Bring 'em To Your Blog
That flying saucer house I mentioned a few months ago continues to get mega hits. Recently someone from the UK sent me an email requesting permission to use one of my pictures for an upcoming publication on composite materials in UK housing.
In an age where people are constantly swiping art, photos, and [sigh] books, it's refreshing to have someone contact you and do the right thing.
The arthritis raisin remedy also gets a lot of hits. Followed by various Google searches for homesteading, hot virgins, and *my* name.
I'm not sure I like where this is going. LOL.
Did you know that Blogger has its own stat counter now? It still can't count how many people read you on RSS or Google Reader, but it sounds like it'll give you a fair indicator on what your hot topics are.
If you use Blogger, go into Draft mode, (where you create your post). To the far right, there's a new tab called Stats.
Here, it'll parse it out between Overview, Posts, Traffic Sources, and Audience. I never think to look at this tool, but it can be useful to see which topics bring the most traffic.
So how about you? What's brought you the most traffic? And if you follow stats, what is the most bizarre keyword that has ever brought someone to your site?
Comments
But yes, I can see how sexy hot men will bring traffic. :)
I just post and hope people enjoy it. There were things that I thought folks would love (no one commented) and things that I posted mostly for myself that a bunch of people post to.
I don't have a really active blog; hundreds do not drop by. Though, I'm sure more would if I posted "friendly boobs."
Maria - my nine year old saw a picture of Alexander Skaarsgaad in my tv guide magazine and thought he was "beautiful". She asked me if she could have the picture because she wanted to hang it on her wall. LMBO - she doesn't know who he is, what he acts in or anything like that but even my child can see that he has appeal!! I am definitely going to have to be on my guard when that kid starts dating!!!
Now - I need to go visit Joanne's page......
Thanks for the tip anyway Maria!
This is something I'd love to find more about, when time permits.
Suzanne :)
ref: friendly boobs
I rest my case. LOL
But you're right. You can't predict what will bring in comments. And there are tons of variables too.
Holidays? Forget it.
NaNo? It's shaky
I don't go for heavy topics around the holidays. People have enough on their minds.
PS Good luck with your 9 year old. I think you're going to need it.
I get a pretty decent amount of traffic, maybe five times the number of comments. A lot of people lurk and that's okay. But it's always more fun when they participate.
But writing topics are very popular here. I did a whole series on marketing posts last year, and those have been the most popular to date.
Thanks for stopping by!
Maybe I need to toss in some boobs? {grin}
And I do NOT like Blogger's stat counter. I find it amazingly inaccurate. The other day on a different blog I had twice as many comments as "views". How do you suppose that is possible?
I use stat counter on my blogs, and site meter on my LASR website.
Linda: Boobs might bring them in, but ask yourself, is that who you really want visiting you? LOL. Might get more than you asked for.
Sue, let me know what happens. I've had a regular influx of traffic from that post. A week doesn't go by that I don't get at least 25 hits for that. Though I think it's the picture that brings them in. Google has it on its images page. That's where most of them are coming from.
Madeleine: Cinderella shoe blogfest? That would pique my curiosity too.
Excerpts and poems are hit or miss. The short ones might get some good comments, but I rarely see comments on long excerpts unless it's the obligatory, 'good job'.
And that's fine. Whatever brings them in. Hopefully, while they're here they'll also look at my other work.
Krista: The only thing that bothers me about using SEO to drive traffic is that if I'm not what they're looking for it'll likely irritate more than attract once they get here.
I love company but if they don't like what I'm serving I wasted their time. My goal is to find the people who like my style as is.
Ref: I think that means I need to start using better keywords in my future posts!
Not necessarily. It means people are looking for you specifically. That's a good sign. :)
*Sigh* I should worry more about traffic than I currently do...
Liz: I don't get too wrapped up with traffic. I'm intrigued by what brings people in and what incites the most comments though.
Kait: tramp stamp. Now I can see people Googling that. Crud--not so much. Unless it's to find out how to get rid of it.
Blogger stats is ok, but I much prefer Statcounter which is free and gives loads more info!
I think Statcounter is more precise. But it does go wonky every once in a while.
I do look at the stats in blogger and haven't checked out stats counter. The stats I give to PR are from blogger!
I'm following you too now. :)