Got Blogger Burnout?

Just read a post over at Blog Publishing for Leaders about blogger burnout. It seems several well-known political and business blogs are hanging up their dancing shoes. Reason: burnout on blogging.

It's true that most bloggers do other things when not blogging, things like running a business, consulting, heading up staff, managing companies. Little things like that... Here's what Edward Deevy says on his blog:

The publisher of a political site that I occasionally visit - The Nashua Advocate  - decided to discontinue publishing. More surprising was the decision by Jennifer Rice, the publisher of What's Your Brand Mantra? to suspend publication. It was clear from her comments that she needed to recharge her batteries.

Recently, Fredric Wacka, the publisher of CorporateBloggingInfo, announced that he was taking a summer sabbatical. In my view, both Wacka and Rice publish two of the most informative business blogs in the blogosphere.

Is this a big issue for people running a small business, especially those running it solo? You bet. A solopreneurs wears many hats and has to pretty much do it all. I wonder if there aren't return on investment issues at stake here.

It is not enough to blog and blog frequently. You have to see results. It may be gratifying to see your writing published in the blogosphere, and even more to the point, to gather good numbers of readers and page views. But the effectiveness of your blog writing should show up in the end in profitability.

Besides blogging frequently, and staying with if for at least 6 months or more, your writing has to be effective. Here are a few reminder tips for effective writing:

1. Always write with the reader in mind.
2. Provide valuable information and resources that your readers will love.
3. Be human, show your authentically human side including your errors and fallibility. Tell some stories or anecdotes.
4. Remember to get reader's to participate, your must be clear about asking them questions, or stimulate them to respond by being a little challenging or controversial at times.
5. Review your mission and purpose and make sure to stay focused with your goals for your blog.
6. Be generous, give away bonuses or reports when you can.
7. Ask for their business in one way or another.
8. Link frequently to other sites to build readership.
9. Let readers know how you can help them, and be clear about what they can do if they want your help.

That's it. Here's what I want you to do. Click the comment button and tell us if you've experienced moments of blog burnout. Then tell us what you do to get back on track.

Maybe the issue of blogger burnout is a valid concern for all who are interested in business blogging. Clearly, publishing a high quality blog can be an exhausting and time consuming proposition. The issue is always spending your time and energies wisely, yet communicating with your potential clients is so important. Perhaps there will be more outsourcing solutions for those who don't have time to write on their blogs frequently. Hmmm, are there any ghost bloggers around?

Your comments please!

Comments

[DeAnna Spencer]

When I get blogger burnout, I read other blogs. I also read the message boards that I have been neglecting. I can almost always find something interesting to read about. If nothing else, I will post an article that I know my readers will find useful. Sometimes I do take a break from it. I'd rather post nothing than to post something useless.

[maria]

I think being a ghost blogger would be my dream job. If you know of any potential clients, send 'em my way :-)

Actually, I've only been blogging since February, so I haven't been at it long enough to burn out ... though I haven't yet mastered the art of short frequent posts. I am so busy juggling all the other hats, that sometimes a whole week goes by without a post, and then I end up writing War & Peace.

Being self-employed, I know that blogging 'should' result in greater profitability given the time investment, but I have kept my expectations very low on that front. I simply blog because I like to, and anything else is gravy ... but, I have made some wonderful new connections, gotten a lot of support for things I'm working on, new subscribers to my newsletter, and yes, even some new business.

(BTW, I also have a business blog ... lifestylepreneur.typepad.com)

[Mitch Mitchell]

I can't say I've had blogger burnout, but, because I'm on the road, traveling a lot, and also working a long term consulting assignment, I find that oftentimes I'm just too tired to write on a daily basis. Still, I make sure I write something once a week, as I always have ideas. And I guess that's really the most important thing; do you have anything to say.