The A-Z Blogging Challenge was a lot of fun. I posted more in a month than I normally do in three. While I can't imagine continuing such a torrid pace long-term, I can certainly see myself participating again next year. In fact, I have a feeling I'll be thinking of topics for letters all the time now. I should probably start a file or something. I was posting about twice a week before the Challenge started, and that feels even more right now. I'm always curious about blog frequency. How many times do you try to post a week?
Blogging is about writing first and foremost, but it's also about reading. I tried to check out as many blogs as possible. There were over 1200 participants in this year's challenge, so there was no way I was going to get to them all. I'm comfortable with the number of blogs I was able to visit, and I found a number of excellent writers to follow. I'm looking forward to reading what they come up with now that the Challenge is over.
Right before the Challenge started, I had a string of three or four posts in a row with double digit comments. That was new for me. I'm happy to say, the streak of double digit comments is still alive as I head into May. I don't know how long the streak will last, but I'm riding it out like Kramer testing how far he could drive on a tank of gas. The point is, more people were reading and felt compelled to leave comments. I don't know about anyone else, but getting feedback on something I've written is the best part of this whole blogging deal.
There were a few surprises in the data. The post I put the least effort into got the most page views and comments. Some of the posts I worked on the longest had the fewest page views and comments. Just goes to show. You never know. That's what I liked most about A-Z. It challenged my preconceived notions of my writing on a daily basis, something that can only make me better.
That's funny about the posts with the least amount of effort put into them being the most popular. I noticed a few days like that on my blog too. Some stuff I wrote off-the-cuff fifteen minutes before I went to bed the night before got instant comments and lots of pageviews in the morning.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm glad I found your blog during the challenge. Your posts always contained a lot of positive sentiments about the things you love. Keep it up. I'll be back for more. :)
You did a good job with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Oilfield, well done!!
ReplyDeletethe post comment to view ratio is a funny thing, I noticed that too. I wonder if time of posting has anything to do with it? I like you have no plans to keep up the frequency, I think having to many posts reduces the amount a post is read as people checking in infrequently will miss some in between. I know when short of time I don't go back through older posts when I visit a blog.
ReplyDeleteRJRdaydreamer
I'm still trying to get a grip on the comment, view, follower thing. Maybe it'll never make sense to me. Maybe it's best to go with the flow and not try to analyse too much? I doubt I'll blog this month, just try to meet my followers and the people who commented and perhaps make my way through the reflections. I agree with RJR I have people I like to read regularly, but if they post heaps I feel I'm missing out, but simply can't manage to go back. Good on you for completing, it's a real sense of satisfaction. Sue
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the finish! I'm really feeling accomplished about having completed the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI usually try to post 3 or so times a week, depending on my mood and busy-ness factor. My post that netted the most comments is till my Z post and I don't know what to think of that...
I'm trying to do more visiting this week. Glad I'm following your blog. :-)
great job on the challenge! it was great fun
ReplyDeletegreat meeting you & you just proved KISS works =)
ReplyDeleteGreat wrap-up post, and I hope you can keep your Kramer streak going. I'm looking forward to continuing with your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy comment will ensure you get to double digits on this post. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked the A-Z challenge. You asked the group before you started if you should do random topics or focus more on movies, etc. Now that you're done.....are you glad you went with random? Or do you think another choice might have been even better?
Loved reading your posts. I even thought I might start an A-Z as well, but then realized it was only during April.
ReplyDeleteThe part that struck me most was the freedom to post about random things you wouldn't normally post about. I am too stuck blogging about dad stuff that I don't think I can post about(R)oller Coasters, but with such a challenge, why not?
Good job Tim.
Receiving thoughtful comments is the best part of blogging for me. I try to return the compliment though sometimes I'm pushed for time and have to content myself - though not the blog author - with a single word comment.
ReplyDeleteI usually produce several blog posts a week but I understand what you mean about missing posts. I have done that a lot during the challenge and feel badly about it. Hey ho! That's life:-)
Hi Tim. I just wanted to let you know I have given you the Stylish Blogger Award on my blog, you already know I love your blog. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://julieflanders.blogspot.com/2011/05/stylish-blogger-award.html
I too think about letters more these days, but am ready to back away from the pace.
ReplyDeleteCareful now--gas is expensive these days! Nice work, Tim. You've built yourself a nice community here. :)
ReplyDeleteI missed visiting during the Challenge. Good to meet you. Congrats on finishing. I’m looking forward to next year!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the challenge. It was a whirlwind storm from what I gather on all the blogs I visit that were participating in it.
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