Every since I started blogging I have been obsessed with my numbers. How many GFC followers do I have? How many page views do I have? How many Facebook fans do I have? Its made me sick before and its made me sad before. I have Google analytics and Stat Counter set up and I check them at least once a day. Yall, Im tired of checking my numbers. Im tired of trying to reach a certain number because then Ill want more. And more. And more. Im tired of being ruled by numbers. Im quitting my numbers.
Ok. I lied. Im not quitting all my numbers. Just certain ones. I can’t focus on the ups and downs of my daily page views I just can’t. What I am going to try to grow are my number of comments. I want to write content that people can relate to and feel compelled to tell me their story. I want to start conversations with people. I want my followers to become my friends. I want to build a community.
I will measure my success by you. How many people I call friends, how many people I can help, how many people I can inspire. Thats what I want to measure. And not even with numbers, but with ‘a lot’ or ‘too many to count’. I want to build relationships with my readers so that when I say ‘Hey! This is an awesome blog!’ or ‘Check out this product!’ everyone runs to check it out. Because if my friend told me to look at something awesome I would. I want that.
Im going to let you in on a little secret. Sometimes, page views and Facebook fans and especially GFC followers do not matter. Do you know why? Because they dont prove that you have any influence. Ok, maybe they do a little bit but how many of your followers click on a link you send? How many respond or interact with you? That to me, is the true measure of success.
So what does that mean? Well, a few things.
- One – Im going to do a numbers detox and not check them everyday. [Or try to.]
- Two – Im not going to be changing my sponsor options (more on this soon).
- Three – Im going to change the things I post. In the past I have posted things or shared things because I thought I needed to do so in order to keep up with everyone else. Im going to post things we love as a family, things we do together and all the messes and chaos in between.
- Four – Im going to be very selective on the things I promote. I want to promote products/services/people that I love and know you will love as well. I want to build trust between my readers and the brands I choose to promote.
Im really excited for these changes. I love blogging, I absolutely do. But things need to change and Im starting by quitting my numbers.
Anyone else ever feel overwhelmed by their numbers? Or am I alone on this? [Please say no!]
- Salted Caramel Shaken Espresso - March 27, 2024
- Carrot sheet cake - March 19, 2024
- Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef - March 17, 2024
Natasha says
Hi kelley, I am so with you!! I check my numbers all the time and it can be very disheartening when I check my stats to find that my page views are low a certain day or I haven’t gained a single follower for a a week!! I’m doing away with them too!! I’m starting to focus on talking to other bloggers, and sharing things that i like from their blog.
Isn’t that what blogging is really all about? Community, supporting one another.
Natasha @ Serenity You
Kelley says
Yes! It is what its all about! Finding people that you can connect with. Love it! 🙂
Barefoot Hippie Girl says
I think we all fight the pull of numbers. Over and over and over again. But, I think you know what the key to a great blog community is-writing your heart, and you, and what God wants you to write. It may actually lose you some numbers, but it will build you friendships.
Kelley says
So true Bernadette! Id rather have friends then numbers anyday! 🙂
Brin says
I love whatever you post! 🙂
Kelley says
You’re too nice to me! But thank you! 😀
Rachel says
Good ideas! 🙂 It’s a good thing to think about as a blogger and to remember that interaction matters! On another note- I love your “bio” section at the bottom of your post. Is that a widget I can get or just on wordpress or something?
Kelley says
Thanks Rachel! I agree, interactions matter! And yes, its a special plugin that I bought. Fanciest author box, I believe the name of it.
Kim @ Plumberry Pie says
Kelley – totally! I’ve been on a number detox since the new year. It was really bringing me down, so now I peek here and there, but have separated myself from it much more. It really is freeing. Are my numbers where I want them to be after a year of blogging? no. thinking about it was draining me. what was i doing wrong? disappointment in myself, etc. I simply can’t keep up w/all that. I am with you and focusing on what I know, love and inspired by rather than trying to keep up w/Sally, Susie and Josie. Enjoy being number free. 🙂 Have a great week!!
Kelley says
Hey Kim! It is freeing! Im glad Im not alone in detoxing from my numbers. Thanks so such a sweet comment!
Joanie @ Zagleft says
I can completely relate. Some days I feel my numbers dictate my mood. It makes what I love to do and have fun doing not so much fun. I’ve recently come to the place you’re at, and just trying to make my little blog a place of inspiration and connections. Good luck!
Kelley says
Thanks Joanie! Its sad that our numbers dictate our moods, but its true. Im happy to say goodbye to them for awhile! 🙂
Natalia says
AMEN! It’s so stinkin’ true. People get so caught up on it. And GFC most certainly doesn’t count. Sometimes I follow someone’s blog because I know they would want me to, because I know they want that little number to go up, so I’m being nice. But I never visit the blog again because I forget!Anyway, I’m down with the community thing! I’m working on it too!
Oh and I did that once, didn’t check my stats for like 5 days just because I needed a detox. And it was so freeing! I got a lot more done because I wasn’t worrying about it so much! Good luck girl!
Kelley says
Amen back to you lady! Yay for numbers detox! It makes you focus on other things, the important things.
Tamara @ The Workout Mama says
Awesome! I can’t wait to read more. I recently found your blog and this post is really amazing. I get tired sometimes of reading blogs that are constantly promoting this or that because they were sent a product to review. Thanks for your honesty and can’t wait to see how you will be changing up your sponsorship.
Kelley says
Thanks so much Tamara! Ill have more details on my sponsorship changes soon!
Myranda B. says
Kelley,
I love this idea! I am also on a numbers detox, it doesn’t matter how many followers you have, you can have thousands and still make no connections. I am focusing on connecting, not how many. Thanks for an awesome post 🙂
Myranda
Kelley says
Thanks Myranda! I 100 percent agree!
Jaime @ Mom's Test Kitchen says
Oh, you are definitely not alone! I just had my blog redesigned & one of the first things I told the designer was that the GFC gadget could go because I was so tired of that being the first thing I saw everyday when I logged in and having the thought go through my head ‘did I gain any new followers from yesterday?’ I’m right there with you on wanting to focus more on building a community ~ I’ve sucked at that lately & that is also one of my priorities right now! 🙂
Kelley says
Thats awesome! Having a community is the way to go! And congrats on getting rid of GFC! It is nerve wrecking checking that thing every day. 🙂
Carly says
Love this post! Seriously, it’s so hard to NOT get obsessed with the numbers…..we all do it! But I honestly believe that in the end if you are genuine and sincere, the numbers will grow naturally!
Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons,com
Kelley says
Yes yes and yes! I agree Carly! And its so hard not to worry about them. Its like engrained in a bloggers DNA. Eat, sleep, check numbers. LOL!
Sarah Bailey says
I’m the same with numbers – I found I got better while I was on blogger (I mean there stats are like crazy mad anyway) but when I moved to wordpress and I have them in front of my everyday when I logged on to blog I went back to it…
The found the first few days of making sure I didn’t check hard but now I’m forgetting about it for chunks of time and feeling better for it.
I hope you managed to get out of the ‘cycle’ and GOOD LUCK!
Sarah xx
Kelley says
Thats good to know! Im kinda having withdrawals. I feel like I need to check my numbers all the time. I havent in a few days. So sad, but so true! 🙂
Brittany Suell says
So weird that you are writing about this! My sister and I have been talking about these exact things so much lately, and have randomly read at least 3 different posts last night and today related to this! Weird and I think it’s a sign!
We have discussed how we need to get back to writing about things that we love,and not making it like we have to, but that we WANT to !
Kelley says
Yes! Once you put the pressure on yourself its not fun anymore. Blogging is fun and not about the numbers. Well, sometimes its not. 🙂
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says
Great post, dear! While I do not obsess too much over numbers- I mean I have a certain number of daily page views in mind that I like to hit- but I try not to let it ruin my day if I do not make my goal. Numbers do matter, and like you said- in some situations they do not.
I am working towards interacting more with my readers & followers. Sometimes that gets pushed to the side when I am trying to edit photos, write blog posts, promote my posts and those of my sponsors, etc. But building a community within your blog is how you maintain those numbers and stats, right? 🙂
I am so glad I decided to take up residence on your sidebar for the next 30 days. I really love the direction that you are going in. 🙂
Kelley says
Thanks Carrie! I love interacting with my readers! They keep me motivated.. and honest. 😉
Ps.. SO happy to have you! 🙂
Angela says
Good thinking! Just be true to yourself and stop worrying about the numbers! I stopped doing lots of link-ups about 6 months ago and while my blog hasn’t “gone big”, I have peace that I’m really being myself and not just trying to grow a big blog. And remember….you can’t please everyone! You’re already awesome!
Kelley says
Aww! Thanks Angela! I have a sort of calm about blogging now. I hope it stays!
Lianne says
So very well said! And you are not alone in feeling this way!!
I love that you challenge yourself even after doing this for such a long while! 🙂 You’ve inspired me to get back into blogging after taking some time off the past few months! 🙂 I forgot how much I love the blogging community…when we’re all focused like this 🙂
xo
Kelley says
Oh yay! So happy to have you back! I love seeing pictures of your sweet little girl! Cant wait to see the new site! 😀
Adventuresindinner says
Great goals! You can totally get obsessed by numbers-especially since most bloggers are more than a little type ‘A’ to begin with C:
Kelley says
Haha! Thanks Jane! 🙂
Trish says
Well said lady!! I used to check my stats every day until it drove me nuts. Once I realized I could never compare with those larger blogs, I also realized that I didn’t want to, because I wouldn’t have a true blogging community, just a large number. Excited to read more!
Trish
http://www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com
Kelley says
Exactly! You said it better then I ever could. Love it! 🙂
Chelsea says
I feel overwhelmed by numbers all the time!! Let me know how this works for you 🙂
Kelley says
I will! I wanted to check them today but I resisted! lol
Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog says
This is a FABULOUS post!! Girl you have got it! It’s not about the numbers, its about the people. I always tell newbie bloggers who ask me for advice to NOT focus on the numbers because blogging should be fun and blogging should be all you, you, you… It shouldn’t have to be about building an audience. If you write posts that people like and you are consistent the followers will come. 🙂 I love blogging and am always so surprised to see my numbers grow! I never thought I’d make over 300 when I started out last February!!
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
Exercise Encouragement Group Blog
Kelley says
Thanks Helen! You are too kind! And you’re right. Blogging is suppose to be fun and when you worry about your numbers you miss out on that. Thanks so much for such a sweet comment!
Michelle says
Im with you – I dont think it should be quantity, but quality. I have less than 200 blog followers but when they comment or email me I recognise them I know their blog because I spend time getting to know them. I only follow those that I have made a connection with and that I enjoy reading their content. I cant stand the follow me Ill follow you statements, its not the way to start a friendship!
Kelley says
Thats awesome Michelle! You are building your own community, congrats! And I agree.. the please follow me stuff needs to stop!
Heather says
Great post! I think its ok to check the numbers, but definitely not ok to obsess over them. I only check my numbers like three times a week. If you are real in your posts, people will want to be apart of that. But I think the main thing, don’t compare yourself or your blog to someone elses. For one, you dont’ know how long they’ve been blogging. Maybe they’ve been blogging for years longer than you and maybe they sit in front of a computer screen all day and have no life, so what are you trading? Numbers for no life…eh, I’d rather have the life. 😉 Great post and I totally think you are on the right track!
Kelley says
Thanks so much Heather! I agree too. I cant compare myself to other people, its not fair to them or me. And yes, I would much rather have a life outside of blogging then have amazing numbers. I would love to have both though. 😉
Jenn Page says
🙂 You’re never alone Kelley! my ‘numbers’ always made me a sad, sad panda… I felt awful that I didn’t have the time (still don’t really) with school and work, and then homework when I do finally get home…. I’m still amazed at all you do and look up to for every bit of it, you are truly one of my Greatest friends, and I thank YOU for that!
Kelley says
Thanks Jen! You are SO SO sweet!
Jennifer says
Best thing, hands down, is the blogging “community!”. I don’t check my stats, but I do miss the commenting since pinterest made an appearance. 🙁 Of course my kids have kept me so busy lately that I haven’t commented either! Trying to turn that around! 😉 And excited about joining YOUR community. 🙂
Kelley says
Sweetest comment ever! SO happy to have you Jennifer! You are the best! 🙂
Amanda says
It sounds like a plan for me! I just started sponsoring blogs, and I chose yours as the second I ever sponsored because you were so kind when I started blogging a year ago, and now when I’m going to try to build it post-baby.
I love your philosophy about comments rather than just numbers. When I get a kind comment on a post, it will make my day. When I have a post that gets high numbers (for me) I get a momentary high, but then that’s about it.
Anyway, I look forward to working with you 🙂
Kelley says
I think I missed this comment! Im so sorry! Thank you for being so sweet 🙂