Still around...

But unfortunately hit burn-out on this blog during the past month. I resonate with Kirsten at re:invention when she says,

"After 3 long blogging years, re:invention's blog has quietly folded into a cocoon. At the moment, we feel we have nothing to say... "

Ironically, I'm headed off to Chicago on Sunday to speak at Ad:Tech on how social technologies (like blogs) are changing the way we do business. I still have a lot to say on the subject, but not on a blog. At least not right this moment. I think I'm starting to warm back up again; perhaps I just needed a break from all the brainpower that's required to write compelling posts.

I do appreciate the fan mail; it's encouraging to know that a couple folks out there like what I have to say. I'll be back soon, I promise! Hopefully Ad:Tech will get me recharged. Just need to get these creative juices flowing again...

Comments

[james governor]

You want to be revitalised? Why don’t you move off into the wild long grass?

I always enjoy your blog, you have great ideas and put things very well. I still remember your singularity post. Great stuff.

Want a little pushback though?

I thinking marketing bloggers that “got it” early became a tad self-referential. great ideas and the people pushing them kept getting recycled.

You obviously have lots of fans, me included, but might it be time to move in a slightly different direction?

Why not go for some depth in a vertical/ choose one and nail it with your brand mantra thinking. You could have a monthly – change, an entirely new blogroll each month. Glean marketing insights from non-marketers writing “technical blogs” say, or something like that.

Or do an India month- where you dive into Indian VC blogs to find examples of Indian startups and take a gander at their brand strategies.

Marketing 2.0 is great. So lets apply it outside. Think freakonomics for brand management.

[Graham Glass]

Get your arse in gear and post. Something. Sincerely, your British admirer.

[anonymous]

Found you via Gareth Kay and I'd be interested what you think of mine.

http://noisydecentgraphics.typepad.com/

[maelorin]

i've had a number of blogs over the years.

each has lasted only until it has achieved the purpose for which i created it in the first place. revisiting your purpose might go a long way towards helping you to move forward.

i note that you have recently expressed a desire to bring more personality into your writing here. perhaps exploring how that can enhance your own work here might form part of a new vision for this forum?

[Conference Caller]

You deserve a rest. Your presentation at Ad:tech was great. Plus, it's summer time. Get thee to the beach. We'll wait.

[dev]

http://entrepreneurparadise.blogspot.com/

[dev]

Articles on branding

[Jack Yan]

I find value in collaborative blogs for fresh content, such as your one at Corante Brandshift—but look forward to your next post, wherever it may be.

[Michael]

When I was a young lad I would drive by the homes of the girl's I liked to see if they were out - always hoping to find them outside or their car in the driveway. Blogs are kind of like that; I don't always expect a new post, who could always "be home". But I do call up your site hoping to find one. Your blogs are always appreciated.

[Andre]

Hi, keep going, your blog is highly appreciated.

[Jason Wheeler]

I understand the burnout. I will go through periods feeling the same way. I understand why blogs are starting to go to freelancers to write some of their articles. Do you think this is a niche market for traditional journalist to make an extra buck?

[Dee Rambeau]

Hang in there kiddo. Sounds like a couple of martinis might be in order. Have fun in Chi-town!

[Aaron Dignan]

I think we could all take a hint from the regular publishing world and "shuffle our readership" a bit more. When you publish a marketing book, you get the attention of most of the marketing readers for a short while, and then that attention is shuffled to the next author, only to return to you on your sequel. It could be that marketing bloggers need to write for three months, then pass their audience on to another blogger for a while, only to get it back when the "juice" has returned! I certainly think all of us are going to get fatigued at some point...

[Wayne Hurlbert]

Hi Jennifer. It's great to see you back posting again. As your blog is a must read branding and business blog, your public welcomes your reurn.

I beleive that your current blogout and that experienced by Kirsten is about to grown into an impotant blogging phenomenon.

As time goes on, the search for worthwhile business related postings becomes ever more challenging. Often boredom, a loss of that original excitement, and simple entropy creep into a blogger's online life. Most bloggers suffering from blogout will simply stop posting, and their blogs will simply be abandoned. Other higher profile, leading bloggers like you and Kirsten will offer more discussion on the growing problem of blogout, bringing the topic forward for discussion. And of course, blog posting fodder.

Glad to see you back! Your great posts were missed.

[Ed Deevy]

Maybe we need to rethink the expectations for a busy professional who is also publishing a blog. Quality publishing takes a serious commitment of time and energy. Maybe one post a week is a more reasonable expectation. I know one business blogger who has taken the summer off. Better to preserve one's energy for the long haul!
Anyway, Jennifer, your burnout raises important questions for all of us involved in business blogging.

[Stephen Macklin]

One of the great things about blog readers is that unless you utterly offend them they will come back. It costs nothing to check this site daily as part of my list of marketing/business blogs. And as long as there is still a site to check I will continue to do so.

[Bruce DeBoer]

It's definately difficult to write in this shot gun style.

Since you are one of those on the first (or near) wave of bloggers, your fatigue is worth noting in discussions. I've notice others having similar challenges.

Any thoughts on how this effects the future of blogging?