I have read of the frustration that new Bloggers here on Active Rain have regarding not being able to "stand out" amongst the "power house" Bloggers who always seem to get all the attention.

One thing I don't think new Bloggers see is that fact that many of the best-of-the-best Power Bloggers have worked hard to work their way up to the top of the this Blog Pile. It takes time and commitment to generate good content that readers connect with and like to read. BUT Bloggers need to also understand the brutal fact that while it takes time to get to the top, it take MUCH LESS time to take a dive and fall out of favor if you don't continue to Blog and and generate interesting content.

While we are privy to some statistical information about our Blogs here on Active Rain... it is very limited. So I thought I would share with you some information I captured using StatCounter (a fun and cheap blog widget) over on my Pretty Blog. While this is not a super analytical study... it is a bit interesting. Also, keep in mind that while I "compete" for no ones attention on my Pretty Blog, I think this simple graph is telling and parallels what can and does happen here in the Rain.

Since January 2007 my Pretty Blog has been averaging 147 visitors a day. (Which I don't think it that bad considering much of what I write there is a re-constituted version of what I write here... but that is a different story.) Anyway, last week while I was gone on vacation, I saw my numbers plummet, averaging only 108 visitors a day. That is a whopping 26.5 % drop in readers in just a 7 days time (Monday April 23 to Sunday April 29th). Sunday was the WORST day of all. On that day I only had 32 visitors, which was the lowest readership since Christmas week 2006... another time I took a break from Blogging.

Anyway, this RAPID dive on my Pretty Blog shows me I if I want my Blog to continue to work for me, I have to work to work at it ongoingly and keep it fresh. 

So the next time you are a bit frustrated with those Bloggers who stand out in the Rain... know that they have worked hard to get to where they are AND they are working hard to stay were they are. Power Bloggers are well aware of the fact that you are there ready to take their place should the take a dive.

Blog on...

Me

 

29 Comments on For a QUICK DIVE in Blog Readership... Go on Vacation!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAY
05
2007
105,848 Points 1 Featured Post
Thanks for the info on statcounter.  Anything to help us knwo more about these technologies is great...I'll be sure to make another visit to the pretty blog!
6:05pm • #10
865,945 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I think that it is going to take awhile to find my own blogging voice.  Things are getting busy and I am very involved with a lot of realtor(r) stuff right now -- so I just may not be a top blogger for some time.  I try to read a little every day and improve each time I write a new blog.  I am ready for a vacation! 
6:06pm • #11
140,427 Points 11 Featured Posts
Craig - This is a great lessons for bloggers.  I've noticed the same results too.  Paraphrasing TLW,  it requires  hard, consistent work.  Good to see that you're visitors are shooting up.
6:52pm • #12
130,922 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Craig: Your pretty blog is—well—pretty, I like it. Thanks so much for not writing about Google, Google Juice, oractive rain|active codgers, your active fans image Self-googling! There is a lesson here—don’t take vacations! ;-)

 

Jay
7:54pm • #13
874,487 Points 154 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Write a weeks worth of posts in Word, give to your assistant and have her post them for you is one idea.

We all need vacations. Personally you can't lay in the sun 24/7. Well, I try......

Thanks Craig. It is hard work but fun too.

8:01pm • #14
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Craig,great talking. One of the things that I have on my pretty blog as I'm sure you do is to have the option of having it post while you are gone. Of course those areas that you need to feed by hand won't be fed but at least the natural feeds will work as well as providing the juice for your blog.

Great info my friend. Glad you had a good time and that you are back.
8:16pm • #15
14 Featured Posts
Great info!  It does seem like there are so many little things that need to be kept up with... and now you've added another.  Ok, so my summer vacation isn't till August, I have till then to figure this out.  Of course, no one's reading my blog yet (I don't think), so I guess I don't have too much to lose!
8:37pm • #16
367,616 Points 145 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Hi Craig, the only consolation is that if you had "it" to begin with...the stuff that makes people want to come back for more, "it" will still be there when you get back from vacation, although you may have to stoke & fan the flames of "its" dying embers! :)
8:38pm • #17
1 Featured Post
Good reminder for all of us.  Gotta' get in there and get your hands dirty to see progress. And keeping the consistency is definitely a challenge.
8:47pm • #18

It is definitely an ongoing event.  Guess there will be no vacations for the power bloggers here!
8:50pm • #19
221,087 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Craig....I find the Geeky side of you quite sexy!
9:59pm • #20
655,247 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
We are taking a sail boat vacation this summer and will be gone for about 10 days.  I have been wondereing about the hit on my business and the blogging had crossed my mind also.  OH WELL, it is something we have ALWAYS wanted to do.  As much as I love real estate, we do need our vacations!!
10:02pm • #21
600,555 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Excellent point! I keep meaning to write and store some blogs for the days I get too busy to write, but so far haven't had the time to do that.
10:33pm • #22
MAY
06
2007
126,074 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Craig, great point and interesting stats!  Thank you for the great post!
12:09am • #23
141,741 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor
no more vacations for you! How dare you have a real life!
3:36am • #24
1,419,668 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I didn't realize that traffic would be so responsive so quickly. Don't some blogging platforms have the feature to write posts for publication at a future date? I know that responding to comments still might fall behind a little, but at least there would be fresh content.
1:56pm • #25
558,978 Points 91 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Craig,

No quick fix here...if you want to earn  you need to learn and contribute not just for yourself but for the whole community.
2:12pm • #26
357,444 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Nice post...

It's like a double edged sword. You need to go on vacation to keep your writing fresh, etc.  On the other hand you're readership is down...and you have to build it back up again............oh well..
6:28pm • #27
293,094 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Criag, I've experienced the same thing. I'm nowhere near the readership you are but I notice a major drop in interest when I've been too busy to blog steadily for a week. I guess it's the "what have you done for me lately?" approach. 
10:48pm • #28
MAY
07
2007
1 Featured Post

Craig...I couldn't agree with you more. I look up to the "powerhouse" bloggers; many of them provide fantastic information in a great format because they are seasoned bloggers.

In terms of the stats..it just means I have to sleep less.

6:58pm • #29

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Craig Schiller

Chicago, IL

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REAL ESTAGING, a nationally recognized leader in Staging.

Address: PO BOX 5267, Aurora , IL, 60507

Office Phone: (847) 384-9369

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These are the creative writings of Craig Schiller, a home staging professional, passionate real estate marketing professional and founder of the Real Estaging, one of the nation's leading home staging companies.


















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