Regular readers of my blog may well have noticed it was
rather quiet over the last week on my blog. That’s because I didn't schedule any
blog posts to go live while I was away. I'm now currently questioning whether I should
have scheduled some to go live as I know many bloggers do or whether it is ok
to go quiet occasionally.
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When I was due to give birth to the youngest member of the
family I decided at the time to schedule posts. I was following a theme loosely
at the time and this really helped bring posts into fruition. Like many bloggers I like to think I have a
loose structure of what I will post on my blog each week too and therefore
people know what to expect. The owners of those linky's I join in with every
week also know to expect me and this helps to build and strengthen connections.
Recently I have noticed a number of bloggers advertising
that they will be away from x to x and asking people whether they’d like to be
featured on their blog during that time. While I think it is lovely to hear
from all sorts of bloggers. What bothers me is the fact the owner is
advertising that they are going to be away and makes me wonder what level of
risk they are putting themselves under?!
Then there’s the sudden silence that descends on a blog. As
a regular follower you may question what has happened to this person are they
ok?! I recently went as far as reaching out on Twitter to ask whether one
certain blogger was ok as they hadn't linked up with a linky we are both
usually a part of. Thankfully the person in question was ok and just needed to
take a short break away.
For me personally the silence on this blog came about
for two reasons. One I felt my blogging mojo waning and I needed to go out and
live life so I’d got something to blog about. Secondly I didn't want to
advertise that I was away but I guess with the silence it’s rather obvious I
was right?! Lastly it is always worth remembering your audience- mine is first
and foremost my family. By switching off the computer once in a while and just
being solely in their company you will find a better connection.
Do you advertise you are having a break from blogging?
No, I never advertise a break from blogging regardless if it due to a bit of blogging burnout or whether I'm going to be out of town. I am very much about openness on my blog, but some things do not need to be shared with the masses. When I am away, I schedule posts in advance or pull something out of the archives and give it a second shot.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from #mg
Thank you Ericka sounds like a great plan to me.
DeleteI always take a blogging break over our summer holiday and accept that through the six weeks holidays I wont be blogging anywhere near as much as I would like to. I never schedule posts for while I'm away, when I'm on holiday I like to just enjoy myself without worrying about anything else at all! Good to see you back though! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteAww thank you. I agree it's great to not have anything to worry about.
DeleteHope you've had a nice time away! I've never really taken a full blogging break, either to go away on holiday or just to get away from the blog for a while. I don't know whether I would advertise it or not to be honest. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteIt was very enjoyable. Thanks for asking. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it.
DeleteA bit of both really, sometimes it's unplanned but life just gets in the way. I do like to keep people in the loop if possible. I did a post before I went away last year and explained to burglar Bill that the house would not be empty ha! I don't schedule posts because the chances are I would not have time to return the comments if I am away, and I am really strict about doing that. I hope you have your mojo back xx #mg
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa. It's true sometimes it is hard to keep up commenting if we've been away even if we've not linked up those scheduled posts.
DeleteNo, I don't advertise. If I'm having a break it's usually because I'm too busy to pick up my phone or laptop, so no chance to explain why I haven't posted! #marvmondays
ReplyDeleteThank you Jules.
DeleteI think you should be able to have breaks, a rest, a holiday, an illness, a life, some time away from your blog, anytime you want. You don't have to plan these moments, life cannot always be like that, enjoy life, enjoy blogging and don't worry about all the other stuff. #twinklytuesdays
ReplyDeleteGood advice. Thank you.
DeleteI have this debate with myself every time I take a blogging break (which isn't often). Same as you I don't want to advertise that I'm away!! Fortunately I have no rigid schedule of posting so I don't think it's *too* obvious. Hope you got your blogging mojo back?? #DreamTeam
ReplyDeleteNow there's an idea. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteHelena, I don't think anyone should be a slave to their blog! Need a break? Take a break. Come back. I post just once a week, so I never reach that "blogger burnout" point. A lot of bloggers I've seen who make prior arrangements before taking a break are those who are running their blogs as a business, so it's understandable. Hope you enjoyed your break!
ReplyDeleteVery wise words Jean. Thank you.
DeleteGenerally if I am away I schedule some, but less than usual posts, I never say that I am away. However, I do sometimes go silent, as I have rather recently when I took a break in August and said I would not be blogging or not much, but it wasn't because I was away, I just needed a break and now I am on a reduced blogging situation because of family things which I have blogged about. So, my answer is generally schedule a couple of things if I am away on hols, never mention that I am away on hols and yes, it is OK to go silent, sometimes real life is more important and that is alright! Hope you had a good break and that all is well with you. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. Great advice there. Sorry to hear about things going on for you family wise.
Deletelovely to have you back, I think with me other than my Monday linky I am not always consistent so if I have a quiet week of posting I don't expect people will worry (well I hope not). Some weeks the kids are sick, or I am, or I am feeling overwhelmed in my world or with life and I am a bit quiet. I am bad in that I don't schedule posts as I don't usably have them written in advance. I just get on, type and publish (I know I am supposed to be more organised). If I needed time away from #mg link up then I would let everyone know that I am not running it though. I don't think anyone who follows me really knows where I live (other than in Melbourne) so I think it's ok to say I'm away. Anyway I am blabbing on and on as I tend to do sorry. Thank you for linking up xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you. You surprise me I had you down as very organised. Don't be sorry I love to hear what you have to say. xoxoxoxo
DeleteI don't tend to say i'm away. I keep in touch with closer blogging friends via messaging and chat so I would probably announce it that way.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing to get away and have a break from it sometimes.
Hope you had a fab break :)
Thanks for being part of #MMBC. Hope to see you next week x
The break was very enjoyable thank you. Thanks for letting me in on how you roll with things.
DeleteI take some time away now and then because I want to and I need to but never really say anything about it. I'm a mother and wife before being a blogger and they always come first #mg
ReplyDeleteI hear you or should that be read you.
DeleteI take regular breaks. Im still new to all this but there are times I need a break for me, and other times that family stuff comes first. I don't post on a schedule though, that's just not me. I like to write posts that feel how I feel that week. Fair play to anyone more organised! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of that. Thank you for giving me an insight into how you approach blogging.
DeleteWe have just come back from a two week break and I did schedule posts, but when I had Kipper I didn't. But I was hurt on stats/klout/tots etc. I know they are not everything but it annoyed me somewhat. Geeez am I not allowed to have a baby! I think I would schedule again as I have about 20 drafts sitting in my to do file. But I wouldn't advertise I was away. I get really funny with even telling PRs i can't do something as we are away. Maybe it's paranoia? However I do think it's good to have a break and I've not promoted those posts so you could think it was a bit of a waste? I am aiming to get the balance better between now and Christmas! Xx #MarvMondays
ReplyDeleteI do hope you enjoyed your break away. Ah yes the stats etc I can imagine getting frustrated by that. It's the same in the world of geocaching. Thank you for giving me an insight into how you approach blogging.
DeleteThank you. That's a good idea keeping a close few in the know. I had a very enjoyable stay.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. I do usually inform readers I'm away and don't bother scheduling posts but I'm very careful not to indulge my location online (though I'm sure it's probably scarily easy to find). Will consider this in future! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
ReplyDeleteGreat that I've made you think.
DeleteSuch a great point - I did advertise that I was away for a week in August but I don't think there was any need. We should all feel like we can take time away from our blogs as and when we need to...I find it quite overwhelming sometimes with the various social channels as well so need a little break to refresh and reset. Hope you had a fantastic break and welcome back! Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam Great to have you x
ReplyDeleteThank you Bridie. It's true that we should be able to take time out from our blogs and not feel guilty about it.
DeleteNice to see you again 😊
ReplyDeleteI tell people- don't really see the worry in it. Sometimes I am overly relaxed about stuff though 😊
#fartglitter
Thank you.
Delete