Combatting Blog Fatigue
We all go through it, don’t we?
Those times when you wonder why you bother. Any number of things can bring it on, a slump in traffic, a nasty comment, the housework piling up around your ears (just one more tweet and then I’ll do it). If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if now is the time to make your blogging exit try these tactics, and if you still feel like giving up then you probably should 
1. A new theme/widget
It might be that you’ve become tired with the look of your blog, perhaps it doesn’t reflect the current you. It might just take a new photo, an updated about page and a few new widgets, or it may need a bigger overhaul, it’s all the rage you know, over the summer English Mum, Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy? and Dulwich Divorcee have all had makeovers, as have I.
It’s a bit like your hair though, a tidy up can perk you up for a while, until suddenly you decide to get a number two all over and die it red, ok maybe not that drastic (caution woman at work will warn you about making rash decisions) but you get what I mean, be sure before you start pulling the HTML apart
If you’re feeling lacklustre about your blog try a makeover. On wordpress it’s as easy as installing a new theme and customising a bit, but if you want to go all out it’s time to call in the web designers (a wee bird tells me that Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy Laura’s hubby is the go to guy for a facelift of the blog variety, or just a little botox if you’d prefer).
2. New blogs for the reader
Has the community you were once a part of progressed and you feel like you’ve been left behind? It may be time to look outside your current circle and find some new blogs to read. Check out your current blogs reading lists and see who you aren’t already reading. I’ve found some new blogs this way, Insomniac Mummy, Being a Mummy and Rosie Scribble to name a few.
The blogosphere in Britain is growing and it’s impossible to keep up with all the blogs, unless you make it your full time job so another idea is to immerse yourself in the blogs that are local to you – Hi Mother at Large, Mummy Do That and Clinically Fed Up – just a few of my fellow Scottish bloggers.
3. Read blogs in a different niche
Sometimes if we only read blogs in our own niche our own writing may become stale, the same stories and memes go round and round and you run out of fresh ideas and wonder whether you’ve reached the end of the road. Try adding a few blogs that are in a completely different niche, they give you lots of new ideas for posts that you may not have thought of. I read blogs about cookery, finance, blogging, business, entrepreneurship and marketing. None of them are part of the parent blogging community and most of them aren’t based in Britain.
4. Pick a different topic to write about or start a whole new category
Over time your interests change and your kids grow up, when I first started littlemummy.com it was heavily focused on sharing practical information with other new mums. This stage is behind us now and I find myself writing about wider parenting issues but I’m also enjoying dipping my toe into blogging recipes, I may not be that good but I’m enjoying it. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t get stuck in a rut if you’ve exhausted a topic move on.
Linda has been a great example of this, she had a blog which only focused on news and information about twins, there came a point this year after writing hundreds of posts on the subject where she felt she’d had enough of writing solely about that topic, she re-branded her blog as more personal and now writes about anything from parenting to business and even short stories. Her blog has soared up the Top 100, it can be done, don’t give up before you’ve explored all avenues or you may regret it.
5. Look back over old posts
Reviewing old posts often reminds you why you started, y’know before the spam, the bad pr pitches and everythingelse that’s crap about blogging.
6. Step away and take a break. Take the week off.
If all else fails it’s time to take a hiatus. If after a month you still can’t be bothered it’s time to make your blogging exit.
Please add any other ways you’ve combatted blog fatigue…
Hmm, I think we chatted about this recently and you felt exactly the same as me – so many good blogs out there… so much pressure…
I took your advice and took a few days away and now I’m feeling okay about it again, although I’m vowing to blog less, but hopefully say more, if you see what I mean… xx
EM – Yes we did, and I did feel that way for a week or so, it was our conversation that made me write this. I’ve had quite a few cycles of blog fatigue over the three and a half years I’ve been blogging so I thought it’d be helpful to make a list of the things I do to rise above it so that next time I can look back over it
This time I’ve given myself a new theme and found some good blogs in our british mummy blogger niche, seems to have worked.
Sometimes only a break will do, and I think you’re right to adjust the posting frequency if you’re feeling under pressure.
The trip should provide us with some good fodder!
I know what you mean.
The competition sometimes puts me off, but I started my blog to write not neccessarily to get read, though it is nice.
Hey ho I need to find my blogjo again!
Surprise Mum – I have found that moving away from the competitive side of it all has given me renewed enthusiasm. I’ve also started a blog schedule which focuses on my favourite things to write about and if I’m stuck I refer to that and I get a few ideas.
I get bloggers block regularly and find the only way is to take a step back.
I find time is my biggest issue, with everything else going on it means that the only time I have to blog is when the kids have gone to sleep and often means a late night. … plus I’m shattered and all I want to do is slob on the sofa. I think that’s when bloggers block hits hard … when it feels like a chore.
I find it difficult to keep up with the reading of other peoples blogs although I try to.
Laura – I find it hard to juggle both writing and reading blog posts too.
Hi Littlemummy, this was a great idea and full of tips …time is a huge factor for me and sometimes the whole thing seems like a bit of a burden – then I feel a rant or whinge coming on and have to let it loose on the poor old world! Andy revamping me has really helped give me a boost, plus getting lovely comments. Your blog is looking fab, by the way xx
DD – I love your new look, and the comments make it all worthwhile
Oh yes, the competitiveness. I think it’s counterproductive to become too competitive. Yes we all love to see our subscriber number go up, and make it into the top 100 etc but the best thing is to find your own niche, be true to what you are and tell yourself every day that it doesn’t matter how many people read. So, I’ve disable my stat counter
To be fair I don’t suffer blogger fatigue though, but I’m often torn between writing something that will get more readers and stuff that is more niche.
Cartside – I got rid of my stat counter last year and haven’t regretted it at all. I try to write what I want to, rather than what I think will get me more readers.
Great post.
I’m still pretty new to blogging, only a few months in. For me blogging is about community. I like writing the nonsense that is spilling out of my brain and I love reading other blogs too. It is somewhat addictive! I am aware that I need to slow down my posting schedule to give myself a break, problem is I’m enjoying emptying my brain too much!
Something I really enjoy doing is noseying at other people’s blog rolls. There are often gems there that take me out of my ‘core’ community.
I have to say it is flattering to be included in the top 100 and it is certainly nice to be read. Plus looking at stats has become a bit of an obsession. I may take a tip out of your book and disable the stat counter, a leap of faith I guess.
I love your new look.
I shall stop waffling now and bid you adieu.
A good post.
I find cutting back on my blog reading helps. when start getting fed up of it all I have a bit of a cull and therefore salvage some more time.
I also take breaks. Quite big ones sometimes (about a month). You do loose some readers, but not the core group of friends.
After reading your post I’ve decided I’ve got blog envy rather than blog fatigue! There are so many good blogs out there and I’m just a beginner. But I do have days when I’m struggling mostly because I’ve got two children under 18 months, so I can’t find the time to get to my computer until it’s evening and I’m shattered. Anyway, giving myself a break, whether it’s by having some time off or by giving myself permission to post less often seems to work for me.
Thanks for your post, you’ve inspired me to write a post on my blog – just give me a couple of days to finish it…
hello – just started blog so this post is brilliant for me
Thank you 
Very nice background too 
Hi April, off to check out your new blog right now.
Hey, thanks Erica, I commented earlier but doesn’t look like it’s recorded somehow. Like cartside and InsomniacMummy, I’m most interested in community and support – hence blogging in the first place. xx
I love this post and have found myself coming back and reading it again and again. It has made me broaden my reading habits, and I am loving it.
I’m glad it’s been of use to you. It’s been the way I’ve managed to keep blogging over the months (and now years!)
Thank you for your post which encouraged me to carry on blogging for a few months at least.
x
You’re welcome, I hope it works out.
[...] morning I was reading an excellent post on combating blog fatigue at Erica’s blog ‘Littlemummy.com‘ and was waffling on in her comments (as I do) [...]