If you blog, you need to look at your stats to understand things like where your traffic comes from, what types of posts work the best, and what search terms bring people your way. It’s great information that can help you create content.
Another thing you might learn, that many of us who blog about children’s literature discover, is that your traffic follows broader patterns, too. For me, that means my other blog traffic ebbs and flows with the school year.
There are lots of reasons that’s the case for me, but there are some obvious conclusions: teachers, students, and parents are searching for school support and end up on me. Still, the specifics in this case aren’t what’s important to me.
Rather, I view summer as a chance to take a bit of down time over there. I still try to offer up good content, but during the summer, I do blog less frequently. This helps me recharge and, as long as I’m still putting up some good stuff, has yet to cost me traffic year over year.
Here at The Happy Accident, I’ve seen no seasonal patterns. As a result, I plan to keep blogging when I can here… perhaps even using the free time I’ve just gained to help me do more. My two blogs also serve different purposes for me, and that makes it easier to add a little softer time to the other site.
Do you have seasonal patterns at your blog? Do you have ‘em in your life? If you know your goals and your traffic, you can use those patterns to your advantage.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my gosh, yes! My blog is highly affected by school dates, vacations, and holidays! Right now, with summer in full swing, my averages are pretty low – under 2,000 per day. Although my stats still spike every Tuesday when I post my new Coloring Page – up to 3,000. Around the holidays my numbers go through the roof, receiving as many as 6,000 visitors per day! So, while I still try to post every day, in the summer the content is a bit more laid back – more movie trailers, off-topic silliness, etc. And with vacation time coming up, setting posts to go live while I’m gone has become VERY important!!
Love your blogs Greg!
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I haven’t really noticed a change in my readers yet this summer. I seem to have between 20-30 commenters a day. (Which is awesome!) I’m on holiday and have been doing some more “relaxed” posts. My last post was written in my dog’s POV about a day at the lake. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Idon’t check my stat counter enough…I’m not sure what to do with the information on it.
Sharon Mayhew´s last blog ..ITS A DOGS LIFE
PS…How do you make the commenters last blog post title pop up on your screen? I think it is an awesome idea! Can you do that if you just have a blogspot address or do you have to have an actual website?
Thanks, Greg!
Sharon Mayhew´s last blog ..ITS A DOGS LIFE