I had a lightbulb moment on Monday that I wanted to share with you guys. It has to do with posting frequency, which I think relates nicely to our discussion about editorial calendars and planning for your blog from last week. But mostly it has to do with expectations that you have for yourself, and cutting yourself some slack.
Let’s back up a little bit. In August, I surveyed my readers (you guys) and while most people said that they like to see one post per day on a blog, the second place answer said less than once per day. I was really surprised! I thought surely everyone liked seeing one or more posts per day on a blog- even though that wasn’t true for myself as a reader! Either way, it didn’t really matter- I was going to be posting at least once per day. I mean, I’d been posting at least once per day on three blogs for a while- I was going to be overwhelmed with content on this new blog!
But here’s the thing: I wasn’t. For the first month or so, I was fine, but after that I was struggling to publish daily posts. There are a lot of reason why I think this has been happening, but part of it is that I’m a lot busier with design work now than I was last fall. And thank goodness. But what I’m finding is that while I love blogging and designing, there are only so many hours in the day, and sometimes only so much creative juice in my brain. And my clients absolutely come first.
So fine- daily posts on my blog aren’t happening all by myself. But here’s the part where I really messed up: I didn’t figure out a way to fix it, or accept it, or really address the issue at all. Each week, I went in with the same expectation. Each week, I failed. And each week, I beat myself up about it. I even felt guilty for not posting on my blog.
This blog guilt that I was forcing on myself every time I didn’t post was and is ridiculous for so many reasons. And the sad thing is that I don’t think that it is at all unusual. I think a lot of bloggers (me included) like to say that we blog because we love it, and I definitely do. That, and it’s one of the main ways that I get design work. But if that’s true, then why am I treating it like it’s a ball-and-chain job? That seems contradictory. And dumb.
For five out the last 6 weeks, I have posted four times on the blog- three posts and a Starred this Week.
It took me six weeks to realize that this idea of posting five times a week wasn’t working for me. On Monday as I was sitting at my parents’ computer, trying to figure out something to post about, it occurred to me that this wasn’t the exception- it was the rule. I’m always struggling to find a fifth post. Why am I doing this to myself?
The point of this post isn’t really to talk about whether I post four or five times a week, because my guess is that a lot of you don’t really care or might not even notice that much either way. The point is that I need to cut myself some more slack, and my guess is that you do too. There is a fine line between pushing yourself to greatness and being too hard on yourself. I think for me, the important thing is to know your limits and pay attention to patterns. And adjust expectations accordingly.
Do you feel guilty when you don’t publish a blog post every day? I do, but I’m really going to try to stop! The ridiculous thing is that at this point, as a reader I literally NEVER notice if a blog goes a day without posting. And if I did, would I be mad or judge them or stop reading? NO. I need to stop holding myself to standards that only apply to me.
It’s SO hard posting everyday!
I think it’s great that you found what is good for you. Blogging should be fun…not a chore.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Kate, I think you’re onto something here. Haha. I am not a daily blogger and don’t think I ever will be. I need to be okay with that. But the guilt is so easy…
I feel that the pressure to post every day is also related to the type of blogs we read. Like most people, I read a lot of blogs with larger audiences than my own and multiple contributors, yet I continue to compare them to mine. Makes no sense!
I definitely agree- it’s important not to compare yourself to a blogger whose blog is their livelihood! I treat my blog like it’s part of my job, since it’s an extension of my business, but I’m still only one person and I definitely think it helps to give yourself a little reality check every once in a while.
When I went to AltNYC in August, Natalie of Nat the Fat Rat talked about how she posts about four times a week, partly because she feels like she overwhelms her readers when she posts more than that. She felt like after four times a week, there started to be less interaction on her posts. At the time it made a lot of sense, but now having had this realization I kinda feel like the same is true for my blog!
it sounds like we all struggle with our own expectations rather than the expectations that others have! I have to say that I think when your blog is an extension of your business, as yours is, you do have different responsibilities to it. But, at the same time, EVERYONE prefers quality over quantity, and that can only happen when your heart is in it and you’re inspired :)
I totally agree- especially if someone has taken on sponsors, then I think they have a responsibility to publish content at a rate comparable to when the person bought their ad. I’ve been on the sponsor side of that and it can be disappointing.
I think for my blog, there are tons of great examples of successful blogs in related niches that post as little as once a week. I’m not going to post that infrequently, and I think I’d start taking on contributors before it got to that point, but it’s helpful for me to remember that there’s more than one model for success for this whole blogging/business thing :)
YES. true re: sponsorship.
And so true about the different models! They key is finding one that works for you :)
SO TRUE! I’ve been sick this week and all spastic about the fact that I haven’t posted since last Friday. But when I read this it made me realize that I would NEVER notice if another blogger went a few days without posting. It would probably take a full week before I was like, “Oh wait. Where has she been?” I need to keep this in mind the next time I’m putting way too much pressure on myself.
Definitely! It’s so easy to get caught holding yourself to unrealistic standard that you don’t hold others to! Hope you feel better soon, Jen!
blog guilt is a real thing. i go through it weekly, so this really hit home. it is such a relief to hear that others are having some of the same thoughts. i would love to be able to focus more of my time and efforts on my blog, but with a day time job, my freelance job, friends and family and other obligations, it’s just not at all realistic.
your content is always wonderful, which i believe is what matters the most! let’s stop beating ourselves up about a few missed posts, shall we?
You’re definitely not alone! Thanks Rachael, that means a lot coming from you! And I agree, let’s do it :)
I definitely get stressed about it, especially since I’ve been posting more like 2-3 times per week lately. But sometimes life gets in the way, and then I realize I have way more things to get stressed out about besides posting rate! I agree – I rarely notice when a blogger takes off a day – so I’ve tried to stop worrying about it so much. Great post, Kate!
Thanks Jess! I think that posting 2-3 times a week works for a lot of people, so it’s awesome that you’re trying to not stress about it. Your blog is awesome!
I totally needed to hear this today! I haven’t posted since the 6th because of work and I feel so guilty about it. All next week I’ll be in SC so I probably won’t be posting either. What do you think about posting frequency during the holidays?
It happens! I’m planning on taking some time off, or at least posting pretty infrequently during the holidays this year. Last year I felt like blog world pretty much shut down over the holidays- not in that no one was posting, but more in that no one was reading. If I remember correctly, my stats last year plummeted over the holidays, I think just because everyone wants to be spending time with their families. So I’m going to try my best to do the same and not sweat it this year :)
Such a great post. I’ve really been struggling to find a balance lately. I’ve been better about giving myself a break — I don’t feel guilty if I miss a post, and I’ve also gotten more lenient on the timing of my posts. I used to feel like I had to schedule a post for 6am, 5 days a week. But now if I don’t feel like scheduling a post, I post later the next day, or give myself a break. However, I want my blog to grow, and looking through my history, it has grown the most during the times I’m posting 5 days a week. Plus, I find I’m just more creative if I stick to a schedule, and the more breaks I take, the harder it is to get back into a posting routine. So it really is difficult to know where to draw the line.
I totally agree- having somewhat of a schedule is definitely helpful for me, and sometimes I really do need to just push through ruts to get content flowing. I think I might start scheduling in the days when I don’t post, or just not stressing about it when that fifth post doesn’t happen. We’ll see, it’s always a work in progress!
I do not blog but follow around 15 blogs. I do notice when someone does or does not blog. It really is not an issue. Most of the people I follow only blog about 3 times a week. The problem I have is that most of those people choose MW and F to blog. I at times do not have the time to read everyones post. I like to read and comment but at times I do not have the time to give to it. If I were you and were cutting back I’d look at posting on T Th and Sat that way your readers might have more time to check out your post. I may be wrong on the days as a whole but it is true for the blogs I follow. I think quality is more important than quantity as well.
Thanks for sharing that, Mark- that’s really interesting, and I hadn’t thought about that pattern before. Luckily for me, Mondays and Wednesdays are typically the days that I’m struggling to post, so it might work out in my favor that those are the days when it’s a little quieter around here!
Mark, I have considered going to a T, TH, Sat schedule for the very reason you mention. And also because it’s hard for me to write on the weekends when my family is all home, so my Monday post usually goes up late. But, what would become of “Fitness Friday” if I do? :)
Sandy,
One of my favorite sports writer’s Peter King does an article for SI called Monday Morning Quarterback. He follows that up with a MMQB on Tuesday and he calls it MMQB Tuesday Edition. So I think it would be great for you to have a Fitness Friday Saturday Edition or weekend edition. It is the weekends where I need to make sure I do fitness stuff because I am going to eat more than I do during the week and also because I hope I have more time to invest in some Fitness Friday thing on Saturday or Sunday.
I love that idea! Thanks!! Sort of like my “Not Fitness Friday” recipes. (the less-than-healthy ones)
I posted about this same thing on Tuesday, (http://www.radiant-shadows.com/2012/11/book-blogger-confessions.html?m=1) as part of my confessions series! I feel self-imposed stress about blogging daily, even though no one would hold it against me if I didn’t.
Thanks for sending the link to your post, Kelly! I’m off to go check it out :)
Hello! Relatively new reader here, and the first time I have felt moved to chime in :)
I think that the expectation of forcing ourselves to post every day when it is not our sole focus is just foolish. I used to have a blog (and will do again come the new year) and at most I was able to post every other day, more often every three. No more expectation/pressure than that. That way I could make sure that what I posted was better quality reading. It’s all very well to be posting every day, but when you’re trying to multi-task it in to other commitments and focal points, like you said, your brain just runs out of steam trying to come up with continuous quality over quantity.
Personally so long as I have a nice handful of quality posts (from a variety of writers) to read through in my reader each day, I am satisfied. That is where the ‘fresh posts every day’ comes into it for me. Do you honestly think I or any other reader have the time to read 45 (that’s the total of my pool of blogs I subscribe to) new posts every day, every week? I can hardly imagine the information overload of some much bigger subscription lists that I know others have!!! Reading blogs can easily become a full time job – and one I am not being paid to do (though that would be fun!) ;)
I think that in this current stage of development of social media where there are infinitely more sources feeding us information daily, we have to pick out what’s really juicy as a reader. Meaning less blogs/posts on our reading lists (probably). On the flip side as writers of said numerous blogs, we have to make sure that what we post is quality stuff (meaning among other things, it has to add a new perspective to the ‘debate’). Part of this, I feel is the natural reduction in the number of posts we set loose on the ether (I find it hard to believe that there are writers who can every day produce good stuff – as creatives we know this cannot be true). I would much rather subscribe to a blog that posted just once a week if that post was of really high quality (that was relevant to me) every time. You would have me as an absolutely loyal reader, and probably a more frequent commenter too.
Just saying ;)
Thanks for chiming in today, Beka! I absolutely agree, I would way rather have a few quality posts over mediocre posts every day. I just checked, and I subscribe to 132 blogs and have 700 unread posts in my Google Reader. Eek! That’s way too much, sounds like it’s time to do some cleaning :)
I’ve dealt with feeling guilty for not posting in the past. I think it’s because everyone says to be successful, you have to blog consistently, etc. Although consistently might only be 3 times a week, I think we sometimes automatically assume it’s daily. I post 6 times a week, but I’m thinking of cutting back to 5, which I’m hoping will allow me to focus on posting quality content instead of filler.
Definitely! I think you can be consistent and intentional without posting every day. I think that’s gonna be my goal!
I don’t publish every day and I don’t intend to. In my blog and to blogs I read, I prefer quality over quantity and I don’t mind if I only hear from my favourite blogs a couple of times a week as long as the posts are good. However, I did make a goal of trying to post 3 times per week and occasionally, even that is hard. This week has been especially hard for me to sit and write and it’s not that I have anything else to do, I’m just not feeling inspired or motivated. I have made myself continue to post but not necessarily because of blog guilt but because sometimes we just need to push through. I suppose when it comes down to it, we as bloggers need to decide what works for us and our blog and hope that when we’re being true to ourselves, our readers will follow.
That’s true- some weeks when you’re just not feeling it it’s important to push through! It’s hard to strike a balance, but I think observing your patterns over a long period of time is important to manage your expectations of yourself from week to week. That’s great that you know that about 3 posts a week is a good rhythm for you!
Oh god, the GUILT! I hate the guilt! I have been feeling a little uninspired and unmotivated with my blog lately – and then I feel guilty that I even feel that way! The worst posts are the ones I force. If I don’t want to take outfit photos that day or post at all, I don’t! The result is I RARELY do weekend posts (or Monday posts) anymore. With a super busy day job and a relationship, I can’t do it all – and I don’t want to pretend like I can either. You’re not alone in feeling this way!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one! As someone who pats themselves on the back every day that they *actually* get dressed, I can imagine that daily outfit posts would be exhausting. I always love your outfits, Catherine!
I put such pressure on myself to post 3-5 times per week that I suddenly hit a huge rut from the pressure. I haven’t posted in more than a week. And the funny thing is, I’m still getting traffic and comments. I think it’s time for more realistic expectations. Thank you!
There are definitely times when I psych myself out by putting pressure on myself! When I step back and take a few deep breaths and remember that this isn’t life or death, I think I get more done. And isn’t it funny how blog world sometimes goes against everything you know to be true in terms of traffic?
I absolutely agree with everything you wrote! I used to feel guilty about not posting every day (way back in the spring when I just had a 40-h0ur-per-week internship and not this crazy gig I’m doing now), but then I realized I was probably just clogging up my readers’ RSS feeds and annoying them. I read so many blogs that I tend to skip the ones that have multiple unread posts in my Google Reader when I’ve only been gone for one or two days. There just isn’t enough time in the day to read them all. I’d rather read a few quality posts each week and look forward to them than read mediocre posts every day. Keep doing what works for you! :)
I know what you mean. As a reader, I definitely feel like there is such a thing as posting too much.
such a pertinent topic, Kate. blog guilt is a seriously real thing–and it’s not something people really talk about, so I’m happy you did! I find myself struggling for the 5th post too… maybe the holidays will be my way to finally force myself to make the switch ;) love your honesty, as always! xoxo {av}
Thanks {av}! I’m glad I’m not alone :)
First of all, I love this post. :)
Second of all, I find it completely fascinating that it only took you six weeks to realize you couldn’t post as frequently as you planned. I am still struggling with what frequency works best for me and I’ve been blogging almost 5 years!! (Mostly, because as my kids get older, my schedule continues to evolve–thus, my blogging time varies from season to season).
Third, I agree with some of the other commenters who wanted quality over quantity. I simply don’t have time to read every blog every day. I find myself falling behind and skimming titles, rather than reading, commenting and engaging in the conversation of the blog.
I, personally, find it refreshing when a blogger takes some time off now and then to tend to real life. It affirms my need to do the same.
Yeah, it’s funny because for a long time I felt like I had all the time in the world to read blogs and I was always trying to find new blogs to read. I guess that’s been different for like six months or so, and now it’s harder for me to keep up with the blogs that I read than ever before, so I’ve definitely come to prefer less posting on blogs. It’s just hard to keep up with! Thanks for sharing your perspective, Sandy! :)
Don’t you think Sandy’s blog just rocks!!! :)
Absolutely! She’s awesome!
Whoever designed her blog did an awesome job don’t you think!
haha I’d have to say so! ;)
Awhile back I started feeling really guilty about posting too. Over the summer, I had 4-5 posts per week, but now with school and everything else I’m lucky to get 1 per week! I’ve learned that my readers don’t mind all that much. The ones who really keep up with me and my blog know that I’m busy. They also follow me on Twitter and find out that way when a new blog post has been published.
The best advice I can give you is to only blog when you WANT to, not when you NEED to. The second you start feeling guilty and feeling the need to blog is the moment that you start loving it a little less. Then, like you said, eventually it’s a ball-and-chain task rather than a place to vent, share, and have fun!
Thanks Danielle- I totally agree, your blog should be fun and inspiring, not just another commitment! :)
Honestly, this isn’t something I’ve really struggled with yet. There are definitely days or weeks where I feel like I have NOTHING to say, so maybe I just post 3 or 4 times a week. I don’t ever want to post something unless I feel really excited about it. The blog guilt I feel is when I post something to post something, and I’m NOT excited over the content. Does that make sense?
I think it’s also very different for me because I don’t do sponsors. For the bigger blogs who run their blogs like a business, it’s a different ball game. They have more of a responsibility to churn out good stuff frequently (not that they aren’t entitled to not post here and there, we all need a break!) but it doesn’t hurt anyone if I don’t post, so I’m fine with it.
That’s awesome! I definitely agree with you though- if you have sponsors then I think you have a responsibility to post with some sort of regularity. I don’t have sponsors right now, which makes my guilt surrounding the whole thing pretty silly! I just feel like I’m not working hard enough to grow my blog/ business and/or letting down or losing my readers when I don’t post, but still- it does not require the level of stress that I wind with.
Girl, it is imPOSSible to post every day (with content that’s worth reading/looking at) …especially if you have a day job.
Post when inspired, or when you are feeling creative.
xx
The Fashionable ESQ
http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/
Yeah, if you’re constantly pushing yourself to come up with a 5th post and you’re stretching yourself too thin, that’s probably a good sign that 5 posts isn’t a comfortable pace for you at the moment. I do around 4 to 5 posts a weeks. Some weeks, I probably post more than I should because I’m extra inspired and I’m too excited to publish my post instead of doing the sensible thing and saving it for the future. We definitely needn’t be bound to a set schedule at all times!
Hi (again),
first, as a reader, I should say that I don’t expect bloggers to write more than one post a day, because, as I’m following a few blogs, it wouldn’t give me enought time to read if each of them were to post more than one post.
As far as the writting goes, I also used to beat myself up for not publishing every day. But as I read somewhere on your blog (at least, I think I did) it’s not about quantity more than quality.
So getting ready for my new blog, I’m really considering posting 3 posts a week but keeping it regular and great content.
Less for the guilt, more for the interest of my readers…. at least it’s what I’m hoping for!
Take care