Trying to get myself back in the game

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   Jennifer Sucheyposted 10 years ago

   I was going pretty strong posting for Hubpages, creating a new self hosted site and writing for that. I was excited and motivated to keep on keepin on. And then I took a little break. And then a little longer break. I think it's been a couple of months now and after some encouragement from a stranger who saw my website, I'm trying to get myself back in the game.
   
   However reading threads here about the state of hubpages and how much work it is to make any money and keep hubs featured and all the other issues is not helping. I definitely want to write for my own site, which I haven't been doing either, and I know HP helps a little with drawing traffic, but is there someone out there who can kick me in the but and motivate me to start writing again?

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      ThompsonPenposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You sound like me. At the start of summer, I am always super energized and ready to write at the crack of dawn, but then I get all burnt out by all the energy i'm also spending on summer adventures, and I stop writing. I am in the same place you are, trying to motivate myself to get back into writing regularly. I have hubs that i want to write, i just can't seem to get myself to sit down and do them. I have blogs for both my jobs, I have my own personal site (like you) to write on, and I'm just not able to get back into the swing of things either.
      Best of luck!

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   relacheposted 10 years ago

   You need to be able to do things in your real-world life which make you want to sit down at the computer and share if you are going to write Hubs.  To outside and do something you really enjoy.  Then go write about it.  If you don't find motivation through your own actions, what gets written tends to be pretty weak.

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      Jennifer Sucheyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks relache. It's not really about coming up with what to write about. It's about motivation to do it at all for pennies a day. There aren't a lot of encouraging threads around here about how things are going on Hubpages. The veterans are probably doing the best, having already established themselves with tons of hubs and ranking ok on Google. And yet many of the veterans are complaining they're not getting nearly the traffic they used to. From what I can tell, it's harder for a new hubber to get going than it ever used to be. Makes it difficult to keep on keeping on.
      
      I knew it was going to be slow going, and initially I was just enjoying the process of writing and creating, knowing it would take a of time and work to reap the rewards. I know I only have 18 hubs so far (and several website articles), but it does make a person wonder . . . if the ultimate goal IS relatively decent monetary gain . . . is that really even realistic anymore?
      
      I guess I really just have to get back into the enjoyment of the process, the creating, etc., and let the chips fall where they may in their own good time.

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         rebekahELLEposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I wouldn't use the forum threads for motivation.  Those who are doing relatively well most likely have decided not to broadcast it in the forums.  There are too many scrapers and copiers who use forums to find their prey.  I think people who write online content generally lose motivation because goals are not clearly set.  Focus is lost if we don't have a plan on how to reach our goal/s.
         I think it is harder for a new (or veteran) hubber, but it should be if the goal is decent writing that isn't spammed to death already with uninspiring writing that is of no value in a saturated market.  I think there are too many content writers who assume that because they write online, they should have P1 rankings and tons of traffic.  Possibly because there are so many people writing online, it's much more difficult to draw in targeted traffic.
         I'm not targeting the above towards you or any one person, I think you have well-written hubs.  But things have definitely changed (online) since a few years ago, and I'm certain it will always be a dynamic, changing environment.

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            Jennifer Sucheyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks Rebekah. Yeah,  not looking to get rich and certainly not quick. Yet if we didn't want to earn "something" for all our work we could be writing on Ezine or non-montetized blogs. Clearly there's nothing wrong with trying to generate a little income and I know people do it.
            
            I've seen and commented on many threads about this very subject, only my subject wasn't really supposed to be about making money or not or whether or not I should be here. I was simply looking for motivation. I was sorry I asked until your post and I will take your advice and not create any such silly threads in the future.

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               Jean Bakulaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I think after taking a break it's natural to have a little trouble getting started again, no matter what it is. I write on HP because I like to write, and although I never made a lot of money, I had a lot of fun, and enjoy feeling the creative energy flow. Online writing is so much different than other writing, and I write informational pieces, so that's not always what people are looking for.
               
               Each site is has a different feel and a different energy. I "met" a lot of great people online, and shared a lot of ideas. You can still write pieces and move them to your own blog or another group site if that is better for you. But on your own blog, it's only you, so you will have a harder time getting viewers. So in the end you have to decide to write because you like to write. I know a lot of people have put together several hubs that are about the same subject, and sold them as e-books on Amazon for $1.99 or something like that. I'm not sure how that is going either. But I wrote a poetry book that was self published, and I was unable to price it, so the publisher charged too much and it didn't sell well. Finally I insisted they lower the e-book price, and I sell a few copies a month. That feels good, but it's just the writing itself that keeps me going, the money isn't enough motivation anymore. Technology is always changing, so we'll have to see. But since you enjoy the creative process, I don't think you should give up your writing. Just make a decision based on the financial situation as it stands now, and don't be too quick to put it anywhere before you watch the site for awhile. Good luck.

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   relacheposted 10 years ago

   If you are after money, this was NEVER the place to be.  The web is a constantly evolving situation with no guarantee.
   
   If you want to write for money, go find a full-time job with benefits where you are actually an employee (not a site user or freelance contractor) that just happens to involve writing.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point  made, Relache!

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      ThompsonPenposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      yeah, actually, I completely agree. I am constantly writing for myself, but I work in a coffee shop full time. I wanted an excuse to write while at work (we're not a very busy coffee shop), so I suggested they get a website..and let me build it...and have a blog..which I now write in Also I've been writing policies, handbooks, instructions, etc...
      There's writing everywhere to be done, it's just getting creative about it!

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         rebekahELLEposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         That's a great way to use your skills. 
         
         @Jennifer, I don't think your thread was silly at all.  It's always nice to find some encouragement but unfortunately I don't see a lot of it in the forums at this time.  I check in a couple times a day and it's always the same stuff so I've been reading more hubs.  There are still high quality hubs being published on HP.

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         CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Wow ThompsonPen!  That's terrific!  I like that go-getter attitude!  I did that once upon a time when I was working in an office.  I started a marketing program online, built their website, and was given a second hat of business manager.  It pays to step out with skill! 

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   Anna Marie Bowmanposted 10 years ago

   I am going through the same thing.  I have been pretty inactive here for what seems like forever.  I think I have been writing for HP for around five years, and was very active when I started, and then some life issue came up, and writing took a back seat. 
   
   The motivation to get started again is agonizing at times.  I don't know why, but for me it is.  I love to write, don't get me wrong.  It's just like anything; if you haven't done it in a while, it kind of feels like a struggle to get back into doing it. 
   
   This has been my longest break.  I don't think I have written anything in almost a year, and have hardly made my presence known in even longer.  Life has been hard for me this past couple of years, but also wonderful.  I have gotten re-married, and had another child.  My daughter is rambunctious and keeps me on my toes.  I hardly have time to drink a cup of coffee, let alone sit at the computer and write.  I have to stay up late just to get an hour in before I go to bed. 
   
   I have to remind myself that the more I force myself to sit down here, and write, the easier it will come back to me.  I know I still have a lot to say, a lot to share, and a lot to do, and the only way it will get done is if I do it.

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