If you ask me this question, it is with a sense of freedom that I'll answer, "I don't know."
When I first signed up on Stat Counter, which I use to track how many people visit my blogs, I visited the site frequently to check my numbers. I'd feel a thrill when my numbers were high, and self-doubt when they dipped.
When I got started with BlogHer Ads, that added even more urgency. My ad revenues are based on how many people visit my sites (and how many ads the powers that be at Blog Her have sold.) I'd frequent both Stat Counter and the site where my ad revenues are tracked. I opened the sites with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Eventually, though, the excitement part became overshadowed by my nerves. I knew if I checked my numbers and they were low, I'd be disappointed. So I started checking less frequently, and eventually realized I'd stopped altogether.
What a relief! I got a check from Blog Her Ads yesterday. I hadn't expected it, and I didn't know how much it would be. Opening it was fun! I don't make nearly enough money to consider blogging a job. (My hourly wage would be pitifully low.) By forgetting about the stats and the money, I'm able to enjoy blogging as a hobby again.
I'm not promising to never check those numbers again. I'm sure eventually I will. But for now, I'll keep writing, and if you want to read it, you can bring on the hits. I won't even feel it.
14 comments:
How right you are, Beth. When I first started blogging, I faithfully checked my numbers every day, but I have gradually gotten away from that and it has been very "freeing".
The stat counter is a little like the scale -- it is amazing how the "numbers" can make or break how you feel about yourself. But, at least with the scale, you can do something about it. With the stats it is really out of our control. We write it, and either people come to read it, or they don't! But, we've still had the satisfaction of writing it.
Beth,
I know what you mean! I don't use blogger ads as yet but I live and die by the number of hits and comments. As a photographer, just as you , the writer...we can't help but take some pride or shame by the success of a post. Why did we get into this???
Dan
I know what you mean. I have the same stat counter on both my life blog and my photography blog (registered under my real identity, so it's not attached to my life blog).
In all honesty I'm desperate for people to like me. I know I shouldnt' care, but I do. That's just me. So when I don't get any hits, my heart sinks. But when I get loads at one time, it makes me so happy.
All I know about your blog is that I love to read it. Whenever I see you've posted, I make a point of reading it. Keep going and don't doubt yourself.
Good for you and same for me. I use to check my stats way too regularly, but then I realized that whenever I was checking I wasn't writing or reading or spending time with my family. I sure wasn't going to be recalling stats on my death bed. I'm done with it for sure.
For me, it's not the hits that make or break how I feel about blogging. It's the number of comments. Even though the number of followers continues to grow (and a quick check of google analytics says visits are steady or increasing), fewer comments really make me feel low.
I'm not gonna lie - I'd love to have a million hits and get rich and quit my job. But like you, I'm not obsessed with it and mostly enjoy blogging just for the sake of it.
for minimum wage calclate the actual time it took you to write each post into this
while i understand why you dont check, it doesn't work for most blogs. Mine for example has topics on a crap-ton of things, as well as reviews, and i like to know what people want, so i can proivde more of it
also, statistically, for my sports postings, i need that information for the teams PR people
I honestly forget to check my stats for both my blogs. When I remember, I check it and like when I get hits for any one post. I am happy people enjoy what I write.
I check a lot because my public blog is still so new. I try not to worry about it too much and it's a good thing too because my blog is very low traffic! I'm trying to figure out how to get it more "out there" so if you have any tips let me know! And by the way I always enjoy your posts. :)
You're brave.
I check mine every morning when I first wake up. Seriously.
Beth,
I followed your advice when you did your voice blog, or whatever you called it. LOL sorry.
I joined up for a stat counter, it counts at my blog.
I started writing a shorter blog.
I now have 3 followers!!
I am getting many more responses. Because of the responses I don't feel the anxiety to check to see if I have been read.
I still haven't figured out how to make my blog attractive but it will come with time I guess.
Thanks so much.
Sandra--I think the scale analogy is a great one!
Dan--We got into it because we love it! Gotta make sure the numbers don't interfere with that. :)
Lara--I like your honesty! Don't most of us just want people to like us?? Thank you so much for your kindness!
Cate--I definitely still put a ton of stock in the # of comments. I wish they weren't so important to me!
Barga--I agree--some people NEED to know their stats. If I start selling my own ads I'll have to. For now I'm enjoying not having to know though!
Ana V.--That is a great attitude!
Janell--I left a comment on your blog! :)
Beki--Yours is more tied to your income than mine is, though. So I think you have more reason to check!
Trudy--Hooray! I'm so glad you're getting more interest! That's fantastic! :)
you have one thing that we dont, a large COMMENT base
see, i have a ton of readers, but few comments, so i like to keep people comign back. This way i know what they read and like, so i keep posting similar things
now, if they commented, i would be with you
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