Around the end of the year, I like to reflect on both running and blogging. Typically around this time, I wonder if I want to continue my blog. Is it worth it to renew the $300 platform?
As it’s trended the last few years, blogging is dying. Podcasts, Instagram, and other social media is taking over. No one has “time” to read anymore. Not that I need anyone to read my blog. I don’t have a coaching service or a product to sell, it’s just my life. The way the blog stays afloat is by the occasional sponsored posts as well as the sidebar ads. To keep the blog running, it does cost about $300 a year.
As you can see from the chart, my blog grew when I started in mid-2010, and then around 2015 began to fade. Most people refer to quick and easy information now, and Instagram seems to be the platform of choice for race recaps, training, and whatever else. I don’t foresee myself writing long captions on instagram anytime soon. A picture tells 1000 words, and I like to keep it that way.
I’m not sad or being negative; those are just the facts of blogging and my personal blog. For me, the days of 1000 views regularly are gone, and that is okay.
So back to Blogging in 2018:
Most viewed posts
New York City Marathon Race Recap (3:07.15)
Phoenix Half Marathon (1:22.03)
20 Running Podcasts to Keep You Entertained
What Will Happen in 2019?
I renewed my blog, so, for now, I’ll continue it. I can’t say for 100% certainty that I see myself blogging through the entire year. I’ve said that every year, but truthfully I never know. Right now, I plan to continue blogging. Maybe less, or maybe trying to find more sponsored posts to keep it worthwhile to keep going. I’ve thought about just going to newsletter format as well. A newsletter is cheaper and I could still have a record of race recaps and information, I could refer too. still something I’m very much contemplating but it would be a big change and a lot of work to get there.
In short 2018 didn’t change a lot. Blogging is dying. Instagram and podcasts are growing So I guess I don’t know what will happen in 2019. Something completely new and different could happen in social media too.
Questions for you:
Bloggers and Readers, I would love to hear your thoughts on blogging, social media, and changes.
I gave up my blog in November and I really struggled with it. The thought of if but it has been a weight lifted. I don’t have to worry about coming up with content or sounding like I’m repeating myself. That being said, I enjoy your blog! I hope whatever you choose to do is what makes you feel the best!
Ah! I remember you doing it. I think if anything I would go to a newsletter before giving up blogging completely.
I, for one, hope you keep blogging. I enjoy your running and diner reviews. I find the blogging community more genuine and supportive that Instagram or Twitter which, by its very nature, is more self centred. Whatever your decision, have a great 2019 🙂
I agree with you and I think it’s much easier to get know someone through blogging.
I just found you last year (2018) and I love your blog! I hope you keep sharing long form about your running. I’ve been running long for over a decade, but left marathons behind a while ago and I’m just getting back at it now with a spring goal race, mainly training solo. I love reading your long form posts, both current and archived and recognizing my challenges in your writing. And even though I’ll likely never be able to visit most of the diners you review I find them strangely fascinating 🙂 Hope you keep it up, and all the best in 2019.
I appreciate your support Lisa. Do you have a race picked out, that’s exciting!
I started reading your blog in 2014! And have been reading ever since 🙂 (those were the good ol days, right?!). It does seem like people are blogging less. I still love reading them so I hope you keep yours around but I totally understand any decision you make! It’s been fun following you over the last few years and how you and your running have changed! Happy New Year!
Crazy how different blogging has become since 2014! Thank you for your support Megan.
I hope you keep blogging! I only found your blog in the last year or so and I’m a lurker who never comments (sorry about that), but I do enjoy seeing your posts. In my opinion blogging because you like to write is better than trying to do something because it’s popular. Maybe blogging is dying…or maybe the blogosphere is just thinning out the disingenuous crap. In any case, you’re fun to read so keep blogging if it makes you happy 🙂
Oh never worry about not commenting! I agree about enjoying something, which I do. I am most likely to go to a newsletter form. Thank you for commenting and reading Liz!
Blogging is definitely a different world than it was. My blog used to be financially self-sustaining, and in this past year, it wasn’t. I’m okay with that – I like having the log of things. And I still like reading blogs. I know a lot of people are going to video and audio, and that’s not my jam. I love podcasts, but I have SO MANY to listen to as is. And I can read faster than I can watch a video, so if I’m going to follow someone, it’s likely going to be through blogging. I like that I can store things in a feed reader and then go to them when I have time. Twitter and IG stuff is way too easy to miss.
Exactly. There are so many podcasts that I don’t foresee myself going that route. I never say never but it’s definitely not anything on my horizon.
Change is a part of life, though I do think the blogging platform has more valuable writing than the Instagram, or twitter posts. That said, I just don’t have the time or motivation to blog because of personal life, and so blogging for me has become less relevant. I guess it depends on your lifestyle and whether it’s still fun for you to blog, or a chore
I hear you and I’m right there with you. I have already slowed down the number of posts I write but I do still enjoy it so, as long as I feel good about writing and interacting, I’m going to keep doing it and I hope you do too! There are only a handful of podcasts I listen to and I never read long paragraphs on Instagram so…
Happy New Year and here’s to being surprised in 2019 🙂
And maybe hanging out again in 2019 😬
I truly look forward to reading your blog and get a lot of running motivation from you. It’s so inspiring to read about fast women runners! I love to hear about your training, recent eats, and races. Therefore, i would hate to see you stop blogging.
I miss running blogs! But honestly, it’s so hard to keep up. I can barely find time once a week or so! And I used to post daily! I do still enjoy reading yours, though, so I hope it keeps paying for itself.
Ah those were the days Gracie! It’s definitely hard to keep up with every single thing happening
I’m just a guy who found your blog a couple of years ago because i was running comparable times to you (when on a good training cycle, at least!). I’m a bit of a diner nut myself and I like the quirky combo of subject matter that your blog offers! Anyway, it’s no secret about where blogs are heading in general, and while I hope you decide to keep it up, but it’s got to continue to work for you. I would guess that the only way that happens is that you continue to do it for YOU, and that it doesn’t become a burden on you (emotionally, financially, whatever) to keep it going. Best of luck to you whatever you decide!
Ha Jude, you might be in better shape. I can’t seem to hone in fitness this fall and winter.
Anyway, you are absolutely correct though. As long as it’s not draining in some form, I’ll keep going.
I enjoy your blog. Fun to read about someone who has a real life approach and doesn’t make running her whole life story. Sometimes we need a day off or we need a serving of whatever sounds good on the menu (not just the salad). Thanks for keeping it real.
Thank you Alex and that means a lot.
Hi Hollie! I just discovered your blog last year and it quickly became one of my favorites. I’ll never be as fast as you, but I find it really interesting to see your workouts and what you’re working on for your running progression. The style of your writing keeps your blog personal – like I’m reading something a friend would write. I also really enjoy your race recaps as well as your hikes. And like someone else said, I’ll likely never make it to the diners you go to, but I do find your reviews interesting.
With that said, I would never expect someone to keep up something they didn’t enjoy just for my benefit. I hope that you find a balance with what you want to do and a format that works for you. Personally, I’ve never gotten into podcasts or Instagram, but that could change too. Good luck with all of your goals in 2019!
I’m so glad that you renewed. I think that you’ve seen from the comments many people read your blog. And in my opinion, it’s not the number of blog hits but it’s how engaged the readers are. I’d rather have 50 super engaged followers who read all the posts carefully than 1,000 people who occasionally skim. Also, I think that if you didn’t have your blog you would miss it. It really seems to me that you enjoy maintaining the blog.
About 18 months ago one of my blog posts started doubling my traffic. My traffic is still insignificant so it’s easy to move the needle.
It is a huge challenge to attract new readers and the whole SEO thing is still a mystery to me for the most part.
I plan to make some changes in 2019 to help pay the cost of having a blog, we’ll see how that goes.
It seems that most people read my stuff on Facebook and most don’t travel over to the blog.
I know that feeling, SEO confuses me too but it’s definitely become more relevant.