Stelzner Outlines Dark Side of Blogging
Michael Stelzner’s article, The Dark Side of Blogging: Warnings from Leading Bloggers is now live on MarketingProfs.
Reports Michael, “For many people, blogging is an addiction that hinders their business and personal life.”
Yep! When people ask me if they should start a blog, I hesitate. Blogging is fun, and it’s good for business.
But, as Michael says, it takes a lot of work. In the beginning, it’s very easy to become addicted to it — so much so you start to neglect your work, your life, and your family.
For the record, I’ve really struggled with this one. I’m a former discussion board addict.
I now make a real effort to get out into the real world for “community” and friendship, which means I spend considerably less time online than other bloggers.
Another problem with blogging is that it’s difficult to write consistently.
Some weeks I have no time whatsoever to give to this blog. Work (the kind that pays) and family life take all of my time.
Other weeks, the pace is a little slower. I catch up on my reading, cruise the blogosphere, and pick up new ideas.
If you blog, do you agree that blogging is challenging? What do you like about it and why do you stick with it?
May 1st, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for covering this Dianna;
I wrote this as I started feeling the blues.
I decided it was good to tap some pros and see if I was all alone or not.
Mike
May 1st, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Mike,
I go up and down on my blog. Some days I love it. Other days I’m ready to hit the “delete” button. I hate feeling the anxiety when I haven’t posted for more than a week.
May 2nd, 2007 at 5:33 am
I think someone needs to start a bloggers anonymous group…
May 2nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Blogging is challenging, especially the part about not having time. I write a ton of posts when I have the time and that way when I’m too busy, I’ve got a backup. You can never have too many blog posts can you. Another tip is to limit the amount of posts you put out at one time. I’ve gotten myself in a bind by posting three in one day and then trying to reply to all the comments that come in. I wouldn’t say beware of blogging, but I would say use it as a secondary outlet for networking. It’s always better to get out in the real world.
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Katie,
I’m starting to write down my blog ideas, too, for when I’m too brain dead to think. I like your idea of having back up posts — I’m going to put that one into action.
Another tip — don’t post on Friday. Otherwise you have to “check in” all weekend. Doh!
May 4th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I also keep a notebook where I jot down blog ideas as they come if I’m working on something else or even if I just don’t feel like writing it at the moment.
May 12th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Hi Dianna,
Thought provoking post. I tell people who want to develop business blogs that unless they have a minimum of 5 hours a week to devote to a blog they shouldn’t start one. I try to post at least three times per week, but creativity is a strange animal. I’m a morning person, so writing at 5 am is very easy for me. But when I try to write in the evening I find it almost impossible.
If I could find that magic elixir that would make me instantly creative I might be able to post more, but until then it’s a few cups of coffee in the morning and 48 minute stints that get the posts done.
John
P.S. Thanks for the link from your blog!
May 13th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Hey John,
I’m a morning person, too, and usually do an hour of writing between 5:00 and 6:00 AM. By 8:30 PM, however, I’m dead.
When I’m not feeling creative, I still write anyway. I read somewhere that inspiration comes when you’re trying to write, not when you’re thinking about it.
Thanks for stopping by.