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3/14/2023 How do you measure blogging success? Followers, page views, interactions, etc.
Answer: The answer to this has changed over the years.
At first, I had no measure of success because I was sure no one would ever even see my blog!
Once book blogging became a thing then I will admit it was all about followers. I started in 2010 and I did all the giveaways, weekly memes, follow trains and you could get 100 followers in a weekend- easily. It wasn't just about #'s to me though - back then we all talked and shared books/supported each other and it was fun.
The next phase was was when BEA and book conferences, Netgalley and publishers/authors requesting that you review their books. And that can get pretty heady and you accept everything. Then have to keep up with stats to stay int hat pipeline.
That's when things started changing for me. It was less fun, I felt like I had to push myself to stay in the loop and the good graces of publishers. So success was measured in whatever it took to stay there or grow bigger. People just stopped on your blog so you would visit their blog. It was all just a numbers game with loads of pressure and no real connection And I hated it.
Fast forward past several slumps and existential blog crises 🤣later I just want low stress blogging and success = being happy, and under zero pressure.
Really, the biggest measure of success at this point sounds hokey but it's true - the friends I've made and continue to make. The interactions even beyond the blog comments. I've been at this for so long that I've made REAL friends. We've gone through births, deaths, huge life changes and I've had more support from my blogger friends than I ever got from real life friends.
Am I so above it all that I don't want more followers and page views? No lol No-one wants to blog into a void but it's not my priority and I'm not up that challenge anymore so I had to let that all go.
Omg I forgot about the dang memes, follow trains and the giveaways. So many giveaways. So many author interviews and posts. So much extra work
ReplyDeleteIt was fun at first but then it just became about getting the follows and page views. So much work for so little real interaction.
DeleteI am definitely with you. I want this to be a fun hobby, and I want real engagement. I count myself lucky to have a small but great group of bloggers I have interacted with regularly for years.I consider that a success.
ReplyDeleteI'm not blogging consistently so it's hard to build anything that way but I'm good with everything the way it is and having my core group to chat with.
Delete"People just stopped on your blog so you would visit their blog. It was all just a numbers game with loads of pressure and no real connection And I hated it."
ReplyDeleteI remember those times...for a while, I've tried my hands at some memes and whatnot to promote my blog - because of course, I won't deny that was the primary reason - but I've always tried to write meaningful comments (and I've found myself making friends in the process) while...some people just stopped by and said "great post, check up mine" and I made a hasty retreat LOL.
But I did meet you back then!
Yeah, in the very early days people participated in all of that in good faith. To truly meet and support each other. So, yes it was more work, but you made real connections and followers. But then it became a mad rush to leave a comment ONLY to get a page view back.
DeleteSure your #'s were higher but no one was actually reading the posts or coming back.
I think those of us that remain have a good thing going now and I'm happy doing it and, for me, that's all that really matters.
I do remember how it was ALL about the followers in the beginning of the blogging community and thats how we kinda measured it all. I think though after time of being book bloggers, at least for me personally, its more the interactions and the relationships you build with others! I want true engagement. I do think its harder to build those connections now though. But there are book bloggers that I have met in person and chat on the phone with and its been such a blessing in my life. My numbers are higher than ever before, but I do care more about the people I am connecting with.
ReplyDeleteIt was about that in the beginning but it still felt genuine. Then it was just so ugly and competitive and a huge amount of pressure to keep up.
DeleteMy numbers stuck, but mostly because I'm barely blogging lol but it's OK. I'm not too invested in blogging a lot right now so I feel good about it all.
I still chat with everything's
Success being happy- yes to that. It has changed, hasn't it? I started in 2013 mostly so it surprised me to realize I've been doing this ten YEARS. And yes the friends are the best. But I like it better now? Less pressure, more fun to just relax.
ReplyDeleteI loved my first few years but it was a JOB lol So yes, much better now!
DeleteIt was. Feature and Follow, all the memes... ha ha
DeleteBut it was fun back then anyway right?? At least, I felt like it was coming from a genuine place. Then it just became for clicks and follows. People would visit your blog for under 30 seconds and say nice post just so you would visit back lol Even with all the work in the early days it seemed like people truly wanted to connect.
Delete"Great post, here's mine" always makes me laugh :):)
DeleteI've been around a long time too but I never did many of the giveaways or went to the book conferences. I just posted what I wanted and people started reading which is nice. I never though I would have so many readers.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe anyone read my blog lol
Delete*Stands and applauds*
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have written this any better if I had done it myself. I also started in 2010 and went through EVERY motion you did before getting to where I am. I just like reading and reviewing the books. The numbers no longer matter to me. Being the top reviewer for publishers to reach out to, no longer matters. I very rarely go on Netgalley anymore. I just do my own thing and read whatever books interest me instead of trying to be the first to blog about such and such book. My bookish goal was to go to RT Booklover Convention and I got to do that right before they closed up shop and changed hands/name to something else. I guess you could say that I feel fulfilled in what I've done and am happy to just chug along at my own speed now.
Really, it's do it this way or quit for me. I have no desire to stress over it anymore or hit some kind of numbers. It's fine for people who do! That's not where I'm at anymore though.
DeleteYeah, I remember when it felt like followers were the most important thing. But constantly exchanging comments 1 for 1 just for the numbers game, half of them from people who clearly didn't even read the post, felt more like a chore than a fun hobby. I don't have a real measure of success now, I'm just doing my thing lol.
ReplyDeleteSame. If I'm enjoying myself and don't feel pressure, then I'm happy.
DeleteLike you, my measure of success has followed a trajectory of following the latest trends over the past 12 years. I'm at a point now where I've realized my blog has the staying power if for no other reason than the sheer longevity. I care less about views and getting the hottest ARC delivered to my door and more about having genuine connections with readers and just enjoying the process of sharing the books I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly where I'm at right now. I don't think you can last this long any other way. Unless you make money off your blog and it's an actual job - then you have to fight through the highs and lows of it.
DeleteYes... the push was to have the google followers. When Google dropped it, we were all like "How are we going to see people like me?" hehe! I also remember feeling super successful when I had a quote from one of my reviews published in a book. That was a different time. Now it's all about having fun!
ReplyDeleteEven though we were in a race to get followers - it was fun and genuine at first - and then it was ugly and competitive and it all went south for me then. I have never really recovered from it in the sense that I've never regained that drive to blog like I did. I am, however, having fun again and don't feel any pressure.
DeleteNow, after almost ten years, it's monthly hits, I guess. That stat helps me get discounts on Etsy and free shipping sometimes, ha ha. That combined with getting ARCs of books I really want to read, saving me money... especially when I end up hating them and it would have been a total waste of money! Those two things help me feel better about doing this for free. 😁
ReplyDeleteAlso, seeing under the radar books I've helped promote become popular/semi-popular. That also feels like success for me, too. 🤗
I used to have a co-host for Tell Me Tuesday, and she told me that my blog was never going to go anywhere because "I blog about books no one wants to know about" but I'm still blogging and she is not. Ha! 😏
That's great that you get Etsy discounts. I didn't even know that was a thing.
DeleteFor me, right now, I just want 0 obligation or pressure, so that's no arc's. Which makes it harder to have a measurable success point. I'm not really blogging much so it's hard to have stats or follows or event o expect people to keep coming back...but that's why it's more about my happiness in doing it at all at this point.
That's hilarious about your co-host. There was a big blogger years ago that did some kind of post about what you should or shouldn't post about as a book blogger. She said said something like - don't post abut your kids or pets. No one cares about them or your pet rock lol
I'm so glad we seem to be past the "how to blog correctly " phase. I love reading those personal touches on blogs and it was sad to see so many people take the "rules" to heart and remove them. And then quit because it wasn't fun anymore.
When I had been blogging a few months there was a blogger who told me that my blog suffered from "personality leakage". 😆 Yet she always entered my gift certificate giveaways. 🙄
DeleteHahaha! I just feel like...find whatever blog/bloggers fit your vibe ya know?? lol You don't need to read blogs you don't like. What the hell good is a personal blog if you can't showcase your personality??!!
Delete😎
DeleteHey stopping by :):)
ReplyDeleteTroll ;-)
DeleteGreat post. Here's mine.
DeleteCan't resist :):):
How do I measure blogging success? In a word (or two): I don't. I do not view my blog as a success/failure endeavor. And I pay zero attention to followers/hits or whatever metrics people use to determine "success." Like you, I have a very low-key, no-stress approach to blogging. I enjoy the connection I have made with other book bloggers and readers and that's really all I need. :)
ReplyDeleteTHIS!!!
DeleteI hate the numbers game... It hurts the soul. I mean, you need to find a balance if you want to get your hands on certain arcs etc but mostly I just want to have bookish SM feeds I can safely shit scroll without my MH taking a hit and my blog space to keep myself happy.
ReplyDeleteI don't get (or rarely get) arc's anymore so I've totally stopped worrying about it.
DeleteSM is becoming a perilous place though. I had sort of muted and curated myself into a good place but certain billionaires keep buying up crap and ruining it and certain politicians hog up all the space and it just kills my soul.
We've been blogging for so long! LOL I do like getting comments and knowing that people are actually visiting and reading, but I don't need tons. I've definitely made real friendships and I love that.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
No one wants to blog into a void but I think it becomes less about specific #'s and stats than connections over time.
DeleteAlthough I haven't blogged much at all over the past couple of years, the recent, deep yearning I have to blog again measures my blogging success. Yes, I would like the followers, commentors, and interaction, but this tug to blog again comes from within me and is not motivated by outside factors. I say all of that to say, it took me awhile (thinking back to my 2016 reflection post), but I finally figured out that I blog for me. It's just an added a boon if anyone else joins me along my blogging journey.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!! I've almost quit several times but I end up missing everyone but I can't chase the arc's/stats/etc anymore. I just don't have that level of motivation (or time) these days so it' for fun and for me now.
Delete