Saturday, January 31, 2009

A Sad and Long Contemplate


I have been seriously thinking of giving up my Blog!
Yes, you read right. The guilt I feel of not posting often, my life (family), my Stampin' Up business, is making me really think about it.
A very good friend and a top 10 Stampin' Up Demo (no she does not have a blog) kind of put it into perspective for me.
The money and time put into a blog, thank you blogger-no money needed, could be spent in time with family, calling customers, and just plain free time, you know how I'll be spending that.
She also mentioned, besides a Lucky few (bloggers), how does it help your business with customers.
Well my first thought when I started this was to help my customers with ideas for cards and projects.
But I know they really don't visit they are off the computer and tending their lives, which is what I need to be doing.
She mention the majority of people who visit are other Demos (I have the best, that visit and comment to me) but they cannot bring me customers and I kinda of agree, I know I have a few who are not and they have become very lovely cyber friends.
I read on SCS, Demo side someone asked how to get viewers to one's blog, the answer by one was posting everyday and I remember thinking...wow they must spend all day visiting blogs to see who posted today, and realized that has become me. If I need ideas, I can get that at Stampin' Up and SCS...(this makes me laugh why post on SCS and your blog, the same thing, why have a blog then (yes I know this can work but I only know of 2). If you need the business that SCS might give you get a DBWS and direct them there in your signature, just my opinion that I need to follow myself).
As I contemplate about this while I finish my room, which yes I will show you and yes I do have the marker video done, but haven't figured out how to get it on here-help for that is coming soon.
I will post some of the new goodies at my own pace.I will also post rants and things that bother me for instance casing, watermarks,(which I still have not figured out and don't care anymore, because I can still print your stuff up and copy it) giving credit and who did it first...so be prepared and remember they are just my opinions and you don't have to agree but I look forward to your thoughts.
Oh and the card... done for my Brews&Browse- Fifth Avenue, Urban Oasis DSP love love love these colors black just adds such elegance & The new Fine Supernova Olive glitter, love love love all the colors in this.
Hugs...with a wet shoulder!


14 comments:

Otava said...

Well, even if you don't keep posting so regularly, I'm glad you've posted what you did...I'm not demo (or a prospective customer ;) ) but I've gotten a lot of inspiration and ideas from your work. Thanks!

katiesniche said...

The card is very pretty!
I feel your pain. With my newborn, finding something to put on my blog each week is certainly a challenge. And I know that for a business, it should be more then once a week.
Can't wait to see your room!

Loopy said...

I can understand what your saying hon but I for one will sorely miss you around.

Julie O'D said...

I love your honesty. Do what's best for your sanity & your family but we'll miss you.

Just Sew Trish said...

I understand so much! I fell like I am always adding something else on my plate with my 3 kids. I have stopped posting on SCS (trish_punta gorda) and I focus on the blog, but I also have a lot more ease in sharing my projects with the gals that come to my classes and I fell like I have become the local newspaper for the crafters on what has happened and what will be coming up. I always invite my prospective customers to visit my blog, because this is their virtual chance to see me, not what stampin up has formatted for me. Now I love the layouts that stampin up provides and lets me come across as professional, but I also love writing to my groupies in my own words with out the 5 line alarm going off!

But I like to write and my blog gives me an outlet that I enjoy! ANd of course I blog at midnight when I can not sleep or coming off a 2 day crop with too many friends and too much caffine. I like my blog becuase it is my personal webpage that has my favorite links. I can click to my links that I love to view without trying to remember, like yours!

Good Luck!
~trish

thescrapmaster said...

I post on my own blog for ME ME ME!! LOL I have started trying to post daily for 2009. I know it has helped to grow my own business, but it doesn't work for everyone. I wish you the best of luck & totally understand where you are coming from.

Beryl said...

I understand what you are saying and how you feel. Luckily I'm not trying to run a business or raise a family but I still don't seem to have enough hours in the day to do everything I want to. You will be missed but don't forget - it's your blog and you are allowed to post when and if you feel like it. You are not obliged to post regularly - it's up to you to decide when and if you do. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Beryl xx

Melissa Sauls said...

What a beautiful card you've made. I can definitely understand wanting to walk away from the whole blogging gig. I'm not sure if it has helped my business either. I definitely haven't gotten any new customers out of it and I'd agree that a bulk of the viewers are fellow demos and/or people established with other demos. I'm sticking with it though, it really has made me stamp more!

Kelly Taylor said...

I agree with everything you have said and I know it is tough! But, as others have stated, I do blog for the business and I don't think it has really gotten me any, but I have found I like doing it for me! And I only post about once a week so it hasn't eaten a lot of my time. Good luck with whatever you decide...we will miss your awesome ideas if you decide to give it up!

Unknown said...

It would be a shame, but you have to do what's best... I do hope you keep it, if only to post from time to time your best bits & so we know you're OK.
Hugs xxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Hi sam (not her real name) I am sad to hear your post this morning but, I can see you have put a lot of thought into it, and I can see a part of me saying you are right. So, you go girl and enjoy your life. I am still going to keep you in my faves and check in once and a while just in case you show us another one of your gorgeous cards! I love this one by the way and have to order all those goodies tomorrow! When the sign says "closed" then I will accept that you are gone! See you around...~Donna

Carol said...

Hi
DOH

I do understand but blogging should be fun!!

Would love to keep in touch waht ever you decide
KEEP SMILING
TC
:)

Jean Fitch from jlfstudio said...

Hi Sam,

As everyone else has said do what needs doing for you. Luckily with a free service you can leave the blog up for reference for the rest of us just now finding you. This also leaves you the option to post once in awhile or not at all or whatever works for you. As a fellow demo who trolls for ideas to share with other demo's and customers I've loved peeking in from time to time though I totally understand I'm not bringing much to the table for you (apart from virtual hugs and good wishes - lol!). Blogs do make great rant spaces so if nothing else consider this a journal of stamping achievements and a place to tell the world what you really think! Some bloggers just post pictures without recipes and leave it at that and I still enjoy surfing those. So share (or not) what strikes your fancy and put your time where your heart leads you.

Hugs and blessings and thanks for sharing your honest thoughts - gave me something to think about myself. - Jean Fitch

PS: Hug the ones you love - time passes swiftly and then it's gone. From a mom to cats with a house to keep but only one to cook for!

Fiona said...

I understand what you say but I love my blog cause I get to "meet" new people all over the world and connect at some level with them. I don't know many crafters and without my blog I'd be a lonely crafter. I love seeing who has come on my blog next and what part of the world they are in and sharing their lives - I'm an SU demo too but I use my blog for more than just customers. I hope you carry on