Sometimes, when you visit a favorite blogger online, you can read a post and get left with the distinct impression that the author has lost all passion for the subject, and has reached an impasse. This translates in to the material of the site, dragging the content down and leaving a sense of disappointment in the visitor.
We build loyalties online quite quickly; sometimes, just by reading one or two articles we gain a positive impression of the site that prompts us to bookmark it or subscribe to future posts.
When this loyalty is rewarded with a gradual fizzling out of enthusiasm, it can be a huge disappointment.
Even worse, sometimes when we have followed a blogger for a number of months or years, they suddenly stop posting anything at all. Instead of being the first source for updates in our preferred industry, the site slowly tails off, as if the author has lost all interest and moved on to something new.
These experiences are inevitable online, as site owners hail from all backgrounds, industries and circumstances, some of which may be in direct opposition to maintaining a flourishing and regularly updated blog.
However, regardless of how the situation comes about, the effect on the reader is always the same.
We may visit the site once or twice in the future, in the hope that the situation has reversed, and then finally give up, remove the site from our favorites, and go elsewhere for the material we seek.
Some of these site owners may have secured alternate careers, meaning they don’t need to blog anymore. Others may have just decided they aren’t interested anymore.
However, the third scenario is fatal – some may have simply lost their momentum to update their site.
While it is their main source of income, and they are dependent upon visitors popping in regularly to make purchases, they have lost the passion, enthusiasm and interest critical to keeping their site up to date as a valuable resource.
If this has ever happened to you, you’ll know just how easy it can be to lose momentum with your site.
Family pressures or engagements may get in the way of your usual routine. Your workload may have increased to the point where your online presence gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list. Worst of all, you may simply have lost interest, lost heart, or begun to doubt your abilities online.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to recognise the issue sooner rather than later, and do something to reverse it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ignite your passion for blogging once again before your followers realize there is an issue…
Change Format
If you can’t bring yourself to write posts, try video blogging (vlogging) to rekindle your enthusiasm and regain your interest in your site once more – as they say, a change is as good as a rest.
Outsource
If you are just too busy right now to update your site yourself, it could be time to consider outsourcing to a reliable writer. Choose someone you can trust to copy your own style and tone, and commission them to write a certain number of posts each week to keep the momentum of your site going until you can get back to it.
Use Your Followers
If you’re struggling for time, why not ask your readers to step up and help you out? You can invite people to guest post to cover for you while you get your business back on track, and bring in people who know your industry to provide original content to keep your blog ticking over.
Ignite Your Passion Again
Sometimes, tailing off on your blog may simply be an issue of running out of ideas. If this is the case, again contact your readers and ask them to post up suggestions of what you could write about, the issues they are having that need resolution, areas of interest or other key topics. Once you have your list, you’re all set to establish a new schedule of posts for the coming months.
No matter what the reason is for letting your blog lie dormant, if this is your main source of income it’s critical that you get it back on track. By remembering why you set the blog up in the first place, and taking some simple steps to resolve the impasse, you’ll soon be able to get back to your regular routine of updates and articles.
Great post Andrew! Thanks for that kick up the backside and Happy New Year!
I am guilty as charged!
I find it difficult to think of what to write about. My topic is such a specialised topic and not many people in the world know how to treat allergies the way I teach. Basically if people are experiencing symptoms I would ask that they open their minds to the idea that they may have sensitivities, allergies or intolerances.
To me it is so simple – find out what is causing the reactions/symptoms through muscle testing (you don’t always have to do this though), then treat using techniques that can be learned. Every post is coming to the same conclusion. Do you see what I mean?
I am looking at expanding my site out a bit as it is so restrictive to talk purely about allergies.
2015 is going to be my year!
With love,
Cathy
Cathy
The best thing to do for ideas is to do some Google searching. Use your keyword phrases and see what people are talking about in that niche.
Could you talk about treatments that DON’T work?
What can people do to possibly stop getting the allergies in the first place?
Blog about your clients experiences (keeping things confidential).
Blog about how you started in this area of specialism.
Just some thoughts.
Andrew
Great roundup as usual, really enjoyed your article. If you know how to start a blog then there’s no problem at all. Only the first sentence is difficult the rest will follow. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Hi Andrew,
I have definitely lost my passion a few times along the way. Sometimes all it takes it getting a way for a week or two to gain a fresh perspective. I have seen so many blogs along the years that have either stopped writing new posts or have completely shut them down.
Take Care and Happy New Year!
Justin
It’s a bit like going to the gym…have a holiday…then trying to start again!
So many bloggers believe…blog and money will follow…within weeks. Then they find out that doesn’t happen and give up. For those that can survive the first 6 – 12 months…then it can be worthwhile.
Thanks,
Andrew
One thing that i have found very hard about blogging is getting loyal customers or should i say audience. Many pretend they are loyal only to unsubscribe at a later stage. For me, i thing the best way a blogger can stay relevant is to make sure his/her content add value or else, he/she will lose audience the way i did.
Walter
People unsubscribe…for a reason. Perhaps they no longer like the content/advice or it had too much marketing in.
Andrew
I enjoy reading your post. It’s very hard for me to write. It usually takes me over 3 weeks to complete about 2,000 words, regardless how much passionate I am for the subject. If I’m stuck (and I usually am) i am visiting Quora to get some inspiration. this work like a charm.
NoeLiA
Have you thought about outsourcing the writing? That way your time is spent on things you enjoy doing.
Andrew
Hi Andrew, Great article. I know that starting a blog is little bit difficult task but afterwards if you have passion for maintaining your blog then no one can stop you. At the last I just want to say that keep sharing such wonderful information with us… 🙂
Abhishek
I agree…’no one can stop you’ but so many bloggers do. Mainly because they pick the wrong niche and/or expect quick returns.
Andrew
Points above are indeed biggest blogging issue…
Guest Blogging is my backup option if I don’t want to update my blog.. or busy with other thing…
Vishal
Guest blogging on your own site or you guest bloiing on other sites?
Thanks,
Andrew