I know, can you imagine Our Fearless leader ALEX entrusting such a thing to a nut like me? But he DID!!!
So WELCOME Insecure Sweetie Pies!!! The Insecure Writer’s Support Group WELCOMES you and The Watery Tart, oh silliest of Digressionists welcomes you, too!
April is a wonky month because MOST of us are blogging A to Z. In fact this is the first year I have missed it since it began, but between CRAZY day job deadlines and being behind of a writing project I really want to get done, I just decided it wasn’t fair to sign up, as I wouldn’t have time to get around…. And you KNOW how I like to get around *shifty*
My Current Insecurity though, is NOT unrelated. I have had a day job promotion this year and have had to take a fair number of breaks. Not huge breaks… more baby breaks… like cutting back to blogging twice a week. But I notice when I’m not around as much, people don’t show up as much. I try not to take it personally. I KNOW people can’t be expected to show up when I might not even BE HERE (though I really do blog a few times a week still)… but when I take REAL BREAKS, my blog traffic takes a hit and then doesn’t bounce back…
Anybody have any advice on how to bounce back? How to get the excitement going again? Because I could sure use it!
Best of luck to any of you doing A to Z this month! Here are some of my favorite B things for Encouragement:
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| I could use a Bahama vacation about now... |
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| Or at least a beer (only microbrews need apply) |
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| No Tart list is complete without a man-butt |
And if you want to keep up around here, my plan is just once a week through April, but part of it is tied to an author process and promotion thing... stop in next Monday and get the scoop...
And NOW, go visit some insecure friends!!!
46 comments:
That was a really good man butt!
I know what you mean about losing comments for being gone too much. I try to keep up my comments a couple three times a week, but posting is becoming a chore, and it seems I'll never reach that 500 followers mark. Oh well, I've got to focus on the day job - the thing that pays the bills.
Thanks for taking the time in your busy schedule to co-host, and post such lovely scenery :)
You sound super-busy which equals super-productive...
and ooh-la-la to the posterior extremity!
Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
Writer In Transit
Greetings fellow co-host!
I'm feeling the non A-Z weirdness too.
It's tough juggling a day job and writing, isn't it? I hope you continue to find the balance.
I know what you mean about people not visiting as often if you're not posting as often.
The only remedy I've found is to be vocal on other forms for social media, so people know you're still around, and are just busy, and when you do blog, make sure it's something interesting for the readers.
Good luck bouncing back, and enjoy your A-Z free April!
Clare Dugmore Writes
If I think I might not be able to blog for a while, I try to schedule a post or two, just so the blog doesn't look abandoned. It's not ideal, but I think it helps a bit.
Maybe if you have a blog schedule like some people that I visit on Monday and Friday, people will know you'll have a post. Like all your B's...
Congratulations on the day job promotion!
I think Cathrina is right...blog schedules can help. :) Or just cut back to once a week but always keep that day...every Wednesday, etc.
Congrats on all you do. How you manage is beyond me.
Congrats on all you do. How you manage is beyond me.
I need to take a good few years off blogging to catch up on all I have to do regarding writing. But I hear what you say. While you're frittering time away blogging, we miss out of all we should be doing, but if we do what we should be doing it all goes eerily silent at the blog. Balance is key everyone likes to say, but what that exactly means I cannot seem to decipher. *Slaps head.
Best of luck in finding out and please pass it on if you do. Also, thanks for the butt *blush. X
shahwharton.com
I don't visit bloggers on a schedule. I follow them via Feedly, so (if I'm making rounds that day) I see when they post.
Fwiw, I saw a big traffic hit when I went on hiatus. It's picked back up some, now that I'm back and making the rounds again, but it's not like it was. Of course, I've been busier, too, so I haven't been making the number of visits I used to.
You have to make 'em to get 'em. It's the law of blogland. ;)
Thanks for co-hosting.
Hi Hart!
I'm glad to see you!
I don't have any great advice. Maybe just to have a hop of your own? Or a contest to get people back to the flock?
I know you'll think of something great!
Heather
Hi dear tartlet! I have been so behind- I'm doing the A to Zed because I love it but really I'm just checking out my old pals. I think the only way to get folks back the way you originally got them! True dat!
Thank you for co-hosting!
And THAT is why cutting back scares me. What if no one comes back?
I think it's all in the timing. Before this, I cut back to just one day posting, but since that's Monday, the busiest day of the week, my visits and comments didn't suffer. I still visit throughout the week though. Cutting that back last week while I was gone really worried me. So far, everyone has welcomed me back though.
Thanks for co-hosting today. I really admire writers that hold a day job and still find time to write and blog. I think, though, that loyal fans will come back. :)
Good luck to you.
I like your list of B's. As far as bouncing back, if you visit and comment on other blogs, I'm sure people will stop by yours and traffic will pick up again.
Thanks for co-hosting IWSG.
Sometimes a break is just the thing to get re-energized. It's tough to let the "numbers" drop, but when you come back fresh and ready to roll, they pick back up.
I took a couple of weeks off, pre-posted a few things but didn't spend much time on vacation worrying about things (this just one month after my book release.) I came back with a list for the A-Z challenge and raring to go!
Good luck...and congrats on the job promotion. It will reflect in your writing promotions, too!
Congrats on the promotion, and thanks for hosting!
I don't have any good advice, except visiting other blogs and perhaps sharing through other social media (a lot of people on my Twitter feed read my blog even if they aren't followers).
I don't think there is a bouncing back without a bigtime book to draw people in. Either you have to go around and work the crowd, so to speak, or you have to be -known-. I don't think there's an in between.
Photo tart! HA! I needed that giggle today. :)
Hi Hart. I'm #88. Wish I could tell you how to bounce back. I'm reducing my blogging time drastically. Something had to give. I think doing IWSG Wednesdays is a great way to bounce back. It's definitely a beginning.
Bahamas and beer...sounds good to me!
I was totally shocked when I got here and you weren't doing the A to Z, but I totally understand.
I've dropped back to blogging once a week, other than the challenge, and I find if I dedicate that one day a week to really rubbing shoulders with my bloggies, they totally respond. I think some of them even plan on stopping by on Wednesdays now--without a prompt or reminder.
No need to burn yourself out by blogging too much. Just take it easy for a while and read other blogs. I think you'll be surprised how quickly you'll want to get back into posting again once you see everyone else doing it.
I didn't do A to Z either, because there's no way I would have gotten anything else done for a month.
Congrats on the promotion. Hope you find the perfect balance with work, life and blogging soon. Thanks for co-hosting.
I don't have any advice on keeping the momentum when you make a blogging change or take a break. It was a concern of mine in switching from blogger to wordpress and a new website. You just have to keep working it.
Love your B-eautiful inspiration!
Play off the Page
I blog once a week and sometimes have a guest too, but that is all I can handle. So I feel crazy for doing this challenge, but I am loving it. :) Just do what you can handle.
P.S. I have to agree with Donna . . . that was a nice man butt. haha ;)
Steamy photos should help with the bounce back. Gee, blogging 2-3 times a week sounds good. I'm at 3x/wk. Most writers I know are about there. More seems like too much. Am I wrong? I've been known to be wrong...
I don't think there's a way to "bounce" back. My traffic went down again after last year's frequent summer posts went back to normal, 3 times a week. And I've had to pre-schedule a couple of IWSG posts due to travel on the right date. Not being able to visit other blogs makes a different too. So, sorry I'm late, but I'm here now.
You are not alone in the blog break and drop in traffic. I am having the same difficulty after a break last year. I was able to get back to blogging a little more in November but I still cannot get numbers to come up. I thought that maybe the A-Z would help my blog bounce back with a few more numbers, but it isn't happening.
I definitely like everything listed in your B word!
Well, that was a BUTT. :) Great post! :) I'm stopping in from both the A to Z Challenge and the IWSG. I hope you have a fabulous month!
Thanks so much for co-hosting this month! And thanks for the eye candy ;)
A break at the beach sounds perfect - so what if the blog traffic slows down, when you get to swim in the ocean and dry under the sun on the sand.
MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
Great post. Thank you for co-hosting. I am doing NaNo and IWSG, but did not try A-Z as I thought it would be too much, since I am writing my first novel. I am still trying to learn how to generate traffic the first time, so no clue on revival. Good Luck and Happy Writings,
Juneta at Writer's Gambit
Nice Ending!
Traffic drops off anytime I drop off, the way of the beast, I think. Except maybe for the Ninja King!
Thank you SO MUCH, everyone, for stopping by today! Part of hosting was visiting a pre-assigned set, so I didn't get to call back today, but over the next few days, I will stop in and see alla y'all. And sticking to scheduled days probably WOULD be wise... I need to think about when that makes the most sense. Maybe a serious Monday and a Silly Thursday, then occasional guests? I appreciate all the advice and support!
Thanks for hosting, Hart.
I know how that goes. I've had to cut back too and the visits have declined since I can't be out and about. I say do what you can when you can. All of us have these challenges and understand that earning and living along with all the other things take up the major chunk of our time.
Okay, so I had all these things to chat about, but as soon as my eyes fell on the man-butt, all thoughts left the brain!! O_O
Thanks for co-hosting w/ me today. :)
Congrats on that promotion! Well done, you.
Because I primarily blather on my blog, I don't worry too much about readership. I agree that sticking to a schedule helps, and I always try to reciprocate visits and respond to comments. What's tough is when I have something important to say. I'm too ashamed to promote the blog since it's usually so much fluff.
VR Barkowski
Thanks for co-hosting, you cheeky tart! I found your post most amusing, and at the same time serendipitous. I just started a group on BookBlogs about the subject of visitors/comments on our blogs. Someone suggested inviting guest bloggers to fill any gaps. It serves two purposes: 1) it keeps your blog going, and 2) brings the guest's traffic, which is certain to have some new audience members, with them.
I know EXACTLY how you feel, coming off a break myself, but don't worry....you'll get back into the swing of things soon enough.
Thanks for co-hosting this month, as well.
Whenever I want to see a good naked butt, I know just where to go. Thank you for sharing that, Hart.
I have no good blog advice to give, since your blog has always been so much better and more visited than mine, but I can tell you that I gave Keeping Mum a small heads-up. The more people know about your fun books, the better!
Haha! Too funny! Your pictures are great!
Stopping by to say "hi" a day late for IWSG. :)
You are hysterical! Happy IWSG day!
Great post and I totally relate to your traffic query. Have you tried scheduling posts in advance? That way there is still content on your blog. I have also had to take a step back from daily posts. It sucks when the traffic drops but those that love you still make a turn <3
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
I know what you mean about losing momentum. I try not to worry about it because I'm also finishing up a work in progress and can't stress over the blog. I'd prefer to have a new novel coming out, and have something cool/real to blog about than just filling up space...Thanks for co-hosting on IWSG!
Thanks so much for stopping by my IWSG! Whoa, look at that nice, tight man butt, lol! ;)
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