Comments on: Don’t Give Excuses. Just Blog.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:17:26 +0000

I think this is the problem of the mind set of bloggers who want to make money online. Sometimes, our focus is being diverted to social activities.

If our main purpose of blogging is to make money online, then we must always think that our readers/visitors are buyers or ad clickers. I am seeing some bloggers/Internet Marketers who post very seldom but still making good money, and having tons of subscribers. Dosh Dosh is one of them.

I also tend to be sociable sometimes especially when the post is about my failures in making money online. Although I don’t say sorry after an irregular absence, I sometimes worry if the reader will believe me if I am too serious.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:58:41 +0000

Hmmm. Perhaps excuses are a waste of time… but I feel like its a polite way to reintroduce yourself to your audience. Perhaps they want to know why you’ve been away. Why not oblige them?

But yes, sticking to a firm schedule is ideal.

By: The Wizard of Blogs

The Wizard of Blogs — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:44:27 +0000

I have found myself making those same posts when something comes up. One of the things that I try to do is notify my audience of when I might be away. One of the reasons behind this is that I usually post something everyday on my main blog. When something comes up, I will direct them to stop by and read a couple of my friend’s blogs that generate similar content. My friends appreciate it, my readers appreciate it, and I don’t feel like I am leaving them out in the dark. Good post.

By: stephen

stephen — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:57 +0000

It might also be worth noting that writing a blog every two minutes is not completely necessary.
If you can write a good yarn, or create a doco’ for a known program, or simply have something of value to add to the general community … giving it a few days as the recent item on your blog can sometimes give you more credibility.
Spitting out a new article everyday just creates a deeper archive. Unless it has information of value, nobody may see/read your story ever again!

By: Andre Arnett

Andre Arnett — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:05:24 +0000

I agree that it can be hard sometime to add to your blog. And I do detest reading a blog with that opening statement, “I have been so busy…”, I must admit that I have fallen into that trap. I will try harder to avoid it.

By: Justin Tadlock

Justin Tadlock — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:59:13 +0000

One of the most important things I’ve learned is to NOT write “sorry I’ve been busy.” If I haven’t posted in a while, my readers can assume that I’ve been busy. Luckily for me, I can blog casually if I want to.

The best thing to do is jump right back in like you haven’t missed a day of blogging. Just get back into it and enjoy blogging for the sake of blogging.

However, I don’t like it when bloggers write posts only to keep up with a schedule.

Quality trumps quantity. But regularity is important, too.

Sometimes, you can’t have the best of both worlds. Write when you have something to say. Of course, in the business world, you need to have something to say — often.

By: GoingLikeSixty

GoingLikeSixty — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:02:10 +0000

Hallelujah and Amen!

When posts like what you describe appear in my RSS I grimace and buzz right on by. If I’m doing RSS feed maintenance later the same day, they will disappear!

And I don’t read many “professional” blogs, most of mine are personal, but I still don’t want you hear excuses. (what Tracy said)

Other pet peeve: Provocative headline and post is…

…read more here…

ARGH.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:58:56 +0000

Agreed. Even if you haven’t posed for a week, just post something interesting and get on with it. Most readers won’t even notice.

You can do the opposite as in , I’m going away for a week, but turn it into a question. I’ve seen a few blogs that have: “I’m going away this Christmas and will check in periodically, what are your holiday plans?” This creates a conversation in the comments section while the poster is busy. Or even a poll. Something…

When I see a post that says ‘Sorry I haven’t posted in a week’, I go onto the next blog.

By: threeundertwo

threeundertwo — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:33:33 +0000

This is so true. I get annoyed reading apologetic posts. I’d rather just read real content. Readers are a pretty forgiving bunch I think.

I’ve made the opposite sort of posts though – “I’m going to be busy doing this and this and this.” I don’t know if it’s better asking for forgiveness in advance.

By: ggw_bach

ggw_bach — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:10:04 +0000

the critical point comes at one post per week. When you drop below that your readers will start wondering if you are still around.

but yeah, if you have to be away, give a reason. Don’t make an excuse.

By: ian in hamburg

ian in hamburg — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:08:26 +0000

And when it feels like a treadmill, get off it.