Why Am I Doing This Blogging Thing?

A reader of mine left an impassioned comment on my blog recently asking:

Tell me if I should be doing this? I’m busting my head against the wall with my blog. I’m trying so hard to get readers and it’s just not happening. What am I doing wrong? Should I be doing this? Why am I doing this? Tell me to stop if you think I shouldn’t be blogging.

First, it’s not my job to tell you whether or not to stop blogging. That’s your decision. Sometimes, at the depths of despair we find the motivation that kicks us up over the edge, turning whatever we are doing into magic. I won’t interfere in that process directly.

However, I do know that we are entering a time period in the recent life cycle of blogging when more and more bloggers are asking themselves similar questions. Now into the end of their first, second, and even third year of blogging, many are starting to evaluate how much time, work, and energy they are putting into something that has so little return on its investment. They are asking themselves why am I doing this?

Why Are You Blogging?

Have you stopped and asked yourself “why am I blogging” recently? Are you part of the growing number of people not finding the return on their investment with their blogs? Have you been reconsidering the direction your blog is taking and where you want to take the business of your blog?

Join the club. Bloggers are shifting their focus all over the place as the passion they once had for sharing their words and images with the world fades. It’s just not fun any more.

As with anything, once the thrill is gone, then what? You are stuck with this blog thing and now what?

If you are truly frustrated and see nowhere to take your blog to the next level, then please stop. We, your readers, can tell when you are burned out and fed up. Quit flogging your blog and stop.

If you see the value in what you are doing, then get back to the reasons why you began blogging in the first place. What did you really want out of it? Do you remember? Now, how can you notch it up so you are getting more out of this blogging thing?

See Also
person holding ballpoint pen writing on notebook

Maybe it means a redesign. It always makes a blogger feel good to redesign their blog, but some redesigns are not for the better. Make sure your redesign improves the reader experience, and is not just a paint job.

Maybe it means changing your blog’s focus to what you really want to write about rather than what you think will bring in traffic. When you blog your passion, traffic will follow. Trust that.

Maybe it means stopping that blog completely and going off in a new direction. Why not experiment with that blog for a while before cutting your losses on the old blog, just to see if that is what you really want to do.

Here are some articles I’ve written recently on the subject that might help you find a new direction for your blog. Remember, it is your blog and you control it. It doesn’t control you. You choose.

Picture of Lorelle VanFossen

Lorelle VanFossen

The author of Lorelle on WordPress and the fast-selling book, Blogging Tips: What Bloggers Won't Tell You About Blogging, as well as several other blogs, Lorelle VanFossen has been blogging for over 15 years, covering blogging, WordPress, travel, nature and travel photography, web design, web theory and development extensively as web technologies developed.

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

7 signs you’re in a relationship with someone who lacks emotional depth

7 signs you’re in a relationship with someone who lacks emotional depth

Baseline

10 personality traits of men who show true loyalty in a relationship

10 personality traits of men who show true loyalty in a relationship

Global English Editing

10 signs you’re giving way too much and your partner is taking advantage of it

10 signs you’re giving way too much and your partner is taking advantage of it

Small Business Bonfire

4 zodiac signs who are definitely on the right path in life

4 zodiac signs who are definitely on the right path in life

Baseline

7 clever ways to show a master manipulator you won’t play their games

7 clever ways to show a master manipulator you won’t play their games

Small Business Bonfire

10 subtle signs you are actually an extremely likable person

10 subtle signs you are actually an extremely likable person

Global English Editing