I’m taking a walk down memory lane and reassessing my blogging goals.
Mid-May last year.
I’d been blogging for a month.
I was enjoying writing out my every whim and sending it out into the ether.
It was cathartic. It was liberating.
I felt that for the first time in a long time I had a voice.
Then one day, I looked at my statistics and saw that I’d had 20 page views in one day.
Possibly one of the most exciting days in my blogging history.
20 page views.
When I think about it, my excitement was probably on par with being named in the Kidspot Top 50 this year.
And what that shows is not a lack of respect for the Top 50.
Far from it.
It shows how 20 page views can be empowering.
So, with my 20 page views, and after reading some of my favourite blogs, I really committed myself.
I decided that I was going to really make a go of this.
And I gave myself some practical blogging goals.
By mid-May this year, I wanted to:
A) Still be blogging
B) Get up to 200 page views a week.
Well, May 2011 Daisy?
You’re still blogging.
You’ve taken a step back.
You don’t post every day, or every second day anymore.
But you are still committed.
You also get more than 200 page views a week.
You smashed your goals out of the park.
There’s a little community here now.
And although lately I’ve been lax replying to comments and getting around to other blogs, I’m still here.
And page views, statistics and likers are the furthest thing from my mind.
I am finding that the more I focus on stats the more I am ungrateful for them.
And I don’t want to be ungrateful.
I like remembering the excitement of 20 page views in one day.
20 people, reading my blog. My words.
Taking time out of their day for two minutes, to care about what I have to say.
Thats humbling. Special. And really awesome.
This year my goals are less specific in terms of numbers, and more specific in a big picture kind if way.
This year, with this blog, I want:
A) To integrate blogging into my life more efficiently.
You may have already noticed me doing so.
I’m posting less, commenting less, spending less time on social media in general.
The commenting is something I want to work on. Because commenting and receiving comments is actually the BEST thing about blogging, hands down.
The catch cry is always balance. And balance is hard.
I want blogging to be a part of my life, not my whole life.
But I’ll continue to wobble along.
B) To still be blogging a year from now.
To still love blogging a year from now.
C) To get to know my readers better.
I want this real-life lane to be a two way street.
I’ve asked you to de-lurk yourselves before, but now I’m asking you to do it again.
I want to know a few things:
Do you blog? If so, what’s your blog address. I need to go there and visit.
Why do you read blogs? Comeraderie? Just for kicks?
When do you read blogs? Morning? Noon? Night?
Where do you read blogs? Work? Home? The backyard? The toilet?
4pm in the pantry with the chocolate stash and a glass of wine?
And finally, what led you here, today? What made you click through, or open your email?
Gold star for anyone that answers all those questions.
“Awesome” stamp for anyone that shares their favourite Daisy Roo and Two post with the group!
I love this post. I have been thinking of my goals lately and I really should write them down. Congratulations on the Top 50. That is fantastic!
My blog is http://www.redcliffestyle.com
I would love you to visit. Rachel xx
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..Things I am loving. Vlog #1
I read blogs in this little bit of morning peace before my 7 year old gets up, just my freezing toes and a hot coffee. Then I catch up again in the after dinner bit of the day. I love to read and I love to write, people are ok too, most of the time =)
My blogs linked (I blog for therapy). I was over the moon yesterday, I had my first creepy email from a reader.. you have to mark these things!
oxox
Hannah recently posted..Australian History? (Part B)
I blog at http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com
Why? It’s an online scrapbook! My kids get to read it in twenty years time!
When? Usually in the evenings, but I click through links from Facebook when they catch my eye.
Where? Usually at my big computer in the lounge, but the freedom of my very own iPad is changing those habits, now it’s usually on the couch!
What lead m here today? Your titles are usually pretty catchy, so I want to read what you’re rambling about today.
Cate recently posted..less pinterest, more do | milo slice
I love reading your blog Daisy! By far one of my favourites
I am (very) very new to blogging and cant wait to get to the 20 page view mark!! Totally understand that excitment!
My Mummy Daze has been a godsend in helping me set up my little ‘hobby’
my blog is joandcoh.blogspot.com – would love you to stop by sometime and check it out.
I read blogs in the morning, and noon, and night! Bit of a sucker
Thaks to iphones and the like, I read them everywhere! Home, the park when I sohould be watching my son and yep, on the loo!
as usual your post turn out to be fantastic! I love it. thanks for posting.
Carol recently posted..moving companies
Hi daisy, I agree – best part is the comments – so incredibly rewarding. Not that anyone blogs for comments!! But it’s certainly a great kick to read that someone gets you and appreciates what you have to share.
I read blogs middle of day when my girls are napping, and at night when they sleep. Occasionally squeeze in a read in the morning, just like now! Bloglovin is the easiest way to keep track – but normally read from iPhone!
I can’t remember how I found your blog – via twitter maybe?? However it was, I’m glad I did!
Best wishes with your new goal setting! Elisa xx
http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com
Elisa recently posted..Looking at you, when you’re not looking at me
You have done so well to come so far in just 12 months! Brilliant
I blog at http://www.hesitanthousewife.net
I usually read blogs when my little one is asleep, and I am ‘old school’ and read them on my computer. I love having a peek into others peoples lives, and I love the sense of community a good blog develops. xx
Jane @ The Hesitant Housewife recently posted..Hospital Daze.
I have been blogging since about july last year, I am slowly getting a few readers. I am not truly out there as yet but I would really like to. I think my goeal is going to be stalking other blogs and pasting my website all over theirs! Thanks for that opportunity!!!!
On a serious note mine is about being a mummy to three girls under 8,dealing with my depression, anxiety issues. These days its more about me trying to get past it all.
I love reading other blogs because it make me feel human. If you know what I mean? Everyone goes through their own hills and valleys.
Katie Rawlinson recently posted..Times are tough
Daisy you are in my blog feed, so I read pretty much all of your blog posts.
I probably read blogs morning, noon and night. 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there. My most regular routine is to sit down with my lunch and read. I do not sit in front of the TV and I don’t generally sit with my kids. I usually feed them separately.
I’m not sure why I read blogs. I guess I love the real life behind it. I was always a reader of autobiographys over fiction if you know what I mean. I’d rather read a blog than a trashing magazine.
I love blogging myself because I enjoy being creative, I love the photo taking, the editing, the stimulation I get from thinking about what I’d like to talk about. Also the fact that people join in and now I don’t feel lonely when I am at home. In fact I no longer crave the need to be out of the house, because I feel like in a way I’m social, I’m connected.
I blog at http://www.alittlespacelikehome.com it’s random, as is life, about kids craft, my craft, fitness, meals, and anything to do with parenting and family life. I’m sure it will evolve as my life does.
Congrats on reaching your goals and running straight past them. Well deserved.
Mandy recently posted..Giveaway: Lenards Chicken Voucher
Congrats on coming so far in a year, it’s a credit to you. I agree that commenting both ways is the best bit about blogging.
I tend to read at night, occasionally if I can get the cherubs napping all together at the same time it will be a sneaky lunch time read. I tend to choose what to read by the first couple of sentences or the title, if they don’t draw me in I skim past. A good photo will get me every time too. I do blog http://muddyfarmwife.blogspot.com and I do it for me, to have something outside of the kids and to share the happenings with friends and family and to make new friends. I’ve found that it’s also really made me take more photos and improve the photos I take, so I really love this aspect of it.
Have I rambled enough now? Hope I answered all your questions!
Nat – Muddy Farmwife recently posted..Feeling the Pressure
Yes! Gold star for you! I try for sneaky lunch time reading too, but like you say it’s hard to get them all down at once!
I read while my daughter is asleep in the ergo carrier on my lap.. it’s enforced rest time each day for me! I enjoy reading about the real lives of other mum’s and families.. forget glossy, air-brushed, expensive magazines – give me a slice of cake and some ‘real reading’ anyday!
I started my blog, http://listography10things.wordpress.com/, about 3 weeks ago.. I’ve been guest posting at http://www.thenappyspot.com/ for a bit longer though!
Nat recently posted..Things that make me sneeze..
Yes! Cake and real life is way better!
I love the sound of your virtual voice!!
xxxx
For me, it’s also all about the community way out here in the sphere.
Congratulations on kicking some blogging goal butt.
Mum on the Run recently posted..52 Week Project : Wk 35
Thanks Shar!
Yeah, it’s the community that I love too. The support and being supportive and having people know what you are going through – and known there are others out there going through the same thing – its priceless!
I love reading your blog Daisy. Your self depreciating sense of humor is very similar to mine and I like the way you think.
I am a reader, I used to devour every bit of print I could get my hands on, but now, life has gotten in the way, and I find reading blogs is great for relaxation and way more stimulating than women’s magazines. I love the sense of community and different voice that each blog in my reader has.
I usually read at night, which as I am already 2 hours behind most, I always feel like I have missed out on the viewing of a show, always late to the boat! I had thought about getting up early to read them, but feel I should ,are the most of Master 2 sleeping til 7 am while it lasts!!!!
Congrats on achieving your goals for the year and here’s to the next blogging year!
I am at http://www.pinkelephantsandlemonade.com, which will hopefully be evolving into http://www.bossymummy.com in the near future
Chantel xx
Haha,I don’t think I could ever make myself get up to read blogs if my children were still sleeping! I agree, stay in bed!
I love that logging can be done and read whenever (and practically wherever) these days!
Do you blog? Yes my blog address is below
Why do you read blogs? Comeraderie? Just for kicks? I read them for entertainment, information and many other things
When do you read blogs? Morning? Noon? Night? i read them mostly during the day on weekdays.
Where do you read blogs? Work? Home? The backyard? The toilet? home on the computer or iphone sometimes on the loo. yes im a loo blogger.
And finally, what led you here, today? What made you click through, or open your email? Well I always read you blog and always love to comment. Most days I become a comment whore and just comment on all the blogs.
Salz recently posted..I am that mother
Thanks Salz! I love to comment on other blogs! It really is my favorite thing about blogging! I am struggling to find time at the moment, but I do my best!
I’ve only just started a blog, though I’ve had other blogs in the past.
I started reading family/”Mummy” blogs when I found out I was pregnant after an 11 yr gap. I spend more time reading blogs now then I do reading books!
I read whenever I get a chance, usually while breastfeeding or holding a squirming baby.
I’m trying to work out the best way to read blogs on my ipad and iphone. I’m new to the ipad (Mothers day present yay!) so still working it out.
I use bloglines on my laptop, and I clicked through to comment, mostly I just read blogs on bloglines.
My fav Daisy post ever was your makeup vlog!
Wendy S recently posted..My Milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…
Oh you are going to LOVE your iPad! Every now and then I use the feeddler RSS app, which just links in with your google reader, but toucan easily add others to it — but usually I just open a bunch of links from Facebook and Twitter and hit the “Reader” option in the URL bar. That way I can read fast and comment where I like!
I have a personal blog on Tumblr and it gets me all giddy and happy on the inside when I see the number of my followers climbing up. That means something more, right? I know that feeling.
Mae Davis recently posted..Wonder Wheeler Specials
It’s so great to see follower numbers going up! I think it’s really motivating, but at the same time shouldn’t be the focus of blogging. Which is easier said than done! Thanks for dropping by!
I really like your goals for this year! I like your point on get to know your readers, the interactivity between blogger and his/her audience is very important in the online community.
Edith recently posted..Eine wundervolle Stadt: München
I agree 100% Edith!
Congratulations on reaching your goals Daisy! Awesome achievements!
Sounds like many of us are stepping back a little and trying to find a rightful place for this crazy hobby that we love.
Love your work. xx
Lee recently posted..Belated #photoadayApril
Yes, I think so Lee. I think we’re all trying to make blogging fit into our lives rather than making our lives work around blogging. Hard to do but so essential to be able to keep going!
I blog but my blog is dead right now! NFI why – am trying to fix it.
I read blog for advice, tips, ideas, community, for kicks. I love reading other mum’s stories and experiences and also love being inspired to try new things or see life from another point of view.
I read on my mobile and my browser using Google reader. I read in snatches of time, never really a big chunk of sit down and read time. I read mostly at night esp at putting kids to bed time, from their bed side while pat, pat, patting.