I’ve been blogging for two years and I must say, I’m getting a bit burnt out and frustrated. Mostly because, I’m still just blogging. I don’t know how to take it further. The next step. If there even is a next step for me.
I had been hoping to learn what to do and where to go with blogging while in Chicago for Blogher (and I almost just put a hashtag there!) but I didn’t learn much. Except that it’s entirely possible to lose your iPhone while in a limo. And also entirely possible to get it back because people are good and decent. I also learned that it’s interesting because my blog friends totally match the type of people I’m friends with in real life. And I learned a TON about behavior and competition.
But I didn’t learn what to do about my blog.
Yet, I’m not sure what it is that I’m expecting to do about my blog. So that makes it difficult.
I want to write. I’ve always wanted to write. I used to buy notebooks from Gail’s Office Supply, along with import mags from England that were all about Duran Duran but anyway…
I stopped and started more stories in those notebooks than I have diet failures under my belt. Because I didn’t know what to do with them. The stories. I can never figure out where to go with what I have.
The same goes with my blog.
What do I do with it when I want more?
Where do I go to find more?
What EXACTLY is more?
Not to sound sour grapes-ish. Yet it will. I feel like I’m in a casino and every other machine is hitting some sort of jackpot around me. And my machine is just keeping me hanging on. Up. Down.
That’s what’s happening. So many of my wonderful blog friends are taking their blogs and going to greater heights.
HOW?
What am I not doing right?
Anyone? Any ideas for me? Please. Because I really could use some guidance.
XOXO
No ideas…because I’ll be watching whatever it is that you do. 🙂 (and not in a stalkerish way, either….just want to learn with you)
The Blissdom conference here in Nashville in February addressed a lot of issues like this. They had two “tracks” to choose from for sessions. One for people who were fairly newish to blogging and one for old farts like me who have been blogging a while.
I think you need to find some groups you enjoy and become active in those…Also tweak tweak your bio and review info! Make it clear what you want to do as far as the direction of your blog.
I’m having a tough time lately because my kids are getting older and I’m wondering if I need to have a more local focus. I think it’s just natural for blogs to change w ith time.
For me success in blogging has all been about networking and I think you rock at that!
Wow… you said exactly what I’ve been thinking lately.
“What do I do with it when I want more?
Where do I go to find more?
What EXACTLY is more?”
When you figure it all out, I do hope you share with the class.
I could have written this. I am wondering what to do to. And the fact that other people are hitting “jackpots” makes me want to copy them, but don’t want to be a copy-cat. Oy.
If you are interested in doing reviews I definitely recommend signing up to be a reviewer for Team Mom (Child’s Play PR) and MomCentral.com …both great to work with!
Everyone has blogging ruts.
Like anything else, I think when you push too hard for an answer it’ll only come back and make you more miserable.
Do you read Pro Blogger? If not, I suggest you sign up to receive his posts by email…lots of tips on how to be a better blogger…ie monetizing, ect
What’s greater heights to you? DO you want to write a book? If so, review the liveblogging transcripts of the blog-to-book panels at BlogHer for the past couple of years, and take it from there. DO some of the things they recommend, maybe even contact a few of the people who participated to the panels.
Me, I’m ok the way things are. Sure, a book deal would always be a lovely thought, but I’m not ready for anything like that so for me my blog is still performing the role I need it for. If it isn’t for you, figure out what’s missing first, and then take it from there.
Ask yourself: why did I start a blog? What did I want to accomplish? Where did I want it to take me? Did I get there? have things changed? Do I want something different?
If the answer is that yes, your goals have changed, but you can’t pinpoint what you want, maybe try to find a blogger who you feel has what you want, and then see how they got there.
Best of luck babe, keep us posted!
I’d love to hear what you decide to do as well – I hope you blog about that.
I’m quite new to blogging, especially compared to you, but I agree with Jamie. Whether new or old to this blog world, many of us struggle with taking it to the next level. What do you want it to be or where do you want it to take you? Once you have the specific goal in mind, getting there may seem simpler.
Just start selling porn adspace. I have been blogging since I was 16. It’s amazing how your style changes over ten years (thankfully). I am currently stuck over at my blog. I have a few drafts but nothing publishable. Yes, that’s a word.
Start with this simple question:
**** Why do you write? ****
Seriously, ask yourself that question. Take a blank pad of paper, a favorite pen, leave the iPhone at home, and go sit at a coffee shop or park for 2 or 3 hours and ANSWER THAT QUESTION for yourself.
After that, if you seriously want a “purpose” for your blog (writing to entertain or make people laugh or smile is perfectly valid) you have another question to answer:
If you had only ONE BURNING MESSAGE to pass along BEFORE YOU DIE, what would it be, and who would it be for?
The answer to that could have to do with raising children. Maybe it’s about healthy eating, or which wine goes best with fish. Perhaps you want to educate people about diabetes, or why and how not to mix plaids and stripes. It could simply be that you want to make people smile (or think once in a while). Whatever your answer, that’s the theme for your blog.
I hope this helps.
I have no idea how to help you on the whole “networking” and “reviewing” thing because I really don’t go that route with me blog.
That being said, I DO think that you are starting a lot of great things as of late, and I think you will find your niche. I used to have such a hard time with the fact that I didn’t fit into some sort of “blogging mold”. I know I’ve said this to you before, but.. Its rough in the blogging world when you’re not in a set corner/niche/role. For me, I blogged to just write. To get out of some of the mess that my life had been. Then it became about speaking out, and healing, and now it’s just a random mesh of things. And I am totally happy with that because I love blogging, and all the avenues it’s allowed me to explore.
Would I like to make money off of my blog? Absolutely, but I don’t know where to begin, and I don’t know how to market my actual “area” that I blog in, so I just keep writing and keep healing. You’ll get there love, don’t you worry!
xo
Dang girl…I have NO direction for my blog…but I totally get you. I want the next level, and I don’t even know what that is:O I do think a few of the comments made sense. Keep me posted…I’m right there with you.
Hey, I am planning on going to Blissdom (if I can get tickets) do you want to room?
My blog has no direction. It’s the directionless blog. I can’t help you at all. Sorry. I hope we’re still friends.
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Well now I like Stesha’s comment the best….sorry not to pick favorites…it made me laugh.
Suggestions? Do what you want to do Wait I think you already are, nevermind.
Life is full of steps, I took one with twitter last week, and soon to be another one with Peas and Bananas over the next month or so. It happens. Just like our lil one’s growing up, I look at it as stage three for lil boo now, 1)infant, 2)toddler, 3)holy crap watch out!
As Stesha said (insert plagiarism) “I hope we’re still friends.”
Our kids are getting older, as are we, there will be a new wave of parents behind us with their trials and tribulations…..it is life’s little stepping stones….let’s enjoy each one.
~daddy b.
Ok, so while this may or may not make you feel any better… since I’m not one of those amazingly popular bloggers going to great heights…
But I’ve officially been blogging two years, too…. and I average 10 readers a day, with maybe 3 or 4 comments. But its still what I want to do, because it feeds some small part of my soul.
Besides, if all of the “smaller” blogs stopped being written… I’d have nothing to read! 🙂
I’m SO GLAD you’re still around!
I have been blogging for 5.5 years now and offer the following free advice so take it for what it is worth. Blogging should be fun and interesting. It shouldn’t be a chore. So you need to figure out what it is you like about blogging and then focus on that.
People will always say things like you should hit the next level and strive for growth. That is all well and good but when it comes to blogging there is no uniform answer.
Sometimes it is worth walking away from it for a few days to recharge your batteries.
I’ve just started blogging this year so I’m just going with the flow for now. But I was going to say pretty much what Elisa said. Why did you start blogging? Has that changed? What do you want to accomplish?
Whatever reason it is, it is for YOU. It’s your blog & if you just want to mix it up, you can do that, too.
I’m still blogging for the community. And I really, really want people to like me. I’m just being honest. 🙂 I don’t get out much because I have two little kids and it’s so much easier for me to chat with bloggy friends in my living room.
and if I make $5 for my BlogHer Ads then WOO HOO!
I’m going to SITScation…because I think I’m a good blogger and I’ve convinced my husband that I’m kind of a big deal (shhh…don’t tell him the truth).
Honey:
You know how to write. Take some classes so you can learn how to write well.
Writing in “stream of consciousness” is okay in some venues, but the people that can make a living by really “writing” have honed their craft, and have crafted their skills.
You just have a leg up on a lot of them, but you have to decide: Are you going to sit on the porch, or are you going to run with the big dogs?
Love you just the way you are.
Dad
I read Amy’s post and I so hear you on this one too. Always the same players, the same names… I also wanted to figure out what I wanted to do with my blog after Chicago, but ironically I’ve posted even less than before. Maybe that’s what I learned? I don’t really know.
But congrats on sticking with it, I love the way you write, your voice, and I can see that you are getting some more readers, some more community, and it’s so well deserved.