Written on October 18th, 2008 at 12:10 am by Darren Rowse
Feeling Overwhelmed by Social Media and Web 2.0? - Here Are 5 Tips For You
Last week I spoke with a blogger who had thrown the towel in on his blog. One day he simply stopped posting with no explanation.
I emailed to ask him why he stopped and his response was:
“I can’t keep up with the advances in technology. Every day there is a new tool, widget or social networking site to test out. I can’t keep up. I’m feeling overwhelmed by it. So I gave up.”
This is a sentiment I’m hearing a lot lately. Bloggers are increasingly feeling the pressure to have their fingers in lots of pies at once and are feeling overwhelmed by the choice and effort needed to ‘keep up’.
We look at people like Robert Scoble who manage to keep blogs afloat, produce videos, engage with thousands of people on Twitter, FriendFeed and who knows how many other social accounts - all while having a family and traveling the world speaking at conferences! Our efforts in comparison to people like Robert pale by comparison….
If you’re feeling this pressure I’d like to talk to you today and give you a few words of encouragement.
Image by danielgebhart
5 Tips for Overwhelmed Bloggers
1. You’re Not Alone
There are days when I look at the things that I do and feel like I’m going backwards. I’m lucky enough to be able to dedicate full time hours (in fact I’m probably doing this 60-70 hours a week) to what I do - and I there are times when I can’t keep up!
You’re not alone. I hear stories of people who can’t ‘keep up’ every day.
2. Focus Upon Your Core Tasks
My Mum isn’t on Facebook, she’s never heard of Twitter, she thinks YouTube is a deodorant stick and things RSS is something most people keep in their boxer shorts.
Sometimes it feels like we’re falling behind in adopting technology but it is good remind ourselves that what we do do online is actually ahead of the curve of the majority of ‘real people’.
What I remind myself on those days when I feel overwhelmed by it all is that 95% of the people who read my main blog don’t really care that much about social media or web 2.0 - they’re coming to my blog to read information on how to use their cameras.
As a result my core task is to develop that content and to distribute it using mediums that they are familiar with. My core task is NOT to have my finger on the pulse of every new technology. While it can be helpful to know about the latest widgets and tools to become distracted by them could actually be taking me further away from my audience.
3. Be Smart, Establish Boundaries and Focus Your Energies
I am not suggesting that we all ignore social media, emerging web technologies or forget about Web 2.0.
There is a lot to like about Web 2.0 and it can bring a lot of life to your blogging. However unless you’re blogging about Technology or have a very Web Savvy audience you’d do well to pick and choose what you do and don’t focus your attention on and to put boundaries around these activities.
I wish I could list the 3 tools and technologies that you should focus upon - but it will differ for each blog and every topic - but rather than focusing upon everything, narrow your focus and pick a few achievable technologies to ‘play’ with at a time. My approach with social media has always be to pick up new technologies one at a time rather than to start with multiple ones at once.
Picking new tools to play with one at a time allows you to fully understand it, work out how it might work for you and to add it to your natural work flow. Do too many new things at once and you’re not likely to be able to integrate them into your life to it’s potential.
Remember my post from last week on Home bases and Outposts and how it relates to Social Media - while spending time on outposts can be useful you also need to spend time on your home base - that needs to be your priority.
On Boundaries - One of the techniques that I use to help me to put boundaries around the things that I do is to use Batch Processing. Put most simply it is about setting aside blocks of time to work on tasks in a focused way instead of flitting from one thing to another all day.
4. They are Tools - Refocus Upon Your Goals
Sometimes the tools and technologies become bigger than they need to be. I am constantly reminding myself to spend less time focusing upon the tools and more time focusing upon my goals.
If you know what you want to achieve you can then decide how to move towards that desired goal. In doing so you can select the best tools for the job. If you start with the medium or the tools and try to fit it to your ‘goals’ and objectives you’ll just get muddled.
Web 2.0 technologies can help you achieve your goals - but they are much more effective if you know what you want to achieve.
5. Have Fun
Sometimes I take things too seriously. Sure - blogging has become a business and a way of sustaining my family so there needs to be some element of taking it seriously - but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Social media is a space that is at it’s best when it is fun and playful. Let it bog you down and you’re kind of defeating the purpose of it all.
What would you add as a tip for people feeling overwhelmed by social media and Web 2.0 technologies?
Tags: Robert Scoble, social media, Social Media Tips, Web 2.0
104 Responses to “Feeling Overwhelmed by Social Media and Web 2.0? - Here Are 5 Tips For You”
Roy Scribner
October 18th, 2008 12:35 am
Yes, I think the keyword (heh) there is “tools”. One has to quickly be able to surmise whether a new tool will actually provide utility, or not. Riding the wave of the latest Web 2.0 tool is detrimental if it does not provide some benefit to you.
Ryan McLean
October 18th, 2008 12:46 am
Having fun is a great tip. I need to have some more fun with my entrepreneus blog. I have been focusing too much on making it grow. If I have fun then it will be better overall and I will be in it for the long run.
Great tips
Potato Chef
October 18th, 2008 12:55 am
Have fun is great advice. Unless blogging really is your job, in which case it is another discussion, then your blog should be a fun hobby.
When it starts to overwhelm you then you are taking it to seriously. You don’t have to try everything out. Heck, you don’t really have to try anything out if you don’t want to.
Hussein
October 18th, 2008 12:57 am
I am actually so much enjoying being on the web. I take blogging as a hobby and not as a work. Enjoy what you are doing so that you won’t be bored ^_^
Saurabh
October 18th, 2008 12:58 am
Great tips! I agree with no. 1 and 4.
Gem
October 18th, 2008 1:00 am
Me too. I get overwhelmed. Today I just updated some social networks that I had signed up a few months ago.
For me I find it suitable to learn those tools one at a time. You’re right about keeping focused on goals. Tools are there to simply increase productivity.
Now I’m off to having some fun. Thanks for reminding me.
Nelly Yusupova
October 18th, 2008 1:09 am
To get the most marketing impact from your social media efforts, I would suggest finding, joining, and focusing your efforts on niche social networking sites where your potential customers are hanging out.
Also, oftentimes, less is more. If you focus on a few sites and really become a part of those communities, you will create a more loyal following and build more trust with the people in those communities.
Dee
October 18th, 2008 1:13 am
This is a good reminder for people who do blog as a hobby that keep it fun. I am having fun with mine and I am working on broadening my horizons with this. Thanks for the tips.
BloggerNewbie
October 18th, 2008 1:14 am
Glad to know I am not alone! Information overload for sure. I realized when I had 369 bookmarks of tools and such I HAD to have and would get back to later. Yeah, didn’t happen. Well one tip I am already doing - Blogging is SO much fun.
Sarah H.
October 18th, 2008 1:18 am
Great set of tips. As a new blogger, I feel a little overwhelmed trying to decide which social media to tackle first (and how to do it right) as I attempt to market my blog. Thanks for the advice!
Living on Adsense Blog
October 18th, 2008 1:20 am
I also gave up on my blog near the beginning of the year. I found that I was putting in way too much effort into keeping up with all of the tools, tricks and web 2.0 stuff.
In September I decided to start up again, but with more of a part time approach. Before I was posting on a daily basis, staying up late, avoiding friends and family, reading a ton of blogs in my RSS. SO now I have paired it scaled it down a lot. I read a few core blogs, post on a bi-weekly basis, focus on just a few of the “tools” I am enjoying myself a lot more now.
Plus I have started to make more money than before. Less work, more focus, equals more money…huh,,whoda thunk it!
Nathan Hangen
October 18th, 2008 1:22 am
Good thoughts on a topic that has come up a lot lately. I mean how could you not get overwhelmed with some of this stuff. I can’t keep up with FriendFeed, so I gave it up. I use twitter sparingly and barely have time for linked in and facebook. I’m sticking with content and adding comments and social links when I can.
We can’t afford to get sidetracked.
Rajaie AlKorani
October 18th, 2008 1:27 am
I also find it hard to keep up with all the new technologies coming out every day. That’s why one day I just stopped :)
Edge Girl
October 18th, 2008 1:30 am
I find that sometimes it isn’t fun–lots of work but I love what I am doing.
I do keep my eye on the technology but these days focus on quality content for my main blog and working on moving the rank of one of my projects.
What I find useful are the tools that help me to consolidate my efforts across many different social media groups.
Ultimately for my efforts I am seeing results–more comment and increased ranking.
I spend one day on content and now am moving the other time blocks into marketing and other efforts.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Computer Guy
October 18th, 2008 1:33 am
So far my blog is still fun, though it’s only been around a few months. The main thing I’m conecentrating on is posting about subjects that I’M interested in and not putting pressure on myself to post on any kind of schedule, which will make this feel more like a job than a passion.
CoolProducts
October 18th, 2008 1:49 am
Having fun is seriously the most simple, but biggest point to make out of all of these. If you are having fun with your blog, you can make adjustments to the technology with ease.
Elizabeth Potts Weinstein
October 18th, 2008 1:57 am
My tip: Start Small & in Just One Place
I’m teaching a social networking class and some of my students got totally brain-fried and overwhelmed when I had them get set up in 7 different places.
So I recommend getting started in one place (either Facebook or Twitter). Spend a few weeks (or more) learning the culture of the network, tweeking your profile, gaining friends/followers, and learning the skill & art of social networking.
Then, when you are ready, you will already have much of the content you need for other networks (just cut and paste that profile info!) and the skills to quickly get up to speed and grow your network.
I’ve been spending a hour plus a day for 9 months to get up to speed on social networking … so be patient, it takes a while!
~ @ElizabethPW
Vered - MomGrind
October 18th, 2008 2:03 am
Setting boundaries and batch processing are essential. If it weren’t for those, I would have given up too.
Dan Couture
October 18th, 2008 2:07 am
I have felt this way before aswell. Actually, yesterday I did not publish the post I had written, because I did not feel like taking the time to tell anyone about it. I do not like publishing a post silently. However, if you have no time, you should spend your time on publishing and writing for the blog rather than anything else. Quality first, it is googles job to put that quality at the top!
Ray Johnson
October 18th, 2008 2:12 am
Our blog,. sheepsheadbites.com doesn’t have ads or any means of generating income. We stay motivated to keep posting, because we are looking forward to the good we can do for the community, Sheepshead Bay. It helps with keeping up with posts, if you remind yourself about all the people who are looking forward to reading your posts. Thanks for writing.
Tressa
October 18th, 2008 2:18 am
Hi Darren,
As always thanks for keeping it real. I totally feel that way, twitter I am okay with, it’s the video blogging. for some reason that is scarying me. I know people have had a lot of success with it, but what happened to being annoymous!! I guess I will have to change my ways and hop on board.
Tressa
http://www.traffic101.org
IDoBlogs
October 18th, 2008 2:21 am
Spend a half an hour per day reading feeds and posting comments. Spend 15 minutes perusing forums (through a feed reader). Spend 15 minutes checking on your various ad networks and affiliate programs. Give all the rest of your time to creative tasks - reading, thinking, writing, and being with people that matter, face-to-face. It’s still all about offering great content, which ultimately comes from the soul, which is fed by interaction with real faces.
CoolProducts
October 18th, 2008 2:23 am
I like the Have Fun tip. Even if you’re a pro blogger, like yourself Darren, you cannot lose the fun in it that you had initially. And none will make it far in blogging if they do not enjoy doing so. Don’t lose sight of the original passion that spurred you to create your blog.
Tess
October 18th, 2008 2:26 am
Your point 2 is one to remember - we are ahead of the curve. I’m the only one of my offline friends who writes a blog, and only about three others read them.
And I think there’s a huge opportunity, both for probloggers and those of us who blog for other reasons. My question: how do we tap into that audience of potential readers who use the web for other things but don’t yet read blogs?
Bad Credit
October 18th, 2008 2:47 am
keeping up with Web 2.0 is overwhelming. There is so much to learn and then there is this twitter a constant companion that sticks by you wasting hours. I get tired of these newer sites and about 40-50 of these social media. The traffic ? Its questionable at best.
B. Durant
October 18th, 2008 2:59 am
Your second point about core tasks really makes a lot of sense. When my snake’s blog was started I decided I was going to focus on it and when/if I got around to working on A Blog about Nothing I would. Like you I’m trying to give people information not win a social contest with the snake blog and by realizing this I’ve saved myself a lot of time and effort.
Carla
October 18th, 2008 3:04 am
I can totally relate to feeling overwhelmed. But for you, Darren, you don’t have to worry quite as much as those of use who are not even close to being established. With that said, I think you are right on in terms of having fun and staying focused on the tasks at hand..
John
October 18th, 2008 3:28 am
This is excellent. I think you meant “thinks” not “things”…
Meg (B2B)
October 18th, 2008 3:53 am
Thank you. This is a great guide. I love the social networking/2.0 but it is hard to keep up. Plus, you can spend a lot of time with them. I am going to pick a few and get good at managing them. (Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Twitter Moms & Travel writers forum)
mnop
October 18th, 2008 4:14 am
That’s right! Those technologies are just tools.
Unless I know how to use, I don’t need it.
Jeff
October 18th, 2008 4:19 am
This is a good post. For me, I am in the process of redesigning my web site into a full fledge blog. During this time, I have been studying which social media tools, I could use to promote my future blog.
Thing is, I truly believe a blogger should just concentrate more on great content, seo principles, ppc marketing and commenting on other blogs with useful information, with a link back to their web sites.
I think social media sites are just more ways to add on additional on traffic. Once my blog is ready, I will primarily focus on 3 to 5 social media sites and call it a day.
I am not going to lose sleep over how many freakin’ social media sites I need to be on. I have a full time job, and writing posts and doing other marketing strategies before social media is a handful.
Just my 2 cents.
Dainis Graveris
October 18th, 2008 4:36 am
Good tips! But that’s actually good, that every days comes something new out, because people are very many writing similar stuff..at least they have something to write about all the time..
kouji haiku
October 18th, 2008 4:48 am
great advice on batch processing. i do find that i get more done when i focus, as opposed to trying to do too much multitasking.
Alan Gay and Straight
October 18th, 2008 5:38 am
The picture with this post says says it all.
I used to feel that I “had to” join some social networks even if I didn’t like them. Now I’m trying to only use the ones I like.
Ben
October 18th, 2008 6:31 am
Good points. I learned about 2 years ago that there is more to life than trying to keep up with all the Web 2.0 changes. I’ve scaled down to 3 blogs and just a couple of social media sites and now have fun doing them.
After 3 years of blogging, I’ve learned that you need to take care of your blog and not to worry about the latest internet craze. Do the blog and everything else falls into place.
Just my experience.
Jean-Christophe
October 18th, 2008 7:01 am
I like this post very much as I was lost too in this huge set of tools available and all crucial to my blogging experience as say their editors. I took some time to think about all this and finally found a way to stay alive ! Did the difference between personal use (FB, Flickr), blogs promotion and coffee machine corner (Twitter) and news (Netvibes, Wikio). Everything else is not crucial.
Keep on writing such notes, it’s the kind of material needed to stay … focused ;)
MLRebecca
October 18th, 2008 7:22 am
I’ve met many bloggers whose complaints echo that of your friend’s. They just can’t keep up. I always tell them that they don’t possibly need an account on every social media site in order to find traffic online. As you also suggest, I tell them to figure out which Web 2.0 sites or tools are relevant to their niche. Thanks for your additional suggestions! Very helpful!
Kate Foy
October 18th, 2008 7:57 am
You speak for a lot of guilt-ridden, hyperactive bloggers out here. Good post. Thanks.
Laura Whitehead
October 18th, 2008 7:58 am
Thank you for this post. I’ve been on a real journey with my blog in the past few months, whether to keep it going or not. Thankfully, have had some wonderful comments from new and old readers in the past few weeks that reignited my drive to keep it going. Yes, keeping up with everything is difficult, and even admitted very openly on my blog only last week, but it’s given me new inspiration to take a step back and manage it all just a touch better. Quality, not quantity it what counts. Very helpful post though with just what many of us in the blogosphere needed to read! Thanks!
Hosting Reviews
October 18th, 2008 9:19 am
Focus Your Energies - very apt advice. It’s so easy to be spread too thin with all the different avenues of social media. Be focused and you shall remain ahead.
Tara @ Anxiety Attack Help
October 18th, 2008 9:21 am
I think anyone who feels overwhelmed by web 2.0 needs to take some time and do some research. Since there are so many social networks out there, instead of trying to join them all, join a few and connect with as many people as you can on them instead of trying to spread yourself among to many networks.
Shanel Yang
October 18th, 2008 9:36 am
I gave Twitter a trial run but decided it just wasn’t for me right now. Instead, I’m focusing on building up a substantial library of great content. I found it too distracting to attempt both at the same time, especially since I post daily. I’ll probably return to social networking after I have at least 500 posts, at which point I can slow down my posting frequency to 3 or 4 per week. : )
renee @ FIMBY
October 18th, 2008 9:42 am
Funny, I just had this conversation with my husband tonight. Specifically my need to pull back from flickr uploads and focus my energies on building my blog photo gallery. I personally use the batch processing concept and when I find I’m consistently running out of time in certain areas I know it’s time to scale back my expectations and re-focus. Thanks for the timely reminder.
Erin Maher
October 18th, 2008 11:04 am
I just started with Twitter, and I think it’s just that initial phase, where you can’t seem to find contacts that align with your same interests, that is overwhelming. Once I become comfortable with something, it becomes like second nature. Rather than a chore, my social media sites - facebook and twitter - are things I can do almost on auto pilot. Which probably explains how I manage to spend so much time on them without even noticing it fly by!
I’m trying stumbleupon next and I’m going to ask for advice through my blog, as well as on twitter. Who knows? Maybe I can have a ton of advice before I’ve even joined.
JoLynn Braley from The Fit Shack
October 18th, 2008 11:23 am
Hi Darren, I sooooo agree with you on the fun aspect - if you’re making Twitter or Stumbleupon (for example) a chore then take a break - it should be fun while also having that focus of purpose for why you’re doing it - keeping your market, your message in mind. There’s no reason you cannot have fun with it at the same time. ;)
Denise
October 18th, 2008 11:59 am
I was a bit relieved to see this post too. Even though I’m still in the process of setting up, I too become overwhelmed with so much to learn, all the social media venues, the variety of available sites and tools, learning this, learning that, and on and on. Being a perfectionist (I’m working on curbing this), thinking I just must have “all my ducks in a row”-and that everything has to be just so.. I could possibly just drive myself ‘crackers.’ I do realize it isn’t using my time very constructively, and thus the productivity level and everything else I’m striving for does suffer. Thanks for the ‘Important Tips’ Darren.
Neeshes
October 18th, 2008 12:20 pm
This is great advice. The worst thing you can do is get the tail (social media) wagging the dog (actual content).
Jill
October 18th, 2008 12:59 pm
I have just barely started my blog, but I get so overwhelmed and caught up in the social site marketing of it that I get too brain-dead to make posts!
The social sites and the visitors and the comments and all that are no good if there’s no content!
Kok Choon
October 18th, 2008 3:11 pm
Professional Blogging is sure very taught tasks unless you “enjoy” doing it!
Posting frequency is very important to keep the blog going, “too much” will get you exhausted, “too less” will lose your stickiness for your readers…
We just need to find our comfort posting frequency…
Dimitri
October 18th, 2008 4:19 pm
pick one or two and get very good at it!
Work At Home Dad
October 18th, 2008 5:47 pm
Running a home based food delivery business and being a full-time work at home Dad is already sapping me of energy. It’s a miracle I get to squeeze in time for my websites. Yes, sometimes, I want to throw in the towel. When those times come, I stay away from my computer. Taking a breather is good for the blogger’s soul. Saves electricity too.
Keral Patel
October 18th, 2008 6:39 pm
I am already overwhelmed by new tactics that come each and everyday. So sticking to old basics is a good choice.
Dylan Jones
October 18th, 2008 7:41 pm
Wow, deja vu!
Just been thinking this lately too, I get so many requests to hook up on the latest community or web2.0 gadget of the week.
I think you’re spot on that batching is key.
I’ve just started documenting my entire “blueprint” for making our media site successful, complete with instructions that even my mum could use.
It includes flowcharts and basic instructions with a daily task list allocated by time slots. I find that this regiments my day far more effectively, if there is time at the end for farting around with new tools, then cool, but the plan comes first.
This has been monumental for keeping me focused and figuring out ways to outsource my massively increasing workload.
In terms of Web2.0, you’re also spot on, focus on the pareto (80/20) effect. 80% (or higher) of your readership probably know about 20% (or less) of the tools out there so focus on the core thing everyone wants - simple, accessible content features.
Easy listen to quote but damn hard to follow at times though…
Great post Darren, really inspirational.
izzat
October 18th, 2008 10:26 pm
im pretty left behind you see, when people use bookmarking sort of, i still copy the url and paste it in notepad, save it as “good blog” and then tomorrow i open again the file copy all url and paste it one by one to read it. there is some tools that help me doing that, but i dont care because im happy doing that.. :D so dont rush for technology, rush for “happiness” of yoruself..
Ann Cummings
October 18th, 2008 11:36 pm
Wow, do I ever feel like you wrote this post just for me! At times, I get so overwhelmed by all the sites, gadgets, tools, etc. friends email me about that my head just tries to spin right off my neck. Yikes!! I’ve joined so many social media sites, I have absolutely no clue what they are or what they do. And right about now, I don’t really care about most of them.
I like all these tips, especially about having fun. I had gotten to the point, like many others, where posting had become a chore to get done by the end of the day, and that was an awful feeling. Just very recently I’ve been adjusting my attitude about it, and slowly getting back into trying to write a bit more and enjoying what I’m writing. I still write dull stats about real estate in my area, but I’m going to mix in more fun stuff, too. Everyone likes fun stuff, those who write and those who read.
Thanks for these great tips - I’m not alone and here’s how to fix the overwhelming feelings I get at times.
David B Katague
October 19th, 2008 12:27 am
Have Fun- the tip of the year award. Enjoy your post, Darren!
Bill
October 19th, 2008 1:16 am
Hi Darren,
This post really hit home, as I am currently trying to find a new job as a PHP programmer/Web Developer and some of the places I have interviewed with do nothing but throw Web 2.0 buzzwords out, not really understanding the tools and technology, but they want it because it is new.
As for my blog, I find myself many times not posting because I feel I am so far behind on some of the new technologies, and since I blog about “modern design” for the web, I give up way too easy. What I need to do is to focus and establish boundaries as you point out in #3 - I cannot write about every “new” topic at a depth level that would be helpful to readers, so why not focus on some core topics, get a great foundation on that, then branch to include some ancillary topics here and there as I can.
Thanks again for a great post, as always you get some good ideas and thought provoking words coming out.
Stephen D
October 19th, 2008 2:41 am
I too have often felt completely overwhelmed with the various aspects of operating websites/blogs in 2008. I can fully understand the reasons why people give up, especially if they are only doing it as a hobby.
Yesterday I was out walking and I realised (like you said) that we are actually at the “cutting edge” and still way ahead of millions of people around the world who couldn’t give a tweet about Twitter. If you put this into perspective you realise there is still potential to do something, but it can be an uphill struggle if you don’t see results that match your expectations.
I think you sum it up very well – focus, have fun and concentrate on what your target audience require; play with the new tools and get to know them, but don’t allow them to take your mind away from the core tasks for too long.
Susan Cartier Liebel
October 19th, 2008 3:18 am
A great while ago they used to term this phenomenon ‘technoshock’ - the inability to keep up on all the technology that was progressing at warp speed while our minds could not wrap around one technology, never mind its 10th incarnation.
It is not surprising there is now a possible ’social media shock’ - too many places to be seen and heard and feeling like you don’t know where to go first.
I know I am overwhelmed. But after my first bout of technoshock, I’ve learned to pace myself, pick and choose those venues that make the most sense for my marketing and leave it at that. In the ‘real’ world I can’t be in all places and have had to turn down social gatherings…why should it be any different in our virtual lives?
Write and Earn a Living
October 19th, 2008 4:46 am
I have 9 blogs so I can really relate with what you are saying. I try to do a little on a couple of blogs each day, trying to look at the whole picture over trying to post on all 9.
I keep reminding myself that anything I do is progress.
I have to say that readers are the glue that holds it all together for me. When someone expresses appreciation, it makes it truly worthwhile.
New technology can be interesting to learn, as well, but it can be a lonely road sometimes. As you touched on, many people have no idea of what goes into a blog.
Webdesi3
October 19th, 2008 5:11 am
Thank you for the confirmation that I don’t need to have a million balls up in the air all at one time! Its tough to keep up with a full time job, blogging and keeping up with all the social sites!
Mark Dykeman
October 19th, 2008 5:36 am
Five sound ideas!
Tina B. Tessina, PhD "Dr. Romance"
October 19th, 2008 5:52 am
My tip: Remember to give yourself credit for what you *have* done. There’s always stuff to do, so we have to recognize what we’ve accomplished. Focusing on the undone can be way too discouraging. Motivation comes from celebration + appreciation.
We’re talking about all things romance at the Dr. Romance blog.
Glee Girl
October 19th, 2008 8:43 am
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have been feeling overwhelmed since starting my blog about 6 weeks ago and I suspected it was only me - everyone else seems to combine their lives and their blogging just fine while I’m cowering under the table crooning “Brain full…too much information” quietly to myself. Phew.
Joel Drapper
October 19th, 2008 9:42 am
You said:
“…and things RSS is something most people keep in their boxer shorts.”
and I am sure you meant:
“…and thinks RSS is something most people keep in their boxer shorts.”
King Richards
October 19th, 2008 4:52 pm
There is really a lot more to say about this topic these days than ever before. I salute you for speaking out on it and making your site informative. Thanks
Shafar
October 19th, 2008 7:39 pm
Really encouraging post! Thanks Darren.
Sheraz Alvi
October 20th, 2008 12:53 am
Hey Darren
A very well timed article for me I was feeling the same. Your tips have helped to focus back on the core tasks. You kind of feel drawn into things and then from one site to another you just cant stop and then find many hours lost for nothing.
Cheers for the tips very helpful….
Bruce Simmons (brusimm)
October 20th, 2008 1:53 am
Sound advice. My quandary is that I have a few subject matters I love dearly and try to blog about them. In addition to the blogs I work for, like ScreenRant.com, I run my own blogs. My other passions, so to speak.
It’s not my full time job, though I’d love to make it that but I find trying to run blogs, work for blogs and have a day job is incredibly weary inducing. It leaves me little time for developing social connections of technological advances.
How can one work the social and technological angles when they barely have time to contribute to their other blogs, work, and oh yea, the family? The family that thinks I’ve had surgery to attach a laptop to my poor aching wrists.
Daniel Richard
October 20th, 2008 2:05 am
Heya Darren!
I so agree on the last point there on having fun blogging while playing around with Social Media and Web 2.0 stuff. I run two blogs, with the one linked from my name here is more towards the fun and lighter side of blogging. :)
I have Facebook and Twitter as my main “outposts”, but they are updated frequently with a more laid back and casual approach, as I so want to have fun with them and my friends who are on the two networks.
Yeps! That’s bout’ it.
Daniel
Gunter
October 20th, 2008 7:52 am
Anarchy ! this is simply like anarchy as there is about nothing on the net to close the blogosphere circle. Some are technorati, some digg, some whatever and other are lost in some electronic semi-conductors ….
Look at Google … this huge and probably best one online service is website oriented and is trying to turn his system on to crawl blogs to now. Why is not a service like Google (could be Bloogle) working inside the blogospher to clean up this jungle ?
Even categories aren’t present online. I have a World War Two history Blog and when I did I have to do it in Science …. when I technorate it’s in Military and by FeedBurner I do it inside “up to you” …
Note that I claim … the property of Bloogle … (just found it out) and if someone want to buy the name … it will cost 1 USD …
Anyway, I am an happy blogger because I like what I do and I am only using a blog Plateform because of the loop. I’ve tried 3 times with a website and gave up when I reached the 10 Gigs archives. I am now trying Wordpress since 2 years and since about 9 months I am creating the skeleton of the website because of the 1000’s of Tags and the 1000’s of categories.
The best of all I can put almost about anything in Google search … and I will be - if not the first - on the first page.
Sitmeter tells me that my last 5000 unique where coming from Google search … huh !!! what will be the game when I will have reached the (let’s say 10.000 tags and 5000 categories) and then start to post …. ?
Gunter
PS Thanks for your infos ! Its very interesting
Alvin Slocombe
October 20th, 2008 2:05 pm
This is a great article for long time bloggers, or for people like me who used to blog and stopped and are now back into blogging again. Focusing on my goal was the last thing on my mind when restarting. I was more concerned about all the cool plugins and widgets that wordpress had to offer.
Thanks for the great advice Darren.
Kay Rennie
October 20th, 2008 2:41 pm
This is a very interesting discussion. New media options have the power to overwhelm us, but I think it’s possible to keep a cool head by investigating different options one by one, as Darren suggests. My suggestion is to manage it by making notes, drawing diagrams, mind maps or whatever takes your fancy to get down a good assessment of each tool and what it can achieve for your blog. No doubt someone has already collected this information and put it online. Anybody know where?
Angelina
October 20th, 2008 2:43 pm
It’s so hard to stay focus. There are so many distractions on the net and it’s not all just new tools to check out. You really do need to set boundaries and stay within them. It takes discipline to stay focused on your goals when there are so many cool things to look into out there. You have to be really choosy about what new things to pursue. It’s so easy to let the majority of your time slip into playing with the latest things. If you’re not careful, this can really slow down the frequency and quality of your postings.
virtual voyage
October 21st, 2008 2:05 am
Thanks for the great link to batch processing - I’d not thought it through to the higher level. btw, there may be a link here to ‘accumulators’ - people who hoard obsessively - and those who collect every new gizmo in case it could come in useful. Might be worth checking blogs on organization etc.
Michelle / chelpixie
October 21st, 2008 3:48 am
One thing I try to mention A LOT is Clay Shriky’s point in his Web 2.0 keynote. It’s all about our filters. I like the advice you’ve given but we really have to learn how to apply better filters that really work for us to give the right flow of information so we can keep up with it.
Don’t try to read every post, every Tweet, and join social networks because they are enjoyable and valuable to you.
I agree wholeheartedly that we need to focus our energies, otherwise we’re going to run out of gas very very quickly as your friend did.
Blog Traffic 101
October 21st, 2008 4:22 am
I’m a web2.0 enthusiast. Initially, I spent ridiculous amount of time on social networking. But I chalked out a strategy and focusing only on social media that are proving most effective. Utilizing more of my time on blogging and taking stipulated breaks in between to network. Working well for me (so far).
Michael Aulia
October 21st, 2008 8:51 am
That’s weird. I love new advances in technologies. That means new stuffs to play around with and new ideas to make a post with (+new visitors who want to know more about the new technology)
I guess that’s the beauty of having a Technology blog :D
Toby
October 21st, 2008 10:13 am
Darren - perfect. I’ll add one 3 more words .. remember to breath ..
Dee yan
October 21st, 2008 1:58 pm
Focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, and focus, if we don’t our brain will lost on track.
German Romance
October 21st, 2008 6:28 pm
Having a laser focus on your task at hand, work hard and have fun will bring your success :-)!!
Noobpreneur
October 21st, 2008 7:37 pm
Darren,
Great advice - keeping up with the technology, no matter how much you read, is almost impossible for the most of us.
Feeling overwhelmed, IMO, is almost like you are suffering technophobia.
Probably the best advice is your #4 - tech and widgets are just tool. Thousands of add-ons to choose and widgets to be placed, but the main idea is that your blog is content-driven. Some tools help you blog and some other tools help you promote your blog.
Their aim is to make your blogging life easier. That’s it - Nothing else, really.
Spok
October 21st, 2008 7:54 pm
This is a good reminder for people who do blog as a hobby that keep it fun.
Stavros Georgiadis
October 21st, 2008 10:06 pm
It is easy to become frustrated with web 2.0.But it takes time to get the feel of what really works.
The essence is traffic.To get traffic you need links.To get links you need social media.To become an authority it takes time.So be patient.Success does not come in 1 day!
Marijan Sivric
October 21st, 2008 10:41 pm
I have the same problem and I can’t focus! Thank you for the advice! I hope this will help me!
Goldie
October 21st, 2008 11:40 pm
Hi
Can anyone advise me on the benefits that Plurk can offer? I really want to use it, but only if it’s worth the effort in promoting my site
ITrush
October 22nd, 2008 12:20 am
#5 is really very important, if you’re having fun with what you’re doing then the rest will just follow..
Surender
October 22nd, 2008 3:53 am
Everyday changes are common thing.What happen then?If web 2.0 is invented?
If some one is drinking Whiskey then what happen?
If we drink Rum then we have to stick there with Rum.
If we desire then we can’t control ourself.
Lets talk about my blog.I want more and more subscribers.
If you can help me.
http://www.iboozi.com
Tom At The Home Business Archive
October 22nd, 2008 6:31 am
Good tips.It´s impossible to get involved in every single Web2.0 community online.I focus on a few that I like and build a strong profile on them.
Dali Burgado
October 22nd, 2008 11:05 am
Excellent post, Darren.
As long as you are focused on your goal and your core tasks you won’t be overwhelmed.
Thanks so much for the tips.
I appreciate you!
Dali Burgado
SEO Blog
October 22nd, 2008 12:57 pm
Thanks! It was good to read this post since I feel overwhelmed at times. There’s so much to do and not enough time in the day for all of it. I just read the 4 hour work week and there are a ton of great tips on how to shorten your work week. It’s a good reminder to not kill yourself working crazy hours! Thanks again!
Blake Raab
October 22nd, 2008 2:26 pm
I think this is a healthy approach to Web 2.0. I get overwhelmed with all of the sites and tools, but I remind myself that there are just a few that I need to keep up with. My business is new, so I will probably continue to try, or at least look at, new tools as they come out, but realizing that you don’t have to use them all is a good step.
Jannie
October 22nd, 2008 9:21 pm
Great blog content is more important that Twitting and such.
Nick Stamoulis
October 23rd, 2008 3:01 am
I know this feeling. Your best bet is to pick a few every few weeks or months and learn them well and then pick which works best for you.
stubsy
October 23rd, 2008 5:40 am
I think it better to focus on search engine traffic and content first, I find forums are as good as social media when it comes to getting traffic.
Adriatic Web Design Company
October 23rd, 2008 8:03 am
Great tips, I agree Blogging can be a hassle especially when you have alot of priorities along with it. Generating traffic is not easy nowadays either.
wordpress
October 23rd, 2008 11:17 am
Great suggestions if you are feeing pressured by social media.
Steven-Sanders
October 24th, 2008 6:40 am
Great response to those that give up too fast.
I think I’m speaking for all successful bloggers when I say that we all probably have only used one new technology at a time, and most of us aren’t even using them all right now.
Shoemoney only started using Twitter 4 months ago, and he’s been around for years.
Just do one thing at a time, and you’ll be fine.
Infonote
October 24th, 2008 11:26 pm
If you have a brand it is important to register. Even if you do nothing, at least you register your brand name on the social network.
uwak
November 19th, 2008 4:46 pm
thanks the tips to be more effective…..I hope getting great result by implemented the tips
Angela - The Goddess Next Door
December 13th, 2008 5:37 am
Thank you for point out the importance of refocusing on your goals rather then the tools. I am new to the world of social media and blogging and it is very overwhelming. I find your tips clear and easy to follow.
Matt Chatterley
January 19th, 2009 4:53 am
And remember: Don’t Panic!
Ryan St. Germaine
May 14th, 2009 7:55 am
As someone who has just entered into the world of blogging over the past few months, I agree that the sheer volume of social media sites can be overwhelming! Automation tools like ping.fm and twitterfeed.com help, but I think the best advice you give is to remain focused. Doing a few things right will produce better results than doing lots of things poorly.
Great post Darren!
Diane Germanowski
May 19th, 2009 1:23 am
I am also new to blogging for my creativity coaching business. Before, it was fun. Trying to learn EVERYTHING about blogging, linking, increasing traffic, the popular and best social media sites in which to see and be seen in…. well, it has become painful- until I read your 5 Tips For Overwhelmed Bloggers and came to #5- HAVE FUN.
Thank you-
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