“Das Schlaraffenland” – Pieter Bruegel the Elder |
It’s been over five years since blogs really exploded into the public consciousness, fueled by the rising popularity of WordPress and Blogger, which vastly simplified the process of creating places on the Internet where anyone could easily share their thoughts.
And dare I say people seem to be getting tired?
Natalie Whipple and J.A. Konrath were the latest to express blog fatigue, joining countless others who have gone on temporary or permanent hiatus.
For some it’s the negativity that comes with putting yourself out there. Some people have run out of ideas. Some people have taken a look at the cost/benefit and decided it wasn’t worth it. And some just forget to post.
I’m sure it hasn’t escaped the notice of regular blog readers that the posting on this blog has grown, well, a bit more sporadic. After posting every weekday for nearly five years, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to keep up that pace.
For me it’s not about running out of ideas or the occasional negativity (though that can be a drag), it’s just a time crunch.
It’s always been a balancing act to juggle busy day jobs, writing books, and blogging, but what’s really changed for me is that I made a very conscious decision to get out more. To spend more time with friends and people and exploring and finding a better balance in my life.
So if I’m hanging out with friends Thursday night there’s no This Week in Books on Friday. If I have a busy weekend it might be until Tuesday that I get a post up. I’ve chosen to make that tradeoff
Sorry about that! I care a lot about this blog and all of the readers, and I’m not good at letting some things slide. And this blog isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I hope you’ll stick around.
What do you think? Are you seeing more blog fatigue? Have you experienced it yourself?
Lisa says
I'm both seeing and feeling blog fatigue. I like your approach. Balance is where it's at.
Lisa Desrochers says
I used to blog daily, and still do when I'm within a month of a book releasing, but it takes its toll.
I also think there's fatigue on the part of blog READERS. There are sooooo many blogs out there that I think people are being choosier in the ones they're reading on a regular basis. I know I am.
Mr. D says
Keeping up with blogging is an effort, and like anything it takes commitment. It just depends on how committed you are. It also helps if you enjoy it. That makes it easier to be committed.
Deb A. Marshall says
A little bit for me on the fatigue, but I have not been doing it for very long at all. What I am having a tough time balancing is reading and commenting-making myself part of the conversation without letting it spread into the afternoon ( I write and have library programming to work on, too!)
So, need to balance how many posts a week with how I converse otherwise I'll be burning out quick.
_Great_ topic.
Anna says
I am feeling blog fatigue. I felt that I was putting myself out there, attempting to network, and wasn't getting very much from it. That said, I have "met" about 4 or 5 bloggers that I think are interesting and who steadily comment on my blog. But I'm putting more of my energy into finishing projects so that I will eventually have something to market.
Will says
Hey, after five years you deserve that break, Nathan. With all I've learned from you I won't be leaving anytime soon.
I'm feeling the hurt too, but I've only been blogging for half a year, if that. At this point I find it amazing that you kept up that pace for as long as you did, and you have much more on your plate than me.
Take heart in the fact that even if you leave now, you'll have left quite the legacy behind–I don't know how many people you've helped and inspired over the years, but I can't be the only one. As for me, I've got a ways to go before I reach any kind of milestone, but I might just drop it anyway so I can finish this darn book. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you.
Suzanne says
Nathan,
I agree with you. I still post on my blog, but now I do it for myself and my friends and family in mind.
Alan Orloff says
Definitely. I used to post 3 times a week, every week. About two months ago, I decided to only post when I have something I wanted to say–which is much less frequently. Much of my online activity has migrated to Facebook. I've noticed the same trend among other bloggers, too.
Mieke Zamora-Mackay says
I'm seeing it.
I think we are now at the stage where the blogosphere has become so saturated (hence the use of the term "blogosphere") that there is a natural purging going on.
Those that read blogs are becoming more discerning. Those that write them have to meet those changing demands. Some bloggers may have other things going on that must take precedence (life, work, family, etc.). Some may not be able to meet the demands of readers.
It's really how all things evolve. And yes, even the internet is now undergoing it's own evolution.
Amy Joy says
Blogging takes time. I decided it was more important to me to keep writing books, so I have all but given up blogging. In my experience, blogging isn't been as necessary to publishing success as many believe. What's more important is to keep writing good books.
Anonymous says
I feel you, Nathan. I used to blog every day. Now it's sporadic. One here, one there. Right now I'm focusing on my novel and trying to lose some weight, so the blog thing is taking a slight hit. I'm sure my own blogging will pick up at some point, but right now, my health, family, friends and my novel are the most important things in my life right now. If my followers and future followers 'love me', they'll be happy for me and go along for the ride. If not, then C'est la vie. Life is too short to worry about it.
Yat-Yee says
Yes to both counts. I still enjoy visiting other blogs but do so less frequently. I've taken several short hiatus from my own blog and while I don't think I will stop posting altogether, I have shed the guilt trip I place on myself for not "post on a regular schedule so your readers know what to expect."
Ellis Shuman says
Could the fatigue be because some of the bloggers restrict their posting to too narrow a subject?
I am following a number of writers' blogs giving advice about how to get published. Well, how many times can you say the same thing in a completely original way? There are a few very well-established blogs that give excellent advice, like this one in particular.
Perhaps blogging fatigue can be avoided if:
1) Post a new entry when you feel like it (and don't make it a forced task).
2) Don't restrict yourself too tightly in subject matter.
Perhaps there are other suggestions in this direction as well.
The One and Only Doc says
In the end, thousands of people on the internet aren't the people you need to cater to–and that's what I think a lot of people are finally starting to realize.
It's not healthy to give up everything else in your life for the sake of a blog, period. Kudos to you, Nathan, for opting to have a life rather than worry overmuch about not getting entries up this week.
Caroline says
Nathan, I totally agree with you. Blogging is just blogging–your real life should always take precedence.
In general, I think some bloggers try too hard to keep their schedules. The world won't implode if we don't hear from them for a few days. I would rather not read a blog post than read something that I find useless. I subscribe to that maxim for my own blog; I only write when I have something to say although I do try to post once a week for continuity's sake.
Lane Diamond says
Blog fatigue, indeed. I think posting a couple times per week is plenty, and may be an easy enough pace that I won't want to commit Hari Kari every time I think about my blog.
Part of the fatigue comes from reading so many blogs. Frankly, when people of interest blog daily, or 2 or 5 or 8 times per day, I tend to drift away from them.
So, as someone who follows your blog, I would PREFER that you cut back a little on the posts. Hope that helps.
Kathryn Packer Roberts says
I'm actually glad you mentioned this. Yes, I have noticed. After so many people blogging about the importance of posting regularly and then those same people making excuses that they aren't blogging enough I wonder why it matters so much. Those people still have a strong following whether they blog several times a week or not. I personally think the expectation is set way too high.
Nancy Thompson says
Oh yes, it's a real trend right now. Most of my writer friends who blog have cut back, as have I. After a solid year of posting & reading writer blogs, I'm getting burned out. I love that I've made so many friends & connections, and I will continue to read & comment, but only once a week or so. Same with posting. Once a week, at most.
Otherwise, I'm not allowing myself enough time to brainstorm & write, which, of course, is the only reason I even got into blogging in the first place. The platform is built and I have many bridges leading to it. Now I need a reason to invite people over for a visit. I need to write the next book.
Elaine Cunningham says
About four months ago, I started a new WordPress blog to expand upon Sevin, the setting of a series of "e-riginal" fantasy novels.
Most of my books have been in shared-world settings–Forgotten Realms, Star Wars, EverQuest, Pathfinder Tales–and my target audience is fantasy readers accustomed to an immersive reading experience. So my plan was to post Sevrin lore articles every Tuesday-Thursday, excerpts from the Tales of Sevrin novels on Monday, and short fiction (Sevrin related) on Friday.
That's a lot of content.
The first thing to go was new flash fiction for the Friday posts. I substituted previously published short stories, but after four months I'm running out of creator-owned inventory. I started to drop a lore post every now and then, but I was still posting several times a week.
Recently I've been wondering if daily posts are too much for readers as well as writer. So I asked for feedback.
While some readers stopped by my website every day, others felt weekly updates would better fit their schedule. One Trusted Reader firmly defended post frequency, but suggested that most posts be very short–two or three paragraphs maximum. My conclusion was that yes, blog fatigue is definitely something to consider, not only from a writing standpoint, but also from a reader's perspective.
I used to subscribe to blogs by marketing guru Seth Godin and social media expert Chris Brogan. Both write well, both write interesting and often useful posts. But I just didn't have the time or mental real estate to devote to those topics on a daily basis. I read John Scalzi's "Whatever" blog and J.A. Konrath's posts about ebooks, but I don't stop by every day or even every week. Judging by my own blog consumption, I'd have to agree that blog fatique is an important consideration. When readers subscribe to a blog and everything you write is delivered to their mailbox, you don't want to abuse their hospitality by showing up too often.
I'm sure there's a balance between lots of interesting new content and overwhelming readers' in-boxes, but I'm still trying to find it. The same goes for finding a balance between creating lots of interesting new content for the blog and writing new books and short fiction. And the whole work/life balance thing? That's another post entirely.
Rick Daley says
Glad to know we can still look forward to your posts, even if less frequently.
I still enjoy reading blogs, although my own posting has been haphazard lately. But still, I like the irony of a blog called "My Daley Rant" where I don't post every day.
I did post a funny set of questions from my kids yesterday, though, and since I turn 40 today, I also posted my birthday wish last week.
WORD VERIFICATION: cathoot. 1) a partnership of feilines. 2) A cat's expression of "who"
https://mydaleyrant.blogspot.com
@rjdaley101071
Laurel says
I am glad to see some sanity returning to the world. While freely admitting I have benefited immensely from certain blogs (including Nathan's, of course), I am tired of everyone I know expecting me to read her blog just because she writes one. There are not enough hours in the day – or my life.
Josephine Myles says
I think once anyone's been blogging for a while it's going to lose a little of the original sparkle, but there are plenty of new blogs springing up all over the place. Just because the first wave of bloggers are getting fatigue, doesn't mean there aren't those with fresh enthusiasm around. It's just a case of finding them.
I don't blog nearly as much as I used to, though…
Stewart Ronen says
I can really identify with what's been said here. It really does take effort and time to maintain one's blog and to keep it interesting. In addition, I think it's vital to post things which have stimulating content and that's not always easy…
ScottB says
Ouch. I just finally got around to starting a serious blog a month ago. That's pretty late to the party, sounds like. Never been too big on the social network scene, and decided I better start something now if I want any contacts to broadcast to when I finish a novel. Maybe that's a bad way to go about it.
So are people feeling like blogs just don't bring in enough direct value, or is just that they aren't as fun as other activities (like writing a novel)?
Harvee says
As long as there are new books to read, I won't get tired of book blogging and book blogs!
Jaycee Adams says
As with anything, I think it depends on your perception of it, and its relation to other things in your life. I go through dry spells all the time. Right now I'm in a heavy spell where I'm exploding with ideas about things to write. Instead of daily blogging, I set them up to post every few days, in the hopes that when the next dry spell comes along, no one will be the wiser.
I don't know how anyone could get as much done as you did, Nathan. Your thoughts and insights are quite powerful even if they come weekly. If you're worried about having something for your readers to read every day, though, I do have a simple solution. Write me and I'll tell you what it is.
Elizabeth says
I only started blogging regularly this year, though I've kept a blog since 2003. So no fatigue here yet–at least from the writing side.
I'm getting blog reader fatigue, though, and have cut way back, with further cuts to come. Too many blogs, too few hours to read them.
DM says
I decided a long time ago that the idea we must blog often was ridiculous. Nobody has time to write or read so many blogs. I now blog when I have something to say, or I invite a guest blogger.
Julie Daines says
Blog posting takes a lot of time. As I look for professionals, such a agents, to work with, I look at how much time they spend blogging. If they are constantly blogging or tweeting, I seriously question how much time they have left over to work on what needs to be done.
Anninyn says
I think a lot of the problem with blogging is that everyone and their mother has a blog, and usually they're just regurgitations of what better, more original bloggers have said before.
And because of that massive oversaturation, it is tiring for bloggers who work hard on creating content and don't get much in the way of hits, because their potential readers are lost in a sea of sludge or dead blogs.
Fortunately, I think a lot of the blogs that were started 'cause you gotta have a blog, maaaan' are dying and slowly fading.
ginny martyn says
Thanks for posting this. I went on a year long blog break (had a baby and went to school). The only reason I came back was for the sake of the sacred "platform". However, most blogs are getting really boring. Everything has been talked about and debated to death. Plus blogging is a time sucker without a lot of payoff. And we understand you have a life. Don't worry about late posts.
Bobbi says
Yes on all counts. I used to post daily, now I'm down to 3-4 times per week but I'm funemployed so it's easier. It's a huge amount of work but for me it tracks a life experiment of living in a foreign country, a chronicle that I hope someday will be a book.
What would replace blogging?
Charlee Vale says
I honestly tired, because I get very little feedback. The vast majority of viewers don't ever comment, and while I know that people are reading, without response it feels a little like spinning a web into nothing.
I can do the same thing at home talking to myself. However, I think I'll persevere for a while longer. 🙂
CV
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
There are more options now, more ways to be online. Some people have migrated to Facebook or Twitter, so that online presences are spread out across more platforms. Some who used to blog are just putting that time and energy into a different place.
I'm finding that the people whose blogs I follow post less often. That's okay. 3X a week instead of daily? Fine. 1X a week instead of 2X? Fine. With feed readers and Twitter links, a post just shows up whenever it's ready, so there's less reason to have to post on a predictable basis.
I blog as often as I ever did, because I've never put a lot of pressure on myself about my blog, and I just plain enjoy it. I have some loyal commenters with whom it's a pleasure to interact, I get to remind myself of writing tips I need to consider, and I have an easy-to-update platform for whenever I want to post some news.
I think blogs were destined to peak because for a while there everyone was starting one; everyone felt obligated. Now I think it's settling down more to the people who really want to do it.
Dianne says
I feel it. And I wonder how much networking will actually happen as a result of blogging. Balance sounds like the answer. I can usually attain that, but I find myself checking to see how many page views and worrying that my networking goals aren't being met (not even close!). So my obsessions are cutting into my productivity. Self-talk, lots of it, and maybe I'll be back in balance.
Kelly says
I started blogging several years ago, but even then made the decision not to post unless I had something to say. For awhile I felt guilty that I was doing it all wrong, not building up a loyal and regular following. But once I started on this Campaign Builder thing and found I had to read A LOT OF blogs daily, I discovered that my goal would have been complete overload.
I haven't changed a thing about my habits, but at least I feel settled in my conviction that I'm doing it "right." When I've written something I really want people to read, I post the link on Facebook and Google+, and my readers come. I also think an initial push like the Platform Builder campaign can be good just to get your blog in people's readers. Whether they come or not is their decision.
Google Reader is great for us readers. But I've already found that I gravitate toward only a few of my favorite authors anyway, and those who post daily have gone neglected. I'm too busy!
(Even my favorite newspaper columnists only wrote weekly, and even still I never got to them all.)
Vinyl and Mono says
Many authors have stopped or cut way back on doing it because of diminished returns (i.e., it didn't really help book sales, the readership of the blog dropped off, and the time it took to update daily or weekly was harder to come by). This is all understandable. Every author and wannabe author had a blog for a while. Too many to read, too much trouble to keep up with. Too many author blogs all said the same things (writing is hard, here is how I do it, answers to the same old reader questions). Yet many agents are basically saying upfront that they won't even CONSIDER a new author who doesn't have a blog and every other social network connection that exists. To me this demonstrates jumping on a bandwagon without really understanding the purpose (using social medial skillfully, not becoming a knee-jerk slave to it). Some people are switching to a tumblr format, which more easily allows for posting short items like photos and quotes and "reblogging" of other tumblrs of interest. This makes sense to me.
Kelly says
Charlee, I just wanted to comment on your reply. I don't think we should gauge blog effectiveness solely on the commenting activity. I personally love to read certain blogs but hate to comment even if I really appreciated the post. I'm just not a "responding" sort of person.
If your visitors dwindle to nothing over time, then maybe you can decide that your posts aren't relevant to anyone. But if you've still got healthy numbers (generally, over time), even without comments, I think you can assume that you're reaching people.
Books don't demand a written response and conversation with the author. Neither did newspaper columns. So why should blog readers have the burden of interaction forced upon them?
Anonymous says
This has been happening since blogging began. I do think blog fatigue is on the rise with agent blogs. How many times can someone post about a query letter before people get sick to death of it?
But author blogs are still going strong because it's one of the best forms of social media to communicate with readers.
Jaimie says
I've noticed my comment count has decreased, as far as people commenting to ME. It's just not as easy to log in and comment as it is to push "like" on Facebook, so people don't take the effort anymore. Facebook has ruined us all. (I try to stay off of it.)
Bryan Russell says
I've seen it a little bit, but I'm guessing it might be a little cyclical. New blogs start as old blogs end. There will always be someone knew with something to say, unless the format itself becomes obsolete.
For me, it's the time crunch. Back in the day, with my bookstore, there were lots of free minutes to spend online in whatever way I wished. But now, with a full-time job that doesn't entail free online time and three small kids at home (not to mention my own writing to do), there simply isn't the time.
I think you have to make practical adjustments of what you can and should do.
Mira says
Well, first, Happy Birthday to Rick! I hope you have an amazing year, Rick! 🙂
I like what Jennifer said: "Now I think it's settling down more to the people who really want to do it".
I think that's true. I think many people started blogging because they were "supposed to". That has burnout written all over it – doing something because you have to.
I also imagine think there are those who blog and it's highly emotional – like Konrath – and I could see why he'd like to take a break. I also think people can get tired of doing something over time and need a break.
In terms of you, Nathan, I'm relieved to hear you're not at that point yet, because I love your blog so much. But you're the most important thing here, so if at any point you need to take a break, cut back or even (hard to type this!) leave, I hope you do what's best for you.
I also wonder if there aren't things that you could do to make it easier on yourself. For example, This Week in Books might be easier to post on Monday, because you have more time to do the link stuff. You could also get an assistant to compile This Week in Books, or do other things, or more guest blogging help. Or you could simply cut back to a M,W,F or a Tues, Thurs schedule.
Or keep it loose. Whatever works for you and lets you maintain balance and energy.
It's so funny, given this topic, that I'm about to start a blog. I've got the layout ready, I think it's pretty, I sort of like the name, and I'll start when I get that "it's time" feeling. But I'm doing it partly to jump start my writing, and partly just cause I have things I'd like to say, to share. So there's no networking pressure. But it's scary. What if no one comes and it's just I'm just talking to myself? On the other hand, what if people do come? That could be even scarier. Thinking about starting my blog makes me respect what you've been doing for the past several years, Nathan. There's pressure, which can also add to the burn-out factor – all and all I think it's pretty awesome what you've done here.
Elisa says
I've been contemplating whether to retire my blog altogether or take an indefinite hiatus. I never posted like clockwork, but have at least been trying to maintain one a week. And this time of year is always hectic for me.
I question whether what I'm writing about really matters — since it's about writing, I don't think it's original (I just add a first-hand perspective and some humor), and I don't get the traffic or comments that others get. Furthermore, I don't want to spend the time to increase that traffic. I think I've established my platform by now. I have Twitter. I have Facebook. I want to *write* my books. And I want more time to read others'.
What holds me back (and you mentioned this too, Nathan), is not wanting to abandon those followers who have loyally supported my blog. Will I be letting them down?
Finally, I know I don't have time to keep up with other people's blogs on a regular basis anymore. There are simply too many. I think others feel the same way.
Anonymous says
Truth is blogging takes a lot of effort, thinking of what the best topic and how to persuade readers to stay tune with your blog. It's highly competitive already when you are to compete with prolific writers, authors of books, teachers and what about us? amateur writer trying to be known for our work. Really it's even hard to think and get even. Also it's very tiring when almost all the topic was brought out for public viewing. So what's left with all of us> You tell me….
Tasha Seegmiller says
I hope blog fatigue isn't on the rise. I just got mine up and going. I love the resources that are available to newbies like me in blogland.
Khanada says
I am experiencing blog fatigue as a reader as well. I started following a lot of blogs to help me learn as much as I can about writing and publishing. While I could NEVER say I know everything now (!), I am just not picking up as much new information anymore relative to the time spent. Yet, I've grown attached to most of the blogs I've followed, and I hate this feeling of possibly missing something new or important! So I love it when people say they are posting less. It's much easier for me to keep up, too.
And Charlee, thanks for your comment! I am going to make a special point of trying to comment on blogs I follow that don't get a lot of comments. I can see where that can get frustrating!
Courtney Price says
That's perfectly healthy… I don't think anyone should give up REAL LIFE interactions or actual work that pays for blogging 🙂 Have you heard of Kirk Tuck? He is big in the photography world, this week he announced that he was through with creating content for free. SUPER interesting post:
https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2011/10/end-of-road.html
Nick Rolynd says
During the previous incarnation of my blog, I quickly experienced blog fatigue and pretty much abandoned it. It was only when my inspiration to write came back full force that I trashed the old incarnation and replaced it with it's current (and already far more popular) one.
Really, I think you have the right idea. Balance. I told myself this time that I wasn't going to use a fancy-shmancy schedule for posting. I wasn't going to participate in writing prompts like clockwork. I was only going to post my own ideas at my own pace.
And so that's what I'm doing. Through that approach, I've had more time to network my blog across social media platforms and, you know, actually read OTHER blogs, which was something I only did sporadically before.
I think blogging just needs to keep up with the times. Social media can be a powerful tool to get your blog out there, and it doesn't require you to post new stuff every single day. Spending time in other places, networking yourself occasionally…these things can make you a more rounded presence on the internet without requiring several hours a day of working on the "perfect post."
Trying to force myself to blog every day out of some misplaced sense of obligation is what burned me out of blogging last time. I don't intend for that to happen again.
Robena Grant says
Yep, I've seen a lot of my established author friends backing away from their blogs. It can be a real time sink.
I've had a blog since '06 but had the comments turned off and used to use it as an update for friends and family. Four months ago I opened the blog to comments but with the understanding that I would post only once a week. This feels good to me. It gives me time to think about what I want to write about, maybe even write it in advance of post date. I seldom write about writing, and I post twice a month to another author's blog, but again just thoughts on life.
Commenters are sporadic, it depends on the subject, spammers are in abundance (what's with that?)but I have noticed a few loyal followers. I'm not into the racking up of hundreds of fake fans, (either on my blog, FB or Google+) I'd rather go slow and really communicate.
I have five favorite places I visit almost every day. One of them is yours, Nathan, so I hope you stick around. : )
Mira says
Actually, I do want to say one other thing about your blog, Nathan.
This doesn't change what I've said about balance at all, but something to throw into the mix.
You started this blog as an agent, and your popularity grew because you write with integrity and intelligence and courage, something writers were drawn to. So, this blog gave you more than a platform – it gave you influence.
That influence is still there, this blog is a touchstone for discussing current events in a way that has impact.
I honestly don't know if that type of influence is important to you or not, but if it is, it's not something to let go of lightly.
Again, self-care is the most important thing, and the above may not be your priority, that's truly up to you, but just some food for thought.