Blogging can be a hobby, a platform for selling something, or it could be a job. But what makes a blog successful?
My short answer: You enjoy doing it. That’s it. The numbers don’t matter.
But, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care about the numbers. The numbers are fascinating for me. I like to see them go up, but this isn’t because I have an ego to stroke. More views and more followers mean my network grows and my ability to get my books out to more readers improves. It’s an important factor for my future livelihood.
If we look at the numbers, there are several to consider: views, followers, likes, reblogs, and comments. They all show something positive.
- Views: The more you have, the more popular your blog may be, or you’re just good at marketing your blog.
- Followers: Another measure of popularity. Or maybe you follow a lot, so they follow back.
- Likes: If they like the post, then they click on like. Or they click on like merely because they saw it in their newsfeed without even reading it.
- Reblogs: Someone really likes your post! But I find that these aren’t nearly as common as the other factors.
- Comments: People want to talk about what you posted. What you said inspired someone to say something. It means your message is getting out to people and they want to engage with you.
Personally, I think the most important measure is comments, especially if many of them are your own. This means you are active, interested in your readers, and attract readers. They want to talk to you. Views are good, especially if you have a lot of return readers. You can easily tell this by your comments section. You want people to return. But I believe comments are the greatest indicator of your blog’s success.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below (see what I did there?).
I Read Encyclopedias for Fun 
“My short answer: You enjoy doing it. That’s it. The numbers don’t matter.”
What if you enjoy the numbers? 🙂
I do enjoy the numbers 🙂
Reblogged this on A Good Blog is Hard to Find and commented:
What defines a successful blog? -OM
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I have one to believe that my views told a great story. I hit 50,000 views with less than 600 followers and not quite 300 posts. I feel that my followers keep reading and I can see that new followers read older posts
I wish I had more comments and reblog. Maybe one day I’ll find what makes my readers reblog 🙂
You might try just asking. You’d be surprised how many just never think to do it. 🙂
I’ve done that! Maybe it’s time to do it again! Thx
No problem! People forget easily and sometimes repeated reminders DO help! Good luck!
Thank you
I do the same thing for comments. I always ask people to comment.
I guess this post was reblogged. But then, whenever I write posts like this, Jason tends to reblog them 🙂
I hit 70,000 views with more than 1,200 followers and more than 1,600 posts. I had a slow first couple years.
Perspective. 1200 followers is double what I had after 2 year. I’m just over 800 and getting close to 3 years. It’s interesting what we chose to see in our numbers. I enjoyed your post!
I think our numbers are pretty similar.
Ha — I did see what you did there. Anyway, I perfectly agree with you. I try not to let the numbers get me down too much, but simultaneously, they DO mean a lot to me. They mean selling more books; they mean increasing the chance for a better future. Great post, Mr. Encyclopedias. 🙂
I do tend to get disappointed when my views go below 100 in a day. But some days just don’t seem to be busy. And other times, it’s the timing.
You’re the first person to ever call me Mr. Encyclopedias 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
You’re welcome!
I enjoyed reading this:) the people who don’t read and just like are the worst
I agree.
Thanks!
Yeah, they’re not contributing to anything.
I agree with you on this, while having fun blogging for me the numbers of viewers, likes, and comments are all important for me. this is a good point thanks for sharing
Thanks for the comment. They’re all important, but it’s not worth blogging if you’re not having fun.
agreed
Im just beginning to understand rhe world of blogging. I love comments and love to comment 😉
That’s great! I love getting comments and starting conversations. And since you’ve come by and commented, I’ve now followed your blog 🙂
Thank You and I am also following you. Heres to many more conversations!
Looking forward to it!
Just hitting ‘like’ doesn’t mean much if there are no comments. I’ve always tried to engage with my readers so I’ve had plenty of comments. And for me, that’s what it’s all about, the connections and the online relationships that are formed. I enjoy seeing the numbers go up too. That’s a bonus that comes when you interact.
Yes, it is a nice bonus. I find that if I comment on other people’s blogs, they comment on mine. I try to do that when I can, but I’ve been kind of slow with that recently, being a bit busy with my move. But after the move, I think I can get back into it.
We all do what we can Jay Dee. Thanks.
I live for comments. But it kills me a little inside when people like without reading.
I’ve had a blog that got 4 or 5 likes per post and only 1 or 2 views. They didn’t read, just liked.
I enjoy reading the comments to my posts and those of other bloggers especially if the topic is unusual or intriguing. Good post!
Thank you! I also like to get involved in comments on posts I’ve enjoyed.
LOL. I don’t always comment on everyone’s post, but that doesn’t mean I like it if I don’t. But, I do tweet a lot of great reads so that people can check them out. I think you’re a good blogger if you believe you are.
That’s another good point. I tweet posts I like, too. And if I really like it, I share it on Facebook (if I think my friends and family will enjoy it).
We define our own success in any thing we do in life, blogging or otherwise. Great post, Jay Dee!
Yes, we do! Thanks, Eric.
I expect that actually making blog posts would be beneficial?
Well, that goes without saying.
Through random scrolling of tweets, I found one regarding a new linkup. In my second go round of blogging, I have discovered the magic of linkup parties. Anyway, the one that I found was hosted on a British blog and there is a huge difference between the British linkup parties and the American ones. The British ones require that you comment on the posts whereas the American ones just ask that you link to 2 or 3 posts. I think the Bristish way is the way to go since getting feedback is important. And as you wrote, It also gives you the ability to show that you care that people are taking the time to read your content as well as give you the opportunity to engage with them.
The British way does sound better. I prefer that way. Interesting that they’re different.
You definitely are good at eliciting comments and answering them, Jay Dee! For myself, I do enjoy blogging. I am not very attentive to stats, although I do check and post about milestones sporadically. I am not especially good at eliciting comments, but I always answer those that I do get.
I mostly just ask people to comment. Seems to work!
LOL – It works for you! I do have some posts where I ask for comments, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference, other than my last poem, which elicited a higher than usual number of comments, although mostly at Silver Birch Press where the poem was published and on my Facebook, not so much at Top of JC’s Mind. And most of the comments were about my hair, rather than about the poem (which was about my hair).
I’ve found that people rarely comment on samples of my writing, but much more on topics that generate discussion. My reviews are some of my lowest read posts. People are more interested in writing, blogging, or any other skill.
I think that is probably the issue with me. I write a lot of personal stories and reporting on various topics. I don’t do many posts about blogging, writing, or skills. I also don’t do voting or polls.
My poll posts don’t get as many comments, actually.
You do get voters, though, which is a form of interaction. I know you always invite people to comment on their votes, but I realize only a few of us do.
Oh, well that’s true, then. Though sometimes I don’t get many votes.