Beginning in May this summer, I started to get burned out with blogging. Not necessarily because I found it boring, but because I felt like I was doing so much for nothing. I was posting three times a week, my traffic was definitely decent (better than it's ever been but not good enough to make real money), but more often than not I was finding myself scrambling to get the next post up on it's "due date". I felt like I had homework again but wasn't even getting a grade for it.
I was out of town three different times in one month and I fell off the blogging wagon. Well, instead of falling off, I decided to take a "break". I continued posting once a week but intentionally thought about how I wanted to proceed with my blog. I spent time researching blog posting schedules and consistencies, I talked with other bloggers, and I learned a few things about my own blog while blogging less...like who my main traffic referrers were during my blogging break!
Here's why I came to the conclusion that LESS is MORE, and that my new goal is to blog SMARTER, not HARDER!
1. You can put more energy into one solid post
Naturally now that I'm not requiring myself to write three posts a week, I'm able to put all of my energy into one solid, evergreen post. Evergreen posts mean that they don't lose value even after time has passed. Most of the information is still useful and can be repinned over and over again.
Now when I write a post, I take more time to think about things I can add to the post for extra value, like worksheets or printables. Since I'm only writing once a week, I feel like "going all out" as opposed to squeezing in time and words. I also don't limit myself to a certain word count; I try to spill everything I know and think about whatever I'm writing about, even if it takes 2,000 words to do so. People actually like long posts if they're useful, so don't shy away from them if you have something to share!
I have noticed a much higher repin count with my posts now that I'm spending more time on them and making them as useful as I can.
2. Commenting chaos reduced
I know none of us bloggers will ever complain about having too many comments, but when you're blogging frequently and being a social blogging butterfly, you will likely have numerous comments left on your posts weekly. For a lot of bloggers, this is awesome. For other bloggers like my introverted self, it becomes overwhelming...not because I don't love them but just because I then feel a pressure to get back onto my laptop (or phone) and respond to them.
Commenting becomes one more thing that can chain a blogger to their laptop. With one post a week, I don't feel like I'm constantly responding to comments from all the different posts I'm sharing during the week.
3. Pinpoint your highest traffic referrer
When I took my "blogging break" and only posted once a week, I also backed off of social media. Besides sharing my weekly post after I published it, I didn't schedule or share anything else. During that time, I was able to see who kept referring traffic to me even when I didn't feed it. Besides Google being my number one traffic referrer, Pinterest and Facebook were my top two referrers. I don't even understand how Facebook continued to send me traffic even when I wasn't actively sharing posts on my Facebook page, but it made me realize that them and Pinterest deserved my attention!
Taking a step back from everything shows you which platforms continue to send you traffic even in your absence, and thus who you should be focusing most of your attention on.
4. Focus on 1-2 social media outlets
I now mainly focus on Facebook and Pinterest only. I researched my own personal algorithms on my Facebook page and I signed up with Tailwind to begin scheduling pins for me. I do quickly share on Twitter and sometimes StumbleUpon right after I publish a post, but I no longer focus my attention on or waste my time trying to build up a presence on other social media platforms other than my two loyal traffic referrers!
I am now blogging less and also spending less time on social media, but being way more efficient because I'm sharing quality content on my blog's most successful social media platforms!
5. You have more time to create
This last bonus of blogging less has been my favorite: I have time to create things that can sell. Things I can put my all into and make badass rather than just writing small blog posts about.
Most of you know I spent the summer writing my first book which also will be coming with lots of amazing worksheets. I'm SO excited. I'll be publishing and selling it on Amazon and the worksheets will be accessible here on my blog for the book buyers.
There are several ways to make money as a blogger, and even as a writer, really. I've always considered myself a writer who found blogging. Bloggers make money from ads (lots of traffic), through sponsored posts and affiliates, and through selling their own products on their blogs. Think about something you could create that you could then turn around and sell on your blog.
A book, a workbook, worksheets, an e-course, consulting services. There's sooo many things, and the awesome thing is you don't have to have a lot of traffic, you don't have to kill yourself every week trying to keep up...all you need is passion and a plan!
What are your thoughts on blogging less (or more)? How often do you blog and how do you feel about it?
Tawnya
I love this, and couldn't agree more 🙂 I feel so refreshed from this LONG break I've been on. I have no pressure on myself to come back but I'm finally starting to feel like I want to get back into it and I have content that I can't wait to write about.
Jessica Dimas
I should've added that as another benefit, you're actually refreshed and full of ideas to write about!
Tiffany
Yes! I'm exactly in this place right now with my blogging break (but I couldn't not comment on this post). I don't know how some bloggers blog 4-5 days a week and honestly, a lot of it is shallow, surface stuff. Those posts just don't appeal to me much anymore. I"ve been working on Pinterest during this break as well and love Tailwind so far!
Jessica Dimas
Right? I was burning out at 3 posts a week and there are bloggers posting daily ? I am loving Tailwind so much!! Every time I get on Pinterest I have tons of repin notifications, I love it!
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Snap! I was totally going to write about this because as you know, I'm on board with blogger smarter - not harder.
You made excellent points... some of which we've discussed before. I love that after my blogging break, I knew EXACTLY where my traffic sources come from. I also discovered that Google is over 40% of my referral traffic which probably means I don't suck at SEO as much as I thought I did. I also learned that Pinterest and Facebook are my top social media referrers... although Pinterest far exceeds Facebook.
I love commenting less. I love comments too but I'm obsessed with replying to every single one of them. Then I pay a reciprocal visit, which also takes time. Repeat this process for 20-30 comments, with 3 posts a week and it equals TOO MUCH WORK! Once a week is perfect for me.
I also find with a once a week schedule that I have loads of content waiting in the background to be published. It's less pressure and I have time to curate something fabulous with great pictures and the perfect (to me) wording.
Great post Jessica. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
xoxo
Jessica Dimas
I was so surprised about the Google traffic too! And ditto, my Pinterest traffic also far exceeds my Facebook traffic, and Twitter and SU aren't even on the map. Yessss you totally nailed it about the commenting; I love comments so much but when you have multiple posts a week and you're trying to respond and revisit, it gets so overwhelming! I agree fully, once a week posting helps you to put so much more into the post and also keeps you inspired with fresh ideas for content 🙂
Monica
Thanks for this! I've been trying to find my posting groove and once a week seems to be the most I can do and still give quality content. Now I don't feel like I'm slackin! 😉 Congrats on writing your first book-can't wait to read it. So proud of you!
Jessica Dimas
You're not slackin' at all 🙂 Thank you Monica! xo
Angelica
Jessica, I can totally relate! I anticipated this way before launching my blog which is why I "committed" to blogging 2 days/week but even that is a challenge. I'd rather have a solid post per week and give myself space to promote posts, create content and network than feel pressure to crank out words. Quality over quantity 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Yes, I totally agree! It's amazing how much work even 2 posts are per week.
Charlene
You have taken the words right out of my mouth, Jessica.
I normally blog on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday plus link ups and commenting over the weekend. A lot for a beginner blogger. However since we moved out of our home, staying with friends/housesitting until we move into our new home, my blogging schedule has pretty much gone out the window, or I have been too busy with LIFE to blog.
I am now blogging twice a week, on Sunday (my Currently series) and either Wednesday or Thursday (still figuring out which works best for me). I am loving it. Less stress, less time glued to my laptop or phone.
Looking at my analytics, Google, Facebook and Happy Hooligans (featured one of my posts), are my three top referrals, so I must be doing something right, like my SEO! Woohoo!
I think I am going to stick to my new schedule, for a while anyway. I now have more time for my family, and that is more important.
Jessica Dimas
Isn't it amazing how much more time you feel like you have even just dropping one post a week?! And yes on the SEO thing, I had the same thought!
Charlene
Absolutely 🙂
Alycia
I know what you are talking about, exactly. Taking a much needed break is refreshing and just what people need sometimes. Blogging for me was something I couldn't do to share to my family and friends. Once I started to put pressure on myself, I became so focused on blogging that other aspects of my life sufferer. I'm content with posting 1 or maybe 2 a week and not worrying about my following or stats. Such a relief!!!
Jessica Dimas
I am so with you Alycia!! I got into the same spiral and its what burned me out.
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom
I love this! After blogging for 6 years, I've been feeling rather burnt out lately and have been seriously considering taking a blogging break to reevaluate how I want to proceed with blogging. I definitely don't want to quit, but I feel the need to cut back and look at ways to work smarter and get more benefit from doing the best things well.
The thing I worry about is that my income will drop drastically. I currently get pretty good traffic and make a decent income (although for the amount of time I put into it, it's probably not decent enough!), and we kind of depend on that right now with my husband in school. However, we have agreed that it's more important that I feel sane and have time to enjoy my family than it is to have this income.
All that to say...thanks for sharing this. I feel like it's helping me think through this all in a helpful way.
Jessica Dimas
I completely understand. That's harder since you have good traffic; my traffic stats HAVE gone down. I agree though that the stress and pressure aren't worth what bloggers usually make from traffic alone, maybe you could create something to sell on your blog so you don't have to depend on the traffic? Good luck reevaluating, it's kind of scary and stressful but so relieving once you have a new plan in place 🙂
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom
Interesting that you mention the thing of creating something to sell because I've been considering that and just this morning before reading your post was reading a post on another blog that made me really think I need to make that a priority. I think God just used to speak to me. 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Oh my gosh YES, definitely take it as a sign!!
Life Breath Present
This is kind of why I went from trying to do 5 posts a week last year to only 3 this year. So far, mostly I'm doing a good job. I am working on being a bit more of a social media butterfly, even signing up for twitter just last week - ahhh! Nonetheless, you are so right in the points you make. I know that if things are really crazy, for me to blog once a week is a-ok, but when not so crazy, I find that 3x/week works for me, because I just have so much to say and share. But, I also think it's about how I want to use blogging and at this stage, though I love the ability to make a bit of change, it's definitely an online journal for me, which I love 🙂
And, welcome back!!
Jessica Dimas
Yes, I think 3 is perfect. That's the most I can do and even 3 gets hectic during some weeks or months! I've been blogging more infrequently this summer while working on my book but I think 1-2 times is going to be my number. I don't think I could keep it at 1 because it's definitely like an online journal for me too 🙂
Chelsea @ Life With My Littles
These are all awesome points! Pinterest is definitely my #1 referrer, and because I know that, I know that I need to create great pinnable images for east post, and I know that evergreen posts are going to bring me the most traffic since people will always be searching for them (one of the benefits of writing about babies!). I also completely agree about focusing on 1-2 social media outlets. I use Tailwind too, and it makes a big difference! And I know that I don't get a lot of traffic from other sources, so I don't stress too much about posting a bunch of them. One post daily to Facebook and two to Twitter are all I do, and it makes it so much less stressful. These are awesome benefits, Jessica! Thanks for sharing!!
Jessica Dimas
I love your social media strategy!! I've always noticed that your posts are evergreen posts, and I see them all over Pinterest not even pinned by you 🙂 I really really like the idea of ONLY focusing on 1-2 social media outlets. I've gotten so much more traffic from my already top 2 referrers just by focusing on them more. Loooove Tailwind!!!
Sarah Christie
I love this post all so true, I do blog frequently but really need to cut down and master Pinterest x
Jamie
I love this post! Exactly what I needed to read. I agree with all of your points. As a new blogger, I already feel a little overwhelmed with the idea of "homework" even though I have barely started! I would much rather make one quality post every week, rather than stressing over making two or more.
Jessica Dimas
Yes Jamie! Don't let yourself feel overwhelmed, because good content can't usually come from those feelings. Definitely just posting when you're inspired to do so, and focus most of your efforts of sharing what you DO have 🙂