Life comes full circle, doesn’t it? Many years ago I shared this in a post with whoever would listen. The questions were the same: what next, what to do, it’s a conundrum. I quote:
“Much has been going on in my life that has caused much reflection. My mind has been overcrowded with numerous projects, decisions to be made and where next to focus my energies. It has left me with a feeling of being stuck. It stems from focusing too much on the “what if” and not “what now.” My thoughts drift to everything that has occurred in my life. I see how much I’ve achieved. I know opportunities to learn are infinite. I believe in sharing that knowledge is something that can help to guide someone else. Maybe they could even avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made through my sharing.
Happenings from everyday existence have inspired many of the things I’ve garnered/learned from life. These are valuable lessons. The trick is knowing what knowledge to share and what to hold back.”
What Next, What To Do, A Conundrum
I find myself in the very same place many years later, a different spot with the same quandary. My conundrum is this. Where should I take my blog business? What next? I’ve seriously considered giving it up altogether. It’s a whole lot of work (and money) to do it right. Aside from the awesome friendships I’ve made along the way, my ROI (return on investment) is just not there to justify continuing as I have. If I want to make this into a modestly profitable enterprise, I need to make some changes.
Here’s why I’m thinking this way and asking these questions. When analyzing my stats every which way over the last two years, let alone the whole time I’ve been blogging, it reveals some startling information. As you know, I currently write stories/poems, my recipes/food posts and, of course, my wine posts. Now and then I throw in a vector drawing demonstration for fun. Can you guess what subject is my highest grossing in traffic? What order would you put each one of these categories? Before I reveal the answers to these questions, don’t look, write it down and compare your thoughts with this list below.
Here it is.
- Wine – Fewer comments but way higher traffic than any other category.
- iDraw – Even with only 12 posts over a 5-year period, it almost ties with food.
- Food – Higher comments and almost a tie with the iDraw demonstrations.
- Stories, etc. – the Highest number of comments, but way down on the totem pole of traffic draw.
Are you surprised? I was.
So what do I do with that? It’s abundantly clear that I need to produce a product. It’s been strongly suggested I get my butt in gear and make my promised interactive drawing tutorials. In addition to that, put a full core press on my cookbook. Lastly, to let the stories go or, at least, put them on the “back burner.” As far as the wine posts go we have no idea just how to capitalize on that one, other than garnering the high traffic I get from them. With all that in mind, a few have suggested that I step back with my posting schedule to once or twice a week to allow time to focus on these products?
I’m reminded that this is all part of my journey as a blogger. I am, have always been, a teacher. That is my gift. If I’m able to use each lesson I learn each day, I believe my life will be full of opportunities, wondrous things and, in the end, offer up many gifts. The trick is to pay attention and heed the lessons when presented. I wonder, is this one of them?
Here’s where you come in. I could use your counsel. What are your thoughts about what I’ve revealed and my conundrum? What about my creating an interactive drawing product? Would the work it would take to produce it be worthwhile? As far as the cookbook is concerned, is it something you would find of interest? Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated.
What’s Next? Why of course life’s journey continues…
If you appreciated “What Next, What To Do, A Conundrum,” take a look at In The Moment, Fear, A Four-Letter Word, and Confidence, What Is It?