I am now entering my second month of blogging. What a ride it has been. I have met so many amazing mommy bloggers and I love the conversations we all have been having on my blog. Not to mention the contniue conversations on twitter.
Before I started blogging I spent a lot of time (and still do) researching blogging and reading other blogs. There is so much information out there on how to have a successful blog. For example, just from doing a google search, I can tell you all you need to know about content, leaving comments, google analytics, design, etc. But what I am struggling a bit with is how does one actually define a successful blog? Now I know we all blog for different reasons and have different definitions of success for our own blogs. However, there has to be a common consensus of some sort on what is considered a successful blog.
So what does a successful blog look like?
Looking at tangible things such as:
- Number of followers. At what number would you say ok that persons blog is successful. What is the number that a successful blog should strive for daily, monthly, yearly.
- The number of comments you get. I personally like quality over quanity of comments. But is there a certain number a successful blog should strive for.
- A certain number of pageview/unique visitors. I use google analytics and when I look at my "numbers" I see how many vistors I have but at what point do I say ok that is a good number. Or what number should a "successful" blog strive for.
- A certain number of subscribers. Again what is a number that you would say ok my blog/her blog is a success.
- The number of companies that contact you for reviews. At what point are your numbers sufficient that a company would take your blog in consideration for reviews.
- If and how much money you make off you blog. Not everyone wants to make money off their blog. However, I am wondering if this is a measure of success. Because in my opinion if you can quit your job and support you family blogging that would be SWEET and I would consider you successful. Or if you get a book deal as a result of your blog. So is that the ultimate measure of success?
So these are just some thoughts I have had as I blogged over the last couple months. I think if there were some blogging levels of success it would give new bloggers an idea of what they need to strive for in terms of "successful blogging".
I am curious to know some blogger thoughts on this. Have you struggled with this question? And how do you define a successful blogger?
Thanks sexy mamas!
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I can’t wait to hear the answers to this because I’ve had all the same questions! I am totally clueless. I’m going to RT this!
Thanks girly!!
What a great blog topic!! I love hearing the answers to these. I think the biggest measure of success is having repeat followers- those who come back again and again, and don’t just reply once or twice. That, and of course content, content, content!
Good question! I don’t know the “right” answer, but I agree with Just Another… I feel successful when people are commenting on the content of my blog… like it means something to them.
SECOND MONTH AND YOU HAVE OVER 100 FOLLOWERS? I’m barely there and it’s been much longer than that, girlie. You’re doing GREAT!!! I don’t know that the money aspect matters, as someone who isn’t in it for that, it’s more the friendships I make, the connections and the people who say, hey, you know that girl over at GGGR? GO CHECK HER OUT! That’s success to me!
I love this question too. I’ve been wondering myself.
Still so new in the game that I don’t have many followers just yet – only about 30 or so – but we’re 3 weeks old.
I will consider my blog successful when I have 1,000 followers, am getting product review requests and have at least 500 subscribers. (This is the closes to a goal I’ve written, better save this. )
TheBusyChick.Com
I think what defines a successful blog is what your personal mission statement is and if you are meeting those goals. Blogging can range from a personal family blog to a blog that your hopping to make money at.
Personally I like both, but the money makers seem to have less rich content that made me want to read a blog in the first place. I love when people share their lives, the ups and downs, and if you can make money while keeping that real then that is a successful blog.
Be wary of losing your way and falling into the trap of making other “mommy bloggers” your audience.
Backlinks, feed followers, page views, Page Rank are all fun and meaningful benchmarks, but somewhat abstract measurements of success. At some point the numbers will not excite you no matter how big they are.
I believe success is when a reader emails you and thanks you for the difference your blog has made in their life. It is motivating for me anyway.
Wow, two months and over a hundred followers?! I’ve been blogging a year and a half and have only a quarter of that. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers and subscribers and followers but I would consider myself successful because I have loyal readers and I pour my heart and soul into my blog. I keep it honest, no gimmicks to get readers. It’s easy to fall prey to blog envy, but quality over quantity any day.
2nd month and you have more followers than me! lol Those are some good questions! I am not sure if there is a real answer..most of it is what are YOU happy with?? I don’t have tons of followers or fans, but I am loving the comments so for me it’s success:)
I was just thinking the same thing as Jen @ After the Alter…you’re only in your 2nd month?! Great job on your followership so far. I think what everyone has said is true. You define the success. Depends on what you want out of it. Looks like you are well on your way though!
Oh and thanks for participating in POM’s Connect MEme Monday!
For me it’s about content and whether people come back to reply. I’d also like more followers and agree with everyone here….you are way ahead of the game girl!
For myself, I have found that my bar moves constantly. I would have never believed I’d have 450 subscribers, but now that I do I don’t feel as if I’ve arrived or anything. It’s the same with number of comments, or page views. In fact, I am trying (with limited success) to just not track this stuff so much anymore, because it makes me neurotic and there’s no winning this game.
I am blogging because I like to write, and I enjoy the community it provides. So, my blog is the means to an end in terms of giving me writing practice and growing my tribe. My hope is that I can spin this into an actual writing / speaking career. At this point, my success has become less about some number, and more about my own personal quest to improve the quality of my writing, and explore new ways to interact.
I feel that each of us has a unique perspective on what success means.
I especially love this quote by Ben Sweetland, it basically sums up my definition of success; in life & online:
“Success is a journey, not a destination”
Many of the commenters on this post have stated that you already have more followers, in a shorter time, than they do. I think that in the blogging world, followers/commenters=success. After all, how else do you know who you’re reaching with your message? I think it’s especially true for bloggers that write without earning money. They profit in the connections they make and friendships they develop.
I know I really appreciate and love when I make a connection with someone out there; whether it’s one person or a hundred, I feel successful!
Great post; really thought-provoking!
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