blog, blogging, blogger, how to, content
Lifestyle

How To Rescue Your Little Corner of the Net

Sometimes life just kicks us in the ASS!  It happens to the best and worst of us, young or old regardless of race, religion or political/social standing.  Shit happens.  Life will occasionally get in the way of best-laid plans and prevent us from engaging in our own, daily grind.  And as any blogger or social media influencer can attest too, when your only presence is online, inactivity can easily be the death of our tiny piece of the world-wide-web.

I have found many blogs that just stop!  There is no warning.  There is no explanation.  The blogger is missing in action and I, as a regular reader want to know, “Where did they go?  Are they alright?  Why did they not return to or properly close out their blog?”

blog, blogging, blogger, how to, content

And, like many bloggers, I know the answers already because life has made me guilty of being an MIA blogger.  I have, unfortunately, gone “AWOL” far too often in my blogging career.  My recent absence started when my mother had a heart attack in March (which she has since recovered from), and ended with my illness rearing its ugly head and forcing me into treatment that left me useless until June.

For most of us, our blogs are our own social experiment.  We may get paid for a ghost article or recognition for a photo taken, but in reality, it is our own labour of love that makes us pump out post after post.  But when you’ve stepped away and neglected your own masterpiece for a decent amount of time it becomes difficult to find your footing and your voice again.

Once I was awoken from my drug-induced coma, I struggled to write.  It had been so long since my last post, I didn’t know where to begin.  I had to remind myself how and why this blog started.  I reread my posts and relived the memories.  It became apparent there was no love lost because I love to tell stories.  I love to share what I’ve learned, experienced and lived.

So, before my rejuvenated mother decides to unfollow me, it is high time I attempted to salvage three years of work; blood, sweat and tears.  Here then are my 7 tips for all you MIA bloggers on How To Rescue Your Little Corner of the Net!

Start Writing  Regardless of whether your blog features very few words and your content mostly photos, you need to write a post and tell your readers why you went MIA.  People are understanding and like you, life has also gotten in their way at times.

Inform Your Readers.  If there will be any changes to your posting schedule or blog narrative etc. notify your readers in your return post.  If you don’t inform them of any changes, they will expect the status quo.

Content! Content! Content!  Ensure to create enough content to fill your regular or newly established schedule.  No sense getting everyone’s attention only to go missing again from a schedule you’ve just advertised.  People are understanding but they’re not going to be dragged around on a leash.

Engage!  Remember when you were building your blog?  Well, you are essentially rebuilding your blog now and so the same rules apply.  Comment and interact with your readers so they know you’re really back.  Participate in your WordPress or Blogger community.  Bloggers active in their chosen community are more likely to attract others to their blog and build their readership.

blog, blogging, blogger, how to, content

New Look.  New Feel.  Depending on how long you’ve been gone and the blog sat inactive, tidy the appearance and/or navigation for a mini-relaunch.  This demonstrates you are still vested in your own blog and therefore will likely be sticking around.

Grab the Webs Attention  Promote the hell out of all your social media channels.  Let the world know that you’re back baby!  Attach links to your best old posts that are relevant in Facebook or Twitter.  Run current campaigns and advertising via Instagram.  Create a frenzy around your online presence until you see people returning to your blog.

Be Proactive  Once you’ve re-established yourself online be proactive for the next time life comes hurling at you.  Have at least 6 months worth of articles in the queue, scheduled and ready to go.  Working this far in advance allows you some wiggle room when your attention is torn away.

~True North Nomad

Are you guilty of being an MIA blogger?  How did you recover from an absence from the blogosphere?

“I’m BACKKKKKK!” – Not following TNN? WordPress User’s click button to your right.  For everyone else, enter your email address and click “follow” bottom right and never miss an impassioned tale again!

32 thoughts on “How To Rescue Your Little Corner of the Net”

  1. MIA / AWOL: that’s me. Thanks for the tips for coming back. Just what I needed. So much negativity attached to what I was doing, not on the blog, but in the world attached to the blog. Just a question of shuffling the cards, paciencia y barajar, and carrying on, regardless.

    Like

    Reply

  3. No. I have not been MIA, I consider my blog part of my job even though it is not always related. I do wonder when people stop writing especially when they have claimed to “be a writer” and/or “LOVE” to write. I do appreciate it when they explain their absence. I hate when they have been gone, come back – either with or without explanation – claim they ARE BACK, then disappear again. But, whatever, I do know that we all write/blog for different reasons and I do know that life does get in the way. I enjoyed this post!

    Like

    Reply

  5. Thank you, Lily!

    Yes, I’ve missed your posts, but mostly, I am the one who has been out of commission, MIA, AWOL for too long. Things have happened that got in the way, and routines changed and challenged me. . . . I haven’t read, and I haven’t written.

    But, with your inspiration I am going to get back on track again very soon. I have one more major job to get out of the way in my post-flood home repairs, and then a brief week-long vacation. Then it’s back on board. I am looking forward to it.

    Thanks for the kick! And for the practical suggestions. I’ll see you soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Eeks … flood repairs sounds labour intensive and costly. Life getting in the way. Good or bad it will do it. I look forward to your return and I hope things work out for you. Take care and we’ll be waiting for your next post!

      Like

      Reply

  6. I’m glad you’re feeling better and that your mom is okay! That sounds like a truly terrifying time. I’m currently in a bit of a rut myself. I moved, and since then I’ve hardly posted anything, despite having a few posts in my drafts folder. Most of it was that where I was staying did not afford much down time at all, so there simply wasn’t any room for blogging. Since it occurred to me how long it had been, I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things. It’s great to not only have you back but to have another blogger confirm what a struggle it can be to reconnect. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s definitely a struggle. Until you get back into the groove I find it’s difficult to know where to begin. My only advice is just begin…. any where, with anything. That helped me. Especially reading my old posts. I realized my inability to jump back in without hesitation had nothing to do with whether I still enjoyed it, because I do. I look forward to whatever you’re going to do and I hope you stick around and find your footing again. Take care my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Yes it’s always good to let them know. WP is pretty good. People don’t jump ship as fast as other mediums when your missing, which is nice. Thanks for dropping by!

      Like

      Reply

    1. I get spending more time on Instagram for your photos. They are beautiful! We will forgive your tardiness on WP but we will miss you dearly. 😉

      Like

      Reply

  12. Awesome words of wisdom!!!!! Love that your back!!! Looking forward to future posts!! Miss you guys lots!!! Happy blogging and road tripping!!! 😁💜✌😘
    Ps hows the hair????

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. We miss you guys too! I’m sure the little guy will be a brain surgeon by the time we return he’s so smart… and cute… and absolutely adorable!! I haven’t attempted my hair… yet, but I have your instructions so hopefully we won’t screw it up! Will be seeing you this summer when we swing through. 😉😘🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Google photo

You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s