Article by Wendy McCance
I thought I had it all figured out. I was rocking my blog and building a business off of it. I lost my focus along the way, and a little bit of what made me love this blog so much disappeared as I stumbled on the path.
I used to write about personal issues. Things that affect each one of us. I would dissect and question and share what I learned. It was a time when I grew a huge following and could feel a vibrant energy about the blog. It was relatable and there were many good conversations started from the posts that were written.
Along the way, people asked me blogging questions and then social media questions and finally as they read about my evolution into freelance writing, I was asked questions about starting a career as a writer. I loved sharing all I knew. It thrilled me to help everyone I could. I always said that there was enough room for everyone and why not share as much information as possible. If it helps someone else succeed, terrific!
All of this good information I was passing around was fine, but it began to overshadow what my original blog was all about and I lost a lot of those original readers. I debated having two different blogs and even tested out the idea, but it didn’t feel right. I hated to abandon sharing all I was learning because I enjoyed helping others and it was good for my own career. I was able to demonstrate through those articles what I knew.
Over time, it felt strange to write the personal articles. My blog was beginning to feel like a business website (which by the way is really strange when you have a title like, Searching for the Happiness) and that’s when I felt I lost my edge. The whole reason for the blog was so I could be creative and write whatever I was passionate about that day. The worst part was that along the way, I lost my writing voice. The voice people related to was now rusty and unrecognizable. I wasn’t practicing my craft. I became someone who was basically writing out tutorials and my writing suffered because of it.
After a year of terrorizing myself and debating what to do, I got a message on Twitter that reminded me of the good old days. A person tweeted, “Your article gave me hope and made my night!!! You know how to touch hearts!!! So THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!” It was the article, What Are You Grateful For? that I had written that had created such a powerful reaction. I used to get messages like that all the time and it made me feel wonderful. It was at that moment I realized just how far I had veered off the path I had been on. The path that made me so happy doing what I loved most.
So, I am going back to my roots. I might throw in an occasional article on writing, social media or blogging if there is some information I am just dying to share, but honestly, everything I have to offer on those topics are already written. You can find a ton of information on any of those subjects in the archive.
So dear readers, I am back! Writing about the issues I am passionate about. I can’t wait to get started!!
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
Latest posts by Wendy McCance (see all)
- Be Brave and Turn Your Dream Into a Reality - August 20, 2016
- Our Perception of Age - August 7, 2016
- When House Ambition Takes Over - July 26, 2016
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Maybe we’re all doing some soul-searching. I, too, went back lately to writing and sharing some of the things I originally had in mind when I started my blog, personal experiences that have somehow taken second place.
I suppose your personal issues, or life experiences, resonated with more people — and a different audience — because most of us have no hope of writing for pay. thus articles on how to develop more business contacts or expand into other social media isn’t going to be of interest to those who aren’t going there. But we’re all human, so personal issues will.
I’m looking forward to reading whatever you will be sharing in the future.
Thanks Christine.
I, too, have been stumbling this year on my writing path.
I have been away from my blog for so long that going back to it is scary and it feels like I’m starting over, and that makes me question whether I shouldn’t perhaps really begin from scratch with a brand new blog. A new blog for a new beginning…
But I’m torn; my old blog was fulfilling to do, even when I bared my soul, and I felt like I had gained friends as well as regular readers/followers who cared enough about me and my writing to stay in touch.
Most of these wonderful people have probably moved on by now, rightfully so, so I guess in some ways I will be starting over after all, whether I actually begin a new site or choose to post again on my current one. That means my writing will have to be interesting enough to bring them back to my blog and maybe even attract other readers along the way, but NO PRESSURE, right? LOL. Time will tell.
It’s funny that I read your post this morning as I was lying in bed planning my first new blog post in my head. I’ll take that as a sign that we’re both heading back in the direction we’re meant to go, Wendy.
I look forward to reading all of your upcoming great posts. Now let’s get writing!
Sylvia, isn’t it funny how the right information can show up just when you need it most? I love that I’m not alone in this feeling.
Personally, I would keep the blog you have had and loved. It has great memories in it and anyways, blogs are like diaries of your life and it’s more interesting to read through the progression and starts and stops of it. Once you get rolling, make sure you share your post with your social media platforms. I’m sure many of the old readers will see it and come back.
By the way, if you would like, write back with the link to your blog in the comments. Maybe it will help get some traffic flowing again.
Take care and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. This is the type of connection I have missed, and I am excited to get these kind of comments rolling again. 🙂
Thanks, Wendy. I’ll be sure to share my link with you.
And you’re right about a blog being a sort of journal or diary-mine started originally because I wanted to share recipes and stories of my mom who had passed away, and it eventually progressed to sharing my own slice-of-life stories that somehow touched a chord with fellow writers and readers.
It will be nice to get back into the swing of things. Happy posting!
You too, and pass me that link. 🙂