By Kelly Smith; Photo by Justin Hackworth for Alt Summit
With the holiday season in full swing, a lot of bloggers and small businesses are asking themselves the same question, “Is the benefit of taking time off worth the loss?”
Here are some things to consider when contemplating your holiday time:
Know your product / Know your audience.
Is your audience looking to you for DIY ideas, holiday shopping guides, recipes, or last minute solutions to all the crazy? Then, you might want to plan ahead and stick with them right up until the very last minute. And even congratulate them on the holiday itself with a pat on the back and a word of encouragement amid a successful event.
or
Does your audience look to you for family advice, self improvement, and personal narratives? Well, then, they might appreciate the example you lead by taking a break. Just give them the heads up and let them know when your regular posting will return.
Do you rely on steady traffic numbers or sales for income?
If that is the case, you have a couple options.
Hustle and get ahead of the game. Schedule your posts, then sit back and take that much deserved break.
or
Recycle old posts. If you have been at this for a few years, then chances are you have great holiday content that is still relevant. Remind your readers by producing round-ups, link backs, or edit the content in a new way and post like new. Reinventing the wheel is not always necessary.
Do what is best for you.
In the end, do what is best for you. If the holiday stress on top of creating new and amazing content is taking its toll on your mental health, then it simply is not worth it. Truth is, it will show in your content and putting a tired, stressed, and worn out foot forward could hurt you more than it helps. Sometimes taking that break from the screen to create for the fun of it, visit with family, and refresh your senses will produce a new life in future posts that is full of inspiration and a fresh perspective.
Whatever you decide, give your community a heads up and stick to your plan.
