tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post7442553327331961885..comments2024-03-25T14:11:39.165-04:00Comments on i swim for oceans: Let's Talk: Blogger StatsMelissa (i swim for oceans)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-73516580522588730032012-04-09T09:34:55.526-04:002012-04-09T09:34:55.526-04:00It's easy to get bummed out when things like t...It's easy to get bummed out when things like that happen. But I'm of the grotesquely optimistic sort, and things like that don't always effect me. Particularly, when I don't navigate the murky waters of Analytics and things like that very well. I just do what I can and strut my stuff when pubs ask, but other than that I don't know what else there is to do.<br /><br />Still, I totally get your frustration. It sucks when you're judged based on popularity and numbers, when those things aren't always on our sides. Thanks for the discussion!<br /><br />Have an amazing reading week!<br /><br />— <a href="http://www.paranormalindulgence.net/" rel="nofollow">Asher</a>Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-89018235670338359802012-04-08T14:31:39.526-04:002012-04-08T14:31:39.526-04:00I believe that quality is better than quantity, an...I believe that quality is better than quantity, and I never feel entitled to anything. I move at my own pace and focus on what I want. I know reviewers who have many more readers than I do, but their reviews are much briefer, riddled with errors, and/or all summary/no review. Things are what they are, and not everyone is in this for the right reasons. I just focus on doing what I love and ignore the stats whenever possible!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-12077024193457438782012-04-08T05:29:13.663-04:002012-04-08T05:29:13.663-04:00I know what you mean... it can be addictive to wat...I know what you mean... it can be addictive to watch those little numbers going up. I've been blogging since 2008 but I only just separated off my book reviews into a separate book blog, and it feels like starting from the ground again to try and build something up. Really hard work! (Especially since, as you say, NetGalley publishers can be very quick to judge...)<br /><br />Following from FF - it's my first week taking part, so I'd love it if you would check out <a href="http://books.rachelcotterill.com/2012/04/feature-follow.html" rel="nofollow">my FF post</a> :)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-72997203736450343752012-04-07T09:44:27.811-04:002012-04-07T09:44:27.811-04:00It's easy to get caught up with the stats and ...It's easy to get caught up with the stats and the numbers, very easy. I just try to remind myself that I blog for me, not for the numbers and not for the "free swag" but for me and my enjoyment and to share my passion. (Although that's hard to remember when I pull up my stat's page!) <br /><br />-Jac @ <a href="http://www.forloveandbooks.com" rel="nofollow">For Love and Books</a>Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-85090279251303541852012-04-07T07:28:41.049-04:002012-04-07T07:28:41.049-04:00I think that's an important question. I mean, ...I think that's an important question. I mean, I'm happy when I get my 1500 comments/month or stuff like that, but in the end followers don't mean readers, right? There are blogs with very high stats that, in my opinion, don't care that much about the quality of their posts and reviews. Still they get approved of everything.<br /><br />I can see why people would want high stats. We are bookbloggers. We read a lot and sometimes it's nice to get a few ARCs here and there, especially when you think about how much we promote those books, too. Publishers won't send you a review copy if you have zilch followers and the only visitors you get are you and the bots, but I review books because I like talking about them, not because I want to get more ARCs.<br /><br />And as you've said, it's sad to see that blogs that are incredible, that take the time to analize books and analize themselves as readers to point out why they didn't like a book but others could.. it's sad to see that they have "only" 500 followers and blogs with the default review ("Awesome book, definitely recommend it because it was awesome! I loved the heroine because she was kick-ass, and the guy was so hot!") have 5000.<br /><br />There was a blogger I talked to last year and she said the only reason why she blogged was to be able to get more books. She wasn't embarrassed about it at all, and I think it's nice that she was that honest about it, but it also made me die a little on the inside. oô<br /><br />Anyway, great question and great post!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bookexhibitionism.de" rel="nofollow">Patricia</a>Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-87978110048572781392012-04-06T17:41:50.879-04:002012-04-06T17:41:50.879-04:00New
follower hopping through! Great post! I follow...New<br />follower hopping through! Great post! I followed you through GCF - you can return the favour over at <a rel="nofollow">http://www.bethebooks.blogspot.com</a><br />:) Happy Friday!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-27735381471360816832012-04-06T16:40:04.049-04:002012-04-06T16:40:04.049-04:00I agree! I've been blogging for two years and ...I agree! I've been blogging for two years and built up a solid following. Then GFC went down and I lost my follower stats. I had to start rebuilding that with Linky tools and NB. I added a little sign on the side to show I did have a substantial following through GFC. But yes, publishers rely on these stats for ARCs. I wish they didn't, but I understand in some cases why. However, I didn't know they relied on them for BEA. If you pay to attend, what does it matter? I've been denied books on NetGalley and actual physical ARCs too. However, my other stats are extremely low, but I'm happy that I have return visitors and they make comments. I love reviewing books and I'm happy to be a part of the book blogging world!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-37192345486193434722012-04-06T16:23:49.000-04:002012-04-06T16:23:49.000-04:00Well said. I agree that I am the same and not bett...Well said. I agree that I am the same and not better than anyone else. It's said when you blogger put other bloggers down due to stats. And yes, I've seen this going on a lot on twitter. It really bugs me when a bloger says other bloggers can not request ARC till they hit a certain limit.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-25477494226801630112012-04-06T14:50:35.105-04:002012-04-06T14:50:35.105-04:00Well put. Some days it is difficult to remember th...Well put. Some days it is difficult to remember that we do this because we WANT to, not because we are searching for justification.<br /><br />Although, for those who ARE searching for justification, perhaps this whole book blogging thing isn't for you. <br /><br />You can tell the bloggers who have passion and excitment and love all of the things! Those are the blogs I follow. Those are the blogs publishers should be hitting up. Can you ask for more than an enthusiastic and sincere reader? Methinks not. <br /><br />Thanks for the reminder that we are more than the sum of our parts.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-35335740111314824282012-04-06T14:42:26.376-04:002012-04-06T14:42:26.376-04:00I wonder if the increased pressure about these sta...I wonder if the increased pressure about these stats has something to do with the increase in the number of people blogging? If there are more bloggers, publishers would want to know which ones can promote materials for them. I do think a well written blog with a small group of loyal followers may be better than a mega blog with high stats but low loyalty. If your blog has 50 people who totally respect your opinion and buy books based off your say, that's way better than having 10,000 page hits a day.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-90780938437455326152012-04-06T14:09:24.751-04:002012-04-06T14:09:24.751-04:00Stats have always confused me and, like you, I onl...Stats have always confused me and, like you, I only recently started looking at my stats more and using StatCounter and Google Analytics. My stats are okay, I think, and, of course, I'd love for them to be higher but it's just not that high up on my priority list. I'd rather write posts and read and comment on others' blogs then spend hours worrying about SEO and page views and unique visitors.<br /><br />Still, it seems that's all pubs are interested in. *sigh* Reminds me of teaching and all the politicians, etc. care about are testing results. The test and its results do not define me as a teacher or my students, not really. <br /><br />I try not to worry about that--either as a teacher or blogger--and just put my head down and do my thang.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-14683478681449775062012-04-06T13:08:49.694-04:002012-04-06T13:08:49.694-04:00Great post, and I do love your blog! Stats, oh tho...Great post, and I do love your blog! Stats, oh those stats. How does the publisher know that the person is not lying then when she or he tells about the stats. And how about those people who have blogged for 3 months but have a 1000 followers cos of a lot of follow me contests? So yes stats are so not what's important in the end. I blog cos I love to blogMelissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-36064579863889772352012-04-06T12:28:35.301-04:002012-04-06T12:28:35.301-04:00oh mel. This made me sad :/
I try not to let thes...oh mel. This made me sad :/<br /><br />I try not to let these things get to me. I can totally understand why this is bothering you. When I heard the Bea requiring stats, I was actually appalled.<br /><br />Glad they rethought that. <br /><br />I said this in Jenny's post and i'll say it again. <br />We bloggers know our readers, our content and worth. No stats can ever define that. they may be pretty to look at, but I don't see them as important whatsoever.<br /><br />*hugs*Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-68295693125629661582012-04-06T10:13:06.344-04:002012-04-06T10:13:06.344-04:00Aww you're lovely, Tina! I'm glad to know ...Aww you're lovely, Tina! I'm glad to know we all get bummed out sometimes - perhaps we can rally around one another :)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-22815927103868090822012-04-06T10:07:16.586-04:002012-04-06T10:07:16.586-04:00 Um can I be one of those bloggers who is owed boo... Um can I be one of those bloggers who is owed books??? LOL just kidding......Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-78988333949088807312012-04-06T10:05:47.153-04:002012-04-06T10:05:47.153-04:00I love your blog Melissa! I think you have one the...I love your blog Melissa! I think you have one the best ones out there in the YA blogs department. I get bummed too when my followers, stats or lack of get me a rejection...oh well Ill cry and then get over it...:)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-38397282470692816002012-04-06T09:58:20.919-04:002012-04-06T09:58:20.919-04:00Too true. Honestly, they said to provide stats, wh...Too true. Honestly, they said to provide stats, which I did. They weren't bad by any means. They told me if I hadn't heard anything in two weeks, I could consider my registration accepted. Two months later, I get the email of decline.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-32600572993540147362012-04-06T09:57:01.294-04:002012-04-06T09:57:01.294-04:00This is why I love you...because I know my defeate...This is why I love you...because I know my defeatedness will be mirrored in your own. Again, like you, I NEVER feel as though I'm owed books...just get bummed out when I'm not afforded an opportunity to prove my merit hahaMelissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-71152630647553541712012-04-06T09:50:45.164-04:002012-04-06T09:50:45.164-04:00I read Tanya's comment and completely agree wi...I read Tanya's comment and completely agree with everything she said. I don't ever want to come across as one of those bloggers who feels they are entitled to books simply because they set up a blog and post their thoughts on books. That doesn't guarantee me anything, nor should it. I can't even imagine the number of review requests that must pass through a publicist's inbox, and they need some method of determining which blogs are the best promotional outlets for them. I understand and agree totally.<br /><br />However. Understanding and even agreeing that stats have a place doesn't mean insecurities don't creep in when our numbers are low and a request gets denied. Of course the publisher has every right to deny us! I totally get it. For me, it's just a flaw of mine. I take things too personally. I know I shouldn't. I know that rejection doesn't mean my blog isn't worthwhile or important me and people who read it. I can't help it though:)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-48017472150433069662012-04-06T09:40:02.127-04:002012-04-06T09:40:02.127-04:00Amen. I really believe you have to blog because yo...Amen. I really believe you have to blog because you love it. Otherwise you won't stand the test of time.<br />So question, what was the initial requirements? Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-81818731475119052162012-04-06T09:35:44.767-04:002012-04-06T09:35:44.767-04:00LOVED your post! Great thoughts :)LOVED your post! Great thoughts :)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-27415690756284723792012-04-06T09:31:07.950-04:002012-04-06T09:31:07.950-04:00I definitely I definitely Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-31747709571122769622012-04-06T09:22:16.450-04:002012-04-06T09:22:16.450-04:00Aww thank you, Heather :) I hate the stats, too, a...Aww thank you, Heather :) I hate the stats, too, and while I know publishers use them for the coveted ARCs, I can't help but be bummed out when my blog is frowned upon for lower stats in some areas. <br /><br />I guess that's the world of book blogging though!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-6568222628412398632012-04-06T09:21:22.226-04:002012-04-06T09:21:22.226-04:00Glad to hear it! I truly believe it's quality ...Glad to hear it! I truly believe it's quality rather than quantity when it comes to the blog, so enjoy it and have fun! :)Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120760076447564855.post-62235563422115391982012-04-06T09:20:56.336-04:002012-04-06T09:20:56.336-04:00Aww thank you! And yes, I agree - point is, some b...Aww thank you! And yes, I agree - point is, some blogs might have less followers and lower stats, but more interaction.Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.com