Keep It Liquid
Blair McLeod
Posted on January 28, 2013
Disclaimer: I’m not a financial planner. So first take my warning to not apply any of this to your wallet.
With that said… When I was growing up in high school, college, and even as a young adult, one thing my dad always advised me when making decisions about money and investments was to “Keep it Liquid.” Meaning, don’t get your money tied up somewhere where you can’t pull it out in an emergency or change your mind.
For me, as someone who enjoys blogging as a hobby, something extracurricular to my life, I want to keep my blog liquid. I want to be able to walk away from it.
Now hold up, I know that sounds odd and maybe a little off putting. I don’t want to walk away and I don’t mean to disvalue the relationships I’ve made through blogging. Those, I wouldn’t just walk away from. Here’s what I mean though — I know that for me, I have a tendency to get sucked into the blogosphere. I have a sinful inclination to let it become an idol. To keep adding more and doing more and saying yes more and offering more. When I give more to my blog, in most cases (not all) I’m giving less somewhere else.
There was a time in my past “blogging life,” that I couldn’t walk away (read more about that in my previous influence blog post here). I was committed to too many different online things and had literally sold my services to different partners. I had responsibilities to upkeep as an obligation to my word. I was tied into something that was not rest giving. eeeks. no bueno.
So two questions you might ask: How do I make my blog liquid? and Why do I want it to be so?
How do I keep my blog liquid?:
- I quit pursuing giveaways and sponsorships (I still do them, I just don’t spend my extra energies on them).
- I only offer short term sponsorships and am very upfront about what is offered/not included.
- I never promise a specific amount of posts per week.
- If I participate in or host a series, I take time to evaluate the time investment.
- I don’t invest money into my blog (designs/html coding/spending $ on blog ads)
Why do I want to keep my blog liquid?
Many of you who are reading this are looking to grow a business out of your blog or use your blog to add needed income for your family. Some of you aren’t looking for either of those things but life looks differently for you — to all of you, know that I’m not saying any of this is wrong. It’s not wrong to invest of yourself and resources into something that you are passionate about and adds both joy and rest to your life.
But, if you are like me, someone who needs accountability to keep things prioritized, keeping your blog liquid provides that. Being liquid doesn’t mean that you aren’t committed to your blog or readership, but to me it means that I can let my blog just be a blog, not a identity definer and most definitely not a life line.
If you have questions — about how I keep my blog liquid, how I go about sponsorships without over committing myself or resources, about my struggles of letting my blog become an idol, or just anything in general, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to shoot me an email.
It’s nice to hear your thoughts. Each person has their choice and since you have great reason behind that, I think it’s appreciated. But may I assume that you also maintain the Influence Network at the same time so you must invest time in more valuable thing? Anyway, your blog is always coming with high-quality and well-written posts. That’s the best part!
So interesting, I was praying and chatting with God last night about my blog and asking Him to make it grow or shut it down – whatever gives Him most glory. I think that’s my form of liquid – open hands to Him. On the days when I can’t offer that prayer, that’s when I need to reevaluate.
Thanks for sharing this Blair. I too struggle with my blog being an idol. I have gotten so much better lately but from time to time fall in the trap. Thanks for being honest and sharing your wisdom on keeping it liquid. I love that concept.
I have blogged since 2008 and I have always just written when something had to come out. That is a great way for me to look at it. Recently I started an open blog and that does change things a bit. I don’t want to spend time behind the computer that is spend better elsewhere, like at home. I am reading that this is the challenge for so many bloggers out there. So I guess for me, since it is so new in a way, I will see where it takes me.
Very good food for thought. I think I succeeded in liquifying my blog last week… I made some blog goals for this year, some of which I shared on my blog around New Years, one of which includes more regular posting. I don’t feel this goal is out of bounds or anything, as I genuinely hope to foster community by doing so (something I feel my blog has lacked as of late). I was on the verge of taking this good intention and letting it enslave me last week, though, when life, as it does, threw me a couple of curve balls. Nothing life-altering, but enough to keep me from posting. I almost let it add to my anxiety, fearing that if I don’t post I’m going to let my peeps down! But then I remembered that the other things I was sacrificing my blog for… my health, time with Jesus, my family… *should* take priority over my blog when it comes down to the wire. And I credit you and the other Influence gals for helping me stay on track with posts like this! So, thank you!
great post, Blair! i feel the same way about my own, even though it’s fairly new. i don’t want to get swept up into all of it because for me, it would take away my authenticity, my voice and my time.
xo,
kristyn