Arieanna has posted about the options that bloggers have in what to do with their blogs when they go on holidays. She outlines four options:
1. Guest bloggers
2. Advance post
3. Write from the road
4. Announce you are going away
I think all are valid. As she mentions last time I took an extended break (a month this last June) I went for the guest blogger option – something that was a lot of work for me to set up (I had over 50 guests across my 20 blogs) but was well worth while as it kept the ball rolling wonderfully.
For shorter breaks I tend to take option 2 on some of my blogs and set some advance posts to go off once a day while away – or number 4 (announce and just leave for a few days). I guess it depends upon the length that you’re going away for and the normal rhythm of your blog.
Interesting tips. I don’t think I could ever entrust a guest blogger to run my blogs, but posting in advance is a good idea. I am glad that my CMS allows me to pick a time stamp which in turn let’s me post into the future.
I do agree that it’s a good idea to let your readers know you’re going away. Makes a relationship between you and your readers a bit personal.
I combine options 2 and 4: I write enough posts to cover me while I’m gone, and I post an announcement on the front page with trip dates and a note that I won’t be able to respond to comments.
Both times I’ve done this, I’ve returned to find good discussions going in the comments, and I’ve never gotten any complaints.
I’m currently test driving a commercial program that might be a big help for some … Elicit by http://www.bingobangosoftware.com/.
It manages any number of blogs off an Outlook-style calendar. Also does searching for subject matter and context-based ads built in.
Don’t know as of yet that it would be worth the price ($59 USD), but it’s certainly an elegant solution to the ‘away from the keyboard’ conundrum.
Best regards
Option 5: write infrequently enough that readers don’t even notice you’re gone. ;)
I think that your choice of how you handle a vacation also is based on what topic your blog is. For a site that needs to push content related to the daily news or whatnot then you would likely be best having a guest poster or bring the laptop with you. Writing content in advance would work for a majority of the sites I imagine.
The last time I tried to take a holiday, I wound up spending as much time writing for my blogs during holiday as I do normally. So it wasn’t at all a holiday from the blogs. But I did manage to enjoy myself regardless, so it wasn’t at all wasted. Put me down in the “write from the road” category.
I went on a cruise for a week last month and did #2 and #4. I pre-wrote some stuff and then I pulled a few goodies from the archives (noting their original publish date). The mechanics of it get much more complicated when you deal with 20 blogs… I merely have one. :)
[…] Speaking of taking a blog vacation, my wife is going to be giving birth to our son any day now and I’d like to take this opportunity to invite some guest bloggers to help out for a week or two afterward. […]
I have done all except option 1. It’s always sweet to come back and have people tell you that you’ve been missed. :)
I’d happily Guest Blog for those who might find it useful to have someone talking about soft skills like communication on their blog. Just send me a line!
[…] What are you going to? Blogging Help and Pro Blogger have some pointers to share. Basically the four points are: 1. Guest bloggers 2. Advance post 3. Write from the road 4. Announce you are going away […]
My friend took a stab at posting in advance– sadly, he congratulated the republicans on maintaining control of congress….
Those are all great ideas. Posting from the road works sometimes, too.
Just make sure that your hotel offers internet access!
I’d always wait until I found an internet cafe or similar to update my blogs
I have been a guest blogger once for a friend. That was hard to do. I think that I would just post from the road. As long as I have my laptop and my cell phone, I can post anything I want.
[…] Problogger: How To Take A Blog Vacation […]
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New comments can level up your knowledge. Your advance posts will make moderators to do their job. You can write it from the road which means easily accessible.
Well the option 3 & 4 are good. I will try to use my laptop as well as my cell phone for bloging. And when I can’t do that then the 4th option is the best.
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