Abandoned Blogs
Let me come right out and say it—I am guilty of what I am about to write about! So make sure you do as I say, not what I did.
Just like an abandoned home pictured here, visitors to your website may feel that you have let your site dwindle away, and they may not come back. If you don’t provide new content on your website consistently, visitors may think you have abandoned the site.
When you have regular visitors who frequent your site, you do not want to let them down by not updating it. This will just confuse them, and confused visitors will usually decide to stop coming to your site.
What can you do? Simple! Come up with a regular posting schedule! if you decide that you want to write every day for your site (or each weekend), then do that! Stick with it and be consistent! If writing that frequently is too much, scale it back and only write a few times.
Most of the time for me, I run out of time. It is not that I do not want to write or don’t know what to write about) it has been that I can’t find the time. I should not say I can’t find the time, rather, I place other priorities above my posting. This is not right or wrong, it just is (how very Zen!).
I am currently developing a couple of new courses, creating my affiliate program (so folks can earn some cash while promoting my products), developing a few websites, speaking, writing, and living life!
When I realized that my site was starting to grow some weeds around the edges, I quickly scheduled time twice a week to update the blog. I can certainly get two articles written each week. That is my schedule. I will be posting on Thursdays and Sundays. I will test this to see if these are good days for my readers. If not, the days can be changed.
What is your posting schedule? Do you post 5 times a week? 1 time a week? Every other week? I would love to know. Leave a comment below with the number of times you write a blog post.
I realize that even though my blog (and the related podcast, X and Facebook account) is not for a business, I do not want run the risk that subscribers will get bored and never come back to the site to read. How will that help me to share my story. I’m reminded of a podcast I really like that used to once a week and when things happened in life there was radio silence. I got a bit annoyed.
Paul, thanks for the reminder. My intention was to post once a week and I’ll try to commit to doing so after this challenge. I wish you much success with your courses, etc
Hi Cheryl!
Thanks so much for your comment! You’re spot on—whether it’s a business blog or a personal one like yours, consistency keeps people connected to your story. It’s awesome that you’re committing to posting once a week after the challenge. I have no doubt your readers will appreciate that steady rhythm, just like you missed that weekly podcast! Life can throw curveballs, but you’ve got this!
Wishing you all the best with your blog, podcast, and everything else you’re juggling—keep sharing your amazing journey!
You wrote a version of one of my favorite sayings: “This is not right or wrong, it just is (how very Zen!).” <– there is a lot of truth there!
I do not have a regular posting schedule, but I am enjoying the challenge so much I may put one into place when it is over. Consistency is key – I know that intellectually – and now that I have managed to fit daily posting into my schedule without much fuss, I ought to be able to post two or three times – or even ONCE per week… would be an improvement.
Excellent to have courses and an affiliate program! Bravo!
Hey Julie!
I LOVE that you picked up on the “how very Zen!” part—there’s definitely some peaceful wisdom in embracing the flow, right?
It sounds like you’re really getting into the rhythm of posting daily, and you’re right, once a week or even two or three times would be a fabulous step! Consistency is key, but hey, it’s also about enjoying the process—like you are now.
And thank you for the kind words! The courses and affiliate program are keeping me busy, but it’s a fun adventure. Can’t wait to hear how your new posting groove turns out! Keep going—you’ve got this!
Thanks for this thoughtful post, Paul!
I am sporadic – and have several blogs that must feel abandoned!!
I posted quite steadily on the first (Vestella’s Vale) – and began new ones for different themes ….
For awhile I participated in a group blog, where 3 of us alternate posting!
I have a bimonthly creative group, and have tried to get the co-facilitators interested in contributing posts to ‘our’ project blog to no avail! I write there occasionally, and post links to our offerings.
I posted weekly on an art blog roll, where similar to the blog boost challenge, we added our blogs to a weekly post, and visited each other’s blogs! I was disappointed when that wound down – and that blog as well!
For several years, I tended a group of extension students from an online art training, and began a blog to share my own content, especially tips for completing assignments, and for their own classes. Many of ‘my’ students graduated, and the training program implemented more support for students needing more time, so that blog is archived.
Tee hee – today’s post is from my harp blog!
I enjoy sharing info, and aim for posting a few times a month
Hi Nadya!
Wow, you’ve been busy! It sounds like you have a whole universe of blogs swirling around you! I love that you’ve explored so many different creative outlets – from Vestella’s Vale to your art blog roll and even your harp blog (I’ just visited your site at LadyHarper – how fun!).
I totally get the feeling of letting blogs gather a bit of dust, but I think it’s incredible that you’re still juggling so many different projects and finding ways to contribute. Even if some of them have slowed down, they’re clearly still part of your creative journey. And hey, with a sporadic schedule, you’ve got the element of surprise on your side—keeps your readers on their toes! If you have their email addresses (of the visitors), you can always send out an email notification that you have a new blog post for them to read!
It sounds like you’ve got plenty of wisdom and creativity to share, so I bet whenever you do post, it’s always worth the wait. Keep aiming for a few times a month—you’re doing great!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Nadya! Keep shining!
I love the picture and the analogy.
I’m definitely guilty of taking long-ish breaks between the writing challenges I participate in. Then again I don’t think I have a lot of readers who aren’t bloggers themselves, and when my challenge is over, their challenge is over. Consider the cobwebs early Halloween decorations 😉
Being part of a group like this one here is motivating, and I *will* make daily posts happen. Thank you for hosting!