This post is a response to my annual report from WP. My stats lagged behind last year’s. I took long breaks between posts in 2014 while I served as CCSS president and later as I wrote Images of America: Woodlake. I think WP felt sorry for me and tried to encourage me, by telling me that I had “staying power.” So if you’d like some staying power, here’s my advice.
1. Write about what you know. A few years ago I worked on a state project to align writing and history social science. Editors modified the published version immensely, so I published my original along with a few pictures. I didn’t know what else to write when I started blogging. That article draws more views year after year than any other post. WP told me I have staying power and I should try writing similar articles to ones I’ve written in the past.
2. Analyze your stats. I had never heard of most of the ways people found my blog until I read my annual report. It turned out that a university professor’s site recommended that article. I need to apologize to many students mis-identified as SPAM. Who knew?
4. Write about what you don’t know. Even though WP told me to write more of the same, I have branched out into less popular posts. Writing cements learning. Every day I learn something new, and being a teacher I have to do something with it and not let it sit and rot in my brain. So I write about what I learn.
So what was your best post last year, and where are you and your blog headed this year? Wherever you go, have a great New Year blogging, enjoy the journey, and when you get to my blog, pull up a comfy chair and stay awhile! 🙂
I borrowed all photos except Kalev’s puppy picture. 🙂
Hello Marsha,
Thanks for visiting my book promo blog. Very nice to meet you and great tips on this post! I’ll be adding some new pages to help other writer and authors soon on my blog. So come back after Jan 5th 🙂
God Bless,
*Catherine*
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Will do! 🙂
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It is interesting to see where the traffic comes from. Keep on blogging Marsha, a very happy new year to you and Vince!
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Yes it is. You too! I’m so glad we became friends. 🙂
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My most popular post is the one about Niagara Falls that I wrote two years ago and my traffic comes from another art teacher and her blog but mostly from Cee’s blog.
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That’s interesting. I love Cee’s blog. I feel a special connection to her because I know the area where she lives. We used to live near there. She is an amazing woman. I am not as good about being a regular participator, but I love her challenges.
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On a totally unrelated topic, that’s a lovely quilt on the sofa behind Kalev. Did you make it?
I am always intrigued by my stats. A post I spend hours preparing and think is great will often not do so well, where the one I whip up in no time is very popular and attracts lots of comments. Go figure…
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I didn’t make that quilt. I bought it at an auction at work. One of the secretaries made it. I love it. It is just the right size to put in all sorts of places. It moves around.
People like short posts. but the one that gets so much attention is just the opposite. It’s very long and educational-ese. 🙂
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I really like looking at the WP stats at the end of the year. I’ve had a quietish year as well, but things have been rather hectic at the RUC. Getting a bit off subject here – I got my Year in Review on Facebook and a picture of my dog who had died popped up with streamers and party paraphernalia around him. Needless to say I wasn’t impressed 😦
Have a wonderful year, Marsha xxxxx
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Dianne, I’ve missed you so much! It’s great to hear from you. I’m so sorry about your dog. That is so sad. My review on FB was mostly old pictures from Woodlake, which is fine because that’s what I worked on for six months. What are you doing next Jan? Email me or FB me.
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I like this – I LOVE #4! I have been so busy I haven’t looked at that WP email – so thanks for kicking me! I’ll get to it…
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I’m so glad! It’s so fun to learn how you did. Mine wasn’t great, but I didn’t do much with it this year, and they let me know I wasn’t up to par! 🙂 So funny. 🙂
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Happy New Year! Congratulations on finishing your Woodlake book! I have been very busy, now working many miles out of town, planning to relocate (but still in FL).
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Yay for you! Bummer for us. You can tell me all about it offline! 🙂
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Kalev is too cute. Congrats on getting your Woodlake book finished, and good luck with your novel. I’m off to check my spam. 🙂
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You are SOOOOO funny!
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Well it’s a good job that I did, because poor Maxima the love poet was languishing in there. 😀
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Sounds like sound advice to me. Happy New Year, Marsha! 🙂
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Thanks, Blog Woman. If Blog Woman gives me a recommendation about blog advice, I’m in heaven! Thanks again, and have a great New Year yourself. 🙂
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Happy New Year Marsha. I hope you have a fantastic year
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You too, Al!!! It’s always so good to hear from you. 🙂
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Heres to much time and inspiration to this new blogging year… Happy new year marsha, barbara
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Thanks so much Barbara. I miss it when I get tied up in projects. I’m totally addicted! 🙂 Happy blogging! 🙂
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