Once I signed a book contract, the demands on my time ramped up. The nature of my blog changed because I simply can't get around as much as I used to. I miss that. I miss the people I used to interact with more often.More and more, it seemed like my blog was all about cover reveals and book releases. That's not a bad thing. I love celebrating with them and helping to get the word out. But was that the only thing my blog was going to be?
During this hiatus, one of the things I've been doing is rethinking how I do things here. I've decided to start posting twice a week. Here's the plan:
Mondays will be for me. I'll do what I've always done and talk about whatever. Maybe I'll share brilliant posts again (not mine, of course).
Wednesdays (first one of each month) will be for my IWSG posts.
Fridays, I'll be posting spotlights of cover reveals, book launches, or book reviews. Since these seem to come out in bunches, there could be Fridays with multiple books.
What about your blog? Has it morphed over time? What are you doing to keep it fresh?
I'm blogging less and reading other people's blogs more. It feels more like a conversation that way.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan. I know the announcements and reveals can take over. (Trust me!) That's why I'm starting to limit the ones I do feature and make sure I offer something more than just that with my posts. And I'm going down to one-two posts a week.
ReplyDeleteKeeping up with comments will still be a challenge but I will do my best!
I believe my blog has moved toward more general posts about things other than writing (as a regular reader, maybe you are in better position to tell me whether that's true or not) . How much can a person like me say about writing, after all? Whether that's 'what the people want' or not remains to be seen.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really good to evaluate what you're doing and why, and making changes as a result. I've been doing much of the same this last little while. Keep enjoying your break!
That sounds great, Donna. I'm planning to continue with my author interviews and book giveaway hops (so popular and draw in readers and book review bloggers as well as writers), but I am cutting back to some weeks just once a week blogging and taking more weeks off to free up some time for writing. I'm toying with joining IWSG but I'm not sure yet since I want to blog less, not more. I'll still be following everyone's blog though may reserve some days not to look at my blog roll. I think it's good to reevaluate periodically and figure out what works best.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan :)
ReplyDeleteYep, my place has changed shockingly over the years. From 100 readers a day to 100,000 a month or more :) To celebrities reading us and to even earning some money from it all :)
I love the content driven blogs...not that announcements aren't content, but sometimes it all starts to blend together for me. I guess that's my way of saying I'll be looking forward to reading what you're posting. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing a rhyming nut and having the ability to post about anything at all, keeps me going at my hall haha
ReplyDeleteI've definitely rethought the blog. Sometimes it feels like I talking to a wall. Other times there's great interaction. I'm down to posting two times a week but lately with the writers block I'm lucky to get one post out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm still contemplating what to do. I don't want to dismantle it completely, but some days I feel like I'm just getting lost in the crowd. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Melanie
Sounds like a good plan. Evolution is growth, so that's a good thing. Looking forward to your posts. :))
ReplyDeleteI've been rethinking mine. What I had been doing isn't something I'm as passionate about anymore (as can be seen by the dismal posting) but I think that there is something I can do that will appeal to readers and writers. Time will tell I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent plan, Donna. My blog has definitely changed--especially since July when I started the Truth or Lie game with Writerly Wednesdays. Now I'm booked out almost 6 months in advance with sharing peoples wonderful books and giving friends chances to win them. But, with all that excitement I've retain Mondays for insightful posts--a day for deep thinkers, and Fridays for fun--or cheese. I mean, who doesn't need to laugh?
ReplyDeleteDonna, I love reading posts that are more personal. The announcements and releases, even though they're supportive, all tend to blend together for me.
ReplyDeleteMany people are blogging less, but if you're a writer I think that's to be expected. You're plan sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble coming up with new content week after week. I still use my blog as a tool to showcase upcoming releases, but try to keep it light, too...not that it's working for me. LOL
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Donna, and look forward to your future posts!
ReplyDeleteWith life being so busy, I've found that blogging has to come last on my to-do list at certain times of the year. It's my favorite form of social media, however, and after a little break I recently started up again, too.
Smart, Donna. I like the idea of having a set schedule like that. I'm not sure what my blog is... I'm kind of all over the place. I'm sure once I'm an established author like you, I'll have more structure. :)
ReplyDeleteLately I've joked that my blog has become the boyfriend I really ought to break up with. It started out lots of fun--great outlet--but became a burden, to the point that this year I've only posted four times. Since I don't get a lot of readership anyway, I'm wondering if it would even matter to anyone if I just shut it down. I started it to promote my writing, but that was five years ago, long before I got the book contract. Maybe I'll set some deadlines, like what you've done, and maybe that will make it feel less like eating an elephant and more like eating a chicken wing.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you keep such great perspective on everything:)I'd say I try to keep it simple on my blog and try to stay inspired. If I feel like only one post a week, I do that, but if I feel like 3, then I do that. I find readers get enthusiastic if I'm enthusiastic, so it does no good for me to try and fake it:)
ReplyDeleteGreat plan, Donna! Your blog is always great. Looking forward to what's to come!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! I see nothing wrong with a blog evolving, and your plan sounds like one will work for you. I find personal posts the most interesting, but I do not mind when bloggers promote their writing or their artistic creations. I like a balance. I've only been blogging about a year, and I know how much work and time a good blog post can take. Some people seem to be able to blog on a schedule and with a plan, but neither works for me. So I post what I can, when I can, about whatever I feel like at the time. My original idea was to post as I wrote my memoirs of my childhood in Northern Canada, but I'm so interested in all kinds of things, that that hasn't worked for me. Good luck with your plan. I will look forward to whatever you post!
ReplyDeleteA lot of people get to a point where it's all too much and then just quit, which is a shame. I think taking stock of what you want to get out of blogging and making the appropriate adjustments is the far better way to handle it.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
I don't blog as much as I used to either. Its all good.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate!
my most recent post for IWSG... I asked should I have a schedule or not.... and I don't think more than one or two people said go with the schedule... I'm pretty convinced now that people come to our blogs because they enjoy our writing - no matter when we blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the reveals and launches, etc, I love participating but it does get a little overwhelming sometimes. I think you have a great idea for your schedule! I've been thinking that I need to come up with a plan for the new year once my release and the holidays are over.
ReplyDeleteRight now my freshness is writing every week and not necessarily sticking to schedule since I have to blog less. I'm glad you're doing what's right for you and still helping others promoting their books.
ReplyDeleteMine started out M-W-F. Mondays were for anything mystery or writing, Wednesday was my hump day funnies, Friday was open for anything. But I ran into the whole time crunch thing and dropped Fridays. Yesterday I announced I'm scaling back to just Wednesdays, at least until the end of the calendar year, unless there's something special I want to post about or a blog hop I want to be part of. There just isn't enough time to blog and visit other blogs.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing some serious thinking too. Your plan seems like a good one.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, with Joy)
I like your plan:) Look forward to your posts:)
ReplyDeleteI have a weekly blogging schedule too, and I have like you been working on a few new ways and new ideas to launch on my own soon too:)
This sounds like such a great idea. I should definitely get back to blogging.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I just go with the flow. I don't have a schedule. The one thing I will invest in next year is a proper website. The blog will just be a part of it.
ReplyDeletei am with you on time restraints! i like your plan! i hav cut back to once or twice a week too, but im also using other "quicker" ways to communicate...
ReplyDeleteI like your plan.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I have a plan and other times I don't. When I do, I post three times a week.
I've found I'm in a similar situation as you. I used to blog so much more about my family and life, with a good mix of book reviews. But my blog seems to be waning because I get more interaction with friends on FB. I need to revitalize it though. =) Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDelete