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How I lost my way blogging

July 2, 2016

A few weeks ago I was named as number 10 top dad blogger in the UK. What happened in the space of a few days surprised, shocked and quite honestly frightened me.

Yes, I was incredibly flattered and honoured to be in such awesome company, but I went from being a completly anonymous blogger to all of a sudden being noticed. I don’t mean famous or anything like that, just a little bit more in the forefront and I have to admit that made me feel very uncomfortable because I’m the sort of person that is happy in the background and not the centre of attention.

Within days of this happening quite a few big brands started approaching me. I have to admit my head was in a spin. I didn’t sign up for this! I started a blog for fun, to record and remember many happy and sad times in my life.

The pressure I felt was madness. All these companies wanting me to do this, that and the other. If I’m honest I was accepting everything that came through to my inbox, and that is something I now realise was a mistake. There were some nights where I felt I was sinking in quicksand with what I had agreed to do.

I took a long hard look at myself and my blog and quickly realised I was filling it up with a lot of sponsored posts as I had to to fulfill the commitments I made. However, the interesting thing is that it felt wrong. It was not what I was about.

I knew that I had not achieved top 10 for this reason because I had never been offered it before. My readers, I’m assuming looked at my blog for natural posts about me and my family so I had definitly lost my way. It needed to change and very quickly.

It has taken me a few weeks to come back to earth and re-evaluate my blog and now I’m back to where it should be with predominantly natural posts with a small amount of sponsored work. I have become careful of what I accept and it must be in keeping with what I’m writing about.

Blogging for me has to be enjoyable. It’s not the way I earn a living, and it will not pay my bills. It’s my hobby with a few perks.

I have come back down to earth now and moving my blog in the direction that I want it to go, not controlled by any outside influences, and staying true to myself.

19 Comments

David Shaul

July 2, 2016 at 8:01 am

I've read this very carefully and will definitely take note 😀

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:01 pm
  
  Thanks for commenting mate it's a very difficult balancing act 🙂
  
Alan Lacasse

July 2, 2016 at 10:26 am

Thankfully I'm still a very small blog so haven't had this problem.

I'd like to thank you for making the mistake for me. I have to say if/when this happens to me I would probably react the same way.

I think I'm going to use this time where I'm unable to blog to produce a set plan goals and objectives. To help keep me on a path.

I look forward to more posts about the twins and parenting.

PS delighted for Bale and the Welsh boys.

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:02 pm
  
  Thanks mate the boys in red are. Doing ok 🙂
  
Jeremy Barnes

July 2, 2016 at 3:36 pm

I've seen this happen to a few other people too. I think there can be a balance found where you stay true to yourself and also manage to make a few bucks now and then. Nobody wants to read endless sponsored content, but if you can get a few extra for a nice night out once in a while, I think it would be silly to turn down every offer

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:03 pm
  
  I realised quickly that too many paid posts doesn't look but back on track now thanks for commenting 🙂
  
Agent Spitback

July 3, 2016 at 12:42 am

Glad you found your way back. I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to more of your posts. I guess we all have to find a balance.

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:04 pm
  
  Thank you so much yes I think I have worked out my way forward now 🙂
  
2. Agent Spitback
  
  July 5, 2016 at 11:33 am
  
  Popping in to say thanks for linking with #bigpinklink
  
Emma Dowey

July 3, 2016 at 9:13 am

hobby with a few perks – I like that 🙂 it is the same here too for me. I don't need to make a living from my blog. I do it purely for fun. and like you say, I want to keep it authentic and talk about the things that matter to me 🙂 ive done a couple of sponsored posts and open to doing more but ONLY if it fits with my audience and my blog! #justanotherlinky

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:04 pm
  
  That's exactly it the odd perk and I'm happy thanks for commenting 🙂
  
Catherine Evans

July 4, 2016 at 10:25 am

I love this. I think you have made the right choice because there is nothing worse than reading a blog that is sponsored post after sponsored post. It begins to feel really fake. Good on you! #bigpinklink

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:05 pm
  
  Absolutely how I feel I'm back on the right road again thanks for commenting 🙂
  
Geraldine

July 4, 2016 at 12:23 pm

I started my blog at the end of May, and was on a high last week when I was approached by a company to do a sponsored post, I thought fantastic this is it, have I made it!? Have I been noticed? Luckily I let it linger for a few days and decided against working with this company because it wasnt right for me or my blog. Its amazing the opportunities blogging can bring you but we have to remember what we're here for. And most of us blog for ourselves and to share our voice like you. Congratulations though on that achievement. Its really fantastic!Your blog is brilliant #BigPinkLink

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:07 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind words and I'm proud of achieving top10 but I have decided to keep my blog as real as possible with the occasional perk 🙂
  
Toni • Gym Bunny Mummy

July 4, 2016 at 7:58 pm

I run my blog as a bit of an online mag but whenever I have a sponsored post I always follow it up with a personal one on the same day plus try to fit them in with my usual schedule eg food on a Monday, home on a Wednesday etc. Too many sponsored posts completely put readers off so it's definitely a fine line to get the balance right. It's still something I'm learning 🙂

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:09 pm
  
  This is the way I want to go but keep a limit on who I work with mostly it's going to natural posts thank you for commenting 🙂
  
ShireDad (Dan)

July 4, 2016 at 8:42 pm

When you work at something and suddenly get unexpected interest, it's easy to be flattered by it. However there's some low quality stuff out there and I suspect the PRs hit you top 10ers a lot more than I've ever seen. Still, when you've got a volume of requests you have the luxury of choice!

1. Nigel
  
  July 4, 2016 at 8:48 pm
  
  Thanks for commenting Dan yes I think they caught me off guard a bit I'm still immensely proud of being named in the top 10 just going to be a bit more selective in future back where I want to be again now 🙂