As the year draws to a close I’ve been looking at my stats for the years 2014 – 2018. Since the start of it all in 2014 my stats have steadily increased from 9149 views in 2016 for example, to 24,924 views in 2018.
However, this year I’ve cut back a bit so as not to overkill the blog and bore any readers. My views so far are 20,199, and I’ve written about 100 fewer posts. After 5 years of blogging I find that all the same writing tips and advice have been re-blogged many times by many different authors, and that actually hey ho, some days it’s getting a bit of a drag to think of things to blog about.
For the last couple of years my most viewed blogs have been the monthly posts/winners from my ‘Share Your Short Story‘ contest. This tells me something; people want contests or a platform where their own stories or poems can be seen and read. I’ve found the answers to several other questions too, by running the short story contest and also by running a street team promotion on MeWe:
Do people want to read my own stories?
I’ve found they will read and comment on them more often only if I add them to the short story contest. If I add a story, poem or a book review on a blog of its own then I’ll get a few ‘likes’, but whether or not people have actually read it or are just being polite I cannot really say.
Is it worth running a contest too often?
No, because you need to give people time to come up with new stories.
Is it worth charging a fee to enter?
No, because then there will be no entries. However, if it’s free, then there’s always a spike in my stats on the day any new contest comes out!
Is it worth running a street team promotion?
The jury’s out on that one. I’ve found that about half of the members take part each week, and that it’s always the same ones who share each other’s books around on their social media sites. For the rest of them the novelty soon wears off and excuses start to pour in.
Is it worth keeping a blog going year after year?
Yes, I think so, just as long as the content doesn’t become too stale. Readers do not want the same old same old day after day ad nauseam. It’s always good to read about something personal to the author, and not about the same old writing tips or those ghastly author interview questions (Why do you write? What is your writing process? What is on your desk as you write?)!
Is it worth blogging every day?
I’m beginning to think that no, it’s not worth it, because of the faff involved in trying to dredge up something worthwhile to write about. I think that in the New Year I shall ease up a bit more and see what happens.
Is it worth being a writer?
Yes, just as long as you don’t expect to earn any money from it, and don’t expect to find droves of readers beating a path to Amazon to buy your book.
I got on WordPress because I wanted a venue. I wanted to write with a self-imposed deadline of sorts, throw it against the screen and look at it. In my job half assed didn’t cut it. I had to stand up with a target on and deliver. No excuses. I also had to take a pounding, critique wise, to get there. What I wanted out of WP is the same thing, but it seems to be everyone’s a winner, just like most other scenarios. And editorial scams and circle jerks of mediocrity. The reason why people read your monthly contest is because there are links to people who are writing, and what they write. Even if it’s not, as the Brits say “Up my street,” I still enjoy it. Why? No recipes, no selfies, no restaurant reviews. I’d rather read a monthly or biweekly of “here’s a 2k chapter of a WIP” (linked). To enter you have to go out and comment. Sans sniping. Like the short story contest. What is going on NOW, as a proving ground or work exposure so we have to look at what we’re doing instead of using WP as another boring ass Hey, I’m still alive or self promotion Social Media outlet. They’ve proven Facebook works if your lready famous. Otherwise it’s reblogged reposts of blech. We could use this space to learn something from each other, like Frank’s Monday Memories or your occasional what I’m really writing. Otherwise, like the man said, it’s wires and lights in a box. My .02 We can all do better if we WRITE, not if we talk about it and review each other with an eye out to make sure we stay in good graces. Anybody want my my real thoughts on the tidepool of WP mediocrity, send me an email.
So–make your blog about writing. Character studies, bits of conversation, sketches. Collect them, link them pump out ones you like once a week.
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Facebook is definitely ‘blech’. I’m not on it anymore. Yeah, I’d love to read your thoughts. Hopefully you’ve still got my email address?
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Yes. And yes.
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As usual, I concur with your thoughts. As for the story – oye! I smell trouble!!!!! Looking forward to reading more. Please don’t push the button Lauren LOL 🙂 x
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There are no rules for blogging – unlike school or work you can do what you like. It’s amusing that some people post one picture per blog, others a hundred. Some post a haiku while others a blog about life and the whole universe that goes on for eternity. Only write or read blogs you enjoy, if you run out of ideas ease off for a while. People who would never have heard of us or our books without reading our blogs may buy one, that’s how I’ve discovered most of the books on my Kindle, but blogging is not guaranteed to get lots of readers for our novels.
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Very true, although I have sold some of my books by blogging. It’s my most successful promotion platform.
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That’s a really cool interview. I think the number one challenge is coming up with new content but this can be done. It’s not easy but I think it’s doable. Great post!
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Thank you. I usually find inspiration from news items or other bloggers’ posts.
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I only blog for a bit of fun but even then sometimes it’s hard to see the views struggle to get to double figures in total for a week after pressing the publish button! I continue to tell myself the answer to ‘Is it worth it?’ is more about the enjoyment and fun of the creating rather then seeing the reader numbers ever crank much higher!
Interesting to see you’re on MeWe Stevie, I’ve been on there a while but not really found or connected with many UK users/bloggers on there so far.
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I only use MeWe for my street team, which starts again in January if you’re interested in joining?
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I am not altogether certain I want to be in a ‘street team’. I shall attempt to gain further understanding of what it entails first. If it is high heels, fishnets and excellent negotiating skills, probably not. 😉
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It entails each author promoting one book for one week on their social media. I work in alphabetical order of authors’ names. When it’s your turn, add a link to your book and the others will share, just as long as you share everybody else’s!
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Ah right, not applicable to me but thanks for the offer.
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I really hope Lauren is not going to learn about trading risk the hard way, Stevie. I am not sure if I can handle the stress in installments. I have no idea what my stats are as I never look at them. I am not very good at blogging to a schedule. I tend to binge when I have the time and interest and then sometimes go most of the working week without posting. Probably it is a good thing I don’t check my stats.
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Sounds sensible!
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My numbers are much lower than yours but I’m currently having my best year since 2015, so I guess I’ve been lucky in finding new people who actually look at my blog! I agree on posting frequency: I think there is a balance to be struck between quality and quantity (says the guy who has posted more in the past two months than at any other time this year!).
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Very true, Clive. I mustn’t get into the habit of posting bilge just for the sake of posting. Readers are very discerning!
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Thanks for this analysis of your figures, Stevie. I don’t often look at mine but intend to in the next day or two for the same reason you did. I have been posting only my Monday Memories for a good while now and they have attracted some interesting comments. That has only two more to go (taking me neatly to the end of the year) and I have to decide what to do next. I have a few ideass but I’m not going to reveal them here!
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Go on… reveal them and then I can copy!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for re-blogging. Happy Christmas!
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And to you, Stevie…
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I can’t help wondering how you know so much about Bitcoin. Have you tried it?
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Research…
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I agree, less is more when it comes to blogging. A few short interesting posts are much better than one a day no matter what. I think posting once or twice a week is perfect. Your posts are always interesting and a nice mix of topics. I have met other interesting bloggers here and I enjoy the short story contest. I don´t have time to read long blogs, no matter how interesting. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks Darlene. One or two posts a week is also less stressful from the point of view of having to think up topics to write about!
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Exactly! And no one likes their inbox filled up.
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Especially with yet another blog from the same person. I’m afraid I would only comment on one or two of them and ignore the rest.
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I wonder the same thing, I try and mix up the content, posting three times a week but it all takes time away from actually writing. There are so many blogs now that you have to stand out, I like the variety of posts on here so I tend to keep visiting. Hopefully, my site has its regulars too. There’s always room for a new idea, I’m trying blog hops which seem to be gaining me viewers, who knows what will be next? As for your question; Is it worth being a writer? I wouldn’t stop because I love the process of creation. I’m never going to be rich but fortune and fame brings its own problems.
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Yes Richard, we’ll never be rich, but it’s a great hobby. I found that too many blog hops took me away from writing, so I just stick to the Monday one now.
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Well said, Richard! I’m discovering that while I enjoy reading others’ blogs, at some point, there are only a certain number of minutes in a day. Retirement has given me this luxury, but I also have too many other interests. What’s the saying? “It’s a nice problem to have.” As I like to joke with one of my retired brothers, “How the hell did we find the time to work?” 🤣🤣🤣
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Lol, I’ve heard that said before too. Yes there are only a certain number of minutes in a day, and that’s why I don’t write (or read) very long blogs.
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I’m plodding along with minimal promotion, publishing and blogging largely for my own amusement. I also don’t know how I found time to work, the more blogs I read and comment on, the more time is taken up with engagement. And I do want to have a life outside the internet. As I seem to get quite a few views on my blog, despite the low key approach, I must be doing something right. I’m checking your blog out now, it’s very interesting.
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We have to be careful not to let the ‘engagement’ side of things take over. It can become an addiction, and any addiction is bad.
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I appreciate posts such as this, Stevie, since I’ve been doing this blogging deal less than a year. I’m interested in the feelings of those who have been at it for some time. Thanks for the honest assessment.
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You’re welcome. Sometimes it’s a pain, but always good on the days when you receive a spike in your stats!
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Great effort, but yes, much work…
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Unfortunately, yes.
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The greatest things in life take work, as you know. But it all adds up to sands through the hourglass and what you personally need. Be kind and loving to yourself… 💖
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Thanks for your comment. Happy Christmas to you and your family. x
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