I’m having a really hard time writing this blog anymore.
Or, rather, the way it’s been going.
I’m burnt out.
I’m really, really tired of reading about “social media” and everything that goes with it. I’m really tired of hearing about it everywhere I go offline, too. It seems like that’s all anybody ever talks about. People are communicating constantly about this “new” method of communication (metacommunication by its very definition) so much that they lose track of the messages they want to convey behind those methods in the first place.
I know that last paragraph is debatable. (If we debated it, would that be meta-metacommunication?)
My point is that I read and hear so much about the social web that by the time I get around to writing something for my own blog that’s the last thing I want to think about, let alone write about.
It’s only natural for a blog to evolve. I’ve been shying away from “usual” stuff for some time now, although I admit I’ve been anything but prolific. Much of that has to do with my burnout. I rewrote my About page a while ago, and on it I said:
If anything, I like to take an in-depth look at current situations in integrated marketing and communications, technology, and strategy and analyze what went wrong or what people are doing right. Extract the things we can learn and see how we can apply them to our own online practices. Not just plain ol’, run-of-the-mill case studies, but situations that are either overlooked, under analyzed, or perhaps just bizarre.
. . . I still like to do that, but lately, I’m just not feelin’ it.
When I blogged on other domains in the past and got to this point, I’d shut down the blog and start anew on a different domain, with a different focus (or not).
Not only do I not want to do that again, I know now that it’s really bad for SEO and “digital footprint” purposes.
So now I have a dilemma — deciding which direction to take with this blog.
Oddly enough, yesterday I visited Ari Herzog’s blog and found he was in a similar situation so he asked his readers. I was planning on doing the same, but he beat me to the punch.
Of course, I know ultimately it’s up to me, but I thought I’d toss it out there and ask you, my readers (if I have any left) — what would you like to see here? I’ve heard from a few people that they’d like to see more music-related posts. I wouldn’t mind that, and I have a few in mind, but I’m curious to see what others bring up — there might be something out there I’d love to tackle that I haven’t even thought about.
So, to steal Ari’s question, “If you were doctor knowing what you like to read, what would you prescribe?”
Image by kudumomo.
No related posts.
I would love to see you being you. Talk about Chloe. Talk about guys. Talk about Detroit. Talk about Stacy. The media will take care of itself, or it will be replaced. You are more interesting than it is.
Thanks, Scott — I’ve never been anything BUT myself!
Stacy:
I’ve been struggling with blog/social media burnout myself lately. I’ve gone so far as to start wanting to eschew some of the things that keep me so connected to it altogether (like my iPhone). I was reading Paul Isakson’s blog the other day and came across this quote.
I think your blog can be anything you want it to be. The reason I read your stuff is exactly why I choose to read anything. I dig your writing style. They way you write speaks to me and connects with me in a way other people pontificating about social media, content strategy, content marketing or communicating in general can’t seem to do.
.
I enjoy that you don’t get caught up in the hype, overshare your thoughts or attempt to be something you’re not. You’re that damn redhead, who loves cats, music, muppets and thinking outside the box. As long as you stick to those values, I believe your readers will stick with you. Everyone needs a break every now and then, and if you’re finidng that you’re no longer enjoying the act of blogging, by all means, write about what feels good. Your talents and insights will shine through whatever you choose to write about, whether that be a record, your day or the next big thing.
I’d love to read more of you insights on Michigan, music or how you see different things like meta communication having an impact on how we handle ourselves as people. Maybe look at it in a whole different way … more from a sociological standpoint?
Keep on, keepin on Stacy. I’m sticking with you no matter what direction you head
Thanks, Dan, I appreciate your candor. As I’ve said above (and as I always say), I only know how to be me. If I tried to be someone else, not only would I fail miserably but I wouldn’t be honest with myself or my readers. I’ve always had a knack for seeing things more objectively and not getting caught in the hype, though all of us are guilty of that sometimes. Some author (whose name escapes me right now) said “It doesn’t matter what you write, what you believe will always shine through.” Those words have resonated with me lately, and your comment only reinforces that.
I’ll let your suggestions brew in the back of my mind and see what comes out of them.
I don’t read people’s blogs to read about their business. Honestly? I don’t even know what you actually do.
I read someone’s content because I like the person, their style, their wit, etc. I love it when you rant about grammar. I love it when you tell it like it is.
Just be you.
Thanks, Brian. That makes two of us — I honestly don’t know what I actually do, either!
All I’ve ever done is be me, that’s all I know how to do.
Go where you want to go! Talk about what you want to be when you grow up. Take a sabbatical for a time and just BE.
Thanks, Robin, but I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. It feels like I’ve been on sabbatical, though, and I’m still trying to figure it all out.
Stacy,
I agree with Scott, you’ve always got something interesting to say. I also find it hard to blog (I have three on going, one for work, two personal) at times and you just don’t feel like it. It’s even harder when you set up a blog to have a theme or main topic. In your case, being a redhead doesn’t pigeon hole the content much
If you were to blog about marketing, I could use some help on some good ideas to get news and ideas out there without resorting to the boring corporate techniques like press releases.
Bill
Thanks, Bill – I have to disagree, I don’t always have something interesting to say, it’s just that I keep my mouth shut when what I have to say really isn’t that interesting!
I actually read many marketing blogs that aren’t necessarily hooked on the buzzwords do jour. What exactly are you dealing with? I could probably point you in the direction of a few good ones. Not that I’m unwilling to help, but it’s always good to find inspiration and different ideas from others as well.
I have two blogs, one for my personal photography passion and the other “The PR and marketing” so potential employers and clients can stumble on it.
Reality is I really don’t blog about PR and marketing much anymore even though I am in the business. Honestly there are so many PR and Marketing blogs out there, you reach a point you see another tweet which re-directs you yet another blog post on WEB 2.0 measurement, you’ll scream.
How about something much more big picture not just about that social media/PR/marketing? More about music would be good starting point.
I feel ya, Bill. It’s like, one can only take so much, ya know? When I was a barista, slinging espresso and coffee around like it was nobody’s business, the last thing I wanted to do was go hang out at a coffee shop with friends. Same situation here.
Something “much more big picture” … Hmm … I’ll have to think about that. Thanks!
I hear you. I feel it, too.
When my phone rings with potential new business, I tend to hear “Can you come to our organization and tell us about FaceBook and Twitter and stuff?”
On one level, I’m grateful to be getting phone calls & business. On another level, I’m disheartened when the excitement seems to be chiefly driven by technology – instead of the desire to passionately communicate with prospects and customers.
Maybe that’s what’s causing my ennui today! Thanks for writing this post & letting me vent a ‘lil. Keep fighting the good fight!
I hear ya, Laura. Most people are more concerned with HOW to use the tools and not WHY. It’s frustrating, to say the least. I’ve gotten to the point that every time somebody comes to me and says that they “need” to use Twitter, or have a Facebook page, or [insert tool of the week here], I just ask them point blank, “Why do you think you need these things? What do you hope to accomplish with them?” … 90% of the time it at least causes them to stop and think for a minute, and most of them realize they think they “need” to use these tools just because others are, which is never a good enough reason.
Hey now, if you don’t want to talk to them — I will!
Okay!
I’ll repeat what many others already said: Continue to be you, and write about whatever it is that’s in your head that day. As long as you make the content interesting and continue putting that Stacy flair into it, we’ll continue to read.
Thanks, Nikki.
i like you because you are real. you call it like it is and how you see it. but i totally get what you are saying. it’s like an overplayed song on your favorite channel. social media is now overused. everyone is doing it…even those who shouldn’t. i have been feeling the same way about what to do with my blog. close it down and start over…been there, done that. and i never gained the momentum that my old blog had. not sure why…
anyways, whatever you decide, i’ll still read.
Thanks, Melissa. I think you’re inspiring my next post.
Ahh… but everyone is TOTALLY NOT using social media. You’d be surprised.
It’s always nice reading other people’s thought.
When I was 5, I wanted to be wonderwoman, when I was 8, I wanted to be a professional ballerina, When I was 18, I wanted to be a doctor. When I was 22, I wanted to start my own business.
Now, I’m 28 and both a mom and a wife – in my won way, I am my family’s wonderwoman. Watching ballet shows is the closest thing I get to being a ballerina. I yes I run my own small business today.
See the point is, the future is never definite. Don’t worry, knowing what you want your future to be will hit you one of these days. :)
Andrea