Okay, so you have a WordPress site of your own and your site has followers. When you started out, you got your first few notifications that someone had hitched their wagon to your blog and you thought, “Great! I have someone reading what I write!” But then as time went by, you realized that maybe they weren’t reading after all.
Fast forward to where you are now. You have tens if not thousands of followers. How many of those numbers do you figure actually visit your blog?
What brought this up in the first place was the municipal elections we had yesterday across the province of Ontario. Voter turnout at most elections is far below the numbers of of eligible voters. The difference between running for election and blogging is the people running for election are putting out money to advertise themselves. At least we bloggers don’t need to go to that length to have our sites viewed. But I digress.
From what I’ve gathered over the last twenty-one months of blogging, it seems that any of us are, at any given time, being visited by 10%-20% of our followers. The 20% is if you’re either very lucky or if all of your followers are friends and family.
I have just over 2,100 blog followers at the moment. I would estimate that over the course of my blogging career, I’ve had between 10-15% of my numbers actually reading my site on a daily basis. Which means that people have come and gone, and some have come back again, but on an average day I have around that many regular followers, not including those who show up once and I never see again. My regular followers don’t visit every day, but I know they’re out there by our interactions. On my fiction blog it’s even less – I have over 600 followers and would guess there only around 20 or 30 people who regularly read. That’s only about 3-5%
I’m far more frustrated with my 3-5%, obviously, than with my 10-15%, but as I said, at least it doesn’t cost me anything but the time I put into writing.
If you had to guess just going by feel and judging by the number of followers you chat with in a day, how many of your followers are reading you?
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November 11, 2014 at 9:48 am
Most posts 5-10%, but I have far fewer followers than you do. I also have a few people who follow by email and read my posts that way, so they never show up on my stats as readers of a particular post.
I find that the blogs from which I get emails are the ones I visit most often, as opposed to those that just show up in my reader. And sometimes, I get way behind on emails, which explains why I just read this post on 11/11 instead of near to when you actually posted it….
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November 11, 2014 at 3:06 pm
It’ doesn’t seem to make a difference how many followers we have, the percentages seem to be just about the same – anywhere for 5% to 20%. I have people without blogs following me too, and I’ve included them in my count. 🙂
Not easy keeping up, is it? 😛 Thanks for stopping by, Joanne. I really appreciate it. 🙂
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November 11, 2014 at 3:34 pm
I think I will have to give up on the whole concept of keeping up and accept that some things are going to be sidelined indefinitely. Even with paring down on commitments, there are still things that remain undone.
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November 11, 2014 at 3:41 pm
I know what you mean.
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October 31, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I have thought about the same Linda, but desided to stop there. I do know, that my writing posts attract much more than my jewelry posts alone.
Just go on Linda, you are doing great 😀
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November 3, 2014 at 7:53 pm
Thanks, Irene! It’s amazing really which posts attract readers and which ones don’t. I think it’s got a lot to do with what others relate to in their personal lives.
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November 3, 2014 at 10:32 pm
I agree Linda
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October 30, 2014 at 8:55 pm
I took a look and my numbers look like everyone else’s. I don’t like looking at the numbers though. When they are up I get puffed up; if they are down then I start to think about that rather than the important stuff like developing craft or connecting with others. Looking at it like a popularity game is too distracting for my goals. I’m not here to sell anything. I just use my blog as a kind of sketch book or old cigar box. I put in shiny things I find or use the space to think, wonder and sometimes rant. If someone comes along and we make a connection that is a wonderful gift. But as in real life a person can have many acquaintances but friendship requires time — that puts a natural limit on things. I’d rather know a few really well than have a big old phonebook list of strangers.
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November 3, 2014 at 7:46 pm
“I’d rather know a few really well than have a big old phonebook list of strangers.” I love this, Debra. It’s true, there are people here on WordPress whose friendship I have come to appreciate as much as my real life friends. But then, having said that, for those of us who are trying to get exposure for our writing, etc. it does tend to be a numbers game. For me, when I get published, it’ll be a little of both I think. 🙂
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 8:00 pm
I -totally- understand that perspective. Sometimes I forget that I am just here for fun and have to remind myself to stop worrying about numbers and just remember to play.
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November 3, 2014 at 8:01 pm
They can be so addictive!! 😛
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October 30, 2014 at 8:38 pm
I’ve been thinking about followers, following, and all that good stuff. Thanks for this post, Linda. In real life, lol, I’m very big into reciprocity. I find reciprocity is much easier on Twitter and other social media more so than WP. Not sure why but I’m figuring out ways to keep track of those bloggers that I care about and I’m also figuring out a sort of routine that works for me (post, read, comment, repeat.) Right now, I’m giving more than I’m receiving, but I’m really OK with that. For now 😀
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November 3, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I think the reciprocity thing is harder on WordPress because reading a post (as opposed to a tweet) takes up a lot more time. So we tend to read less (volume-wise) and then we get less attention back to our own blogs. There’s a lot to be said for consistency as well. Blogging once a week doesn’t tend to make people remember you as much as if they have one or two posts a day in their reader.
Thanks so much for your continued support, Angie. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. 🙂
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October 30, 2014 at 6:25 pm
I’ve been thinking about this myself, too, as I watch the numbers on my stats page go up and down. On a day when I am busy and I’m not working for new views, (so all the views are presumably regular readers/followers) I get about 200 page views. And that is from around 75- 100 visitors. With about 1000 followers, that means that 10% (or less) of those are viewing my blog on any given day.
Not so impressive really. But before I really learned how to push the networking side of blogging, I was excited if I got 20 – 30 page views in a day. So compared to that 200 views is pretty thrilling, even if it is small percentage of total followers.
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November 3, 2014 at 7:33 pm
The numbers do jump when we go out looking for new followers, but the percentages of regular followers (those who comment at least once a week for a month) never really changes. The followers change, but the percentage doesn’t. At least in my experience.
Thanks for commenting! 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 9:07 pm
It seems pretty consistent for everyone who commented, which is interesting, too.
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November 3, 2014 at 9:36 pm
It is interesting, isn’t it? I hope it encourages the newer bloggers to know that they’re not alone with this low percentage thing. Thanks for noticing. 🙂
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October 29, 2014 at 10:04 pm
Interesting breakdown Linda. I find when we have so many of our favorite posts we like to read, there is no time to read every post by every writer. But I think we all seem to find our favorites and peak in at least once a week, I know I try to make it my policy. After all, we attract the types of readers who like what we write and usually we enjoy reading theirs as well. The only problem is, we need more hours in a day. 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Oh to have more hours! 🙂 It’s true, our readers are those who write on similar topics to us. It’s a good idea to go out and look for new bloggers who we enjoy reading on a regular basis as well as just reading the ones we already know.
Thanks for bringing this up, Debby. 🙂
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October 29, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Hmm, interesting topic, Followers vs. Readers. I don’t know how many of my followers actually read my posts, but that’s not really my top concern. I mean of course I’d like to live the fairy tale of having every single one of my followers to read every single one of my post, but I don’t focus on that too much. I just try to keep my blog as updated and engaged as possible. As for the readers, they’ll come along. It’s kinda like talking to a crowd of people and expecting to only get a few of them to listen. It’s not a disappointment; it just means those few are very special people lol. Many are called, but few are chosen 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 7:24 pm
What a wonderful way to think about it. 🙂 Our followers who actually read and comment ARE special. It’s a good thing not to forget. 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment, and sorry it took so long for the reply!
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November 4, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Your welcome, and no problem 🙂
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October 29, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Hello: You got me thinking. I don’t how many are actually reading my post. I know for sure that I visited my fellow bloggers at least twice a week and sometimes they not even respond to my comments. You really got me thinking….
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November 3, 2014 at 7:18 pm
And I must apologize for not replying sooner. I’m just getting back to this post’s comments now – almost a week later. I’m quite ashamed of myself.
I’m glad to hear this post got you thinking – I hope they’re good thoughts, Margret!
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October 29, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Hi Linda
I have been searching for an interesting (to me) blog to read and they seem thin on the ground. But I have read your post and all the comments.
It is a bit discouraging sometimes. I have about 90 followers, the vast majority of whom never comment. I have three readers who do regularly comment and I am grateful for this – or else I might feel that I have fallen into the great beyond! (I follow one of the readers who comment.) I am following around five blogs at the moment and do read posts by these writers. But it took a mighty amount of searching to find even these . . .
Evangeline
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November 3, 2014 at 7:15 pm
There are many bloggers out there who won’t follow you unless you follow them back. It’s just the way it seems to work. I read through hundreds of new blogs in a day sometimes – mostly if a post keeps my interest enough that I read all the way through it, I’ll comment. It’s an important part of how we get people to read us.
Best of luck with your blog, Evangeline. 🙂
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October 29, 2014 at 11:05 am
I used to watch my numbers for visitors and readers and followers constantly when I first started because it was so new to me. Now I haven’t really thought about how many show up until this post.
(*Shrugs*) I don’t know, but I’ve found that I like writing it for the sake of writing it.
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November 3, 2014 at 7:11 pm
I think that’s the best way to be, Martha. The numbers can get very discouraging sometimes. I’ve seen so many people just give up because of them.
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November 3, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Aye, though I think part of why I don’t check anymore is because I’ve forgotten how. (*chuckles*)
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November 3, 2014 at 7:25 pm
🙂 Just as well. 😉
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October 29, 2014 at 9:56 am
If I felt so inclined I would count the people that commented/liked in the last month or so, however I cannot be inclined :). I would hazard a guess at 5-7%, maybe less, my blog says I have 280 followers, I rarely get 5 comments on a post, often less, a few more likes maybe from people passing through.
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November 3, 2014 at 7:08 pm
That would be about right. I find that when I read and comment on more blogs my numbers go up – but not a lot. 😛
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November 4, 2014 at 3:20 am
I think as you comment and like on other posts your traffic goes up because A: people are reminded of your blog so click in to check out the latest post, or their readers see your comment and check your post out.
For example the last few days I’ve not had masses of time so not been reading, commenting, liking and I’ve had a lot less traffic all round.
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November 4, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Yep, that’s consistent with what I’ve found.
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November 5, 2014 at 3:25 am
I obviously forgot to put down B: and as I look at it this morning I cannot remember what B was 🙂
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November 5, 2014 at 4:51 pm
That’s okay – I hadn’t even noticed. 😛 I’m very not so observant that way. 😛
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October 29, 2014 at 8:33 am
This Very True ! I think we as writers are happier with readers (likers) than followers! 🙂 at the same time we cannot deny being grateful with each and every follower! 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 7:04 pm
I suppose it depends how much you like the numbers vs. the interaction. WordPress has a great community spirit within it for people who get involved. That seems to be how we get our actual readers. 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Lucinda!
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October 29, 2014 at 3:54 am
I totally agree. actually there are also types of bloggers. first one those who just write their experience or expertise in particular field, second one do blogging to make money their primary concern is traffic and money. but i agree with you .
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November 3, 2014 at 7:01 pm
There seem to be more of the second kind than the first, unfortunately. It makes you wonder how much, if any, money they’re actually making. 😛
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November 4, 2014 at 1:59 am
I don’t know. i never think about this. i just write when i feel that’s all.
So are you earning from your blog?
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November 4, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Not at all.
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October 28, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Interesting post Linda. I don’t have my own blog yet but would like to. It is good to know some of this going in so that I don’t get too depressed from the start. 😀
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November 3, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Glad to be of service, Paul! 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 8:50 pm
Outside of the spam followers, I tend to look at the stats as “they liked one post enough to agree to follow.” Beyond that, I don’t really care. I write because I want to write. the comments I get often make the whole effort worthwhile. I follow a tin of blogs. I can’t possibly read everything by everyone, but I read some regularly and I skip through the Reader and try to keep up with others. 5%, 10%, 3% – I don’t think it matters. I’ve only been here a few times since I started (recently) following. I like the way you write so I will probably be a regular reader. I hope that helps.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:54 pm
I do appreciate it that you like my writing, Dan. 🙂
I find there is a vast array in what’s important to different bloggers. Knowing that there’s at least someone out there who’s reading is enough for some – others want everyone to read everything. But it seems the low percentages are the same for all of us, regardless of what we want. :p
Thanks for commenting!
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October 28, 2014 at 8:06 pm
I admit that I’m more of a casual reader of blogs. For the most part, I read what catches my eye. I regularly go through my Followed list and will remove anybody I haven’t read in a while just to free up my feed and not be one of those people that subscribe but never imbibe.
I don’t have many followers, just poking over 275, but I average out about between 10 to 25 viewers a day and most of those are search engine results. At the same time though, I do my prompts online more for accountability than to gain actual readership. Maybe when I do something more tangible, I’ll work on building and maintaining a readership.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:44 pm
I’d say blogging 642 consecutive days in a row is pretty substantial! But as long as you’re getting out of it what you want, that’s the main thing. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Heh you know what I would say here. Widden the net right? 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 7:06 pm
But…how? I’m talking about having regular followers, not one-time stop-bys. How many, on a percentage basis of regular followers would you say you have? Like, for instance, how many people comment consistently for a month or more oh HR?
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October 28, 2014 at 7:14 pm
The point is I don’t care or take the time to study that really. If I want more dialogue I find more readers and create that connection, I don’t worry about that percentage of actually feedback. It is wasted energy.
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October 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Well yeah, the way you blog I suppose it is a waste of energy to actually worry about it. I just wondered if you had a quick guess.
*sigh* I’m such a plebe. 😉
hehe
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October 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm
It is all about controlling what we can control is all. That is how I blog, but you knew that. 😉
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October 28, 2014 at 9:05 pm
I never really thought about it as being able to control it, but I suppose you’re right. To an extent. You can get people interested. The hard part is keeping them interested.
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October 28, 2014 at 9:31 pm
Or finding new people that are interested when others move on. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Definitely important so the blog doesn’t stagnate. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 9:48 pm
That’s exactly it. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 7:07 pm
*on*
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October 30, 2014 at 1:09 am
I am replying here because overnight, my opinion slightly got mixed!
I started blogging seriously about two months back. Had a smattering of followers and likes. But yesterday, OM reblogged a post of mine and my poor WP had no idea what happened. The increased traffic, likes and feedback! I realized the power of word of mouth. Especially if the mouth is that of someone like you or OM. I tend to read what you reblog because I trust you and like what you write. So do others! You have that influence.
I am rambling. But there!
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November 3, 2014 at 6:36 pm
I remember the first time OM re-blogged one of my posts – I thought my blog had exploded. 😛 It’s amazing what that much exposure can do, isn’t it? 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Totally mind boggling 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 6:35 pm
From my perspective as another newbie, this is fascinating and a tad disheartening. In the past week or so, I’ve finding that I’m almost too faithful as a reader: I am reading more than I am writing, and that needs to even out–but I get emotionally invested in someone’s story or life. My blog’s numbers jump around a lot, depending on whether I’ve posted something recently and how appealing that post was to a general audience.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:19 pm
I think that it’s true for all of us, Sandi, for the stats to vary widely from day-to-day. But there are so many great, if not downright addictive blogs out there to read! I think we all fall into that trap as well.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:44 pm
May I say how impressed I am that you replied to me, given how full your life is with two kids and your writing? Thank you, Linda 🙂
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November 3, 2014 at 6:48 pm
I’m actually appalled at myself that it took so long. 😛 I should be apologizing to everyone.
But you’re very welcome. 🙂 It’s the least I can do when you take the time to comment. 🙂 Thank you!
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October 28, 2014 at 5:53 pm
I agree Linda with the 5 – 10% number. It doesn’t bother me as I come to realise some of the prompts I do have limited following and I enjoy the challenge so if anyone reads them then good, I have to admit I blog for the benefits it gives to me. Though every so often I do cull the blogs I follow if they don’t blog or if I never see them. The bloggers I connect with are the ones with whom I share in interest in the writing process and who are happy to engage with me from time to time. Some I’ve even become good friends with and that in itself is amazing as well.
Keep up the good stuff you do on your blog Linda.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, Michael. 🙂 I think the 5-10% range is typical for a blog that is mostly fiction or poetry. It’s a niche.
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October 28, 2014 at 5:37 pm
I have about 900 followers, and probably ten people who comment on my blog regularly. I have found that a large number of my blog followers are sales sites, whom I assume are hoping that I will follow them back. (I don’t.)
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November 3, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Nope, neither do I. Just the word “follow” is deceiving, when you think of it. 😛
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October 28, 2014 at 5:18 pm
I’m being optimistic, but I’d guess about 15-20% of my followers actually read my blog. Of course, we can’t forget that a lot of people aren’t following us, but still come across our blog and read one or more articles.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:05 pm
That’s true! And then there are those who don’t have a WP account.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Thats true too!
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November 3, 2014 at 6:48 pm
🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I’m getting less than ten percent of my followers viewing my posts. I think that’s better than some, but not as good as others. I love my regulars, and always count on them for a comment or two. To me, comments are the best part.
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November 3, 2014 at 6:04 pm
The interaction in the WordPress community is priceless. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 4:48 pm
I have about ninety “followers,” most of whom never comment. IK’m with Joey, though: I’m going to keep writing anyway, whether or not anyone is actually reading or commenting.
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October 31, 2014 at 11:08 pm
If you’re enjoying what you do, John, then that’s really what’s most important – that you can keep going. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 4:13 pm
It’s very rare to get a follower who actually reads the words. i appreciate every one of them.
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October 31, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Yep, as do I, John. 🙂 Thanks very much for chiming in. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Interesting post, Linda. I think you’re right, it’s a very small percentage. I have only been at this for a little less than a year, and I just started it as an outlet for my desire to write stuff. I really never expected to have any followers, although I am pleased to have them! I know there’s only a handful of people who read, but I cherish them, they are the ones whose blogs I try to regularly read as well. I love the interactions I have with that “handful” and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I find that the blogging world is a nice way to discover some really good writers like yourself, learn some stuff about writing, and it’s a good place to keep all those secret desires for others to read the stuff that I write. What is it, exactly, about writing that makes us want to have readers?
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October 31, 2014 at 11:05 pm
Excellent question, my dear. I don’t know… maybe it’s the desire to know that people relate to us; to know we’re not alone. One of the best feelings in the world, for me, is when someone reads what I have to say and they exclaim, “YES! I understand!”
You’re right – it’s the handful who make the difference. 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment and your kind words. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 3:44 pm
My home page follower number includes my huge collection of Facebook friends I started accumulating when I worked for the big daily. The WP stats tell me I have 785. Out of that, I think 10% are very regular, 20% are semi regular, 30% I recognize from comments, 40% I recognize from likes. Not that I’m keeping track or anything, Linda G. 🙂 Just a guestimate.
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October 31, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Wow, Mr. Mark, that’s quite a breakdown for a guestimate. 😉 But I think that’s about what I’d say in regards to my own stats. Thanks for this! 🙂
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October 31, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Any time for you, Linda G. You are very welcome. I’m glad to hear that you think your numbers are similar. That comforts. me. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 3:18 pm
You are so right about that! I only have 48 followers but approximately 10% of them really interact with me. I always really appreciate the interaction. It makes it feel so much more worth my while to post articles.
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October 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm
I am right here with nadinebl, 41 followers and only 5 people who have commented more than a couple of times, the most interaction I get — when I get some — are likes but no comments from the majority of them.
Shame on you Linda! lol
I’m not pointing fingers. No I’m not Linda. ….Linda. 😛
I actually thought I wrote well – the manner in which I speak that is, but it may more likely be that people just don’t care for my type of content in general, so that’s on me. I often think I only write to myself.
One day maybe.
~Mark
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October 28, 2014 at 9:19 pm
I forgot to say that I only just started my blog October 11, 2014 so maybe I shouldn’t be *complaining* (not the word I was going to use, but I think Linda would smack me if I used the other one — starts with a B 😛 )
Anyhow, I only just started recently and I too already wrote a post about Fake Followers striking back at Opinionated Man hehe. I have 41 followers, in that post about fake followers I listed 4 but I have about 8 phonies, so my mathy skills says 20% are phonies basically.
So 41 – 8 = 33 and I have 5 who commented so 15% are readers I guess.
Can I have the brownie now? I heard there was a chocolate brownie for the most pathetic of the bunch — or did I get lied to again? Dammit Linda! 😀
*sighs
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October 28, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Or maybe it’s my sense of humor… yeah I said it, humor!
Fine, okay Linda – I’ll leave now, stop pushing!
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October 31, 2014 at 10:51 pm
I kinda like it when you talk to yourself in my comments. hehe. Thanks for the giggle, Mark. Here’s your brownie. 😉
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November 1, 2014 at 11:56 am
Whew! I thought you were sore at me because after I wrote my replies here about your topic, you never replied to me but you did to others so I thought you were maybe wagging your finger at me. 😦
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November 1, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Ha! Well, maybe a little. hehe But really I’m just trying to make my way through all the comments on this post from the bottom, up. I’m surprised there are so many!
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October 29, 2014 at 12:44 am
I don’t write for the likes or comments. I write because I enjoy it but feedback is quite necessary to know what people enjoy, don’t enjoy or what I can do differently.
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October 31, 2014 at 10:54 pm
It is nice to know there’s someone out there reading – the best way to know of course is when we get feedback. It’s kind of comforting to know we’re all basically in the same boat as far as percentages go – no matter what the final numbers are. Thanks for your comment, Nadine. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Yeah. Well I’ve got a lot to say, so brace yourself. I don’t care who reads me or who comments or who likes posts, because I really don’t write for numbers, and I rarely look at my stats. (Also, I’m pretty sure stats lie.) But, what I do care about are the number of pretenders I have. Initially I was completely offended by the people who liked several posts in succession, within seconds, meaning they hadn’t read them. Then I discovered more and more of those people, to the point that I’m pretty sure I could write, “Do not like this post” and I would get five likes.
Then there are the people who read and comment until you follow them and then they stop reading (presumably) and liking (definitely.) Which I suppose was their objective to begin with. It strikes me as terrible dishonesty.
I may follow them, but I’ll only read posts that interest me. And just because I’ve read it doesn’t mean I like it. I follow people who don’t follow me, and I follow people who follow me, but never say a bloody thing. The silent readers here are numerous, just like any other social media.
I do read every single thing you (and a handful of others) write, because I like you and I like the way you write. I don’t get bent if you don’t read or like or comment, since I see you as a person and not as subject.
What did shock the hell out of me was when I posted a poll and so few people voted. I thought everyone loved to vote. I love to vote! I maybe just love to click my opinion 🙂 Only about 20% of those who clicked on the post actually voted. So strange to me.
But anyway, I write for writing’s sake 🙂
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October 30, 2014 at 8:01 pm
If you wrote a post that said “Do not like this post” I would like it. But then I’m a rebel. 😉
There are all kinds of people out there in WordPressland. I’m starting to get used to them and I’m learning who to click on and who not to. Just like any other part of life though, I suppose.
We all have our favourites, though I don’t think there’s anyone I read everything of… I’m not sure I even read all of my own posts. Haha. But there are quite a few people I read most of, you included.
I must have missed your poll – unless I just don’t remember it. Low turnouts are everywhere though. I feel like having a poll just to see how many people vote now. 😛
Thanks for the novel … I mean comment, Joey. 😉
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October 28, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Yep 5 to 10% seems about right for me as well Linda 😀
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October 30, 2014 at 7:53 pm
I’m actually surprised – a popular site like yours I would think would have a better than average turnout. Just goes to show you! Thanks for the comment, Chris. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Your formula is right on. I have only been blogging for three months, and I would guess that 5-10% of my followers actually read my posts on a regular basis. And I, in turn, make an effort to read theirs. I have one or two afternoons a week where I can find a little time away from my kids to catch up on my reader, and I make an effort to interact during those times. On those days my numbers go up. I do get frustrated with some of the spammers who follow me, or the people looking to sell things. But I will say that small percentage of other bloggers with whom I interact on a regular basis are pretty awesome, and I enjoy them all immensely. 🙂
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October 30, 2014 at 7:35 pm
It’s the awesome bloggers that make this whole thing worthwhile! Such a great community here, whether it’s big or small. 🙂
Thanks so much for commenting, Wanda! 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:31 pm
It is a strange game, this blogging. It still feels like I’m new at this, even though I’ve been posting awhile. On one blog I have a few followers, and comments, which really boosts my confidence, and I try to visit them all on theirs. The other blog I have no followers, but a few regular readers, if the stats of the page views are correct. So that is something, at least. I’ll keep posting, and hope I continue to get visitors along the way. I continue to read your writing, Linda, because I enjoy it, even though I don’t always comment (I’m afraid if I like every single thing someone posts, they’ll think I’m stalking them) 😉
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October 30, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Haha! I wouldn’t worry about commenting too much. We all have our favourite bloggers so I’m sure 99% of people understand. 🙂 From my experience, commenting is the best way to get readers to visit.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I wish you all the best with your blogs. 😀
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October 30, 2014 at 8:59 pm
Thanks, Linda. Same for you. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:23 pm
I’d say that I am in the 10-15% bracket, but, it is hard to tell since I just started this blog. However, I do wish that I had the time to read and comment on others more often. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case, but when I can…I do. Great topic for today.
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October 30, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Thanks, AC. Assuming you’re new to WordPress since you just started your blog, welcome. 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying it here. Thanks for sharing your numbers. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Interesting post and something I was thinking about over the last while. I think a huge lot comes down to why we blog in the first place. I wrote a post the other evening that I loved and having logged off, I just said to myself, ‘I don’t care if no one reads this, I’m so glad I wrote it.’
I know some people are obsessed about stats and stuff. I’m not. I’d much prefer to have a core group of people who visit my blog because they like it and visitors who find it and get what they were looking for from it.
Yes, I follow a lot more blogs than I read regularly (like yours) but it’s good to know that it will pop up in the Reader and give me the chance to see what people I’ve liked and followed in the past are up to. Unless one restricts oneself to following very, very few people, it’s impossible to read every post that they write. Thanks again for this interesting read.
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October 30, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Thank you for the interesting comment! 🙂 That core group of regular followers is what makes this place a community, I find. The more the merrier, though I realize that even those people aren’t going to be interested in everything I write.
I’d say I’m quite happy with my community here. 🙂 Thanks for helping me think it through. 😀
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October 31, 2014 at 6:43 am
You’re very welcome.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Yes, it is quite surprising when you realize that people just sign on to follow, but never comment. I have nowhere near your follower number. I’m new and I don’t post nearly as frequently as you do. But even with that, I can see that probably I average under 10% as well. I don’t know…sometimes it does get very defeating….but I keep telling myself I’m doing this for me, not someone else…still though…..feedback is so nice! 🙂
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October 30, 2014 at 7:18 pm
It really would be nice if everyone who followed us actually read and commented, but it really seems to be the case for everyone – that 5-15% is accurate. Thanks for weighing in! 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Oh, gee, Linda. Math? Oh all right – 5% on a good day for me, too.
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October 28, 2014 at 9:03 pm
lol – Yeah, me too. Math and I haven’t seen eye to eye in years. He knows I think he’s the Devil.
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October 29, 2014 at 6:41 am
So that’s the trick, then? To look away, avoid eye contact? Cuz I think math is the Devil, too… 😉
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October 30, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Yeah, between 5 and 15% seems to be the general consensus for just about everyone. Thanks for doing math for us, Maggie. 😉 hehe
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October 31, 2014 at 6:47 am
NP – can I transfer the marks to my college? Happy Hallowe’en, Linda
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October 31, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Haha! Happy Hallowe’en Maggie! 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Very nice Linda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately this the life and if you compare your followers with your friends you will realize that is the same percentage of your friend that you actually meet or talk every day. You are the best Linda.
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October 30, 2014 at 7:12 pm
That’s quite true, now that you mention it Adrian. Thanks so much for that, and for your kind words. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:09 pm
I think the 10-15% number is about right for the percentage of page views to number of followers. At least that’s the way it is with my blog’s stats. I have more than 500 followers at the moment, while I have anywhere between 50 and about 80 views per day. But as for the number of regular followers, I’d say it’s at least 20, maybe up to 30. People, that is.
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October 30, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Thanks for sharing your numbers, Jay. 🙂 It seems one way or another the percentages are about the same for everyone.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:08 pm
“You have tens if not thousands of followers.” – I wish! On average, my regular follower count is around 5%. When I occasionally check up on some of my older followers (not age, but date) many of them haven’t posted in months, and some in over a year. That’s understandable, but what about the others who post all the time? Those make me question how many people follow just to get a follow back.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Chances are they’re too busy with their own blogs to visit anyone else. I’m guilty of that often myself, but I do try to visit others when I can.
For instance with SoCS: most of the people who participate only come to my site twice a week – once to see the prompt and again to post. I do the same with a lot of their blogs – I only visit them to read their SoCS posts except for the occasional visit otherwise. I think people expect that though. One way or another, it contributes to the numbers. 😛
Thanks for commenting, my dear. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:44 pm
That’s a good point, because I must admit that I don’t read everyone’s blog that I follow every single time they post either. Although I do follow them because I like their style, there is no way I would have enough time to read everyone’s blog every day.
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October 30, 2014 at 6:52 pm
When I started out blogging I read everything … then I noticed my dishes weren’t getting washed for days on end. hehe.
Point is, there has to be a balance somewhere.
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October 30, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Same here. Things were getting neglected. Yes, balance is very important.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Interesting post. I often dream of all my followers actually reading my blog. I’d say approx. 5% do. Wow, that’s pretty sad… 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:35 pm
You’re not alone, H.M.! I just figure that I enjoy what I do enough to make up for the lack of notice at what I do. 😛
Thanks for your comment. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:01 pm
Three 😛 Which is like 1%. I’m okay with that at current. And of course I’ll always come back 😉 PS: you have 3900 followers according to your ticker.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:31 pm
I’ll always come back to your place too, m’dear.
The number you see on my ticker includes my 1,700+ twitter followers plus my facebook Author page 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 1:55 pm
This is a great question Linda, hmmm I’d have to give it some thought as I’m almost a year into my blogging journey. I’m closing in at almost 100 followers and 15 email followers. I find it all so exciting and gratifying so I’ll have to figure it out when I get some more stats together. Great topic, I love writers who make me think. 😃
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October 28, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Thanks, Janine. 🙂 Happy to provide you with a topic you can wrap your head around, so to speak. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:34 pm
You’re welcome Linda. Yes thought provking indeed. 😃
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October 28, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I wish I had kept it, but when Rarasaur was up completely, she did a full analysis of blogs, followers, readers, comments, etc. It looks like whether you have 200 or 20, 000, a lot of the percentages were the same in terms of interactions.
While I wish I had more “active” people on my blog, it does make it easier to follow up and get to know the ones who are active now a lot better. I guess that’s the silver lining, of sorts.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:26 pm
You have a good point – a huge percentage of my followers aren’t even around anymore. It is nice that we can get to know some people well. It’s sad to see some go though…
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October 28, 2014 at 1:52 pm
Very good post! You are right. Not everyone actually reads what I post and I think this is because some bloggers just want to get followers. So they will follow your blog, or like one or two posts just so you do the same thing in return. But hey, their loss, in the end.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:15 pm
That’s a good attitude towards it! 😀
I wish I could say there aren’t blogs I’ve been to, liked, followed, and never had enough interest in to go back to, but the sad truth is, there just aren’t enough hours in the day for all the great stuff out there. I do tend to visit the people who comment on my blog more though.
Thanks so much for your comment, Lucy! 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Indeed, not enough time to read everything out there, and knowing how much energy and dedication go into writing, it’s a pity it’s not possible to read more. What I usually do, is go through the reader and choose the posts which interest me most. I must say I made some pretty good choices so far 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
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October 30, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Yep, that’s why it’s so very important to have good titles and opening lines in our posts. The wishy-washy ones often get passed over.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Lucy. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Well, my followers number is so low still that I have to believe that every single one of them reads every single post. Otherwise, I’d be seriously depressed right now.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Be happy, CM! Of course we do!!
…okay, I might have missed one or two.
*hides head in shame*
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October 28, 2014 at 2:30 pm
You’re allowed to miss one or two, especially since you only joined me fairly recently.
Little secret – I don’t necessarily read every post of every blog I follow, either, but who knows any differently, considering the way the WP Stats are so f*d up most of the time.:)
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October 30, 2014 at 6:46 pm
I know – WP isn’t exactly always reliable. 😛
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October 28, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Around 5% on a good day.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Those numbers are deceiving, aren’t they? I think that’s why it’s so important to build a rapport with other bloggers.
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October 28, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Well I am a relative newbie to blogging. I know exactly what you mean. I think that some people may read my blog and not leave a like or comment. But it is difficult because one likes to think someone is reading and it supports our writing as well. I have told myself that it is because there are a gazillion bloggers and to get noticed and to hold an audience is hard to do.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm
It’s very hard to hold on to an audience. The people who have been around my blog since the beginning who are still visiting me regularly now number about 15 or 20. That’s not percent. That’s actual people.
Thanks for commenting, Deborah. Hang in there! We’re all in the same boat. 🙂
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October 28, 2014 at 1:44 pm
I have just over 1,800 and I’d go with the 3-5%. It’s hard to tell since I don’t seem to get the traffic that I used to. Some days those numbers feel generous.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm
I know what you mean, Charles. Unless I put a lot of work into going out to other people’s sites – and I mean A LOT, I don’t get the same numbers.
But for instance, I include you in my 10%, even if you don’t come by for a week or two. Because I know you’re there. My actual numbers are much less.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Same here. I think I’ve been slipping away because months ago I was doing a lot of activity and wasn’t getting much reciprocation. It’s a strange beast this blogging. If you put a ton of work into being a presence then everything else falls to the wayside. If you focus on the other stuff then you watch your numbers drop.
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October 28, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Exactly, Charles. I was busy editing yesterday and this morning I woke up to 7 views. It’s disheartening, but we can’t be everywhere at once. 😛
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October 28, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I’m expecting a big drop next year when I stop doing the dailies. I’ll get more work done, but I know the blog is going to take a hit.
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October 28, 2014 at 1:43 pm
This one has, I feel, become a bit of an elephant in the room, Linda – thanks for saying, ‘Hey! Pachyderm here, folks!’ so clearly and succinctly. I reckon I get – ooh, Maths coming up! – 5% on a good day and with the wind behind me! Now, to be fair, I have not been a good visitor myself in recent weeks – lots of reasons which I won’t go into! – and could, therefore, be accused of arrant hypocrisy. But it is a concern, bearing out, I very much fear, my suspicion that over 50% of my followers are Trolls, Spammers and other Pondlife!
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October 28, 2014 at 1:58 pm
We’re all guilty of not reading everyone we follow every day. Life outside of the internet has to happen after all, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to afford the internet. 😛 I do think that visiting and commenting on other blogs has a huge impact on views on our own. I notice it myself when I just post and don’t visit. And you’re right about the bot followers. I agree that it’s probably around a third or a half.
Thanks very much for your kind words and for weighing in. I think that especially for people who haven’t been around a long time it’s a bit of a shock.
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October 28, 2014 at 1:59 pm
#Alienorajt.
Hi. If you click on the WP logo on the LHS of the black bar at the top of your blog. Click Stats. Scroll down and find Followers. Click on (the blue)Blog underneath and you will see who’s following you. I have 1250 from WP and 7 email followers. Good luck with your research 😀
#Linda.
Great post. Less than 7.654% depending on the post 😀 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Thanks, Ralph, for your kind words and for sharing your numbers. 😀
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October 28, 2014 at 2:44 pm
You’re welcome Linda.
When I first started blogging I maxed out at following nearly 300 blogs which practically killed me with work. So I unsubscribed any that didn’t respond to comments or didn’t visit my blog. I am following in the 70’s now which I find a comfortable number and readjust who I follow now and again.
As far as who’s following me I don’t think I will go through 63 pages to see if there is a troll or two.
I hope you are having a lovely week 😀 ❤
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October 30, 2014 at 6:43 pm
A bit of a crazy week, with Halloween coming, but not bad in all, thank you. 😀
I think I follow more than 70 blogs by email alone. Needless to say I don’t read everything everyone writes, but I do try to keep up with the important stuff. 😀
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October 31, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Have a great evening Linda 😀
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October 31, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Thanks, Ralph. You too! 😀
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