eclectic, and diverse, although lately a certain little someone has stolen some pages.

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    1. Lin,

      Comments are indeed the "reward." Thanks so much for yours. :-)

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  7. Hi Jennifer - Right on! Blogging three times per week can get mighty taxing on a gal. Early in my blogging career, I built a following and visited many blogs. A lot of those bloggers quit or stopped visiting blogs for the reasons you gave. It's difficult to stay the course when you see all your blogging buddies abandon ship. Right now, I've decided to take at least a couple of blog breaks per year to regroup and rekindle the creativity. It also helps to schedule 4-6 weeks of posts in case life hits.

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    1. Hi Susan,

      Thanks much for chiming in. Breaks can definitely help to go the distance. "You can't give from an empty cup." :-)

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  8. Jennifer: I appreciate this post so much. I sometimes wonder if I am doing the right thing by blogging three times a week. Back at the first of the year, I briefly went to twice a week. I seemed to lose some followers when I did that. I do understand that life gets in the way. I will come back to this post whenever I feel discouraged.

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    1. Celeste,

      Thanks so much. Keep the faith. And make sure to take periodic breaks when you need to. :-)

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  9. I get more comments About my blog posts on Facebook than I do on the blog itself. Sometimes readers don't know how to post. One told me she was suspicious of the "I'm not a robot" feature so she refused to comment. I'll admit I've thought of stopping my blog for all of the reasons you mention. But for now, I'm good. Thanks for bringing the topic up, Jennifer.

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  10. Sue,

    I must admit, I hate the "I'm not a robot" feature myself and the CAPTCHA thing. The easier it is to comment, the more likely readers will do so.

    Hoping you'll keep your blog doors open;I'm a frequent visitor. :-)

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