December 11th, 2007
I’ve been struggling with all this behind the scenes blog business since I started reading your blogs. As many others have, I’ve struggled with the comparison, the need to feel loved, as well as the overbearing need to succeed at this thing that was mean to be just a hobby - for fun.
I too have fallen victim to the sitemeter, Shortstat and just a couple weeks ago, decided to monitor my feed counts with Feedburner.
It’s easy to say that for us writers (or wanna be writers) the written word is what should matter; but most of us want some kind of validation that our written word mean something to someone; that someone is reading and enjoying what we have to share with Teh Internetz. It’s hard not to speculate how other readers compare to ourselves. It’s human to feel a little dismayed when seeing the feed counts of other bloggers, or their comments, which overcome your own by leaps and bounds.
We overload our sites with sitemeters, stat counters, feed counters, etc. in hopes of seeing a trend, an increase in readership, validation for our written work. So, even though many may state that they aren’t interested, it’s hard to believe one can write and not care - maybe it’s just my needy personality, I just can’t see how it’s not important to a writer.
I stumbled upon this ProBlogger article while debating whether or not to include my feed count on the site and the wheels started turning.
The interesting thing I find about all these gadgets we use to validate our self worth in the blogosphere is that it’s all kept shamefully secret. I’m under the impression (by other bloggers and blog information sites) that it’s faux pas to discuss behind-the-scenes blog information, only writing is fair game. It’s like we’re terrified to share our stats for fear, that once again, we’ll be put in our place by the bloggers with a larger readership. Yet, it’s a catch-22 really. Does it mean we’re ashamed of the readers we do have because we don’t have as many as another blogger?
Some sites share the number of guests they have had, the number of feed readers they’ve acquired or even how many visitors they’ve had in a day. Others? Nothing. I am a nothing. I try to keep stats under wraps at the moment, but have no explanation for my actions other then the fact I’ve been under the impression that it’s a blogingy don’t. There’s some sites that have even eluded to the suggestion that it may be arrogant to share you stats and it’s best to be hidden in the backend of the blogs never to be discussed. Some suggest we shout it from the rooftops and be proud of each and every reader we share our writing with - whether we have 5 or 5,000 readers, they are nothing to be ashamed of.
I’m kinda leaning in that direction; I want to share and I want those people who read this site to know that I am absolutely and unequivocally elated to have each and ever one of them take time out of their day to come to this little wee blog and even more so for those that take an extra moment to contribute.
Yet, I am hesitant because I am a chicken. I am needy, always comparing myself with others and wondering what they’re thinking of me. It’s my personality: can’t change it, just have to embrace it. So you may see a feed count show up, then disappear - there’s nothing wrong with this blog. It’s just me.
So weigh in. Tell me what you think about sharing stats:
Should we be more public with them? Should we show our gratitude for each reader by baring all our statistical information with the blog world?
Is it something that you’d prefer to see kept off the blogs? Do you feel it’s arrogant to flaunt your traffic information to readers?
There is no right or wrong answer, so let’s discuss.
See you in the comments!
I’m too chicken shit to share. But I am no longer a slave to the stats like I was when I first started blogging. I try to be more zen about it. I do get more uptight about my posting frequency now than I did before though. (Cuz the world is a fickle place and will forget about me if I don’t post regularly….)
December 11th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
I don’t share - but only because I assume no one gives a shit.
December 11th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
G00gle reader will show some stats when a person goes to add a blog to their feed:
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#directory-search/temporarilyme//0
(hopefully that works).
In some ways I like not knowing. Like there is another blogger who’s been doing this about as long as me and she has her feedburner stats up and they are way higher than mine and I get all “wtf? why is she better than me? blah blah blah.” Stupid really. But I’m a woman on the rag, so I’ll be all bitchy if I wanna
December 11th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Well… I have the site meter number posted on my site. It’s there for me because I’m excited by every little visitor that is counted. It just amazes me that people are out there reading. Every time the meter reaches a certain level I post. I just recently posted reaching 8000. I do that for myself too. I like to look back and see when the last “meter reading” was done and see how long it’s taken to get to the next point. In the beginning I posted when it hit 100s… then 1000s. I include in the post that it’s just another boring old meter reading. I write for me… but I am excited to see that little number rise.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I dearly love each and every one of the 10 people (give or take) who come to my site. I’m proud of them (for being willing to subject themselves to that kind of torture) and of myself (for being able to accept whether it was 1 or 100 people who dropped by).
Personally, methinks that since it’s YOUR blog, you can do whatever you want - if you want to post your stats then you should and if you don’t then you shouldn’t - and no one should criticize you for your choices. After all, if they don’t like it, they have a BACK button on their browser, eh? This little chunk of real estate is about YOU and what makes YOU happy, not everyone else, and for every reader you “might” lose for doing your own thing, you will gain 100 who like your spirit and what you have to share with them.
I’ll love ya no matter if you post stats or not.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I don’t share, but a lot of that has to do with my lack of skills when it comes to adding things to my sidebar and still having a cute blog.
I took a big traffic hit when I changed blog providers. It was a necessary evil, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care. I do. I care about the three of the dozen or so people who stop by on a regular basis who don’t anymore. What did I do to make them leave? Was a too angry? Too whiny? Yeah, it’s impossible not to ask yourself those questions once you “publish.”
December 11th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I used to care, a lot. Now I don’t. I check my stats occasionally to make sure I’m thanking anyone who might be linking to me in a post or whatever, but if there’s one thing I learned on my break, it’s that if I’m going to blog, I’m going to do it when and how and any which way I want to. That’s also why I don’t have ads — no one can tell me what not to say.
I say it’s like your house — do whatever makes you happy.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
RNM - You chicken shit. Like you have anything to worry about. You’re so hot, it’s not like what you have to say matters anyway. :p LOL!!
Britt - Yeah, I’m sure many don’t care. Then some do.. and OMG! what do I do!?
Dawn - I’ve tried that before, unfortunately, it doesn’t tell much and it’s not very accurate… but thanks!! And I totally hear ya about bloggers that have been doing it the same amount of time, if not less and have soooo many readers and comments.
Colleen - I like that idea. It’s a nice way to track where you were in your blogging when you reached a certain number of visitors!
Angie - I agree, it’s mine. ALL mine and I can do as I like… just interested in other bloggers perspective more then anything!
December 11th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Kathy - moving from Blogspot to Wordpress was a big hit for me as well, but they do come back and sometimes even more… you have to make sure you’ve let them know where to go too.
Karen - my blog break was great for me too. Then November came with NaBloPoMo and i got sucked right back in. I find when I spend too much time here my brain starts to spin and I think all the negative stuff.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I have my stat count on my blog. I didn’t realize it was a “faux paw” to do that. I don’t pay attention to blog ettiquette (if I can even spell!!!) nor do I really care. I do consider myself a writer, but currently I write mainly for myself or the 5 loyal readers. I’m not much into blogging…and lately have been on a writers block…so my count has been down. I have about 5 that read daily, but very few make comments.
And to be perfectly honest….I never even pay attention to most sites’ sidebars. I didn’t even notice you didn’t have a counter until you said it…like I don’t notice others do have one. LOL I have a bad tendancy of looking at only the post and not the rest of the stuff. I don’t have much time to read so I make it kinda quick.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Well as someone who has my subscriber stats posted, I have to say that I do it because….
I’m too lazy to log in everyday to feedburner and check my subscriber count.
I rarely check sitemeter anymore, because it was either making or breaking my day.
It’s never really occurred to me that this may be uncool. Maybe I should take it down. I guess I think that there are always lots more bloggers with far more visitors/subscribers than me. I’m just middle of the road.
And I happy there.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I don’t care much about stats. I do have a FEEDJIT thingy on my sidebar. It doesn’t tell me how many people, it tells me where they come from.
I have made some friends in blogland & those are the people that matter most to me.Not the other 999 billion:)
In respect to people that have a lot of readers; if I happen upon a blog & i notice that they have 75-100 comments per post I won’t even bother to comment. I just feel like a little toothpick in a woodpile. knowwhatImean?
December 12th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I never really put much thought into it. Sure I have a sitemeter account and a technorati account, but I’ve never really thought about showing my stats. I didn’t really know it was faux paux (did I spell that right?) either. So basically, I have no opinion and my comment is useless. But hey, I commented. *AHEM*.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Brenda - I actually enjoy reading sidebars because many times it has information about the blogger that you wouldn’t find in a post. Links they enjoy, stuff about them and their friends, etc. It’s a personal decision I guess, and I can see how when you have little time to read, the sidebar becomes more of a distraction then anything.
Jennifer - DON’T take your feed counter down. That wasn’t the purpose of this post. Like I said, SOME have eluded to the fact that it may be faux pas - doesn’t mean it is… if it’s something you like, by all means keep it there!!
mackey - I’m with you. When I come to a post that has 50 - 100 comments I tend to skip them thinking that what I have to say will just be lost in the shuffle anyway. I hate that it’s so intimidating, but that’s the way it is….
Natalie - have I mentioned how fantastic I think you are! LOL, you always make me smile!
December 12th, 2007 at 9:10 am
To be honest, I really don’t care about stats — mine or anyone else’s. I don’t care who has the most hits and how many hits I get to my blog every day. I just don’t. After I came back from my hiatus last year I vowed that I’d let go of everything that had to do with blogging that was associated with pressure and the stats was one of those things. I still have a site meter and a hit counter on my blog but I rarely check them. I love the people that come to my blog and the comments that I get and I’m good with that, you know?
mamatulip’s last blog post..Heavy
December 12th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I don’t show mine because I don’t think anyone else cares.
However, I’ve been thinking about stealing my friend Dwight’s idea and calling the stat counter my “Ego Meter”.
Seems appropriate
Jeannette’s last blog post..Bloggers around the world
December 12th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I am absolutely okay sharing my stats with anyone but it’s a slippery slope, to me, so I don’t openly post it but I really don’t think the number matters. Sure, it’s nice when you see a peak and I was obsessed with stats when I first started (back in the 3 views a day days) but it’s about connection (to me) and community and communities are different sizes. I have great readers who I have relationships with and I’m so lucky for them. I go days without looking at my stats because although it’s nice when people comment and it’s nice when they read and validate, it’s also very easy to let it become too important, too nice. I don’t think there is just one answer. You have to figure out what you’re comfortable with.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..I love you, too.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
I think if you focus on your writing…the people will come. If you focus onthe stats you lose the magic.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I never thought much about the share/not share thing. I put up the counter on mine when I very first got a blog, because I had this idea that…ummm…I dunno. Somehow I was afraid of stalkers and had this idea that knowing no one read would be reassuring! But then I got all addicted and got the sitemeter thing too.
I don’t have any hesitation about sharing I guess, it’s just that I don’t have the room for too much stuff and I’m not good enough with the blogger template or HTML to make the room.
Jill/Twipply Skwood’s last blog post..That Teacher Voice
December 15th, 2007 at 12:12 am
I’m just weighing in now, because I just suscribed to your feed.
The trouble with mine is that I only switched to Feedburner after 6 months, and because I am a wordpress blog, there is still that wordpress feed lurking out there. So most of my people read me through that feed, which doesn’t offer any stats, and the feedburner feed has a whopping 18 readers. That’s right, 18. Although from my regular commentators I can safely say that my readership is in the 50s or 60s.
But I feel like a loser showing off my feedburner feed of 18. So I don’t. Maybe I should, I dunno…
Mrs. Mustard’s last blog post..The B&B race continues
December 18th, 2007 at 9:12 am
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December 18th, 2007 at 9:49 am