10 tips to follow before taking a blogging break

Posted by Ben on April 22, 2009 | Permalink | Hits: 648 

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Image by youngrobv (Rob & Ale).

A couple of weeks back, I posted 10 tips to hit the ground running after a blogging break. This is a follow-up, but it's a bit odd, because now I've got 10 tips for you to follow before you take a blogging break! So if you're going to take a break from your blog - read this first, then read the other post next!

Thanks to libdrone for suggesting this topic.

1. Treat it as the end of a phase.

If you want to hit the ground running when you come back, your readers need to know that this is NOT the end of your blog. Don't let them think for a moment that you won't be coming back. Remind them that we all need a break from time to time. Look at what happens when a TV show goes off the air. Sure, it may be several months before it comes back, but the end of a season is not always the end of the show.

2. Make a final post.

Tell people that you'll be away, and WHY you're taking a break. Be honest, and your readers will appreciate it.

3. Set a return date, and announce it.

Ideally, you should set a date when your next blog post will be published. If you can't do that right away, at least give a rough idea of when you'll be back - are we talking days, weeks or months?

4. Set a date for planning your return.

The very worst thing you can do is get too relaxed when you take your break. Remember that you're coming back. Don't lose sight of your goals for the blog and don't get too comfortable with being absent from it. Of course, if you feel like a weight has been lifted and you start dreading the day when you announce your return, it may be a sign you need to shake things up a bit.

5. Explain what you'll do during your break.

Are you focusing on other projects? Is it possible for your readers to find you elsewhere, maybe at another blog or on a forum? It's like meeting a work colleague in a social environment - you can be appreciated on a whole new level. Don't pass up the opportunity to discuss things with your readers outside your "normal" environment!

6. Encourage your readers to subscribe.

Who knows whether you'll keep the same posting schedule when you return? Even if you keep your existing schedule and give a clear date as to when you'll be blogging again, readers may forget to check your blog once you're back.

I read a lot of blogs that suggest you need to keep to a regular posting schedule, and while I agree in principle (and I do follow this advice), isn't the whole point of subscribing so you know when a new post goes up? Why does the frequency matter if you're subscribed?

If you're not subscribed, will you really go to the same blogs at the same time every single week? I might remember to go to one or two of them, but unless they post every single day, I'd have a hard time remembering the posting frequency for more than a very small number of blogs. Then again, this is probably a topic for another post...

7. Drop hints about upcoming changes.

Don't promise things you can't deliver - but do get people interested in what might happen when you return. If possible, go for a new and improved blog that will be worth checking out!

8. Link to some other blogs in your niche.

Why not look for similar blogs and give the links to your readers? If you're worried that all your readers will go somewhere else, remember that it was your choice to take a break, and it's down to you to give them a reason to come back. If you can show them some other sites that they enjoy, you may find they are more willing to tell people about YOUR blog when you come back.

9. Promote your archives.

How many of your readers have read every single one of your posts? If you've been blogging for a while, there may will be some posts they've missed. So why not link to some of your old posts?

10. Engage your reader community.

Before you go away, ask if anyone wants to bridge the gap between the current phase and the next phase of your blog - invite guest writers to help out. Also, ask for topic suggestions that you could use for new posts when you come back. Maybe even ask how everyone feels about your posting frequency - could they live without quite as many posts to read from you in future?

Bonus Tip: Stay positive.

This tip is so good, I had to mention it in both posts - but it's "bonus tip" so you don't feel cheated! Don't leave your blog in a bad mood, where you say how sick of blogging you are, and you're sure if you want to come back, but you feel you should anyway. The negativity will wash over all your readers like muddy water. They won't thank you for it. Who likes muddy water? (OK, you might get away with this if you write for ducks.)

What do you think? Is there anything else you'd do before taking a blogging break? Have you ever taken a break? Do you feel it might be worth doing someday?

Comments on 10 tips to follow before taking a blogging break

3

Ben | April 24, 2009 | 190 comments

Thanks for the positive feedback, glad you enjoyed the post!