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This is kind of a hard post to write but I have a feeling I’m not the only one feeling this sentiment. This isn’t a post that’s ‘woe is me.’ This is basically how I view blogging these days. It’s quite simply: The State of Blogging.
I’m sure a lot of seasoned and long-time bloggers can agree with me. Food blogging, and blogging in general, is not like what it was 10 years ago. Everything has shifted towards fighting algorithms, writing for SEO, and how to make money fast. We all have hired virtual assistants. If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be hiring an assistant to help me with social media and managing my blog; there’s no way I’d believe you.
There is barely any authenticity anymore. It’s all writing robotically to make sure your content gets seen. It’s all so over-saturated. I miss the fun in blogging.
It’s a double-edge sword. You want to be creative and you want to create beautiful, unique content and why? Because you want to share that with everyone. You want to inspire people. How can you share that with everyone with algorithm shifts and Google updates strewn in, what seems like, every other week?
I’m not gonna lie. It’s deflating. I often feel I’m in an uphill battle with social media and the rest of the blogging world.
Because of this, I have lost all passion in blogging and creating content. Things have sometimes been awfully quiet around here (you may not even have noticed, it’s okay…NBD, honestly). I don’t know if calling it a “rut” is a good description because I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s the passion that has dissipated. It has gotten to the point that I have even considered hiring a ghostwriter to write for me. YES. You read that right.
Call me a pessimist but it’s deflating when you devote so much time and effort into something and you’re constantly pushed back — sometimes even further than where you started. At some point, you just give in. Throw your hands in the air and take a break.
I started this blog as a creative outlet from my full-time job and while it definitely has been that way for the past seven or so years, lately it’s becoming more of a second job. Trying to keep up with all the technological changes (hello, GDPR and SSL), hashtagging and videos on Pinterest, constant SEO changes, Instagram (looking at you IG Reels) and Facebook struggles, everyone doing video and having to hire out for video or be left behind, introduction of TikTok, and brand work coming to a halt and/or not worth my time anymore because of the insane demands from clients. Like, beyond the scope of what is in the contract and quick turnarounds and little to no pay. Or what’s worse is the fact brands just give you a script these days and think you’re a walking advertisement for you. Or they micromanage the shit out of you because they don’t trust you. And yet they came to you (the creative) for work because that’s what drew them to you in the first place. There’s just a disconnect and it’s just all too much. There’s no FUN in it anymore. It’s keeping up now.
Hey, brands. You want exposure? Pay for it.
Gone are the days that influencers accept product for payment.
I know this may shock some of you but a box of pasta doesn’t pay Wells Fargo my mortgage. And a bag of granola doesn’t pay for my electric bill. I know, what is that shit? People should love food instead of money! /sarcasm
I might be fooling myself but one thing I’m doing is getting a big redesign of this blog that’s supposed to launch at the end of September. I’m hoping with a brand new site, I’ll get reenergized again? I hope so. Or maybe I’m completely fooling myself — like couples who think having a baby will solve their marriage woes.
This is definitely one of those posts that I don’t think many people will read or care for because of its “negativity,” but it’s the damn truth. I know some who are reading this right now are probably nodding and sighing and reminiscing of better days. I can look on the bright side and be all positive but there’s no point in trying to fool myself or be fake about it. This is the world of blogging as we know it now. I could own it and ride it in stride but right now, in this season, I’m choosing this route.
Oversaturated.
A part of me thinks that the blogging world has gotten oversaturated because of all the, “I made over six figures in six months” type of posts. I’m sorry, but that shit takes time. Those that did hit six figures in blogging in six months — good for them. It took me four years before I hit that and it was hard work. I’m not saying those that did it in six months or a shorter amount of time didn’t work; they probably hustled and worked their asses off and had a way better business strategy than I did…but a part of all that is also luck and networking.
Ah, networking. I miss the days of Twitter chats with friends. I miss real conversations with “Internet friends.”
Anyway, back to the “I made over six figures in six months,” talk. I feel that gave everyone the false sense of hope that it’s easy to blog and make money. That it was quick money. It’s super unrealistic.
And now all I’m reading is, “I have been blogging for over a year and I still have yet to have the traffic and money that was promised to me.”
Yeahhhh….
Why is it always a numbers game?
I’m so sick of the numbers game.
“How many pageviews did you get today?”
“How many sessions did you get last month?”
“How many Instagram followers do you have?”
“How many likes did you get on your last post?”
Your success isn’t measured by numbers. Brands like to make you think that it does. In fact, everyone seems to make it seem that way. “Omg you have one million pageviews a month?! You are such a big blogger.”
It’s just like your weight on a scale doesn’t matter. It’s how you PERCEIVE yourself and how you love yourself.
Which is why I’m choosing now to just love my blog no matter which direction it goes because you know what? I’m pretty sure that is what is going to make the blog shine even more. You can tell when someone isn’t into something. Their writing, their creativity…everything is just lacking.
Shorter attention spans.
Another very frustrating part of blogging these days is the attention span battle. Blogging has always, in my eyes, been a collection of memories and stories but the shift towards getting content as fast as you can now has reduced blogging about life to a rubble.
I get so many comments about, “I don’t care about your life, just give me the recipe.” Scrolling has become such a HARD task for people that bloggers have started to implement “jump to recipe” buttons at the top of their posts.
Dude, that’s bad. I don’t even think it’s an attention span thing. I think it’s a lazy thing and everything being handed to you.
If you’re interested, this article from the NY Times is a great read. The Tyranny of Convenience — basically that everyone expects convenience now.
“The growing expectation of convenience exerts a pressure on everything else to be easy or get left behind.”
Convenience vs. lazy. Very fine line these days. I can see the convenience in ‘jump to recipe’ but I can also see the laziness in it especially when you have the audacity to write to me and offend me and yet still get the recipe for FREE.
Turn that frown upside down.
Some of you reading this may be thinking, well you can do something about it and stop your bitching. Turn it around.
Yeah, I could.
But at the same time, I am not sure I want to? That’s my internal debate. It’s not my full-time job. It started out as a passion project. A hobby. People can drop hobbies, right?
Looking back, I am proud of myself for understanding the business side of things and not quitting my full-time to blog full-time. You have no idea how many people (and still today) ask me, “when are you going to quit and blog full time?”
I can’t even imagine the stress with that, especially given my current mindset on blogging — although, some may argue that if this were my full-time…would I be feeling like this? Hard to say. I guess if this is your bread and butter, you would definitely be trying to climb that hill no matter where it takes you. So I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
I will say…the fact that blogging has changed so much has forced a lot of us to dabble in different niches; which I don’t think is a bad thing. I think it opens up the creative outlet more and not everything has to be about your niche that you started out as just because you’re primarily a food blog or fashion blog or whatever. People change. Interests change. I’m definitely not the same person I was when I first started blogging and I don’t necessarily love the same things I used to.
I do think that experimenting is fun and it makes it less “robotic” and more “real” — which is what I strive for on a daily basis. So, I will say that even though there is this negativity going on with me and blogging…there is also an opportunity for me to dabble in other niches and give the blog the chance to figure out its direction.
In conclusion…
All this to say…I’m not stepping away from the blog. I’m trying to regroup. Social media gets me nowhere now; it’s not somewhere I can really promote my new posts so I suggest signing up for my email updates where I send out emails every time I have a new post.
I’ll still be around on Instagram Stories (come say hi and see my uncurated life), if Instagram decides to show you. Oh, and if you haven’t joined my private Facebook group set up for a sense of community; you def. want to join us!
One beautiful thing that blogging did gift to me is friendship. I have met so many amazing boss ladies through this little space on the web and I can’t take that for granted. This was a predominantly negative post but I’ll end it on a positive note: I’m not alone in this sentiment and I have a set of really good friends from when blogging was more about conversations and interactions.
I also have cake. Always cake.
Your thoughts?
I’d love to hear what you guys think — both from readers and bloggers. It’d be interesting to hear from both sides.
As readers, have you seen the shift? Where more personal blogging has taken a shift and it’s sounding more ‘robotic’ and repeating the same stuff over and over again? What about blogs in general? Are they “just another website” to you now?
As bloggers, are you drowning or swimming with the tide? What are your feelings on blogging these days? Am I just jaded?
You hit the nail on the head with this post, Julie. I’m a newer blogger (3 years in), and even I’m feeling jaded. I’ve been reading your blog forever… I think yours actually might be the first food blog I started following. Anyway, I think it’s hard to argue with anything you’re saying. I started blogging with the hope it could be my full-time job one day. So many people think it’s a get rich quick thing. It’s a slow process for most people as you say. It’s still not my full-time job, I’m in a similar position to you with having a good day job. I won’t lie… as much as I want to go full-time, the idea does scare me for the same reasons you list. This is going to sound totally obvious, but the longer I blog, the more I realize that people don’t want original. The minute I started blogging more mainstream and already done recipes was when I started to see success. I sometimes wonder how the F ANOTHER chicken piccata recipe is doing better than the ones where I feel truly creative… but people like easy and familiar. And it’s been a constant battle learning all the SEO and other stuff you’ve mentioned. I ask myself if I want a passion or a way to make money. And I’m still torn because it’s both! I know no job or business is perfect, but it’s interesting how things look shiny from the outside aren’t always as they seem. I hope lots of people read this post. And don’t get me started on the scrolling thing… it’s a huge annoyance of mine. Like come on people. FREE recipe isn’t good enough? The jump to recipe buttons just piss me off. I do not plan on adding one. Still not convinced they’re better for user experience. Ugh. Anyway, you’re not the only blogger feeling some pain with all this. And I can’t comment on the good ole days of blogging, but I can at least somewhat understand your frustration. Selfishly, I do hope you keep the blog updated, and I love watching your IG stories. I feel like I know you (not in a creepy way haha) and Winston. And the daily coffee pour is a nice distraction for like 5 seconds haha.
YES. YES. YES. People want the same mainstream recipes. When I try to move out of the comfort zone and do something completely mindblowing (in my humble opinion, haha) and think it’ll go viral or whatever…it completely flops. Just like on Instagram; I think a photo will do well but nope. Pizza, cookies, cheesy pasta is what does well. Blows my mind. I understand the easy and familiar sentiment but isn’t that why people read blogs? To get inspired and to try new things?
I’m sorry you’re already feeling so down about blogging but I won’t lie; it definitely is far different than even 3 years ago.
I don’t think I’m totally going away, like I mentioned in the post. I definitely do think a long break will be nice. To help me regroup, to help me figure out where to take this blog next. I love that you follow me over on Instagram and interact! That’s the best because I feel like I know my followers that way; the feeling is mutual!
I’ll confess, I’m one of those people who has scrolled through a post to get to the recipe at the bottom. Usually because I’m in a hurry. But I’ve always assumed that this was my problem, not that of the blogger’s, especially as I’m getting a good, FREE recipe that has been tired out and tested.
I have a blog that I make zero money off of and get next to no traffic on. And though I still write for me, the truth is the blogosphere is very different than it was 7-8 years ago. I don’t know if it’s due to the options for social media platforms or attention span, but something has been lost. Which is so sad because there was once a period where people blogged with the sole goal of connection, not cash.
May your break be a healing one. No matter the outcome.
Thank you for your insight! I don’t believe everyone thinks it’s the blogger’s problem but I do get those comments often so it has kind of worn me down and made me jaded. There is definitely something lost; can’t exactly pinpoint it but I feel that the honesty and realness is not there. It seems empty. Thank you for your kind words!
Your food blog was actually one of the first food blogs I came across years ago. I think I may have found it via Pioneer Woman ? I think that the world of social media is saturated with sponsored posts and ads, and I do realize that it helps pay the bills, but I like reading food blogs as an escape … to read about how a recipe was passed down from an aunt or how a special dessert got a boyfriend to propose. And then if a recipe sounds good, I’ll actually attempt to make it. I start getting annoyed when every post has irrelevant sponsored content for the “one shampoo that you use all the time and helps get rid of your dandruff … and here’s a recipe for snowflake cookies!” I like when bloggers are up front and honest and when they share receipes and products that they truly believe in. I feel like you are one of them and can understand your frustration. Thanks for asking for our opinions as well.
Omg, that’s so funny you found me via Pioneer Woman! Yep, I agree with you. Some blogs are all just sponsored these days. LOL omg, the shampoo example is spot on. I literally just read a post yesterday that was SO unrelated to blogging/food. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Truly appreciate you reading!
A lot of this is why I’ve strayed from blogging. It’s overwhelming, and it’s truly not the same blogging world that I enjoyed being a part of 10 years ago (in the old school, blurry food photos days haha)!
I honestly don’t enjoy it anymore, but I still can’t let my blog go. I’m hoping to reconnect with it someday – I know I’ve lost readers in the process, but if I can’t enjoy blogging right now, what’s the point?
YES. That’s how I feel. I don’t truly enjoy it anymore but I can’t let this blog go because of all the hard work and years and stories that have encompassed this blog. I don’t think I’m going to walk away totally from this blog…I just think I need a good ole break to refocus and maybe when I come back, I’ll realize this blog isn’t totally worth the pressure to churn out content and just come back refreshed and write when I feel like it.
First of all…it’s takes guts to write a post like this. Sometimes it just feels like your job/hobby/life is an uphill battle whether you are a blogger or not. I’ve followed you now for over 5 years and one of the reasons I’ve continued to do so is that you aren’t afraid to be honest and raw, even if that means risking losing followers. I think you are absolutely right that it has become a cutthroat industry where you have to become a digital marketing/SEO guru just to stay relevant. You just do you girl…and the rest of it will fall into place. The relationships you’ve built will remain regardless of whether or not your blog is around – I can assure you of that fact :-)
Aww thank you. I will always be honest and real! Yes, I definitely need to just continue to do me and hopefully everything will just work itself out. I appreciate your friendship and thank you for taking the time to comment! <3 you!
I didn’t find this negative, I found it real. And I want to hear about your life (really!) I mean, I love the recipes, but I also like reading all the other stuff bloggers write. Also, 6 figures? Really?? I had no idea anyone could make that kind of money blogging. No wonder why it’s so saturated. No doubt people look at it as “easy money”. I follow many food blogs and I can tell it’s a lot of work. The good bloggers just make it look easy ;)
Right? I’m sick of the ‘quick and easy ways to make money blogging’ and that’s how it all got so over-saturated. I started this blog because I wanted to share and inspire. Sole purpose. The first year of my blog, I refused to have ads but as traffic got higher, I had to supplement the cost of ingredients and whatnot. Anyway, thank you for writing. I appreciate your insight!
Ahhhh Julie ! I am so happy you wrote this! I think the blogging world has absolutely changed . As a new blogger I’ve found it incredibly hard to get traction and make real connections with people . I want to teach, share and have real interaction, but it seems the world wants less and less of that and more convenience as you note. I also feel like as soon as I figure things out and see growth, they change things again and I am having to figure it out once more. I still love the work though. I love cooking , taking pictures and sharing. If you hire a ghostwriter – look me up ;). As for me – I am giving it time and thinking about how I can differentiate because you are right – the market is saturated. As for you, I am so happy I met you. I find you authentic , funny and I really feel like we are friends in this internet land. Keep doing what you do and being you, the world needs more of that ;)
I feel bad for new bloggers that are actually real (you) and trying to make a splash. It’s so incredibly hard now and definitely don’t quit your full-time to do this ;) haha…I don’t doubt that you love sharing and inspiring others…I just don’t know if that’s what people WANT?! It seems like they just want the recipe NOW and they don’t care how they get it. I’m so glad we met too. Keep your chin up, my friend! You have the perseverance!
And ALL.OF.THIS is the reason that I haven’t blogged in over a year. 10 years of blogging down the drain. I just count keep up with the ever changing blogging world. Sadly it didn’t fulfill my heart anymore and not to mention it was stealing precious time with my family that I will NEVER get back. Yep, I made good money, took dozens of free trips, got cool free stuff all the time and met some amazing people.Shit, I was even on The Food Networks radar at one point. Having an actual 9-5 job AND blogging just doesn’t work anymore, I just count keep up. The blogging world won, it beat me down until I quit! Soooo, I can relate to every word you said!!!! Love you friend!
Ugh, I FEEL YOU. Everything you said. Paid trips, good money…all of that though doesn’t amount to what it’s like these days. I’m thankful for our early friendship because who knows in the blogging world now…would I have even met you?! Love you!!!
I love your honesty with all of this. I used to read numerous blogs, but stop when they feel too much like a sales ad vs an actual opinion. Just like tv commercials, I don’t really want to see them on something I enjoy reading, I prefer actual honest opinions as well as the ads for things that are thrown in on things that seem to make sense for that blogger, but some you can tell just don’t fit.
Yeah, totally agree with you! It doesn’t help that brands pretty much give you a script these days and tell you what to write. It’s pathetic and the lack of trust is also why I stopped working with them. I agree with you that the balance needs to be there. Thank you for your comment!
We’ve raised a society of entitled, instant gratification millennials with zero attention span and even less desire to read anything that takes more than 5 seconds. Their news comes from a media that hasn’t reported a fair and unbiased story in ten years but they believe it all. Many can’t make a decision based on their own research to save their lives, that takes too much thought. You will never please them. Don’t try.
I don’t blame you for being discouraged. But this is your blog. It doesn’t belong to anyone else and you have every right to post your content as you see fit. I have a friend who blogs regularly on blogspot. No SEO, no ads, no pressure. She does it because she is a writer and it’s her outlet from her writing work. And she’s happy. You need to decide what’s most important to you. Maybe your FB group is more appealing and that’s why it gets more attention from you. There’s nothing at all ‘wrong’ with that! Maybe you need to step away from this blog for awhile. No one can decide that but you. But you should, if at all possible, do what makes you happy and the pressure to pour out content here doesn’t sound like it does right now.
Life is too short to put yourself into a position where you hate what you do.
Yes, you’re so right that we’ve raised a society of entitled, instant gratifying millennials. It’s sad but that’s what it is. Thank you for your insight; agree that the pressure to put out content isn’t the right thing right now…it’s just not going to be genuine.