By Jennifer Chait

Because I love blogs and blogging so much, it’s hard to admit that the relationship between a specific blog and I are over. I put a lot of time into all my blogs and when it comes to paid positions there’s the additional fact that you know all these other people applied but you won the slot. It’s hard to let go. It’s honestly akin to real life break-ups; at least for me. Also, I hate feeling like I’ve failed (which by the way is not true — quitting a blog does not make you a failure maybe just smart enough to know when to end it).

I recently put in my notice at one of my blogs. It’s taken me two months to decide that the relationship is going nowhere and two weeks longer than that to buck up and give my notice. That’s longer than it should have taken – in reality we both would be happier apart. Lingering so long has been a waste of valuable time both for the blog and me.

Having worked for a while as a professional blogger this is not the first blog I’ve dropped. The reasons for a break up can vary from blog to blog and can also vary between paid positions and blogs you run yourself.

Overall there are some telltale signs that can clue you in to when it may be time to call the relationship quits:

• You constantly put off posting at this blog until the last minute. Maybe you forget this blog, maybe you put it off because it feel it’s your least favorite, perhaps you can barely bring yourself to log-in – no matter the reason if you never focus on this blog until the last minute than it’s time to say goodbye.
• Alternatively to the above, you post first thing during your work day – but only to get it over with. Not a good sign.
• You never get comments and you so don’t care. When you do get comments you consider not responding because, “What’s the point?”
• You have no clue what the current stats on this blog are.
• You run out of ideas – ALL the time.
• Your posts get shorter and shorter until all you’re doing is posting two line snippets or YouTube videos.
• You post all your posts on one day not even bothering with time stamping.
• You never get paid or you get paid late all the time by the blog owner.
• Your posts get further and further apart or you’re consistently posting under three times a week.
• You have zero pride of ownership. Even if someone else owns the blog you should have pride in a blog you write for.
• You hate the topic you’re writing about.
• Maybe you love the topic but honestly don’t know enough about it to write well about it. If you can learn the topic; great. If not — well, let it go.
• You don’t have enough time. If you have so many blogs that you can’t give them all decent attention then choose one (your least fave, the worst paying, etc.) and let it go. All your other blogs will improve.
• If you work for someone and you get zero support for your blog; such as editors never answer your emails then it could be time to think about quitting. The reason – even if you like the blog, no support can make you look bad. For instance, say there are constant server issues and people can’t get on your blog but your editor won’t take care of the problem. Many people assume the blogger is to blame; not some behind the scenes tech support or editor. It can make you look bad to potential future employers and readers.
• The owner of the blog is a freak show. If the owner is editing posts for no reason, assigning posts that make no sense, makes you post every single day, or is just generally being a consistent pain then a break-up may be in order. There are plenty of good editors and blog owners out there.
• You have no clue which other blogs are in your blog’s niche. OR You quit visiting blogs in your blog’s niche. Actually, when you visit any sort of blog you never leave the url for this blog in the comments instead you leave the url of a blog you actually like.
• You cancel or forget to read feeds that relate to this blog’s topic.
• The money you make at this blog isn’t worth the trouble and you don’t feel it’s worth your time. For instance, if I quit this blog I can make more money by focusing my time and energy on other projects.
• Your posts bore you.
• No one ever says to you, “Oh, _____ blog is yours! I just love that blog!” If you’re not sure that anyone likes your blog then there’s some sort of issue.
• You’re just not happy with this blog. I know this is broad but really this is what it all comes down to. I really believe that readers can tell when you just don’t give it your all and it’s rare to give something your all when you aren’t happy. Why be miserable? We can’t mesh with every blog we meet; that’s an unrealistic expectation. Quitting a blog won’t make you a failure but sticking with an unsuccessful blog relationship might make you feel like one.

Some of the reasons above may just be a clue that you should try harder or there’s something that needs to change to make this blog a good experience for you. However, when the reasons start piling up you need to take notice. Readers, editors, and your peers will eventually notice if you aren’t committed. If you aren’t ghostwriting then it’s your rep on the line. Even barring rep one bad blog can make the overall experience of blogging less fun and your other work may suffer. Plus, you know; it’s nice to know you’ll be free when that dream blog comes along… Cue romantic music.

What are some other reasons you can think of that may indicate that it’s time to bail out of your blog relationship?

Among other places, you can visit Jennifer Chait at Offbeat Homes, 7 Babes A Blogging, and Tree Hugging Family.