I started blogging two years ago today. Back then, this blog was called Racy Romance Reviews, and my header looked like this:
In February, I took a risk by changing the blog name and URL. I forgot to forward the old links, and there was about a week of dead air. Eventually, everybody who wanted to do so found this blog again, and things were going swimmingly, until a hacker attacked. It took about three weeks to get that straightened out. So I would say this second year has been more frustrating in terms of the technology of blogging.
Interestingly, the name change has helped this blog get on the radar of some lit blogs. I think there should be more cross fertilization between genre and literary circles, so I am pleased about that.
I also “came out”, both to readers of this blog and to my friends and colleagues at home. That was a great decision, relieving some stress at being “found out”, and helping me to act on line consistently with how I act in the real world. That is, like a complete asshole. Kidding!
Everything else, though, has been great. Mostly, I do the same things I have always done — some reviews, occasionally snarky ones, some reflections on genre, and some analysis of more scholarly stuff. I added a regular feature, the Monday Morning Stepback, which has been very popular.
The blog has grown steadily in terms of readership, which is very gratifying. But the main thing is that the people whom I enjoy and admire online (whether they have their own blogs, just hang out on twitter, or make great comments on others’ blogs) read this blog.
Here are some numbers:
Total page views: 297,732
Total number of visitors: 165,353
Number of posts: 404 (about 3.5 a week)
Number of comments: 7029
Most popular post: It will forever be one of my first posts, Top 9 Most Romantic Love Scenes in Romance (13,348 views). A distant second is not a post, but a page, Reviews A-Z, with 3,666 views.
Subscribers: 550
According to Sitemeter, my average daily visitors is 300, with about 500 page views on an average day. Someone told me this number does not include the people who view this blog in a reader. I post about 3-4 times a week, so obviously, I get fewer hits on the days there is no new post. I tend to get the highest number of visitors and page views on Monday, and then it kind of drifts downward until the weekend. Clearly, I am doing my part to make the work week less productive for a number of people.
People still find this blog by Googling weird things like “iCarly penis” and “penis pepper”, but the most popular search term is now “read react review”, which is a change from last year.
I blog for fun, for amusement, for relaxation, for a better understanding of what I read, and for making connections with other readers. This second year of blogging has provided all of that and more. I’m still having a great time in my little corner of blogland, and hope to keep it up for a third year.
To thank you, I am having my annual blogversary contest. Enter by midnight EST Sunday just by commenting on this post, and I will use random.org to pick a winner, to whom I will send any two books I have reviewed (paper only, and they have to be in print!) which she (or he) chooses. Enter only once. Open worldwide.
We’re all so busy — or at least it seems that way – and I’m extremely grateful you take time to come over here and read what I’ve written when there are a million other things clamoring for attention.
Thanks again.
I get to be first! So firstly thank you Jessica for this blog and the effort you put in. I enjoy all the discussions that you start and the ‘living room’ you have created on the internet. Happy bloggaversary:)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kenda Montgomery, ReadReactReview.com. ReadReactReview.com said: Read it:: Blogversary Contest (with stat reveal for the curious or bored) http://bit.ly/9aUgZo [...]
Happy Blogaversary!!! I’ve really been enjoying reading your posts.
Don’t enter me for the contest.
Happy Blogversary, Jessica!
At the risk of courting controversy, I can’t help saying that this blog feels “professional.” I feel it should be just about safe to say it, though, given that I’m not implying anything about the nature of your reviews other than that they intersect with your professional life.
Where did you get hold of all those stats, by the way?
I originally read the title ‘blogversary’ as a play on ‘adversary’ so took me a minute or two to realize it was on ‘anniversary’. I blame this on lingering crankiness from burning the candle at RWA. Heh.
Happy Blogiversary to you –love the new logo, too!
Happy blogiversary to you and your blog.
I really appretiate your posts and will continue reading your entries. I am one of your 550 subscribers and proud of it
congrats on two years and an awesome readership, jessica:) i’m one of those google reader readers, so add me to your stats. here’s to many more years of fabulous posts.
Congratulations! Interesting stats. How has your feeling toward being a blogger changed within the last two years? What do you enjoy most and like least about being a blogger?
I’m not entering the contest – I just wanted to congratulate you on your blogiversary! You always get me thinking.
Happy blogavirsary! I’m glad I found your blog via Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos.
Another Google Reader reader here! Congratulations on two years of blogging. Your Monday Morning Stepbacks are a regular highlight.
I love your blog, even when you’re sometimes discussing things that are so way over my head… O.o Wicked smart person you are. :OP
(don’t enter me, just wanted to wish you a happy blogaversary! )
Congrats on the 2 years! I thoroughly enjoy your blog, especially the Monday Morning Stepback. I love reading romances but I also love to read the behind-the-scenes of the publishing industry. Thanks for providing a combination of both.
Happy Blogaversary! Your posts are something I really look forward to, and always motivate me to bring something to the table with my local peeps as well as discuss things on Twitter, etc. Thanks.
Congratulations on the anniversary!!! I wish you many more!
Congratulations! I don’t remember how I stumbled across your blog several months ago, but I’ve enjoyed it several times a week since then and sent the link to several friends. Your blog always comes up when we get together, especially items in the Moday Morning Stepback.
Ahppy Aniiversary. (I think I will leave that, it is what came out when I typed.) This must be a lot of work to write; and I admire you for being able to consistently do it, along with all of your other personal and professional activities.
Aw, nice to see the old header again. I feel all sentimental.
Congratulations! I love your blog and your reviews.
Congratulations! You’re one of my daily blog visits and I’m so happy you’re on the intarweb!
Happy blogversary! I hope there are many more.
(There’s no need to enter me in the contest as I’m pretty sure my to be read pile is going to take over my home and eat me alive if it gets much bigger. Just wanted to wish you a happy blogging anniversary!)
We’re blogversary twins, for I started my website this month, but three years ago. Congratulations on achieving this milestone and for writing an incredible blog.
You’re my inspiration as a blogger, Jessica. I learned from you that there’s room in the blogiverse and Romancelandia for voices like ours. It’s largely because of you and your blogging efforts that I have gone beyond commenting on other people’s blogs and started occasionally posting on my own. Thanks for that, as well as for the fun, intriguing, thoughtful conversations you start here an average of 3.5 times a week.
Congrats on your two years of blogging! I love reading your reviews, both the serious and funny. Thanks for being one of my go to sites in romance-land!
Congratulation on your two year anniversary! I really enjoy reading your unique point of view.
Happy Blogversary Jessica! Congratulations on 2 years of a great blog.
Happy Blogversary! (Why do I want to type Blogiversary? Anyway.)
I do love the Monday Morning Stepback and really enjoy getting your unique (in a good way!) POV. So, thanks!
What a wonderful run! And long may you run — Happy Blogversary
Maybe some day I’ll follow in Sonomalass’s footsteps (fingerprints?) … the best blogs tempt one to start blogging oneself!
@Laura Vivanco:
Hi Laura!
For your subscribers, go to http://www.feedburner.com and follow directions. It counts ALL your subscribers, not just those who subscribe in Google reader. It is owned by Google now.
There are a few different sites for tracking your hits and visitors. I use http://www.sitemeter.com. Again, I think the instructions are pretty simple.
I like knowing these things, personally.
As for the “professional” nature of the blog … I don’t know if my review of Passion contributes to it, but thank you! You are quite right: a lot of what I do here intersects with my professional life.
Happy Blogversary!
I love your thoughtful and sometimes snarky posts…which I had to stop reading at work because they distacted me a bit too much. Some of your topics I need to give my full attention to, so I just figured it wasn’t fair to you to split my attentions!
Thanks, Jessica. I followed the link but unfortunately, Feedburner seemed to want to claim and burn things in order to create something new, which all sounded a bit too much like an alpha hero for my liking.
Happy Blogaversary with many happy returns’ I love your blog and read every issue. Keep on going!
Happy Blogversary, Jessica! Thanks for the blogging, which gets my brain cells moving. No need to enter me in the contest, as I can no longer shut the door on my TBR cupboard.
Happy Blogversary! Have a finger of whisky. Or two!
Happy Blogversary!
I love the Monday Morning Stepback development, as well. Lots of great stuff happens here, so please keep it up!
=)
Viva RRR!
Congratulations on having such a successful and popular blog, Jessica! I’m sure RRR has many more years ahead of it.
Hey Jessica!
Congrats on your two year blogversary! It was in fact yours and the smugglers that I began reading about 18 months ago and was inspired to start my own book blog. I haven’t stopped reading or blogging since. I wish for you more joy and more blogs for years to come!
Mame
Happy Happy Day (Month?) Two years? Can I possibly be that old? Never say it. I do enjoy Step Back Mondays and the reviews but it’s the mind benders I come here for.
I’m always amazed at the regularity with which you blog “for fun.” And I too miss the old banner. Those are like the coolest book-ends ever.
I could have sworn I left a comment here the other day, but oh well! Happy Blogversary!
Congratulations on your second year! And may your third be even more filled with snark.
(I like snark. NOT SNARD.)
Oh and ditto on Heloise’s comment, those bookends are awesome and remind me of the mural at the Chrysler Building.
Yay! Happy blogversary! *throws confetti*
(No need to enter me into the contest)
Happy blogiversary, Jessica! I always enjoy cruising by here to see what you’ve got to say.
Happy blogiversary, and congrats on your second year. Love your snarky reviews and unique take on things.
@Virginia C:
Thank you for asking this, Virginia! I think I will dedicate a post of its own to the topic. It’s hard to answer on the fly.