Ahh, I’m finally on vacation. But guess what? My blog isn’t. And now that everyone is at the beach while I’m hunched over this keyboard writing, I’d like to share a few nuggets of vacation blogging wisdom:
Your Blog is a Public Service
Just like the fire department or hospital, your blog should never really take time off. People are still out there relying on your content to help them and inspire them and get them through their (work) day. So while it may be “mai tais in the morning” for you, it’s likely the same stuff-different day for everyone else.
So have some empathy. By giving your readers something to cheer about, you’re honoring a fundamental blogging commitment to love your readers. Consider it a fair exchange for the freedom of expression and mobility you are gifted just for being a blogger.
Or, in other words: publish or perish.
Leverage Your Experience
I imagine some bloggers write all their content before they go away and schedule each post for future publishing. I guess that’s kind of cool, but I like to think the experience of being elsewhere as enhancing your content.
For example, back at home, I’m so comfortable and familiar with my daily routine that I tend to think and act the same most days. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s certainly tiring. Right now I’m on a different island than the one I live on, housesitting for some friends, and nothing feels settled or predictable. I like that.
If you have an intense focus on something, a shift in perception can be very healthy. The change allows you to make connections between your ideas and your surroundings that previously weren’t there (kind of like this post). As long as you continue to provide value, your readers will stay engaged.
The Only Preparation is Mental
The purpose of taking a vacation is to get a break from the intensity and stress of your daily life. Before you leave, it helps to capture some of your ideas in a notebook or as draft posts. They will come in handy when you’re not totally up to the task of coming up with new ideas.
Securing your computer equipment and internet connection should be mere afterthoughts to your mental preparation, which is where your true power lies.
Keep an Open and Active Mind
With a change in scenery comes a change in thinking. I don’t recommend completely shutting off your “mind of blogging” when you’re on vacation. You never know what opportunities and breakthroughs are waiting to be discovered.
In addition to relaxing and taking things easy, think of your vacation as an opportune time to make important adjustments to your blog. The trick is to be relaxed but focused, which–if you think about it–is just how you want to be.
With that, I bid you aloha. I’m off the beach!
Flickr photo by muha…
Wow, 9 weeks! I’m jealous!
If you’re not going to be around computer or internet, etc., Dan, I’d recommend you find someone you trust to guest moderate your blog. If you can’t do this, then perhaps you should time all your posts to meet a consistent publishing schedule.
Personally, I wouldn’t be able to leave my blog for that long. But then again, perhaps you may be able to really step back and make some big-picture, long-range strategies during that time.
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting
Interesting suggestions and ideas. I’ll be in Okinawa and Taipei for three weeks, but will commit myself to sit in front of the computer for an hour each evening. I have some ideas of what I’m looking to write in advance and once I’m there I’m sure that the rest will come easy.