As I Was Saying...
Christopher Norris
FRSA • Need help with your pre-launch business, invention or creative project? Let's connect • Serial entrepreneur: 15+ businesses • Author • Expert • Connector • Mentor • Philanthropist • Global
Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover that would help you in your own artistic journey and creative practice.
Resuming a Newsletter after Taking a Sabbatical
Rediscovering Your Voice and Reconnecting with Your Audience
Ever taken a break from something you love, only to find it difficult to restart?
The blank page can be daunting, especially after a hiatus. Whether your sabbatical was to recharge, explore new ventures, or focus on personal growth, getting back into the flow of writing a newsletter can feel both exciting and challenging. You might be asking yourself: Will my audience still be there? Have I lost my momentum?
These thoughts are natural, but the good news is that resuming your newsletter doesn't have to be a daunting task. It can be an opportunity to reconnect with your audience, refresh your content, and bring a renewed energy to your work.
Reflecting on Your Sabbatical
Lessons and Growth
After a break, it’s essential to pause and reflect. Your sabbatical likely offered you fresh experiences, perspectives, and ideas. These insights are the foundation for your next steps in writing. Consider how you’ve grown, what new skills or lessons you’ve learned, and how these can inform your content.
Think of your time away as an opportunity to reassess your newsletter’s purpose. Ask yourself: What value am I bringing to my readers? If your previous content was heavily focused on specific topics, your sabbatical might have given you a chance to explore broader themes. Perhaps you’ve developed a deeper understanding of your industry, gained insights into personal growth, or discovered emerging trends. All of this makes for rich, engaging content.
For example, during your time away, you might have noticed shifts in your field. Maybe you've observed new tools, strategies, or shifts in audience preferences. Sharing your observations not only re-establishes your voice but also shows your readers that you’ve been keeping an eye on the pulse of your industry, even during your sabbatical.
Acknowledge the Break
Be Honest and Authentic
Your audience knows you’ve been on a break, so there’s no need to pretend otherwise. Address it head-on in your first newsletter back. Transparency fosters trust, and your readers will appreciate your honesty. A simple message acknowledging the time away and explaining why you took a sabbatical is enough. You don’t need to provide intimate details, but sharing your reasons—whether they’re personal, professional, or simply because you needed to recharge—humanises you.
Use your return as an opportunity to re-engage with your audience. Ask them how they’ve been, what they’ve been up to, and whether there are any topics they’d like to see you cover in future newsletters. Opening a dialogue encourages readers to interact and reminds them that your newsletter is a two-way conversation, not just a monologue.
Reconnect With Your "Why"
When you started your newsletter, you likely had a clear purpose. Whether it was to educate, inspire, or connect with a specific community, your "why" drove your content and motivated you to keep writing. After a sabbatical, it’s helpful to revisit that purpose and see if it still resonates with you. Does it need refining? Or, have new interests or ideas emerged that you now feel passionate about sharing?
By reconnecting with your original purpose—or redefining it—you’ll find that writing comes more naturally. It helps to anchor your content in a meaningful mission, which can make your return feel less daunting. Plus, sharing this rediscovery with your readers makes your newsletter more personal and engaging.
Set a New Tone
Bring Fresh Energy to Your Writing
A sabbatical can often provide a fresh perspective, so why not let that reflect in your writing style and tone? Consider adjusting the voice of your newsletter to reflect your personal growth. If your previous issues were highly formal, maybe now you feel more comfortable adopting a conversational tone. If your newsletters were previously filled with industry jargon, perhaps you’ve realised the value in simplifying your language for broader appeal.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Your readers will appreciate the authenticity that comes with a refreshed tone. Writing in a way that reflects who you are today, rather than who you were when you paused your newsletter, will make the experience more enjoyable for both you and your audience.
Remember to focus on delivering value—whether through actionable advice, insightful commentary, or simply sharing a personal story that resonates with your audience. This new chapter of your newsletter can be a chance to offer a different kind of content, or present it in a way that feels more aligned with where you are now.
Re-establish a Routine
Consistency Over Perfection
Once you’ve broken the ice with your return issue, it’s crucial to re-establish a consistent routine. It’s easy to feel pressure to make your first issue back perfect, but what’s more important is that you continue to show up. Consistency builds trust with your readers and keeps you top-of-mind. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much too soon. Start with a realistic frequency—even if that means monthly instead of weekly.
Set aside dedicated writing time, and keep a running list of content ideas. This way, you’ll always have a bank of topics to draw from, which can ease the pressure of producing content regularly. Over time, your writing will become more fluid, and you’ll find that your creativity naturally returns.
Invite Feedback
Make It a Collaborative Experience
After returning from a break, it's easy to wonder whether your content is still hitting the mark. One of the best ways to ensure you’re delivering what your audience wants is to ask for feedback. You could include a poll or a simple question in your newsletter, inviting readers to share their thoughts on what topics they'd like to see covered in the future.
Encouraging feedback creates a sense of community around your newsletter, and it also helps you tailor your content to what your audience truly finds valuable. It’s a win-win situation: you get fresh ideas, and your readers feel more involved in the process.
Closing Thoughts
Are You Ready to Start Again?
Resuming your newsletter after a sabbatical doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, it can be a rewarding opportunity to bring fresh ideas, a new tone, and a deeper sense of purpose to your content. By reflecting on your sabbatical, reconnecting with your “why,” and engaging with your audience, you’ll find that the creative spark soon returns.
Are you ready to re-establish that connection with your readers and pick up where you left off?
Calls to Action
Become the artist in your own residence that changes the world!
Christopher Norris