When I decided that I wanted to start blogging I did not know how easily it can burn you out. I had blogging burnout with my blog due to not taking time for myself. I was burnout because I did not dedicate time for my blog or my family. Let me share with you some of the steps I have learn to prevent blogging burnout.

I have been incognito for awhile and I have a good reason. I had to rewind and sit back and think if I wanted the responsibility of running a blog. Plus working full-time, be a mom and a wife.  Running a blog takes a lot of work. It can get overwhelming and it requires a lot time to be honest that I did not want to give.

I saw myself so caught up in my blog that I missed out on a lot of things. Such as, not spending time with my kids and family.  I was trying so hard to have my blog to be my full-time income within 3 month.  I simply just got burn out and uninterested in doing my blog. It was  no longer fun but it was more like a chore. That is not the reason why I wanted to blog. I had to sit down and decide if this is something I wanted to do. Am I willing to put out good quality content but still had time for myself and my family along the way.

The first thing I learning is that blogging should be something I enjoy.

During my brief hiatus from blogging I learn a lot about myself and my goal for blogging.

• The first thing I learning is that blogging should be something I enjoy. Blogging should not be a race to be rich within 2 or 3 months. I had to change my whole mind frame. Realize that outside of my blogging I am still a wife and mother. I am learning to pace myself. Such as having one good blog post a week but it is rich in content and it cause me to have returning readers.

• The second thing I learn is to really write rich and thorough content that is engaging and that will allow me to have returning readers. Not to throw something out there and call it a day and hope for the best. Looking at some of my previous post I realize that my work was not the best but I am working on it to be a better.

• Not to go from class to class or workshop to workshop trying to get quick result with my blog. Take one class or two and work that class until the end. Not blame the teacher of the class  for my blog not growing or being successful. Especially if I did not do the steps or the blueprint to have a successful blog.

Blocking Out Blog Time

This is something new for me. I never had a time set up where I just work on my blog. I just worked on my blog at a whim. Doing that cause miss not to blog on several days, weeks and months. I decide to do block time for my blog to make sure that I am doing something on my blog. If that is writing a post, posting on Pinterest or Facebook. Or posting in my Tailwind groups.

Tips To Prevent Blogging Burnout

• Always make sure to take time out for yourself and your family. This is a hard lesson I had to learn. Self-Care for yourself is so important. I read  Stephanie post “Why Self-Care for Bloggers is Important” and she talk about the importance of self-care for a blogger you can read her here.
• Blogging is not only can be a business but it has to be something you enjoy and be passionate about. Trust me starting a blog can be overwhelming but if you loose your passion for blogging or if blogging has become a chore. It is time to sit back and re-evaluate your reason for blogging.
• Block out blogging time. This is so important. Blogging should not be a hobby if you are trying to make it a business. Blocking out time and dedicating it to your blog is a good way to ensure that your blog is getting the attention it needs.

Hopefully my mistake and tips will help you prevent blogging burnout. Help you on your journey has a blogger.

Until Then My Friend

Take Care

Cookie.

I have had a lot of people ask me which type of blog is better broad or niche blog. I often I tell them it depends on what you are looking for. It depends on what type of audience you are trying to reach.  What type of topic you are willing to discuss?

When I first started blogging I was told to niche down. So I started a blog about healthy living. To be honest, that was one of the hardest blog to write because I wanted to write about other things. I did not because I want to stick with my niche but I felt so boxed in.

I stopped blogging and then change by blogging platform from niche to broad. Which was not a bad thing but my blogging topic was all over place. My blog was not focus and it was not reaching my audience.

What type of blog is best?

Well, it depend who you are trying to reach. For example there are some blog sites that talk about couponing and discounts. That type of niche work for them because they have two things on their blog that is about couponing and finding discounts. Their are niche within two categories that is a popular topic.

Then there are other blogs that are so Niche down that finding a topic or keeping the blog engaging can be difficult. I love the example that Carly give on Mommy of Purpose on her blog post: “How narrow does your niche have to be to have a successful blog?”. She gave the example of a stamp collector. The stamp collector can be an expert in the field but email list will grow very slowly.

Sometimes having a Niche blog can cause you to lose out on potential readers. When niche(ing) down on a blog you are stuck with that certain niche and to be honest it is hard trying to write about the same thing over and over again.

Writing a broad blog gives you the opportunity to write to multiple audiences. You are not defining to one category type. For example mom blogs has become very popular. That may seem too broad but the topic on a mom blog is endless. On a mom blog you can blog about saving money, child rearing and marriage, which reach a multiple group of people. With a niche blog you are reaching out to a small group of people who have same interest.

The purpose of a blog is to reach people.

That is why I caution about choosing one specific niche because you may not reach a lot of people. When it comes to gaining sponsors or affiliates the first question a sponsor asks is, “what is your niche?”  That does not mean you have to give a niche down version of your blog but a general area of who your blog reach. There are some blog that has a broad feel but have a niche market which can help can gain sponsors and affiliate.

Another thing to think about with a niche blog is “who is your market?”

In my case, my market is for working moms, age range 30+, who is trying to save money.  If you can get an idea on who you are trying to reach, your market is you niche. Let’s go back to the stamp collector. Her market is simply for stamp collector over the age of 40. That is a smaller market. Now if we look at someone who market is for stamp collector, over the age of 40,   and how to sell on eBay or Amazon that gives the blogger a bigger market.

The way I look at a niche is based on the market I am trying to reach. When looking at a niche base your niche off of you market not your blog type. When you can base you niche off of your market you can expand your blog to more readers. If you blog is about lifestyle you can market to different ages, gender, income etc. for your blog. Your brand is your umbrella and your market is the individual small niches or market you are reaching.

Remember when trying to get a niche base your niche off of your market. That will give you a broader topic to write about and give you a bigger audience.

Well Until Then My Friend

Tootle Lou

Cookie

Guidelines For Link Parties.

I love link parties. It is a great way to get exposure to your blog plus it offers you the chance to meet other bloggers and network.  Link parties are a great way to grow your blog.  When posting to a link parties there are some etiquette guidelines everyone should follow.   Here is a list of 6 link parties etiquette everyone should follow.

Etiquette #1  Don’t submit duplicate content.

Link parties is a great way to showcase your blog. Try to use a different blog post to show off your work.  Pick out your best blog post or a blog post your are trying to get reviews on. Your goal should be to grow your blog. Don’t use the same blog post on every link parties. Mix up  your blog post to give you reader a view of your quality work.

Etiquette  #2 Go with the Link Theme

This is a pet peeve of mines. If the party theme is about home DIY don’t post a theme about inspirational moments. That is like wearing shorts in a snow storm.  Follow the link party theme.

Etiquette  # 3 Visit other links.

Do not be one of those bloggers who use link parties as a drive by post hook up. Visit other links. Read them and comment on other links. Believe it or not they are trying to grow their blog too.

Etiquette  # 4 Link Back To the host.

There are some party host  that ask for a link back  to their blog. There are some link parties host that may not. As a courtesy do it. It take a lot of time and effort to host a party. You can do a link back several ways

•          The host URL
•          Put the button link in your post
•          Put the host button link on your sidebar
•          Or do as I do and have a Linky Party Page.

It is just polite to give credit where credit is due in helping you gets exposure to your blog.

Etiquette # 5 Follow the host(s)

It’s just polite to follow the host. Some host often time make it a requirement to follow the host(s). Follow them on Google+, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or whatever requirement they have.

Etiquette # 6 Thank The Host.

Always thank the host for hosting the party. It take a lot of work to host a party and giving a quick comment of thanks is much appreciated.

Hopefully this link parties etiquette can help you with the next link party you go to. If you want to know how to increase your blog traffic check out Sincerely Jean to get more information.

Thanks so much for reading.

Shandra