Wednesday was my second blog-iversary. Things have changed a little bit since last year at this time. That’s been mostly good for the Idea Grove, but not so good for Media Orchard.
Basically, I’ve been slammed with work since mid-2006. I don’t mean slammed as in working a little late. I mean slammed as in getting up at 5 in the morning, sitting down at my laptop and not getting off the damn thing, except for client meetings, till 7 at night.
For some people, this is an OK thing. For me, it’s really not.
As you might have guessed, it’s all Media Orchard’s fault. When I started the blog in 2005, it was a fun diversion; I had no clients with blogs or that were interested in blogs. Today, the majority of my work has a Web 2.0 component — because most of my new business in the past year has come directly or indirectly from Media Orchard.
The irony is, I took on so much work that Media Orchard has suffered. Even when I’ve had a moment here or there to blog, it’s not quite the same. Lately I’ve been spending so much time helping my clients with their blogs and communities that when I’m done with all that, often the last thing I want to do is post on my own.
Of course, starting Spin Thicket in November hasn’t helped matters — but what can I tell you? I’m not that bright.
In any case, here’s the deal: I just completed a long-term contract with a major client. This means that now — if I don’t take on more work — I should have time to pull Media Orchard out of the Technorati muck and get it cranking again.
Or, I could take a new retainer client.
I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is for me, because on the one hand:
1. Cash money is cash money.
2. I’ve asked myself whether I can recapture my old passion for Media Orchard — while also taking it in some new directions.
And on the other hand:
1. An active Media Orchard keeps the new client inquiries coming. It’s not an issue now — but what about six months from now? A year from now?
2. I miss the fun of it.
So I feel like Hamlet on this one — to blog or not to blog, blah blah blah. But that’s where I am.
Stay tuned.
Tags: dallas public relations
Scott..follow the money, my dear. Make hay and all that. BTW it’s 23.45 and I’m just finishing up and shutting down the ol’ computer for the day. Nice to see you blogging again tho…you’ve been missed.
Thanks, Sherrilynne
Do keep blogging! I miss your funny take on PR. Maybe this will inspire you. Check out “Putting the FUN back into marketing FUNdamentals” at http://tinyurl.com/2f4rnt.
-Steven
It’s rather simple. Your heart wants Media Orchard for fun and new business. You grow a business by watering the Orchard. You hire someone to write Media Orchard under your direction . . . except when you want your own pearls to shine through. Of course, that “someone” needs to fit into your economic parameters such as a the right college/graduate student and you both win.
Maybe we blog for the same reason drummers drum. You want people to notice the drum and the guy pounding on it.
I have always enjoyed your blog — but I get the putting beans on the table issue.
Keep creating…the answer that works for you,
Mike
Steven, thanks for the support — and the link.
Richard, that approach has been used by a lot of bloggers in the last year of so, but I’m a little old-fashioned…I want my blog to be mine. Nevertheless, thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks, Mike.
Are you any relation to Garrison Keillor?
Sorry I missed you blogoversary. Mostly its because I feel your pain and have some of the same thoughts and issues. I think that you need to play too or you will lose the fire. Just my 2 cents. When the contract finally ends, you should really consider getting back your mojo.
You didn’t miss my blog-iversary, Kami — as I recall, we were working together on our mutual client that day.
I think what you really need to do is expand your agency with some bright people who can take some of the load off. My guess is you have plenty of work that you are doing that could be handled by “staff”.
Time to move out of the house and into a real office