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simple blogging

by theminimalistmom |

Confession: this blog has become quite a bit of work. In a good way. But not a way that is conducive to cutting my screen time.

Between posting, reader emails, using my limited HTML skills to keep the layout from falling apart and, now, almost daily requests from freelancers to write a post full of “fresh content” with only one link back to a suitable company (no thank you) this blog has become a lot of work. I also get requests from other bloggers and writers for reviews of their work. Almost all of these tasks and projects are things I want to do so I am quite torn.

Can I keep the blog going, help my peers, reply to all of the great emails and comments I receive (they are great – thank you!) and finally get a new header on this blog without breaking open the laptop every evening and on the weekend? For now I do a bit before Henry wakes up, during nap times and when Henry is at daycare a few times a week. But really, the daycare time should mostly be work on freelance gigs and the book I hope to release next fall. I’m quickly seeing that if I don’t streamline some areas of my blogging I won’t have time for other writing.

This minimalist blogger is feeling overwhelmed. Add to that my writing muse is strong right now. I have lots of ideas and not a lot of time to work on them.

I Googled a few things on simplifying my blogging process but they were things I have read before. Work on your writing away from the screen. Yes, lots of ideas come to me while washing dishes or waiting for the bus. Blog posts are composed in my head as I’m folding laundry. I’ve cut down on Twitter time and have pared down my own blog reading. I still follow 80 or so blogs on a variety of topics but I just give myself a time window to read in – it works for me.

In an effort to streamline my blogging, while still posting as much as I like, I bought Rachel Meek’s book Simple Blogging.

I have a lot of respect for Rachel. She has the kind of writing career I would like to one day have. Her blog, Small Notebook, has been a platform to freelancing opportunities and she has built a great community while not taking on any big advertisers or sponsors. She’s also not on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and her blog continues to thrive. How’s that for proving it’s not all about social media?

The book was $8 that I think will be well worth it.

I’ll post a review of the book once I have read it back to back and implemented some of the strategies.

I love writing here. Writing about my terrible suede jacket the other day had me laughing at myself and your comments were hysterical. Big nod to Christine for confessing about her butt enhancing underwear.

When I get a comment or email from a reader that emptied their garage because of my blog I am both humbled and overjoyed that I am helping people. I won’t be quitting blogging anytime soon but I do want to simplify the process.

Any longtime bloggers have tips for me?

  • Blogging, more than any other job/hobby I’ve done, has the unique ability to squash you just as you make it successful. Of course, you’re doing much better than I am, but I know how hard it can be to keep up. I’m not sure I have great tips. I’ve found that by eliminating some of the “extra stuff” such as Facebook and Twitter actually has hurt my blog a little, while helping my sanity. You kind of have to decide where the balance lies for you. I think this is the reason so many long-time bloggers call it quits after awhile. I’m not there yet…but I do understand the reasoning. Good luck with your own path.

    • Like you said, I have to find where the balance lies for me. I really would like to devote a lot of time to this blog but as I try to build a career in writing and self-publishing, I’m struggling to justify the hours. Yet, I love writing here and it’s given me the wings and confidence to go after writing as a career.
      Thanks for commenting. I consider you a blogging veteran so it is nice to get your perspective.

  • I’m neither a long-time nor successful blogger, but I can relate to the ideas for posts coming to you during ad-hoc activities. I have a narrative running inside my head most of the time, I found blogging a great way to let them go, as they were cluttering my brain! Seriously! However to write a full post and edit it is time-consuming. there are posts I could write, but don’t. Now I know this is controversial 😉 but my solution has been my Facebook page. I can get stuff off my chest without having to commit a massive amount of time to it. Also if I write a post and it needs following up generally I point readers in the direction of FB. I’m posting max 3 times a week on the blog, and some weeks just twice. I always post Friday as my No Waste Tastes Great post is incredibly important to me. I totally understand your predicament even though I’m not in your situation – we all agree it’s a good problem! But at the same time overwhelming I would imagine!
    p.s. got you a little pressie today – teeny tiny (I promise) and it’s to be posted tomorrow x I know it’s something you want (well maybe)

  • I just signed up recently for your email list, and now I find myself nodding in agreement almost every time a post comes through.

    I have Simple Blogging, and I think I need to reread it. However, here’s what I’m realizing. I need to clearly define what it is that I want to do as a blogger. I’m seeing what I’m going to say no to, and I need to be clear about the yeses. I also need to plan my time a little better. I noticed that Crystal of Money Saving Mom has her blogging time broken down into time for writing, time for email, time for Twitter, etc. I’ve been a bit loosey goosey about my time.

    • Thanks for tip on Crystal’s blogging time schedule. I will have to take a look at it for ideas.
      Already finding a lot of good stuff in Rachel’s SImple Blogging book. Like a pep talk and how-to from a mentor.

  • No tips, just commiseration. I have been rather successful at breaking away from the computer to spend more time with my family and doing activities recently, but getting into writing mode has been a challenge as result. On my blog I basically post when I feel motivated to do so. And when I do feel motivated, it’s all-consuming. I spend a lot of time on even the dumbest posts. I don’t have a regular schedule. At times I wish I did, but at other times I feel like it’s more important to live my life. I’m not sure how my readers feel. I don’t *think* there is anyone furiously refreshing my homepage to see if I’ve updated, but I still wonder if I’m letting anyone down when I go a while without posting and they don’t know what to expect. It’s funny…gaining loads of followers is supposed to be a good thing for a blog, but in some ways it terrifies me! So many people to please, and sometimes I don’t feel up to the task.

    • Funny, I wrote this after an awesome week of fun and activities with my son and not a lot of writing or online time. Usually I take Saturdays off from being online or blogging. But here I am, my son is out with my husband, and I have the urge to blog.
      I take a bit of solace that my readers are probably like me: just trying to do their best and won’t feel snubbed if I post less or take some time away for holidays.

  • I’m probably no help, but after 11 years of blogging I finally quit last year in August. It just became more and more of a chore and I didn’t want to do it anymore so I quit. I still enjoy reading other people’s blogs, but I don’t have the desire for my own blog anymore.

  • I agree – please don’t stop blogging, we need your inspiration!!
    On a complete side note I was listening to another cbc radio program (when my 30 min drive became 90 min) about the increase use of time banks in the US. For example, where one trades an hour of their time offering financial advice in exchange for an some house painting. It was an intriguing and thought provoking.

    • Thanks, KT. Bartering/time banks: I really like that concept. We’re doing the most informal of barters, babysitting for babysitting, with friends and it’s not only a $ saver, it’s kind of fun. I wonder what else I could offer in a time bank..

  • What I’ve been learning is- post what you like when you like! I too felt the pressure to blog more and blog about specific topics. I really wanted my blog to grow. However, once I opened my new site, I just changed my approach. I stopped checking analytics. It has helped immensely! Being able to post without the pressure has made blogging that much more enjoyable. However, I don’t have the opportunities you have, so don’t feel that pressure. Good luck! I hope you can find something that feels balanced for you 🙂

    • I gave myself some regimented posting goals and a schedule for a few months. It killed the fun and joy for me. So now I post when I have something to share – it’s kept the joy in it for me.

  • Hey Rachel,
    What does blogging do for you? What are your goals around writing and contributing? Like a bookshelf, there is only so much room before the books start getting stacked on the floor! When decluttering, we decide how to arrange that shelf and what to get rid of. Or buy another shelf! 🙂 So with a structure of priorities in place, we can divide our time accordingly. However, the muse doesn’t necessarily follow a schedule! haha! I am frequently on the go so my blackberry keeps tidbits of ideas and short sentences in a folder or I may just email them to myself and I’ll rediscover them later. I admit, I have several draft posts on the dashboard, waiting to be expanded on one day 🙂
    Jo

  • PLEASE DON’T STOP BLOGGING. I have learned so much from you. I love your writing style, approach and ideas. Maybe, you could just post once a week. Maybe that will take the stress out of the need to blog. ……

  • I totally identify with feeling overwhelmed with blogging, Rachel. I’ve let my own blog slide lately as I’ve been forced to focus on work that actually helps pay the bills. Not my favorite course of action but sometimes it just comes down to making tough choices.

    I’m curious to read your review of Rachel’s book and see how you sort everything out.

    • I just read her section on email management and guilt. Very good. I feel like a wise blogger is sitting down with me over coffee and telling me all her mistakes, and how she fixed them.

      Wrote this post after being offline a lot, enjoying it, and wondering how to manage blogging and other writing projects. Feeling more optimistic that I can work on all the things I like and still cut the ball and chain of being online every day.

      Talk soon!

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