Comments on: Excuse Posts – How to Let Your Blog Go #6

By: Wakas Mir

Wakas Mir — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:38:42 +0000

Hi there,

An amazing set of “reasons” you got up here and great job guys for sharing it with others. True, that it really is a negative thing when bloggers post more excuse posts than the other content the user is “promised” . So i guess its different from blogger to blogger… and as a few have said here that when you know your topic you can churn out anything in matter of minutes, those who can’t.. make excuses .. so yes once again choose what you KNOW you love writing about.

By: kristarella

kristarella — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:32:32 +0000

Ms Sparky, I think if you’ve already built your blog talking about a variety of topics then that’s what your readers like and expect. It’s only really a problem when you build your blog talking about the latest in microprocessor technology and then start raving about gastric bypass surgery (for example). When readers expect something and get something completely different.

By: Ms Sparky

Ms Sparky — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:39:51 +0000

One of the problems I have is focusing on any one topic. I worked in Iraq for two years and I blog about that. My daughter is in prison and I blog about that. I am raising my grandson and I blog about that. I just came back from a job in China and I’ve worked in Antarctica so I blog about that. Then there are the things that just tick me off.

I’m open for suggestions on how to focus or even if I should.

Ms Sparky

By: Ms Sparky

Ms Sparky — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:34:55 +0000

Looks like I’m doing a couple things right. Whenever I come up with a blog idea I put down a few notes and save it as a draft. To use in the future when I’m “blog dead”.

Great post.

Ms Sparky

By: David Walker

David Walker — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:11:19 +0000

I think keeping some posts, or at least ideas for new posts in reserve is essential to get you through lean periods. I have found myself bookmarking interesting blog posts and forum topics because I know I could make a really useful post of my own out of them. I must have enough material for another 10 posts at the moment!

By: Kat Rice

Kat Rice — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:59:48 +0000

Thanks for the continued excellent tips Darren. I wish I could forward this to some blogs I read that do the “I’m-sick-and-so-I-can’t-post-right-now” Post. I can think of one who even posts like that when he has new content! Its very annoying, I’ve mostly given up checking in. Anyhow, keep it coming.

By: guardian angel

guardian angel — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:22:02 +0000

I am sure every blogger passes through this stage – bloggers block.

I remember I made a similar post not so long ago entitled What to do When you Cannot Think of a Good Post and I am glad we have a couple of similar tips. But then, my last tip was – Do not force your self or else, you will make a ugly post.

Anyway, it is easier to say sorry to your readers if you have not posted regularly. They will love you more by doing that.

Thanks.

By: kristarella

kristarella — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:52:17 +0000

Sarah said she doesn’t notice how long it’s been between posts. I do. If a blog has been providing useful, interesting information 3 times a week and then doesn’t post for three weeks I notice. I don’t think an “excuse” post is in order, along the lines of “sorry, things suck, I’ll be back in a while”. I prefer Louis’s idea of an explanation. Something along the lines of “I still value this blog and you guys as readers, but things are crazy, I plan to rock you with new posts in [timeframe].” This might prevent readers from abandoning your blog, rather than wondering if you’re dead (I used to read the blog of a bipolar woman, the last couple of posts were rather drastic and then the blog was deleted, I sometimes still wonder if she’s alive).

By: Ryan Mac

Ryan Mac — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:17:09 +0000

Slowing down your post frequency is a great tip I have used.
I was trying to post everyday and finding that I would get overwhelmed and not post for a week or two because it was too much of a daunting task (especially for someone who studies and works at the same time as well)
So I decreased posting on my fiancial blog to 4 times per week at the moment, which is regular but not too much that I cannot handle it.
Great post Darren

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:18:13 +0000

I find the rainy day posts a really good tool.
I actually carry around a notebook (something I got into the practice of doing with my journalism studies) and take notes for ideas when they come to me.

You just don’t know where or when an idea will come to you.

For example the other day I was observing a ladies piece of jewellery in a supermarket, I found myself staring like an idiot, and she looked at me strangely. I then discovered an idea for my blog…(which is about beading and jewellery.). “I’ve become a beading pervert”….It is a post that will explore the obsessiveness of artists, and the inspirations that you can gather from other peoples work (with a humourous perspective no doubt)
I advise anyone to keep a notebook. It really helps. By the way when I say notebook I don’t mean computer…just a little pad.

jess

By: Jessica Bond

Jessica Bond — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:22:40 +0000

I keep a running list of blog topic ideas and any lead in sentences. There are times when the ideas flow and other times when you may need to pull from the running list of ideas. For times when I am away, I write several short blogs in advance and publish while on the road.

Cheers!

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:07:53 +0000

I think it’s absolutely okay if it’s just once in a great while. If a regular poster suddenly became irregular, I’d be curious as to why, mostly out of concern.

For those who do these posts once every few weeks or months, I’d prefer a slower but more regular posting schedule as a reader. Take those moments where you’re feverishly writing and space out the posts created. However, blogging is personal, and I’d pretty much always respect a blogger’s posting prerogative.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:45:58 +0000

Wow, thanks for these tips. I stop being consistent and such a lot, this will help out to keep me staying on track.

By: Supermance

Supermance — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:22:19 +0000

is that your cat ?

6. Prepare for Known Events that Might Disrupt Your Blogging -> your cat is disrupting me :)

By: Sire

Sire — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:13:22 +0000

I wish I could leave my blog and go on a holiday. heck if I did ever manage to go on a holiday I would probably take my blogs with me, if my wife didn’t kill me first.

Seriously if I was lucky enough to get a break I would plan ahead and draft a whole set of posts and post date them to appear regularly while I am gone. Then I would sneak to a cafe somewhere to keep track of the comments;)

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:40:29 +0000

Ah, I’ve done these excuse posts and killed my site’s momentum. And then I sort of have to struggle through that re-build phrase. Definitely something that I need to watch out for.

By: Sabrinna

Sabrinna — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:24:41 +0000

how ’bout find another author or two?

btw i love that cat :)

By: Terra Andersen

Terra Andersen — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:11:52 +0000

This was a great post. I am so guilty of this, although I don’t blog for a living. I think this post probably spoke to more people than who are willing to admit. *=)

I know having a blog requires sometype of consistency… especially those with super loyal followings… and of course this blog is one of those types of blogs. *=)

By: Jillian

Jillian — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:08:07 +0000

Great advice, Darren.

I’m working on building up a store of “rainy day blog posts” at the moment.

I try to carry a notebook with me where ever I go so that if an idea springs to mind, I can jot it down. I’ve found that by doing this, I’m never (or at least not yet) wanting for topics to write about.

By: Gastroplod

Gastroplod — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:01:05 +0000

Excellent advice: I’m only just beginning but I have learned to ration my posts. Sometimes I’m on a roll, with ideas for lots of posts but I keep these back for days when I’m bankrupt of ideas, or know I’ll be away. There’s also such a thing as posting too frequently. Post scheduling is brilliant.