I’d really like to get some feedback from more experienced bloggers on this. I’m into my fifth month of this blog now. It’s been growing slowly but steadily—32 followers now (not sure if this includes those using the rss feed, as I don’t think there’s a way to track them).
The problem is that starting last month my traffic stats took a big dive. This shows up most clearly on the monthly summary, taken two days ago:
WordPress traffic stats
My question is what caused the sudden drop off in traffic in June? You can see my top post, in May, got 36 hits. My best since then is 18 on this post. Most are under ten.
Is it just that summer is here and people are spending less time on their computers? I’ve noticed a number of bloggers saying they are taking a break, either posting less frequently or not at all.
Could it be related to me deciding around that time to spend less time reading—and more importantly, commenting on—other blogs?
Or is it that my posts are not interesting to most people who see them? I hope that doesn’t sound needy or whiny. It’s just that as an Aspie I’m often interested in subjects that most people aren’t. So I’m used to people not wanting to listen to what I want to talk about.
Over the years I’ve gotten better at realizing when someone is politely trying to change the subject and letting them. But if I’m in a talkative mood and they seem to be listening, even if they’re just humoring me, I’ll talk their ear off.
So I’d really like to hear from you. Tell it like it is! Don’t worry, I’m not a crazy. I’ve never been a vengeful person. I find holding a grudge takes too much mental energy. And I’ve developed a pretty thick skin over the years (I’ve had to, being such a misfit). So I’m not going to insult you, or go to your blog and harass you, or give your book(s) bad reviews, or whatever else angry people do on the internet.
If there’s something I could do to make my posts better, please tell me. More concise? Better organized? More interesting/relevant topics? Is there something you’d like me to write about? Something you’d like to know about my experience with Asperger’s? I’m open to suggestions. If you don’t want to comment publicly, feel free to use my Contact form.
I don’t want to get into obsessing about SEO, or trying to “market” myself. That’s just not me. But I’d like write stuff that people actually want to read, so I’m not just talking to myself.
Related articles
- Parenting blogs analytics study (slideshare.net)
- “Where’d You Go?” (regardingtess.com)
Hmmmmm….. *goes off to look at her stats*
Ohhhh, snap! Lol….it must be the summer. I don’t often check my monthly stats, but, I had noticed a slight dip. I’ve only been blogging properly since the first of Jan
Soooo, I’m no expert, but, I think there are 3 things that have really helped me get my blog “out there*
1…do your updates automatically upload to FaceBook. I get a lot of hits through doing that, and have picked up a few followers.
2…comment on other blogs, take an active interest in the blogs you follow and build relationships.
3…have people do guest posts on your blog, or guest on other peoples.
Other than that I think a blogging s heckle can help, and also posting daily, or at least every other day.
Hope that helps
Xx
Thanks for commenting, Vikki. Yeah, I only looked at the monthly stats because it illustrated the drop best, but I noticed it in the daily stats first. I had actually wondered if WordPress had changed something (like maybe no longer counting the spammers).
I’m not on Facebook, so no, not automatically uploading there 8^). I don’t know if I have time to do anything there other than notify of blog posts. Do you post different material on FB as well as your blog posts?
I do try to comment on other blogs, but I’m definitely doing less than I used to. I’ve got a limited amount of time available, and I’m already not spending much of it writing.
I thought about guest posting elsewhere, but it’s hard enough to keep up with posting here at least once a week. I don’t think anyone else would be interested in guest posting here, with so little traffic. There’s no way I’d be able to keep up with a daily or even every other day schedule.
And there lies the rub honey.
From what I’ve seen and learnt you have to put time into blogging if you want lots of followers and lots of hits, and then you’ll end up in a state like I have lol
http://the-view-outside.com/2012/07/18/what-to-do-what-to-do-shakes-head/
It’s so hard to find a balance
Good luck
Xx
Yeah, I’m sure I could grow my readership faster if I put more time into it. But like your husband said to you in your post, I’d have to choose between blogging and writing. I don’t want to give up on my writing. That’s how I ended up blogging in the first place. It would be kind of putting the cart before the horse.
I’m satisfied with the slow, steady growth I’m getting anyway. I was just worried about the sudden drop in traffic and whether it indicates there’s something wrong with my posts.
It’s a fine line isn’t it
But there is definitely nothing wrong with your posts
Xx
*mutter grumble blooming iPad mutter grumble*
Blogging schedule I meant
Xx