AtoZ Challenge is officially over and I must admit, I didn’t do a good job this year. I had too many distractions and not enough commitment to my AtoZ goals. Here are a few thoughts:
- AtoZ is a massive commitment–a themed post a day for a month; at least five daily visits to new bloggers as well as responding to comments. In past years, that has been a couple hours a day. That is why I again tweaked it to work for me, which meant I published about a post a week on a theme I started last year.
- Why did I do it that way? Very rough data I collected before I adopted my modified approach showed that when I posted every day, I ended up with fewer visitors than usual! I usually get between 1000-1500 a day. In April, I got between 900-1300 per day. Speculation: Too many posts? One theme that may or may not appeal to people? Hmm…
- AtoZ April was a low month for comments–the opposite of the blog hop’s intention. Again, easily my fault: I didn’t comment on as many blogs as the administrators suggest which meant lower engagement.
- Overall, I probably attracted only about 10-15 new bloggers throughout the month. I visited about 5 a day, but only a few days a week.
- Not surprisingly but disappointingly, my April visitor count was at least 20% lower than March as were comments. Again, I attribute this to my lack of engagement, and also that I was gone for a week at the end of April.
I like blog hops (like Alex Cavanaugh’s #IWSG) that introduce me to like-minded writerly folks, build my viewer base, and open me up to new writing ideas. This year, I participated less than usual so take the blame for my lackluster results. Still, I couldn’t get myself motivated to do more. I’m not sure I’ll join next year.
How about you? Who had great results with the #AtoZ Challenge? Was this a good way to spend your time?
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
worddreams.wordpress.com 
I haven’t participated in AtoZ and have tried the #IWSG but time is an issue for me and to comment on others blog posts, which I know is the way to garner more comments on my articles. One day, I’ll get there…
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Blog hops do take a lot of time. It’s about all I do for marketing because I don’t have any more time than that!
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I hear you!
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Hi Jacqui, I know that I would not last the month. I always start off with challenges like this, and even my own ideas for a post series, and I do very well for a few weeks. Then work gets in the way and I leave it for a while and never go back because I lose interest. As a result, I cannot comment on how it would impact blog stats and I never think to check mine anyway. Even when I think to do it like now, after reading your post, I will have been distracted by something else before I get around to doing it. I think stats just aren’t important to me. Blogging must be fun for me and not pressured and committed. I do think it’s a good idea to check blogging stats because it indicates what posts are popular. I don’t think it would change my haphazard approach though so for me it just wouldn’t work.
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You do great on the blog hops I see you in, like Thursday Doors. Now, they are only once a week or month–much more my preferred timing.
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Thursday Doors is the only one I do consistently though.
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In spite of the decline, I’d say that you are doing excellent with attracting new bloggers. I’m not sure what the correct formula is, but I bet it’s subject to change overtime.
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I agree. There are some days traffic is more than I can keep up with (rare days) which reminds me to find balance.
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It is hard to post everyday. I know I enjoyed your series and the way you had it set up was engaging, not monotonous. 🙂
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That’s what I was looking for Deb. Thank you!
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Wow, Jacqui…just reading about what you did do made my jaw drop. Where on earth do you get the energy? I can barely keep up with my favourite bloggers. That said, your reader engagement did make me drool. You’re doing something right so don’t stop. 😀
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Well, I do value my visitors and try to respond when they interact. I am pretty annoyed with WP right now because ‘likes’ are very hard to track back to their websites. It used to be easy. Now, it’s about 3-4 steps which may or may not work.
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Yes, I’ve noticed that too. Perhaps it’s some privacy initiative. Or a glitch. To be honest, I make it a point to visit everyone who comments, but I can’t keep up with likes. I truly do wish I could clone myself, more than once!
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I tried different browsers, to no avail (my default browser is DDG). Happily, it may have fixed itself today!
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High Five! I love DDG too. 🙂
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I’ve twice done A-Z in my older blog (sagecoveredhills). Yes, the daily numbers went down, but I did pick up a few new readers, but it was so much work. In one series I posted on places I haven’t been that I’d like to go. In the other, I did it on constellations (and individual stars astronomical terms for letters without a constellation). I learned a lot!
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That last is a good point. Me too–I learn a lot from my AtoZ research even when I don’t get the marketing bumps.
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Pasaba a desearte una buena semana. Me alegra que nuevamente estés.
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Thank you! I have a new 8-week old puppy so the week will be… interesting!
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A post a day by any one blogger is too many for me to read. Two posts a week is maximum for me, unless they are really riveting, which yours sometimes are. 🙂
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Agreed. I have been thinking of cutting back to 2x/wk. So far, I just try to make them shorter!
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That helps too. 🙂
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I’ve never taken part, but there’s no way I have anything close to 2 hours to devote to blogging and commenting. I admire those with the energy to do this, and I think you’ve done pretty well. But goals change, as does our focus on the time we have for creative pursuits.
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That’s what it took–about 2 hours a day–when I did it right. Sigh.
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Blogging could easily become a full-time thing if we let it, but right now that’s not for me.
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The fault lies with the fact you don’t have a clone:) You got a lot of irons in the fire, my friend, AND you are furiously researching and writing to finish that story we are all highly anticipating. Hope your visit with your sister was wondrous. I probably told you, at some point, I used to live in Lafayette.
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I like that, Sandra! I did choose my wonderful sister over AtoZ, I have to admit.
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This year was my first time doing the challenge and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised by the comments that I got, but I didn’t have high expectations , I just write a personal journal and share my poetry. I did the challenge for the writing, as I havent’ been doing much writing lately and wanted to get back into it. I hope that, if you do the challenge next year, it will be better for you.
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Thanks, Rishie. I am completely to blame for not succeeding this year. The first year, when I paid appropriate attention, went much better!
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It is a time commitment to something like this blog hop and for me, it just doesn’t work. My plate is already overflowing, so I cannot take on anything new. That being said, I would love to increase my blog follower numbers. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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It’s tricky, to increase blog numbers. My inches up but it takes a lot of work!
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Hi
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Thanks for sharing and for your commitment to your readers and blogging friends, Jacqui!
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I wish I could have been more upbeat!
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I didn’t do the AtoZ so it didn’t benefit my blog. Normally not that many people read my blog a good day is when I get 100 visits.
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They’re loss, Andrew. You are one clever boy.
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Same here, Andrew, and a great many of those are my ‘regulars’, people who’ve become real friends over the years. I can live with that. 🙂
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Hi Jacqui, I really enjoyed your posts – but I think one post a day would be too daunting for me. I think you were amazing to take that on. Toni x
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It daunted me, too, Toni!
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It was a great experience for me this year. I didn’t get a ton of new followers, but it certainly raised engagement, and best of all I connected with a few new bloggers that I think will become good friends. We’re still enjoying talking back and forth in each others’ comments on new posts. Also did me good to write so much fresh material that was fun and different from novel writing and editing. Although it took nearly all my time for a month, I’m creatively energized and moving ahead on my ‘real work’ with much more enthusiasm and productivity than before I did AtoZ. Planning to do it next year if I feel motivated and have a theme I’m passionate about when it nears. I’ve done it in the past and skipped several years. So it’s an on-and-off thing for me.
I enjoyed yours this year, Jacqui! Perhaps it didn’t engage everyone as much since there wasn’t as much commentary and it was more of a list and facts about things?
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I love hearing how well it worked for you Sheri! That is so wonderful. That’s its purpose and it succeeded. I look forward to reading your reflection.
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In your case you are actively writing and researching your WIPs, Jacqui, plus you teach! It’s a lot of work to make that commitment regardless of the challenges intent. April may also have been impacted by Easter and subsequent spring breaks where people weren’t reading posts. I see peaks and valleys with my posts, too. Do what you can and you will enjoy the ride!
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That is what counts at ‘our’ age–enjoying the ride. Thank you, Terri.
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I like how you did it your way, Jacqui. I don’t usually look at all the statics, although I should, but I have a feeling its the same thing for most of us visit wise.
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I love meeting new bloggers, especially writers, so if that’s not happening… Hmm…
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The drop in visitors is interesting. One factor could be that with re-opening after covid, people are tired of online and just want to be mingling again. I have had a drop-off as well that coincided with the dropping of restrictions in this country. Have a good weekend. 🙂
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That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought of that.
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I’m amazed at how much you do, Jacqui. I agree with Diana. You’d never get anything else done if you did much more than you already do. I’ve enjoyed your posts on this topic. I know it would be too much for me to take on, so I admire you for having done it.
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I am surprised how much time blogging takes (and all the related visiting). Thank goodness I pretty much ignore FB and Twitter!
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Same here. If you add those into the mix, there goes your life.
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I don’t really measure things and I don’t sign up. For me, it’s about consistently posting.
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I don’t know how I found your down-to-earth blog, but I’m sure glad I did!
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Aww…😊Gawrsh…
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Thank you for sharing!!.. every time my mind thinks about doing something like the A to Z challenge, my heart comes up with some words by Rose Milligan… 🙂
Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
to paint a picture, or write a letter,
bake a cake, or plant a seed.
Ponder the difference between want and need.
Dust if you must, but there is not much time,
with rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear, and books to read,
friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
this day will not come round again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go, and go you must,
you, yourself, will make more dust!
(Rose Milligan)
Until we meet again…
May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song
in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
of people you love.
(Irish Saying)
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Ha! I like that poem, Larry. I’m sorry I haven’t visited more. WordPress now doesn’t give me links to the sites that ‘like’ my post. I try to find folks through the gravatar but that’s time-consuming and hit-and-miss. I appreciate the comment!
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Not to be sorry.. I don’t expect everyone to visit because you have a life to live and adventures to follow…. change is in the winds for everything and it will take time to learn… 🙂
Take care….
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There’s no way I could post once a day, Jacqui. I’d never have time to do anything else. So I totally get the desire to modify the timing of the challenge. And I do think there’s such a thing as “too many posts.” Our followers can’t keep up and we can’t expect them to. They have to “tune us out” to some extent. All that said, your posts make for interesting reads and you keep them short. I enjoy whatever you do. 🙂
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I’m glad you mentioned ‘short’. I decided to be short-not-long years ago because I like a post I can read in a few minutes. Yours are a great length, too.
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I like reading short posts too, Jacqui. Mine aren’t as short as I’d like them to be, but I do try to stick a short one in there once in a while. 😀
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Jacqui you are a blogging queen. Social media has so much content blogging has become less important. You might see what themes in your posts had the most interest. Focus on specific themes people want to interact with. I use Bublish book bubbles as my weekly blog. Then I repost the book bubble on my website. Some weeks I cannot get my mind in gear to write a book bubble. Give yourself a break. Go with the changes happening in how people receive data. Social media is drowning us in information. Adjust your sails and fill them with the air people want more of.
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OK, stupid question warning: I do visit your blog regularly, but don’t see the republished book bubbles. Am I going to the wrong site:
https://einsteinscompassbook.com/
I do check your FB feed often and find good info there!
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You are going to the right place on my blog. I cut and paste my book bubbles into my blog. You can see my book bubbles are like my blog. Bublish sends out my book bubbles every weekend to 800,000 Twitter followers. I retweet the links on Twitter. in the last 90 days 886 people have check the bookstores for my book. A lot of looky loos..does not mean sales. There are more than 100,000 new books put on Amazon each month. Selling books is getting harder. Follow me on Bublish and receive my new book bubbles each weekend. https://bublish.com/author/graceblair
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I’ve been going to FB but not Twitter. I will do that, also!
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I concur with the comments of your other readers. Daily blog posts are too much to keep up with. That said, I enjoyed what you did for this year’s A-Z this challenge, and I learned some things I hadn’t known before. To my way of thinking, that makes it a success.
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I am gratified that so many see it that way. I had just a handful of folks I checked in on daily because more really cut into my time! It’s a huge commitment for topics I may/may not be interested in.
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You’re better. Better to post less often and have regular visitors.
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*You’re right.
I need to look before I hit Post. Sheesh.
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I liked your format, Jacqui. I have a hard time keeping up with daily post. I’m sure I’m not alone.
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Thank you! I actually have a list started for next April, but I think I’ll be changing my participation even more!
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It is about engagement, but blogging has changed over the years and daily postings don’t draw in visitors like it used to.
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That’s interesting. I will say, the topics you come up with for #IWSG become some of my most popular posts.
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I enjoyed the way you did it. Daily posts are too much. We’re all busy and that’s a huge commitment to write and to read/share/comment so often.
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I even wonder if 3x/week is too many (my current schedule).
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Well, it worked for me. I didn’t even realize it was that often! I definitely didn’t feel bombarded. But I’m seldom an ideal test subject. Let the stats speak for themselves.
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With as many books as you read, you could start a challenge of A to Z authors you like best!
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They’d all be Westerns, thrillers, and military history. I just got James Hornfischer (of Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors fame) “Who Can Hold the Sea”, US Navy 1945-1960, from NetGalley (grab it if you’re a member). Can’t wait to read it.
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I have the Last Stand, but not the other.
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Hornfischer is such a great writer.
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Indeed.
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I had a similar experience to yours for A to Z. My stats were not as high, nor my comments, even though there was every effort to comment and visit back–so don’t beat yourself up about that. You have an amazing blog–I always look forward to your posts.
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I loved the topic you picked. I’ve read a ton of thrillers so revisited good memories and got new ideas. I’m looking forward to reading your reflection.
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Kudos on your analysis. I love it whenever frustrating results help me say no more often. Then I have more time for my original yes — efforts devoted toward my time proven passions.
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I think that’s where I’m headed. I gave AtoZ a worthy effort.
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You may be onto something about your blog visits being down. Folks are so busy these days it’s hard to do everything, and I reckon folks just give up on daily blog hopping.
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I’m looking forward to reading other AtoZ Reflections, see how more folks faired. Maybe they had different experiences.
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Very insightful Jacqui! I suppose we are allowed to change with time. On a separate note, a question on my mind is: Could it be that this format of blogging has reached its peak? I have not collected data as scientifically as you have, but my gut-feel is that the traffic to my blog has decreased, with the peak being about 3 years back. Will try to dig deeper.
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I often ask that question and Those-that-should-know assure me that blogs are still as relevant as ever. Still, I try to reach out to those who prefer FB, Substack, Book Bubbles, or something else. There is an increasing number of those.
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Thanks Jacqui. No doubt new formats and platforms will emerge. Sometimes it seems increasingly, and scarily, like a web. No way out 😦
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Well said!
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Pingback: #AtoZ Reflections — – uwerolandgross
Hi Jacqui – I do so understand … I lost interest – once there were too many dictats … and each year I’d love to do it again … but there’s less empathy … it was so friendly in the beginning. I enjoy seeing your A-Z themes in your own way – it’s good to see you again … cheers Hilary
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Thank you Hilary. I am surprised how many folks once did AtoZ and now don’t. Maybe it’s best suited for new bloggers.
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