Since beginning this blog last November, I have learned a lot, met (virtually) other bloggers and been amazed and touched by responses. I haven’t had time to get around to the award thing, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful – I am! One of the things that I have been diligent about is to post every single day and I’m pretty sure I haven’t missed – probably the opposite by overposting – ha!
I am in a bit of a dilemma though because, having subscribed to so many blogs, I’m struggling to keep up with reading everyone else’s posts. I always try to read before I write but … oh, I’m sure you guys know what I mean. Any wisdoms appreciated! In the meantime, since it’s nearly 3am here, I’ll say goodnight!
jmgoyder 
Sorry, I have no suggestions for you, but I can share that I feel your pain…
~ Lynda
I in the last week have been struggling the same, and I don’t have near the hits you do! I don’t know how you do it! Do you use the reader tab? I just started using that a couple of days ago instead of receiving mail. We’ll see.
I will check out the reader tab – thanks!
Keeping up with everyone is always a dilema. Love your blog.
Yes, I do!!!! LOL! It can be overwhelming, and yet I hate to miss one because there are such wonderful thoughts out there in the blogging world.
I know what you mean. The blogs start to take over the email. But what can we do? We have to know what happens next in all the bloggers’ lives.
I have the same dilemma. I promised myself that I would post every day for a year, so sometimes I have so little time, that is all I do (post). But I so enjoy reading everyone else’s blogs. Personally, I am not offended at all if you don’t visit or comment every day. I will still be reading your blog because it’s so darn intriguing!
Me too re yours!
I know exactly how you feel. It takes me hours and hours to go through all the posts that I am subscribed to… and it is getting longer and longer each day. I am really stressed that I won’t be able to keep up with it, but I feel that it is somehow rude of me not to. Not really sure what the answer is there. But if you come up with something, please let me know 😉
I have a few ideas but still working on it – will let you know!
Please do 🙂
Julie, don’t sweat the small stuff. You have your hands full. We bloggers are all in the same boat when it comes to keeping on top of everything in blog land, and do the best we can. Bloggers always get it, and if they don’t, the hell with em’! Margie
Wise Margie!
I struggle to keep up too, Julie. I used to read all the posts every day when I got up in the morning (before dressing), then I would discover it was midday and I still wasn’t bathed and dressed (let alone gone out for a walk to take photos).
But if you don’t read the posts every day, they build up and take forever to read (like when my computer broke down and I ended up with 189 emails at one stage).
Generally, I now read them every second day. I think you will eventually find that you haven’t the time to ‘comment’ on all people’s posts. Perhaps, like me, you could press the ‘like’ button for most posts to let the Blogger know you have read their post and comment only on every 3rd or 4th post only.
I must drive Followers/Subscribers up the wall as I sometimes post 2,3 or 4 times in one night. I AM trying to cut down, but when you’ve got something to write about, or a photo to share, it’s hard not to do so on the spot.
Winter will be slower for me, as I won’t go walking as much.
I know exactly what you mean about that morning situation – same here!!!
If you find a brilliant answer, please let me know. Time’s important, and it’s easy to get buried with the joy of too much.
I think I’ve figured out a few answers but not sure – still working on it!
When I began blogging, I was told to post every day, never to post long pieces and to use lots of memes, quizzes, awards and such. That didn’t really fit with what I wanted to do, so I found my own rhythm. I post every 6-7 days under normal circumstances, and most of my posts run about 900-1200 words. I’ve hit 2,000 words a couple of times, and been as short as 150 with poetry – but I let the piece dictate the length.
Because I do post longer pieces, I suspect more frequent posting would mean fewer readers.People need time to actually read the danged things, after all!
Sometimes I get behind in my own reading, because when I begin writing a piece, I quit reading or commenting until the writing is done. Once I’ve posted, I have a day or two to visit others, until it’s time to start writing again.
Because I do follow so many blogs, I have to watch my time. I try to comment at least once a week, but if someone does post daily – as you do – I’ll often glance but not comment until something catches my attention. I’d rather leave a meaningful comment once a week than just say, “Hey! Great blog!” every day.
And if I were you, I wouldn’t worry one bit about the awards. If you have time and want to do that, it’s fine. If you don’t, that’s ok, too – it certainly isn’t a requirement, and many bloggers don’t participate, anyway.
Hope all’s well in your world – happy weekend!
Your ‘take’ on the blogging dilemmas is great – thank you!
similar issues here Jules… will hope seasoned bloggers chime in!
Yes!
Take your time hon. I also have a lot of blogs I’ve subscribed to and if I can’t post every day, it doesn’t matter to me. Everyone here knows how it is with blogging and I know I don’t mind if people don’t visit my blog every day or comment every time. Sometimes when it’s too busy even I would just give them a “like” so they can see I’ve been there and I like what I read. So, just take your time and don’t stress. Blogging is fun and it should stay like that. I’ve also been busy yesterday so today I have a lot of catching up to do and if I can’t finish it all today, I know my friends will understand as well. 🙂
Have a great weekend. 🙂
*hugs*
Good advice – thanks!
YOu know, jm, I, too have really struggled with this. I see others ask the same question, but I’ve never seen it succinctly answered. One solution is only hitting the like button and cruise on. I used to have a schedule in which I sat in front of the TV Monday nights and commented on all my subscribers, but when subscribers become a large number, then it’s difficult.
So…I’d go to subscribers one week. Those who commented on my blog the second week.
And new blogs the third week of the month. The last week of the month was pot luck.
But when I added up writing the blog, answering comments, and visiting other blogs, it came to about 20 hours per week. Hokey smokes.
Now I cut back to blogging every 10 days and I try to get to everyone’s blog at least twice a month. It’s about all I can handle during the summer.
I’m not sure how you’ve accomplished blogging every day. That’s amazing. Perhaps I need to organize my time better. Give yourself a pat on the back and good luck finding what works for you. Then please let me know.
I guess, for me, because life was getting tricky, to dedicate myself to one thing that I would absolutely do (blog once per day) worked. However, I do have a definite and rather guilty advantage of not working at the moment so I have more time.
Your suggestions are wonderful! Thank you.
I’m the same – I try & write before I read because I find that if I start reading, I don’t move – true! Today I was in the mood for reading & I’ve been cruising pages & subjects like there’s no tomorrow. Obviously I haven’t done a BIT of writing. But I really have enjoyed my good long read – perfect for a Saturday.
I don’t have any suggestions, except that before you turn your PC think which it will be, the main goal : to WRITE or … to read. Congrats on your awards too!
Thanks for confirming that is is a bit of a dilemma but your solutions are great!
Don’t feel obliged, Julie – there’s no time! My take is to always to respond to my commenters, comment on what I really enjoy on other bloggers’ sites and if people honestly enjoy your blog, they will keep on coming back regardless. It should not be about obligatory reciprocity but about what you truly enjoy reading and writing, and those things around which you enjoy having an ongoing conversation
Okay – will take your advice!
You won’t get down as far as this comment but here’s a word of advice. Don’t write such an interesting blog and you won’t get so many readers. (Do Not reply to this comment.)
well said
You are really good at responding to blog posts, amazingly so. I post far less frequently (once a week when I have found something good to photograph), and am really poor at commenting on other people’s blogs. In fact, I am sort of embarrassed now that I am so poor at it. It’s way too easy to get sucked up into the “blogstream”, and being just recently retired, I was reluctant to wade in too far. My personal opinion is that responding with a “like” is almost as good as a comment. At least you know that someone has actually read it and was motivated to respond.
Thanks Sue – good advice!
what they all said! and here is a “do as I say, not as I do” lol: do what you enjoy and don’t stress about the rest. We all are in the same boat and understand! I really enjoy your blog but often don’t have time to comment, so try to at least “like” and don’t mind a bit when folks don’t comment, etc on mine. Since mine is a “news” type blog feel a little more obligated to post, but don’t mind at all if no one comments, I can tell by the stats if anyone is stopping by and (hopefully) finding the info useful.
Ok – thx!
echo what all the others said!! Anyone who blogs, knows that dilemma well!
Julie, perhaps you can use the schedule post option more. What I do sometimes when I have a good evening to really think and write, I write a couple of posts and schedule them for different days. That way the blog stays active without you having to physically be available every day for blogging. Those of us who love visiting your blog and have come to admire and watch you go through your daily life, understand you have a full plate. But I also understand your desire to write, as the writer you are. So perhaps scheduling more allows you to take advantage of those times when you have more time available and still keep the blog active, especially if the posts are not date specific. 🙂
Good idea – thanks and I might just do that.
I often don’t read other people’s posts for a few days, and usually not one by one when I get them in my email. I dedicate a time slot to read them all and comment a few times a week and it seems to be working for me, but everyone is different!
Sounds like a plan – thx!