Don't let the irony of today's post get lost on you. I'm kick starting a series on how to come back to blogging after taking a break because I have just come back to full-time blogging after taking a break myself. Since my return, I've noticed that there are a lot of bloggers currently on breaks or just trying to get back into the swing of things, too. I hope you take inspiration from this series and that it aids you in getting your blog groove back!
The reason why bloggers take breaks is just as varied as the number of blogs there are in existence, but the number one reason I've found is simply burn out. Honestly, though, why you stopped blogging isn't relevant for the tips I'm going to share with you today. Here's how to come back to blogging after a break:
1. Use Your Come Back as an Opportunity for a Blog Makeover
If you stopped blogging because you were burnt out, chances are that means you were unhappy with your blog or perhaps you found it uninspiring. What better chance to completely rejig your layout, your branding and your colours than coming back after a break? You can view your blog with fresh eyes, tszuj up what needs tszujing and re-energise and reinvigorate your brand!
I've had a fair few re-brandings since I started my blog back in 2010. I've even had a complete name change! All fair's when it comes down to keeping your blogging passion alive. If your current blog name no longer suits who you are or what you want to blog about; make a change! The thing to remember is to be true to who you are.
You can do a small-sale makeover like getting a new logo or something bigger like a full-blown overhaul. If you're not up to the challenge or don't think you have the expertise, find yourself a blog makeover expert like my pal Amanda!
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| A professional blog makeover can help get your blogging mojo back! |
2. Reconnect with Your Blog
If your blog hiatus is on the longer side, 6 months or more, you might feel a knock in your confidence when you pick up the reins again. Don't worry; it's normal. Just don't let yourself get defeated by your knock in your confidence! Reconnect with your blog by rereading some of your favourite or some of your most popular posts. It will help to remind you of the talent you have for blogging! Plus, there's nothing wrong with a little pat on the back every once and a while.
3. Check up on the Blogosphere
Let's face facts. When you come back from an extended blogging break you'll notice that some of your favourite fellow bloggers may have taken a break themselves. But the faithful few will still be there plugging away in their little corner of the Internet. Reconnect with them! Reread some of the posts you've missed and leave a few comments letting them know that, after a brief break, you're back and that you're glad to see they've kept up the blog. Reconnecting with fellow bloggers will remind you of this amazing community you were apart of and will inspire you to throw your hat back into the ring and get back at it. And I'm sure your bloggy mates will be pleased to hear from you again!
4. Acknowledge the Elephant in the Room
Exactly how much detail you go into when telling your readers why you've been MIA is entirely up to you. But blogging etiquette says you should at least say something. I didn't want to make a big fuss about my reemergence into the blogosphere, so I just announced my return (and the arrival of my daughter) in a recipe post and kept things as normal as possible.
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| Explaining my blog hiatus |
You may choose to have a big fanfare, to host a giveaway or to simply quietly pick it back up again. There's no right or wrong way to stage your come back. Just remember this: you built up a fan base and a following. People will want to know that you're okay, at the very least.
5. Perform Essential Blog Maintenance
I'll warn you now: this is the boring bit. This is the bit that will probably make you tear out your hair in frustration.This is the bit where you'll second guess coming back. I've personally been at this stage twice before. When you're truly ready to come back, you'll approach this stage with renewed passion and bravado. When the timing's not quite right, this will be the bit of your come back that will defeat you. It's okay; you can try again in a few weeks or months. But if it is the right time, this step is crucial to executing a full come back.
You'll need to up date your contact information. Make sure everything is still relevant and that your methods for being reached still work. Check your social media, too. Make sure the links still work and make sure all important information on your pages is relevant. Ensure that if you have any promotions on your sidebars that they're up to date. There's nothing worse than relaunching your blog in the summer but your sidebar still being filled with Christmas promotions!
Here's an important one (and it carries on from point number three): make sure that any prominent links you may have to other bloggers such as contributors or links in a blog roll or big feature are relevant and still work. Don't waste that prime real estate linking to a bunch of blogs that are on hiatus too. You want everything ship shape, as it was when you were top of your game and in your blogging heyday!
6. Strategise, strategise, strategise
To be successful at blogging, you have to put in work and you have to prepare. That means planning everything. Buy yourself a new notebook or a diary and plan your posts. Plan your social media campaigns and plan your features. Make a list of the companies you want to work with again and some new ones you want to establish a relationship with. Slot in some competitions and giveaways to reinvigorate your readers and stir up a buzz about you and your blog.
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| Organise yourself with a blog planner and success tracker |
And most importantly: strategise how much you do! In your blogging heyday, you may have juggled posting 5 or 6 times a week, hosting a link party, organising Twitter parties for brands and kicking out a weekly newsletter. You don't have to be a superhero in your first week back. Hell, you don't even have to update everything in one go. Maybe focus on updating your blog one week and then gradually add your commitments back in each week after that. Find your feet and get back into a rhythm. Slow and steady wins the race. If you try to run before you can walk, you'll end up on your face and burnt out all over again.
A harsh truth to remember: the world kept turning during your hiatus; it will keep turning no matter if it takes you six weeks or six months to achieve what you used to achieve. Take it slow; you'll succeed!
Have you ever come back from a blogging break? What did you find useful to get back into the groove? Let me know in the comments!
Welcome back! Your reason for the break is adorable! Thanks for the tips -- I didn't take a break -- just have been on slowdown due to a move and multiple big projects associated with getting a house on the market and making the new one livable. Best of luck!
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