It
happens. There are times when you need to take a break from blogging. Whether
your creative juices have stopped flowing, or writers block as taken up
resident in your brain or you just need to take a vacation (from blogging or
literally) you just need to step away from the keyboard. ‘
For me
I recently found myself forced with feeling like posting something subpar was
better than posting nothing at all (have definitely done both LOL). This is one
reason I started the Ultimate Blog Challenge and so far it’s been a good
experience. I am now wondering if I should take time from blogging to reset my
blogging clock. I feel the need to regroup. Still not sure but for this reason
I decided to research (and share) what I think is the best way to go about
taking a break from blogging (without losing readers).
If you
find yourself in this place I hope this information helps and if you’re not
there at this time PIN this post for later. According to my research, every
blogger struggles with this issue at some point.
#1 Schedule Blog Posts In Advance
There are definitely
pros and cons to this. On the one hand it guarantees
fresh posts during your absence and makes your absence less noticeable.
The con is that you have to do a work
like a maniac during the weeks leading up to your break. Also, this really only
works for a short term absence like a vacation and is not great for a longer
hiatus.
Tips for making the task of scheduling
blog posts in advance easier:
Republish old posts - the ones you wrote back in the early days of your blog when only a few people even knew you had a blog. Share those old posts and give your current readers the chance to see what they missed. Let your readers know you are posting some of your "oldies but goodies".
Reach out to your blogger friends with the request for a "Guest Post". A fresh face on your blog will bring new eyes to both your blog and theirs. Plus, you can return the favor when you get back to the blogging which will generate even more attention to your blog.
Besides asking other bloggers you could also ask your readers if they are interested in posting for you during your time away. This allows those who read your blog but don’t have their own blog the opportunity to try their hand at blogging.
Tell them! If you don’t tell your
readers that you are taking a break from blogging, they might get annoyed and
tired of checking your blog for new content, and even stop looking for it after
a while. Tell them you are taking a break…honesty is the best policy after all
and the hype of return might just make your readers excited to come back. (see
below “Tips for the Return”). Drop hints as to what they might expect when you
return.
Tips for the return
Just like your favorite TV shows,
time away gives you the opportunity to come back with fresh material. While away, reinvent yourself. Time away
gives you the perfect opportunity to reinvent your blog. A change in direction,
a new format, a bigger and better comeback. Take this time to prepare for an
enhancement of what you have already started. Bigger might just be better in
this case.
Structure
you break by giving yourself a deadline and share this target date with your
readers. Make sure you have given yourself the time you need so that your
comeback date is doable.
Now...if it's needed, Go Take That Break!
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