- Day One: March 30, 2010
This is day 365 of my “Oysterville Daybook” blog. Every day for the past year, I’ve written and posted an entry on my website. I should say, “Every day except for March 31, 2010,” which should have been day two. For whatever reason, I didn’t do a blog that day. Or else the automated dates on the first few postings are off.
Usually I post by 7:00 a.m. but there have been a few days of technohell on which I couldn’t post until later in the day. Nevertheless, I kept my promise to myself which was to write and post an entry every day for a year.
My purpose was twofold: first, to see if I could raise my profile enough to increase traffic to my website; and second, to see if that would translate into a greater following for my books and (bottom line) more sales. It’s a hands down “yes” on both counts.
When I began my blog, the statistics showed that I was getting very few “hits” a day on my website. In February 2010, for instance, I averaged 8.71 visitors to my website per day for a total of 244 for the month. By contrast, in February 2011, I averaged 159.11 visitors per day for a total of 4,455 for the month. And the numbers continue to escalate. I am thrilled!
Much of that success is due to Beachdog.com and to their suggestion that I have my blog go automatically to Facebook. And I have to give high marks to computer guru Karl Johnson who tutored and mentored and reassured me throughout the year.
As for the bottom line question – my book sales during that time period by were up by 20%! I can only assume that this means increased readership. I don’t know if past magazine articles continue to circulate and I have no idea concerning copies of my books checked out of libraries or borrowed back and forth among friends. But a 20% increase in sales is fabulous! (Lest these figures be misleading, we’re not talking thousands here. More like the low hundreds. But, even so…)
Aside from my original goals, there have been unexpected benefits, as well. Because of my blog, I have become reconnected with people from my past. I have also made new friends and have actually acquired ‘fans.’ Who knew! Finally, I have been the recipient of interesting and useful information through blog comments and discussions – truly an unexpected serendipity.
So, now the question is, do I continue to blog? Every day? Or just sometimes? Or should I rest on my laurels, having accomplished what I set out to do? Like Scarlett, I’ll think about that tomorrow…
Sydney – I enjoy reading your post along with my morning cup of coffee – it has become a ritual for some of your fans (like me), so I vote for you to continue your blogging on a daily basis. What else are you going to do at 6 in the morning….sleep?
Thank you for your daily blogs and please keep them coming. They’re not only entertaining but also educational. I’ve enjoyed learning about the life and times of Osyterville and also the occasional tidbit. I now know what an oyster “seed” is! Very important info when you work at a museum.
I have gotten so much from your blog. My husband’s favorite is your Baked Oysters. We call them “Sydney’s Oysters”. I think I have purchased every book you ever wrote about, unless I had it. I read “The Nickel Plated Beauty” the last rainy weekend we were on the Peninsula. Yes, I still read children’s books. Keep those blogs coming, please.
You need to get some meta tags into your blog. That is very important. You don’t have any that will help the search engines find you using things such as your full name and the subject matter of your books.
Congratulations! I am very impressed. Selfishly, I hope the blogs keep coming, too!
Thanks, everybody, for all your favorable comments. Flattery, of course, gets to me every time! Here’s to the next 365!
Congratulations, Sydney. May you take us down Oysterville lanes for many days to come!
Congratulations Sydney! This is particularly impressive considering the meticulous research and attention to details you always do.
Coincidentally my blog was started March 20 last year, so it also has a anniversary.
Unlike you I only have 90 posts so far. So I have some idea of the discipline needed to do a post every day.
Other than that there is little comparison between us. You are a professional writer, I am a tinkerer, doing this for fun. I write for friends and family to keep them informed about the things I am up to in far-off Oysterville
I have made no effort to increase my subscriptions and I will never write a book. Yet we do have some common interests. We are nearly neighbours, we both raise pet chickens, local government, and the local community.
Thanks for your inspiration and example.
I think more ‘research’ is required — at least another year’s worth of data. Keep ’em comin’! We love your blog. Happy birthday, Oysterville Daybook. Many happy returns!
Congratulations Sydney! (I see sis beat me to the punch). I missed yesterday’s blog as I was busy finishing things up here at work. Today, my last day of work before RETIREMENT! is a little less hectic. I guess I cannot say tomorrow, “Today’s my first day of retirement.” because nobody will believe me on April Fool’s Day.
I am new to your blog so I have a bit of catching up to do! I do hope you will continue sharing your gift of writing! Love the Oysterville area and try to visit the peninsula yearly.