Since I started this blog eleven years ago, I’ve had over 2.471 million visitors, 3300 on my busiest day, with over 35,000 comments on the 1,623 articles I’ve posted about writing. I have several columns:
- writer’s tips (sign up by clicking here)
- book reviews (usually Fridays)
- tech tips for writers (occasional)
- How I’m Doing (on my latest WIP, right now it’s Survival of the Fittest)
I also participate in three blog hops:
- #IWSG
- #AuthorToolboxBloghop
- #AtoZ (might not do this in 2019)
In between, I write what’s on my mind, but always about the art of writing.
If I didn’t look at the statistics on my blog, I would guess that the most read posts were about how to market what you write, but that’s not true. The series I wrote a couple of years ago on Genre Writing Tips was so popular I used that theme for my A to Z Challenge–and will again this year (there are a ton of genres) though not in the traditional #AtoZChallenge way. Then there is a series I call Descriptors–sixty-nine collections on how to describe a variety of stuff you include in your stories.
What a surprise to find out what you-all actually are reading. I am thankful for the WordPress statistics section. Here they are–my top 10 and bottom 10 of 2018:
Top Ten Hits
If I remove the description articles (which blew away the competition in number of readers), here are the top ten:
- 103 Most Beautiful Words? You Decide
- 35 Weird Traits Your Characters May Have
- 70 Collections to Infuse Your Writing
- 13 Tips for Cozy Mystery Writers
- Word Count by Genre
- How to Write
- 14 Websites to Read Free Digital Books
- 7 Tips for Literary Fiction Writers
- Book Launch–Born in a Treacherous Time
- 21 Tips from Strunk and White’s “Elements of Style”
Here are the top ten description articles:
- 65 Ways to Describe Sight and Eyes in Your Writing
- 51 Great Similes to Spark Imagination
- 72 Ways to Describe Sound
- 24 Ways to Describe Pain
- How to Show (Not Tell) Emotion–E to O
- How to Describe Nature
- How to Describe a Landscape
- 57 Ways to Describe Talking in a Novel
- How to Describe a Fight
- 29 Ways to Describe a Headache
Here are the ten that received the least amount of activity, but were no-less carefully-written:
Top Ten I Thought Would be Popular but missed the mark
- Is Your Character MacGyver-esque? Read On
- A Rejection Simply Means ‘No’
- This Guy’s Funny
- How to Publish Your Blog on Kindle
- 10 Tips Plus One More About Beautiful Words
- Book Review: A Study in Silks
- I’m Adopting a Word
- 5 Simple Ways to Bring Your Story to Life
- 27+ Tips I Wish I’d Known About Blogging
- Why is Honesty so Difficult as a Writer?
How about you? What topics did you write about that people couldn’t get enough of or couldn’t care less about? Hmm??
Oh–one more thing. I don’t have enough Twitter followers. If you would follow me, I’ll follow you back! Here’s the handle (with a link):
And one more thing: I’d love if you’d subscribe to my newsletter. Subscribers will be first to see the new cover for Survival of the Fittest–oh it is amazing!
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and Born in a Treacherous Time, first in the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for TeachHUB and NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Survival of the Fittest, Spring 2019, first in the Crossroads Trilogy. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning
Sometimes there’s just no accounting for which posts attracts eyeballs and which don’t. The articles I’ve written on craft, particularly anything specific to Save the Cat!, tend to get a lot of hits, but the blog itself didn’t start attracting regular commenters until I transitioned to more personal essays — those just connected/resonated with people in a very emotional way. I do more of the latter these days, and don’t spend a lot of time worrying about stats — which might make me a happier writer, but admittedly doesn’t make me a very efficient blogger!
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That’s a really good comment. Part of that–in your particular case–is your background and life is pretty darn interesting. The way you connect the dots and pursue life–I’m always intrigued. Dare I say entertained?
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Aw, bless your heart! I’m not a “smart” or strategic blogger, I just made a conscious decision to blog about my interests and experiences with as much honesty and enthusiasm as possible, and if readers happen to respond to it, I’m happy. There’s no “brand strategy” behind it; I just use the blog as an “intellectual incubator” — a place to air what’s on my mind and see if I can’t extract some kind of meaning or takeaway from it. There’s catharsis in writing, after all!
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Congrats on 11 years of blogging. I don’t pay attention to stats. WordPress used to send me something on my anniversary but they don’t do that anymore. Keep up the good work!!
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Me either! I see people posting announcements of anniversaries but I never get one. That’s OK. I’d rather not know!
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Great stats 🙂 I haven’t looked at mine in ages. I should probably make more use of them! I can’t believe I’m not following you on Twitter already! Followed now 🙂
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I only do it once a year. When I first started, I couldn’t stop looking. Then, I realized it just doesn’t matter much, slapped myself, and moved on.
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Great post, Jacqui! Your topics are interesting, and you stats are wonderful.
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Thanks, Jennie. And they’re always fun to write!
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Well, that makes it perfect! 🙂
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Jacqui, I admire your sense of organization. Thanks for this most useful post on your writing. 🙂
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It’s always interesting to see what works and doesn’t!
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That is a great range of articles, Jacqui. No wonder I’ve learnt a lot! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, skills and experience 😀
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It’s very much a give and take. I am so appreciative of the comments I get, the time people put into sharing their thoughts. Love it!
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It is wonderful to read people’s comments 😀
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Jacqui, you are the master statistician, but more than numbers is the passion and knowledge you put into your posts. I’m also surprised about the articles that didn’t generate much attention. I just tread your post about honesty – it is excellent, and I don’t know why I missed it the first time around.
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Thanks, Shari! Very early on, I realized that lousy headlines discouraged readers so I fixed that (kind of) but now, no idea!
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Titles and tags, ugh.
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Impressive stats…I love the writing tips that you share.
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Thanks! I need to get back to those. I’ve been busy with other things lately.
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You have an amazing blog, Jacqui. What drew me here originally were those description posts, and I haven’t left since. 2.4 million visits! Cough cough. Holy moley! 3300 in one day?!? Congrats!
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That’s interesting to hear, Diana. Thanks for sharing that (about what drew you to my blog).
I rarely get 3300. An average day is much closer to 1,000!
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Wow. That’s still huge. Amazing.
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I’m taking the month off of non-essential online activity, but I check my email 2x/day and couldn’t resist reading this post. Your blogs always resonate with me. I loved the blogging tips from #9, and #10 really resonates with me. In fact, I actually wrote a few posts on that topic this year. Here’s to a wonderful 2019!
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Thanks, Heather. I hope you enjoy your month off. I really loved giving myself permission to skip the online world for a few weeks. I feel wonderful.
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This is such an interesting analysis, Jacqui. I don’t really check my stats very often but I know my rambles and baking posts are more popular than others ones.
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I would guess your stats are amazing, Robbie. Readers must gravitate to your energy and enthusiasm. Happy 2019!
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Thank you, Jacqui. All the best for 2019 to you too.
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Thanks, Jacqui as always you’re on top of the latest in the world of writing, blogging and social media. I have noticed that the rules for writing and marketing shift every six months or so. You are the go-to person for what is the best and most up to date trends for authors and bloggers. Look forward to 2019 and its latest trends in your blog.
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Thanks, Grace. I have the luxury of working out of my home so can stay on top of lots of stuff I couldn’t do from the classroom. Love this life!
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You’re doing great with the blog thingy. Wish I had half your numbers. Keep it going!!!
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Thanks, Andrew. It took a while, and finding my focus. Please don’t look at some of my early posts!
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How interesting. I’ve not really looked at the statistics on my blog, and as you’ve proved, they provide some useful insights. Well done on your blogging history. That’s a lot of writing.
I wonder if the time-of-year had any impact on your statistics?
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They do, and I only look once a year. What surprises me is how people come to my blog for the same things every year, meaning I think I have a good focus.
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Definitely a good focus. I think an annual assessment is a good idea, I may have to follow your example.
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Eleven years in itself is quite the milestone, Jacqui. Congrats and keep up the great work. I hope your book is coming along too.
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The 11 years actually surprised me. Twere I asked, I’d say 6 or 7!
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I always enjoy your articles, so your stats come as no surprise to me! But I’m afraid I’m not a twitter person, so I can’t help you there.
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No worries. You notice I didn’t push Facebook–not my thing and less so with all of their bad news!
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Jacqui,
I don’t pay attention to the stats anymore. It’s too stressful. 🙂 What can I say, it’s numbers. lol You always bring interesting content to your site and while I’m not a ‘novelist’ I take something away from what you share to improve my blog writing.
You know, I’m undecided on participating in the A to Z Challenge this year, too. It’s a lot of fun but I’m feeling a bit drained. I don’t want to rule it out completely. I might get my second wind by the end of the month and decide to jump in with both feet.
Have a good day and keep it up, you’re doing something right with those stats! 😉
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Thanks, Cathy! I liked what I learned from AtoZ but felt I unnecessarily burdened my usual readers with all the posts! I’m thinking of stretching it out to a few a month this time.
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Hi Jacqui – I’ll be back to read properly … I don’t look at stats – just get on with writing the posts and am happy when I get comments. However I love the topics you cover and your blog – it’s a great resource to have to hand … and I know you’re there if I need help or advice. Congratulations on all your work – and here’s to a fun 2019 … see you again soon! Cheers Hilary
PS I suppose one question I could ask you to enlighten me (and perhaps us on) is the subject of privacy and cookies that each blog post seems to ‘throw up’ – as yours does … and what we need to do about them … just accept them, then clear the fields occasionally or what??!! Thank you – when you can …
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Yes, to the privacy bar that sits at the bottom of my blog as we chat. I ignore them now, once I found that ‘accepting’ was only for that page. Every time I go to a new page, it pops up again. Very annoying. It’s part of the European Union’s crackdown on privacy, mailing lists, that sort of stuff. Not a bad idea but I don’t think it’s well pushed out.
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Thanks Jacqui – good to know I can ‘ignore’ … it’s a pain all the constant extra button pushing one has to do to say no or not needed nowadays … though can understand – just wish the internet was full of good, well-intentioned people and we wouldn’t need the constant monitoring!! Cheers H
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Usually people like when I post high quality photos and talk about topics most relevant to them. Congrats on your blog!
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Good points. The one you posts from Time of the rhino last month–wow.
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Great collection and necessary topics…such valuable and informative blog…
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Thanks, Mihrank. I enjoy doing this.
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You’ve covered so many great topics, Jacqui. Although I don’t pay attention to my stats, many of my most popular posts have been when I’ve written about the benefits of blogging and when I’ve had guests. Happy New Year!
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That’s interesting feedback, Jill. I definitely don’t do enough with guests. I wish I would.
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