Just out of curiosity I decided to check how many hits I’ve received on this blog since I started it last October. The magic number is 2,781. I’m not quite sure what to make of it.
On the one hand I’m immensely pleased — because that number means I’ve written stuff that people have actually read, and that’s a pretty good feeling. On the other hand, when I play the dreaded comparison game, it means I’m not getting the amount of traffic some other blogs do.
Should I be upset about this? Should I be trying harder to generate more traffic? Should I change what I write about to give my blog more of a mass appeal factor?
Funny thing, while I sit here typing away — I don’t think I should be or do any of those things. I’m quite happy with my little blog space, and I have to say I am genuinely fond of the ‘regulars’ who check in on me and post their comments. I look forward to checking in on them and seeing what is going on in their worlds and leaving my comments for them.
Some might say it’s a funny way to have a friendship, or even that it is a cop-out on friendship, but I would disagree. I didn’t start out writing a blog to make more friends; I’ve never been one of those who gathers friends easily. In fact, I can count the number of GOOD friends I’ve had in my life on one hand. And for me, that is more than enough.
That said, I am so very grateful for the connections I’ve made through my writing and blogging and I value each one of them as if they were a friend. So, I feel I owe a great big thank you to everyone who has dropped by for a visit and stuck with me throughout the past year. Your interest has contributed to that number — 2,781 hits — and I am truly honoured.
Will I ever be featured on Freshly Pressed? That thought has been bothering me a bit lately. And then, I sat down to think about it, which led to me checking on my all-time hits, which led to this little rumination. I don’t care if I’m ever ‘Freshly Pressed’, I do care that people I care about have checked me out 2,781 times.
My day is made — thanks everyone!
All That Matters 
You should be proud! This is something you set out to do and you did it. That is more than a lot of us can say. You are doing something that you love and sharing it with everyone. I think that in and of itself is huge. Because you are exposing yourself to other people’s comments/critique. Ithink you are a brave and lovely person, and I hope I am counted as one of those “friends” on your one hand.
Love you!
Congrats on your accomplishments!
Thanks, Lori — and you know it ‘sistah’!
Well done, I agree that special friends are worth way more than nameless hitters.
I would hate to be on Freshly Pressed.
Thanks Cindy, I don’t know that I’d hate it, but I really don’t think it would mean all that much to me, but then I have to ask: what if I wrote a book and thousands of people bought it. . .?
Kathy, it’s interesting how we learn about this blogging world and pick up ‘stuff’ that could easily cause us to become discontent with what started out as a labour of love. I started my blog for two reasons. First, a couple of friends with blogs encouraged me to start sharing my writing and the stuff I like to write about. Second, the good ol’ Guides kept giving the message to get this going. I’ve been tempted to disbelieve the messages, but when I have almost made a decision to quit blogging, the most incredible little ‘coincidences’ occur.
There have been times that I have cried (good tears) over comments made by readers. There have been times when just the right comment gives me motivation to ‘go for’ the next article on my mind. Hopefully, I’m made of sturdy enough stuff to ward off negative input or nasty comments.
But when push comes to shove, I’m writing because I want to be doing something for God. Silly? Tacky? Inane? Doesn’t matter. I totally love telling stories and I love the idea that the story may get people thinking. Hopefully they are deceivingly simple, but stick to the soul like velcro.
So when there doesn’t seem to be much readership in my blog, I just say to God, “Well, I sure hope you still remember how to read!”
And finally, Kathy, I ran across a blog that is powerfully helpful to bloggers. The woman has been blogging for years and loves helping new bloggers. She just did an article about this very thing – getting all snared up by comments and numbers of readers, etc. Her opinion is backed by other seasoned bloggers who say – write what you love. Here’s the link – it’s really a great help: http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/youre-not-a-failure/
Thanks Amy for such an insightful response. I’ll definitely check out your suggestion. Seriously, I can use all the help I can get!
First off – your photographs are AMAZING!!! Secondly, I too have been ‘worried’ at times about how many people have viewed my writing…finally, I have got that out of my system and realised that it is quality and not quantity that matters. Like you, I’m just thrilled that I have been able to keep up blogging for almost a full year – that’s alamost a miracle in itself! Your writing is amazing my friend, and ultimately, you should write for yourself first, and for the wider audience second.
Oh and some people kind of ‘work’ their blogs, thus getting more hits…personally, I’d prefer to spend as much time as I can on the actual writing itself and in visiting those blogs that interest me. And. like you, I consider those few cherished people as friends.
Have a good day xx
Thank you Chloe — it’s so nice to hear from you. I find, as I visit the sites I do, that the writing just keeps getting better and better. I’m inspired by what I see you all doing, and encouraged by the leaps of faith we writers take each day in putting our words out there. This collaboration we’ve got going on has helped me immensely.