5 things I learned while on a bloggie mini-break

Nikki Parkinson Life 39 Comments

Sometimes you just have to step away from your blog to see the bigger picture.

That was my week. It was only three days but it was enough of a break to realise that the world won’t fall down if you need to stop and chill, which is what I did when Mrs Woog and the Woogettes came to stay.

Ironically, it was also the week that the November edition of Marie Claire hit the stands, with a feature article about overseas bloggers who are making it big. HUGE. Me, I was excited just to be featured alongside amazing bloggers, Sassybella and Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily as examples of Australian bloggers whose sites are “on the rise”.

So, what else did I learn on my bloggie break?

1. That people don’t like change. Specifically change to their social network set-ups. I don’t know about you though, but if Facebook is sending in Don Draper to sell its new Timeline profiles, then bring on the change. And more of Don. (It looks like YouTube has pulled the video, sorry!)

2. Brands getting into bed with bloggers is still hot blog post fodder. This post from communications consultant and blogger Lisa Lintern is seriously one of the most level-headed I’ve seen written. If you’re a brand, a PR consultant or a blogger, it’s a must read.

3. Still on that theme, mummy blogger Lina Nguyen guest posted on ProBlogger this week profiling travel bloggers Craig Makepeace and Caz Makepeace and the couple’s ability to attract blog sponsorship from a major brand.

4. I was asked my opinion about asking for payment when requested to write about a charity or cause on my blog. The post over at Brand Meets Blog is definitely food for thought. Personally, I think it comes down to going with causes close to your heart. Then it’s a no brainer as money really doesn’t come into it.

5. And because I didn’t stop using Instagram on my break, when I found out via Fat Mum Slim that I could get my favourites made into all sorts of fun things – including magnets, I may have got a little too excited. #geekalert

What have you learned about blogging and the interwebs this week that you’d like to share? If you blog, do you plan regular breaks?

Comments 39

  1. Hi Nikki!
    Congratulations on your recent publication… But moreso, for being the blogger who writes, or is the writer who blogs… I am being a bit silly. To be honest, and that is how I roll anyway, the people I know in real life from blogging have become those I could call ” friend”
    How about that! As a reticent but determined blogger, I have finally relaxed into making the blog what I want it to be. No longer as concerned about stats & numbers because I am concentrating on blogging via my voice, my beliefs & connecting with a wide range of intelligent & interesting people……….
    Including many women above,,,and you,dear Nikki!
    One day I will get to the Sunny Coast but for now, it’ll be Melbourne twice this year!!
    You inspire me.
    That is all.
    Denyse xxxx

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  2. Ooooh, congrats on getting listed in Marie-Claire. Funny, I just subscribed to it last month but haven’t seen the issue yet. That’s brilliant.

    So interested in the whole sponsor/brand promotion thing. All I can say is we bloggers are in the right place at the right time and it feels bloody marvelous to be a blogger and get to hang out with bloggers like you:)

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      Thanks Annabel. I think we are in the right place at the right time and as long as we keep doing what we enjoy doing most (for me that’s writing and helping people with styling advice), then it will all pan out how it’s meant to.

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  3. You are so right in what you say about peoples social media accounts changing I closed my facebook totally as I dont like them changing things when it holds so much information about me.

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  4. Im planning a little break around Christmas and would love to organise some guest posts but for now I’m too excited to write about Christmas and introduce new traditions and show off our traditions to help get my readers more excited about it!! And be less stressed and more organised!
    I love all that the blogging community offers and even though I don’t make any money yet from my blog it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable!! One day it would be lovely to earn money from it, but am I going to stress about it…not yet! I’m having too much fun!!

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  5. I wish I could blog 24/7 alas the consultancy side of the business and caring for mum and the family do take precedence. I only average a blog every fortnight at the moment but always put up tips and brief observations on Facebook on a dily basis.
    I love reading other blogs and try and comment s much as I can, although some of those capcha security things are so difficult to read.
    Running Easy peasy Kids there is a lot going on behind the scenes, involving sad cases which can be an emotiional rollercoaster but the end result of a happier child and family is always worth it.

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  6. I’ve learnt that some people will judge you no matter what you do or don’t do.

    I’ve learnt that you can’t please everyone.

    I’ve learnt that those people you tend not to be able to please post comment anonymously.

    It’s interesting that people say they won’t read sponsored posts, but will watch a move with gratuitous product placement or a TV show with sponsored elements all through it (Hello Renovators – which I love, by the way) or a magazine with ‘focused’ editorial.

    At least Bloggers do this in a totally transparent way that engages with their readers.

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  7. Very well said Nikki.
    Some days I am just busy, with my kids, with life, just needing a day off, and so I skim blog posts the next day and only click on things that really jump out at me, and sometimes I still don’t comment unless I feel I have something to say (my rule is if I really have to try hard to find something to comment with, then don’t comment).
    But here is where I probably don’t do my blog any favours. I’m fussy with who I will follow/subscribe to. I have a pretty small reader list. I blog for connection, and so I feel commenting and engaging with the people I am reading, forging that friendship is important. And so I like to think I am a good commenter. This probably has people drop off from my blog because they aren’t getting the love back from me, but stand out to me, make me sti up and notice you and i’m there!
    Besides, just because I don’t subscribe doesn’t mean that I can’t pop on over intermittently, it just means i’m not reading every day.
    Sometimes having a few days to myself is hard because of the daunting task of coming back and feeling your readers may have moved on. Especially when you’re still a small blog. But really, nothing is going to happen to me if I lose my blog is it?

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  8. Now, I feel semi-famous! Nikki linked to me! (*I’m not worthy bow*)

    I’m so glad you experienced the break, proving to yourself that you’re just as awesome and wonderful as you were before the break. You’re the refreshed version now!

    First time I’ve read about your earnings figures. Wow! Well done, you! I am all behind you, to see you replace your previous journalist income, and more, as you grow this valuable business asset – and third child – beyond your wildest dreams.

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  10. Not everyone blogs for money. The generalisation appalls me. It is not only for brands to understand that but also the so called ‘pro’ bloggers to know that there are people who blog not for brands or PRs but for the love of it. No one can tell anyone what to write and how to write. That is not blogging. Blogging is about freedom. I don’t trust any sponsored or ‘items provided for consideration’ posts or the posts from “influential bloggers” I’d rather read a magazine than read a sponsored blog spot. Not original. Those who blog for fame or money, cash or kind have no respect from me, however well worded their disclaimer is.

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      And that’s exactly why blogging is so powerful. The freedom to choose what you want to read and what you don’t. And on the magazine front, next time you’re reading one have a look at the beauty ads then look at what which products are featured ‘editorially’ – not so unsponsored really!

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      1. Can I just add that just because a post is sponsored or the fact that bloggers receive product for consideration it doesn’t mean we forgo our integrity. In fact I think it makes it harder for us to write, so we take a lot more effort on making it honest for our readers because we know they rely on our honest opinions and also giving out the necessary information on behalf of the sponsors/brands. I think we take a lot more effort on achieving that balance unlike most mags that are usually influenced by who their advertisers are.

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    2. I read EVERYTHING! Blogs, mags, papers, books. Love it. And I love LOVE blogging myself. And if I get paid here and there for it, Fantastic. After all, getting paid to do something you love is not bad, is it? TO me it is the best possible situation to be in.

      I like reading “pure” bloggers and monetised bloggers. It is the content and writing that counts in the end.

      xx

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    3. I wonder, can you blog both for love AND for money? Because I’d like to strike a happy balance. I adore blogging – I love having a voice and I don’t care how wanky that sounds. I also would like to make money from it, and have it as my sole income. Because then, it would feel “legit” to spend so much time on it, and I could *really* kick some serious arse in the blogging world. Can you imagine?

      There is nothing wrong with blogging for love and there is nothing wrong with blogging for money. But I think it’s kinda wrong when anonymous people go to a website and be not-so-passive-aggressive arseholes.

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      2. Blogging is about bravely putting a piece of yourself out there, anonymously commenting is not.

        Whether you are paid or make no money out of blogging isn’t the issue – what matters is if you LOVE what you do.

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      3. Eden you put my thoughts perfectly.
        I started blogging, and will continue blogging solely because I want to, because I like it and having a voice.
        If I can make a little money or whatever from it then why would I say no? Making money doing something you’re already doing and love doing? You’d be stupid to say no!

        I especially love that at the bottom of your comment it says “Australia wants to kill you”
        Made me giggle.

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  11. Hi Nikki

    I’ve realised that my world won’t come to an end if I don’t get around to reading the 300-odd blog posts waiting for me in Google reader! LOL I just never got a chance to catch up after my weekend away.

    Hope you have a nice weekend!

    Anne @ Domesblissity

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