Getting back from a Blogging Vacation

Yes, I’m back.

Its been a long time in coming, but I decided enough was enough and that I had to give this blog some attention now. I’d say that this is one of the most difficult things for bloggers to do if they stray off schedule - making that first post that announces their return. It has to be perfect and anything less than that will remain as a draft for eternity until they wake up to face reality as I have now.

I’m sure many of you would have experienced this already, or will experience it in future - so here are a few tips that will help you out of such a situation.

• If its a planned vacation, start ahead by reducing your posting frequency so that your readers don’t feel an abrupt void. If you normally post everyday, reduce your posting to a few days a week during the first few weeks and reduce it further to once a week or so in the following weeks. Your readers are less likely to notice your absence if your posting frequency is low.
• Follow the golden rule of stocking up some posts as drafts so you can publish them during the course of your vacation - the more the better.
• You could also adopt the tried and tested rule and rope in some guest bloggers to post for you if your stock of posts dry up. On one hand, it will keep your blog updated with fresh content and on the other hand, it will give your readers more variety.

Of course, the tips that I mention above are only if you’re going on a planned vacation. If you’re forced to go on an unplanned vacation like I was, you’ll just have to make do by publishing that perfect return post. Here’s how.

• Start by reading up on the blogs you used to frequent before you went on vacation - it helps to give you a general idea of anything new that’s happening in the Blogosphere.
• Read some of your older posts so that you get into that rhythm you’ve been missing for so long - this post was an inspiration that I had after I read a couple of my older posts, so you can be sure it works!
• There is no such thing as a perfect post, so whenever you get an idea, keep at it and you will find that the idea develops into a post almost as if by magic - like this one has.