Question: What are your opinions on the importance of blog stats?
The topic of blogger stats has been on my mind quite a bit lately, so when I mentioned it to Melissa at I Swim for Oceans and she suggested it be the topic for Let's Talk this week, I jumped readily on board. It seems as though, at least to me, there has been a sudden increase in requests for my blog statistics–various parties asking for my unique visitors, monthly page views, number of Twitter followers, number of Facebook followers, number of children I plan on spawning, my blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and my height and weight measurements. Well, maybe not all of those.
For reasons that aren't entirely rational, every time a request for those numbers comes through I feel as though I've been stripped naked and am being weighed, measured and found wanting by the requesting party. The logical side of me understands a publisher or PR company's reasons for asking for blogger statistics–they're in the business of promoting books, and with the sheer volume of book bloggers out there, they need to determine which blogs get the most traffic and will therefore offer the best opportunity for a particular title to get attention. This makes complete and utter sense. There's just one problem.
This blog isn't a business to me. It's personal.
I've grown this blog for the past two years, it's an extension of me and a way of creatively expressing my love for books and reading. There's not a day or week that goes by where I'm not working on it or thinking about it, so while a request for stats is in no way personal to whomever is making the request, I can't help but feel sensitive about those numbers. So sensitive in fact, that my logical side often slips away and an irrational bout of dramatics takes its place. My confidence plummets and my thoughts run wild. Maybe my blog isn't good enough. Maybe I have the lowest stats in the history of blogging and everyone who sees them is secretly laughing at me. Maybe I have absolutely no reach at all, and each day I'm just talking to myself, hallucinating readers and comments when in fact there aren't any.
I can't stop thoughts like this once they start, and they eventually begin to extend past a fixation on numbers and into things like my relationships with authors and publishers. When I don't hear back from a publisher about a request I've made or an author doesn't respond to an email, logic tries to fight its way in by telling me that such a thing is not a personal slight or a reflection of the quality of my blog, and there's a perfectly innocent reason for the lack of acknowledgement–like the strong possibility that their schedules are insane and they have mailboxes full of emails with various requests and they just don't have time to stroke my fragile blogger ego by responding–but logic is no match for the power of self-doubt. That empty email inbox is like a punch to the gut, the force of it releasing Doubt from the cage she was confined to the last time I beat her into submission, and she suctions herself to me like a thousand deranged and possibly rabid limpets (I'm not sure sea creatures can actually be rabid, but let's just let it slide), refusing to let go until she's infected every single cell in my body. Until I'm covered in limpet-sized doubt-filled boils.
Once Doubt is loose, she runs rampant and conversations like this one with my husband happen:
Me: Publisher XYZ didn't respond to my email today. *heaves giant sigh*
Kevin: So?
Me: What do you mean so? Clearly my stats aren't good enough and I'm not getting enough traffic and they are no longer interested in talking to me! And don't even try to tell me it's not true, nothing you say will convince me otherwise.
Kevin: Okay.
Me: That's it? That's all you're going to say?
Kevin: You just told me nothing I said would convince you otherwise.
Me: So you're not even going to try? You're supposed to comfort me in my times of need! This is a time of need! Clearly all publishers hate me and I've been blacklisted and I'm an absolute FAILURE AS A BLOGGER.
Kevin: That's one possibility. Or, they could just be busy and didn't have time to respond today.
Me: Don't use your logic on me! It's decidedly unhelpful! You just don't understand. I'm addicted to validation. I need it. I need them to like me and their silence very clearly indicates they don't! NO ONE IS GOING TO READ THE BLOG ANYMORE AND I'M GOING TO BE FORCED OUT, DISHONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE BLOGGING WORLD!!! DO YOU WANT TO BE MARRIED TO A FAILURE KEVIN? DO YOU?!
Kevin: I'm not really sure what's happening to this conversation right now. It's gone downhill rather quickly.
Me: I know. Maybe we should go back to the beginning and find out where we went wrong.
Kevin: *leaves room*
At this point, after Kevin has run from the room for the purposes of self-preservation, I usually text Melissa something along the lines of "I fail at blogging". To which she replies immediately with "me too" and we then work ourselves back up into a failure frenzy stronger than the one I was just in with Kevin given there are now two of us feeding the self-pity cycle of shame. The self-pity cycle of shame is often characterized by two overactive imaginations–Melissa and I picturing a myriad of publicists seeing our emails and cackling in maniacal glee as they tell themselves aloud that we suck at life and don't have the right numbers to be worthy of their attention, finishing their villainous rant by smiling hugely and hitting "delete", thus washing their hands of us. Overly dramatic, party of two. *points to me and Melissa*
So, ridiculous as it is, the issue of blogger stats is clearly a touchy one for me. Even though I'm comfortable with the blog as it stands and have some amazing blogger and author friends who remind me each day of why I love doing it so much, Doubt is a persistent bitch, and when I'm expected to cough up those numbers to determine whether or not I'm worthwhile or I get rejected yet again from NetGalley (or even more recently, BEA) she balls up her fist and punches rationality in the face. Hard. Does having zero likes on Facebook (I don't have an account), or only having 1,000 Twitter followers, or not having 30,000 page views a month make me less of a blogger? Maybe from a business and promotional standpoint it does. But I'm not a business, I'm a person, and I like to think the quality of my blog is determined by factors other than just a series of numbers.
What do you guys think of blogger statistics? Are they an accurate measurement of blog quality? Do you stress over them? If you have thoughts on this topic and want to do your own post, be sure to link up HERE on Melissa's blog.
UPDATE: It bears mentioning the majority of the publishers/publicists I have the pleasure of working with are awesome and extremely generous with both their time and their books. Over the past several weeks there have just been a couple small instances culminating in yesterday's BEA rejection that inspired this post, something that is meant to be a humorous acknowledgement of a personal flaw–the tendency to blow things way out of proportion–and not a series of complaints (and absolutely not a slam on publishers). I have yet to develop a thick skin, and am therefore highly susceptible to blogger insecurities :-) My reasons for blogging are the same now as they were 2 years ago--I love books and I love talking to people who love books. This post was just a way for me to poke fun at myself for overreacting to things :-)
Dude, you realize that you have two and a half THOUSAND followers, right? Your number could eat mine alive.
ReplyDelete...
No, I'm kidding of course. (Well, not about the eating bit, I never kid about eating, but the part before that.) Doubt really stinks.
I have a pretty small blog as it is, and I already know better than to try contacting publishers. (They probably do to me what you described above, cackling like The Wicked Witch and pressing the evil little red X.) But that's more to do with a fear of sending emails than a fear of rejection. (I think I've sent a grand total of one book request to a publisher--I used my brother's Twitter to ask them about ARCs, conveniently linked my blog, and got an email.)
I should probably shut up now. But sending you support in your times of doubt. You're awesome, Jenny. Don't forget that. ;)
Yeah, Doubt is a bitch. I didn't know you were susceptible to it though. Your blog is what I always consider one of the biggest out there. If I am coming up with a list of the top five, yours is always in there, even the top three. And I do like the Kevin conversations, but he really doesn't get it. I do. Really. But those stats could drive you crazy if you looked at them much. Look at how many people comment on your blog. That should tell you how many people read your blog. Then there are more that read and don't comment b/c after 32 comments, what's left to say???
ReplyDeleteI understand the publishers wanting the stats too, but it does feel like you're being graded or something. We don't get paid and we do spend a lot of time doing this and it is personal. So when someone wants to judge you, it feels personal. I can't believe you'd be turned down for anything.
Maybe they missed your email, haven't gotten to it yet or it accidentally went to the spam folder. Write again. They are persistent when they want something, you can be persistent too!
Just my opinion. Couldn't do my own blog post have another one up already.
Heather
What a cute post, I loved the (sort of one-sided) conversation with your hubby. There are just instances they will never be able to get it right.
ReplyDeleteYou got rejected for BEA? I heard this happened to several other bloggers today. Are you still going? You can get in if you pay a few hundred dollars right? I finally registered about three days ago so I haven't heard back. Did it ask for your stats when you registered? All it asked me for was how many times per week I posted. I'm on the verge of buying plane tickets and now I'm wondering if I should reconsider.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is awesome, Jenny! Personally I check my stats VERY rarely! I usually only check them when I'm rejected on Netgalley and I need to update my details so try my luck again another time (it's worked on more than one occasion, so I guess in the case of US publishers at least, they are really paying attention to stats - not that I think mine are anything great, but I don't have anything to compare them with - just that it seems to work when I change them. Wow. Long winded much?!)
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, apart from Netgalley I have never been asked for my stats anywhere. I don't request from publishers though - I think the whole process works a little differently over here. We're mostly on mailing lists and we get to choose the titles we want from them.
It sometimes seems to me that US blogging is a little more high pressured than it is over here (I guess there are a lot more of you over there, and that's why) but I hope you don't stress it too much. This blog is for you, a hobby - it's not a business and I can totally understand how being asked to prove yourself via numbers all the time is not a very nice feeling!
This whole post makes me kind of glad that I don't really request books from publishers (except the occasional NetGalley request). I definitely do NOT have the big number stats. And honestly, if you aren't big enough, I don't know who is. You've got a fabulous blog and tons of awesome readers! (I know they're awesome, because I'm one of them. ;)
ReplyDeleteLike Leanna, NetGalley is the only place really where I have my stats on display. I don't think any of the UK pubs have actually ever asked me for my stats. And thank god for that! Honestly, I have no idea if mine are 'acceptable' for the period of time I have been blogging. I mean, what do I even compare it to? I try not to think about my stats too much (unless of course a NG rejection lands in my inbox - then I get the calculator out). My blog is personal to me too and so are my stats frankly.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely post! I'm sure a lot of us can relate to your feelings. :)
Girl, I hear you wholeheartedly on your post, as you know ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that I'm intimidated by the sheer number of followers you have on a daily basis, as well as the comments you receive. I feel as though stats, while important to publishers, most certainly should NOT be regarded as a true reflection of our blogs.
*hides doubt under the guise of not sending out requests*
ReplyDeleteYEP that is me (of the no blog right now *sigh*), I hide from that outside validation by not requesting through email. Lately, I have been turned down on NetGalley and Edelweiss. What did I do? Let's just say that me and my box of wine had a great big pity party. That is right---pity party of one right here! I was like WHYYYYYYYYYYY! Then my sister, the one with logic said, you have a ton of books and you can buy it when it comes out. WHAT? Like I want to hear that. Logic, whatever, and pshhhhhh! :)
I get ya! Also it is not a slam on publishers because quite frankly they have the right to turn me down for the simplest reason of they reached the number of arcs they want to hand out. Still makes me become a wino for a bit though :)
In my mind the most important numbers are unique page views and the amount of time averaged on your site by visitors. Another other than that is merely a number game. GFC, Twitter, Klout, whatever, it's all about clicking a button and how many clicks you can get. That doesn't translate to people actually reading your blog.
ReplyDeletecould not care less about stats. Don't remember the last time I checked them to be honest. I think every blogger knows their followers, their readership, and as simple as it may sound, it's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteLike Leanna said, i think it's a bit different in the UK here, but we mostly get put on mailing lists and pick. Or just emailed when new titles are out. Maybe it's more different in that sense.
I know it's easier said than done, but don't worry. From what I can see you have a pretty great and impressive following. You have nothing to worry about. I mean, I've been pretty lame when it comes to updating my blog and if I worried about these things they would drive me up the wall
In the end of the day, only 'we' know the importance of our blog and readers and content. F everything else.
Including you, stats.
Jenny- you have an incredible blog...:) And 2000 followers...Ive been blogging 2 years as well and still am wondering why I have not hit 1000...while every other blogger starts a blog and in a week has 1000. I guess I suck.....
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I never request ARCs...I have a few personal contacts that I would use, if Im over the moon to read a book, but mostly I just go with the flow and try and remember I started my blog for fun and creative outlet, not popularity and a job with The New York Times.
Riv - Doubt does stink. I thought in my first year of blogging that by the time I reached 2 years I'd probably be way more confident. Wrong. I love the blog as it is, but Doubt definitely still sneaks in now and again:) Thanks for the kind words!
ReplyDeleteHeather - That she does. Stupid Doubt. She ruins everything ;-) The stats do feel like being graded, and I hate the feeling that I'm being compared to other bloggers on the basis of those numbers alone. I don't know with any certainty how much of a role stats play, but the past few weeks have shown an increase in their importance to some places. Huge hugs to you, thanks for commenting!
Lexi - Hahaha yes, most of my conversations are a bit one sided with me doing most of the talking (or freaking out as the case may be). Kevin is more reserved:)
Alison - I sure did. I think all of us who registered as editorial media got a rather epic "you don't meet our requirements" email yesterday. Which is totally fine, I thought editorial media was a bit of a stretch for me anyway, I just registered that way because I was told to and it's what I did last year. It was more of an issue because I was then told my BBC registration didn't include BEA and I would have to pay extra. I got it sorted though, and I'll be there on Monday for BBC:) And yes, it asked for my stats when I registered.
Leanna - Thanks:) Honestly, I don't get asked for my stats all that often, I usually volunteer them when I'm making a request, and if I've worked with a publicist before, we don't even discuss stats. It's more a NetGalley issue and some things relating to smaller publishers and BEA that were a bit of a blow to my confidence the past couple weeks. Most publishers rock my socks off with their continued generosity.
Sam - I have no idea how my stats compare either! That's maybe part of the problem - the fact that I don't know makes me wonder if they are in fact the reason a request I've made has been denied. It's all silly and I take things way too personally, but I just can't help it sometimes!
Amanda - You are awesome. You're quite possibly one of my favorite readers/bloggers ever. And I am comfortable with the contacts I have at publishers, they're amazing, it's just every once in a while something happens and Doubt gets the better of me!
Melissa - Be prepared for 230948209482039 emails today:) That is all.
Felicia - Hahahaha YES! I did that for a really long time as well. I was all "if I don't request, I can't get rejected. Problem solved." And I agree completely, publishers have limited books to distribute and I 100% understand the rejection if it comes my way, but it doesn't sting any less for all my understanding:)
Aly - I try to remind myself why I started the blog and that it had nothing to do with having the greatest stats ever, and that having a blog in NO WAY entitles me to anything from publishers (I never expected any different), but sometimes my confidence wavers in the face of rejection, however little it actually has to do with me as a person or even the blog itself:)
ReplyDeleteTina - It's okay to suck Tina. Melissa and I were saying yesterday that we feel like we suck all the time too. We're all partners in suckage:) I know the things that are important (like friends such as yourself), but sometimes I get shaken up and I have a mini meltdown like the above. Complete win:)
My confidence wavers not so much when I get rejected by pubs but when I look at other blogs who have more followers, more comments, more memes, etc. That's when the "they don't like me" feeling starts to kick my ass.
DeleteMake you a deal, when you feel like you suck, you come to me for the pre-established Ego Boost and when I feel like no one likes me, I go to you for the same. Deal? ;)
♥Isalys
I understand ....I had a pity party for myself yesterday when I got rejected from Netgalley to read that compilation Maggie S~ wrote and I almost cried...I was like they rejected me to read it.....those bastards!!!!
DeleteAnd PS- Isalys, not sure if you were talking to me or Jen but Ill make that deal with you...:D
DeleteI got rejected twice in a row from Penguin a few weeks back and haven't requested since. I fear the rejection email!
DeleteYou are rigth, Doubt is a bitch and I think we all suffer from it from time to time. After a few rejections from NetGalley, I've actually stopped requesting titles from almost all the publishers and I don't really ask for printed ARCs anymore. I do still work with some awesome publicists but that's about it. I've gone back to what I did before blogging and when my blog was very young: borrowed books from the library and from friends. Just so you know, your blog is awesome and one of my absolute favs.
ReplyDeleteNC
Truly Bookish
She is a bitch isn't she? *Shakes fist at Doubt* And while these insecurities definitely don't plague me all the time and for me it's never been about getting free books, I still can't help help it when the sting of rejection gets the better of me:) Thanks for weighing in NC!
Delete*bum rushes and tackle hugs you* YOU ARE MADE OF AWESOME and you don't need numbers to tell you that! You have a whole lotta followers and bloggy pals that love you and your snarktacular self :D
ReplyDeleteI can relate to everything on this post because while it makes absolute sense that pubs request this information, I think they forget that blogs are actually hobbies and not businesses. We invest A LOT into them and for someone to say, "sorry, you're not quite there yet."...well, that kinda makes me feel like a turd!
I too am plagued by the Demon of Doubt (fuck off Sabin, I don't care that you're hawt) and get the Blogger Woes (had them earlier this week when my Indie feature post didn't get too many hits) but then I'm reminded that I've got some good friends on here and that helps :)
BTW, that convo will your husband cracks me up! I love you guys already! You two and me and my nut would probably expire from laughter if we ever got to hang out!
XOXO,
♥Isalys / Book Soulmates
I tweeted you that this comment made me fall out of my chair laughing. FUCK YOU SABIN! *dies* Blogging friends and the awesome people that read and comment are definitely the driving force behind the blog, I'm hoping this post didn't suggest otherwise, but every now and then something happens and a sustain a blow to the confidence:)
DeleteStats are so hard because it's like grading something we can't really control.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention, clicks doesn't = reads.
Lots of people read in Readers and never reply.
I know of folks who have huge numbers and no comments.
I'd rather the comments/friendship personally.
A true blogger stands the test of time.
Couldn't agree more with all that you said! I love blogging and I love talking about books, and 98% the time I'm thrilled just doing that. Doubt is tricky though, and she sneaks up on me sometimes:)
DeleteI think stats are very hard to evaluated. Some people have hundreads of followers and no comments. Some people have very little followers and tons of comments. Also, no comments doesn't mean people aren't reading and enjoying your blog. I really like the interaction that I recieve on my blog and for that reason, I enjoy comments the most. In the almost 3 years of blogging, I've run into various issues that lost my followers. So, I'm just happy with what I have. I love when I see my stats go up, but my blog is for me and those who want to read it. I can't stress over the numbers.
ReplyDeleteYou make great points Jennifer. I try to remind myself what's most important to me about the blog - and that's all the awesome people I've met by starting it, but I'm someone who over-analyzes constantly and then my thoughts run away from me:)
Deletedoes only having 1,000 Twitter followers, or not having 30,000 page views a month make me less of a blogger?
ReplyDeleteI SURE AS HELL HOPE NOT! Since I have only like 1/5 of those numbers! ;)
Seriously though, you are not alone. I feel that way ALL THE TIME.
PS. I love the conversations you have with your husband. ;)
Glad I'm not the only one that sometimes feels this way! Usually I don't pay too much attention to my numbers, but I'd just gotten several requests for them over the past few weeks and BAM, got all insecure:)
DeleteAwww, Jenny, YOU KNOW WE LOVE YOU!! Seriously and honestly, you've been one of my biggest blogging role models early on ever since I started blogging and that has never changed one bit! Today, I still think, "I wish my blog was as epically awesome as Jenny's!" Just so you know :') <3
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know how I feel about stats! I think my relationship with them is love/hate -- some days I totally love them when I feel like my blog is being really good, but other days I want to wallow in shame a bit because it never seems like enough. And whenever a publisher doesn't return one of my requests, it's kind of a hit to the ego LOL. But whenever I DO get a reply saying, "Yeah, we can send you a copy!" I kind of do a little dance and send out a ton more emails requesting different titles because I'm on a high -- only to have most of them flop anyways haha. x)
BUT, because I tend to keep going about random things too, the point is that I agree with you wholeheartedly about Doubt! It's terrible. I want to eat it. But at the end of the day, when someone says, "Mimi, your blog rocks!" I kind of feel a whole lot better. <3 :) I'd rather comments and awesome blogging friends than super-high stats any day!
I LOVE YOU TOO MIMI! Thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate them:) I definitely have my ups and downs with stats, and I think it's only natural (at least for me) to feel a little sting when your request is denied even though we might understand fundamentally that being a blogger doesn't entitle us to anything. I never thought it did. I just take the little things too personally, so I wrote the above to publicly poke fun at myself for doing so:)
DeleteI think everyone has some self doubt or gets a little worried when talk of numbers comes up. For me I blog because it's my way to talk to others about books and share that love. The people around me don't always read as much or the same things I do so when I want to discuss something I go to the blogging community.
ReplyDeleteDid I wish I had higher numbers...of course who doesn't, but that is not going to be my driving force.
Do I want my ARCS...sure, but again that is not why I do what I do and I hope that is not why anyone blogs. I hope it is to share your passion and that comes through on your blog.
We share reasons for blogging Lisa! And like I said in some of the other comments, most days I love everything about the blog and value the simple act of gushing over books with other book lovers. Some days though Doubt rears her ugly head. I can't help it:(
DeleteI really don't look at my stats very often. Usually only to update Netgalley or something.
ReplyDeleteI went through a little bit of crisis about this when I first started but then I remembered that I started the blog to share my love of books. I bought my own and never even considered that you could get FREE books - never even heard of ARC's.
I think I've only requested @ 10 books in two years, Maybe the same amount from Netgalley. I never feel worthy enough to request from a publisher so I don't get upset about rejections lol
Numbers are so subjective anyway. A good month for hits could be because of a giveaway or a blog with smaller numbers may have the best reviews around.
I've really had to force myself off that number merry go round for my own sanity & try to remember this is a hobby.
I wouldn't worry about anything Jenny. You have the holy grail of blog popularity - comments! You are awesome and don't let anyone make you think otherwise!
Numbers are definitely subjective - especially too since there seems to be some variation between the different stat recording sites. For instance my Google analytics are typically lower than my Blogger stats. I have no idea why or which one is more accurate.
DeleteAnd I'm not too worried, the post was just supposed to be a way of acknowledging my tendency to overreact and have fun with it:) I need to laugh, otherwise I would cry and that's no fun:)
I wish Blogger stats were right! Good lord they are awesome!!
DeleteThey can't possibly though since they are so different from Google's. I tend to believe those more.
I know you were poking fun....but you don't suck! lol
Before the new year I was obsessed with numbers. OBSESSED. In such a way that I no longer found blogging fun. I just found it to be a pay attention to me game. I've relaxed and as such am having more fun in the blog and my stats are going up.
ReplyDeleteYou're husband is awesome. I attacked mine today because I dreamt he had a baby with another woman and made him apologize. We women can be so irrational at times. God, love a man that can handle it!
I need to relax, I know I do. I take the blog way too seriously sometimes, but it's become such a big part of my life and my daily routine that I get all worked up about it:)
DeleteAnd I emailed you about the dreaming thing. This made me snort:)
You are awesome Jenny and totally stats are subjective. Blogging and reading books are a hobby , but I have made some great friends and found some great books along the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I agree, stats are definitely subjective and other bloggers/readers/authors are way more important than an approval on NetGalley or the like. I still feel the rejection burn sometimes though!
DeleteOh, Jenny. I love your reviews and interviews, but it is honestly posts like these that make me love you even more. You eloquently express what I've felt many times when I don't hear back from a publicist, or when I hopefully open the front door to find an empty stoop. Like you, I try not to take it personally, but it is hard sometimes when you're constantly bombarded with awesome IMM posts and such! Not that I begrudge anyone else her success, I'd just love to have piles and piles of books arriving everyday, hah.
ReplyDeleteI hate to say this, but knowing that you still experience some of the same issues as I do with my little blog does make me feel a teeny bit better. Because although I wish only wonderful things for you, the fact that a blogger I look up to so much (and has AWESOME stats, are you kidding me?!) still goes through this just confirms that some of it is random, and some of it is arbitrary. Because your blog is full of unique, quality content and it's honestly is one of my favorite places to snoop. (I mean, you make me laugh with the conversation with your husband in the middle of a post like this! I sooo relate.)
I will say that in my opinion, many of the gigantic blogs--not all, but many--are not nearly as personal, varied, or honest as yours is. Or perhaps they're just less to my taste, because I value a thoughtful post much more than I value endless squeeing over very book. But sometimes that's appealing to publishers for certain books. Ahem.
Anyway--I love you, I love your blog, and I hope you don't take these little road bumps personally!
Thanks so much for this comment Wendy! And I'm glad you knowing I still stress about things with publishers makes you feel better, that was the goal really. Just to write a humorous reminder that we're all human and because our blogs are personal ones, we tend to take things related to them personally:)
DeleteLike you, I don't begrudge anyone else their ARCs or their huge statistics or their enormous readership (this doesn't mean I'm not jealous of them), but it does sometimes bring into sharp focus perceived shortcomings on my part. Again, it's just me being hypersensitive, and I know it, but I can't help it:)
Oh, the line between jealousy and admiration is a fine one for sure, hah. And you know, if you weren't a sensitive person, you wouldn't be nearly as thoughtful of a writer. So that is a GOOD thing in my book.
DeleteYes I sure check my stats, but I do not compare to others cos then I would be in I fail as a blogger hell too. And I so do not want to go there. I am happy in my tiny corner of the blogging world
ReplyDeleteGood for you:):) Most days I'm really happy too, it's just every once in a while that I have a mini meltdown before I regroup and get back to being happy:)
DeleteI'm right there with you. Maybe because I'm used to being judged by an uncaring public/politicians in my day job that I'm a bit more used to it when it comes to all this "gimme your stats" stuff from the pubs.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's a sting to the ego when you get that damned NetGalley rejection email (I swear, Disney hates me. I NEVER get accepted by them) or you see others getting an ARC of a book you requested and you've got bupkiss (ahem, Heather Brewer's newest). That's painful.
But, yanno, you do a damn good job. I do a damn good job. Our blogs rock (even though yours is bigger and fancier than mine and gets more comments and probably a ton more page views...*sob* I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! lol). Stats. Pfft. Understand why they need 'em but blerg.
I left you a whole big comment on your post wherein I told you you said much more succinctly what I was trying to say with my 35920934820935820 word ramble:) And I think Disney has rejected bloggers entirely, I'm almost positive it says in their review criteria now that they're not accepting requests from bloggers. I have no idea why.
DeleteJenny, first off, I love you and your blog! I think your reviews are always so thoughtful and beautifully written and you make me wish I could write the way you do.
ReplyDeleteI think these days I'm not so concerned about stats as much. When I first started, follower count was really important because you know nobody likes being a newbie and seeing a GFC count of zero or one but as my blog slowly grew, I realized that comments were more important than GFC numbers. The way to increase that is to leave comments but I don't have a huge amount of time so yeah that suffers a bit.
Anyway, before I got sidetracked, I don't do much requesting so I don't usually get asked about stats and when I do request, I have no problems providing it because I understand why publicists need it. Yes, I always have doubts about my blog when providing them but I've pretty much worked with all of my contacts before so I think they have a good idea of my stats and review style. Where I tend to get rejections is NetGalley and man, that still hurts! In the grand scheme of things, it might be good because I'm always so overloaded with NetGalley reviews but still ... you know it's a blow to my ego.
Thanks Z! You know I adore you and yours as well:) I'm chock-full of blogger love! In the past I really haven't been all that concerned with stats either, even when I volunteered them to publishers when making requests. I just sent them off and hoped for the best! There have just been a couple things lately that have caused me to wonder if those numbers are gaining in importance. And I feel you on the NetGalley rejections, those hurt every time even though I know they shouldn't!
DeleteAw Jenny, I feel you! I tend to have highs and lows when it comes to stats. But I fear rejection. I guess its better when you don't hear anything then to be told no. But recently'ish I was denied on netgalley for some titles and wanted to cry. But being denied for BEA would definitely make me cry! Blogging is full of ups and downs. One thing is Jenny, you have the most comments of any blog I read. Who cares about stats, you have readers who love YOU and care about what you have to say. Huge hugs!
ReplyDeleteBeing rejected on NetGalley definitely blows:) Part of it is that we're given no reason for the rejection so my mind concocts craziness like the above and I come up with a ridiculous number of possibilities for why I was rejected, each less logical than the last. I'm kind of awesome like that ;-) Thanks for the kind words, hugs back!
DeleteJenny, well put. I agree with both you and Melissa on this. Stats have become the basis of who we are and we are not that. Sometimes I wish publishers will just give out finish copies instead of ARCs cause of all these fights over them. It really is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThanks Savy!
DeleteI just recently have been feeling this way. I was rejected yet again at NetGalley when I didn't get a rejection before... and from the same publisher I had no previous problems. I know my blog stats aren't stellar, but I still think it was decent.
ReplyDeleteI fail. :( Hold me. Seriously, I showered... hold me. *sniff*
I will hold you any time you ask me to woman. *runs to Melissa with open arms*
DeleteAs a follower of blogs, I just love books, reviews, discussions about books, author interviews, and of course the contests. I follow a gazillion blogs that I really enjoy and this is of course one of them. Some of the sites I follow have only a very few followers and others have thousands - frankly I do not care I just love the content of the blogs. I suppose if it is a goal to somehow generate income or to hop up some personal esteem ladder the actual stats matter, but I just love the blogs and the sharing and so appreciate the smiles they give me. I wish the best to those who need this validation and only send good thoughts, but I want to follow a site where the actual love of books is most important. I know I rambled a bit, my point being I love your site and don't let them get you down cause you are awesome!
ReplyDeleteHey Denise! Thanks for commenting:) I can't speak for all bloggers, but I think for majority of us it's the content of our blogs and the love of books and fellow book lovers that drives us, and this post was in no way meant to state otherwise. At the same time though, I think most bloggers like to have goals for growing the blog - things they'd like to achieve, and for me, that includes forming relationships with authors and publishers, and that's where stats can come into play. Not all the time by an means, but sometimes, and when they do, my confidence sometimes sustains a brutal blow. That's all I was saying:)
DeleteGreat post, Jenny! Getting denied on Netgalley, well, sucks. I get denied all the time! It's especially hard when you see other bloggers getting that same book from Netgalley and thinking, "Why couldn't I get that?!"
ReplyDeleteWhenever I start thinking that my blog isn't the most popular, or the best or the most whatever, I just have to remind myself that I'm doing it for the books and the readers who read my blog. I force myself not to look at my stats...:) Again, fantastic post!
I've been dying to comment on this post since I read it Thursday night (3 hour time difference, LOL) but I hate posting from my phone, so it's taken me this long to do it.
ReplyDeleteI get the whole feeling. I'm to the point where I don't even want to pay attention to it because it makes me want to cry. My skin is so thin, it's not even funny. And like you I make up all sorts of reasons why I may get rejected for something. First time I was ever rejected on NetGalley was by Disney Hyperion. EFFING DISNEY! They told me to go read their standards for reviewers again because I didn't fit them. Funny thing is I did reread them and I fit every single point. Then I thought, well maybe it's because I don't have a facebook and I was like "fine! Screw you Disney! I'm not opening a facebook just to make you happy. You can kiss it." Although, there were some worse words going through my head. That was the first rejection and I must say it stung the worst of all.
You know what the stupidest part about it is? I could sit her (or vice versa) and tell you how much I love you and your blog (which you know I do, because you're made of awesome and fun and funny and just everything) but it doesn't mean you'll believe me. I know when people tell me that all I can think is, "but I got rejected!" or "but I only have 464 followers" or "but my page views aren't that high". Then again, my self-confidence has never been that great. (I'd like to blame high school *shakes fist at high school*)
Anyway, I could ramble on forever, as you well know. The only thing I can really say is at least we have each other. At least we can all suck together. Because it means everything getting emails, tweets and texts from my friends. They're are the WIN that gets me through the suck of blogging. I love you. That is all.
I have similar conversations with my hubby, and also major doubts about myself as a blogger. I'm really glad to see that I'm not the only one. I try to take it in stride when I get a rejection or never hear back from a publisher. I let it eat at me for a bit, then I remember the stage of books I need to read. lol! But you shouldn't fear, because you are an amazingly awesome blogger!!
ReplyDeleteBlogging stats is also a really sensitive topic for me as well. It's sort of secretive. I don't like looking at things like a competition, especially if it's something as personal as blogging. I know tons of blogs with billions of followers and hundreds of comments, and sometimes I feel so small in comparison, but when it comes down to it, I just love blogging. I love reading, talking about books, reviewing books, letting others know whether I liked a certain novel or not... I don't think stats are an accurate perception of a blog at all. It's quality over quantity to me. Sometimes, I see some people with stats sky high and overflowing mailboxes and think, "What does their blog have that I don't?" But then again, it doesn't matter all that much. Blogging stats is a topic that can be blown out of proportion, but to be honest, it's not exactly THAT big of a deal. Love your post, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteRandom note: I see that you're reading The Temptation. It looks so fantastic, but I haven't seen any reviews of it on my dashboard! Ah! I hope it's as good as I hope it is. :)
I enjoyed this post, a lot. It's well written, amusing and shows me that even those who don't actually write the books have similar insecurities. I feel the same way when a review blogger doesn't reply to my emails, or says they can't review my book, or says that they will, but never do. As a reviewer myself, I understand the second point, but not the other two.
ReplyDeleteI agree that stats aren't the most important thing, but they do show me which of my posts are the most popular & that lets me know what my readers most want me to write about. They also show me that my blog popularity is growing steadily, and all that's handy to know. It sounds like you have a huge readership, so you can pretty much laugh at those insecurities and not let them get your down..
I loved reading and your conversation with your husband made me laugh. I have always approached publishers in a way that says whilst I might not be a huge blog, I am influencial. I know people buy books because of me because they've told me. That makes me happy. I chat to a lot of the publicists on Twitter and play iPhone games with them now so I think they can see me as a person just as I do for them. Maybe it is a lot easier in the UK though, less of us and it seems just as many books needing shouting about!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post, it makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one who worries about these things! Your blog is awesome, and I thoroughly enjoy every moment I spend browsing through your posts!
ReplyDeleteRejection is hard to deal with, when I got my first "rejected" from NetGalley I felt like crying! I didn't understand why.
I love the convo between you and your hubby.. lol I have similar convo's with mine that end up with him running away to hide as well LOL.. and I'm glad I have a bookish blogging BFF and amazing blog friends who understand!
Hey there Bookish blogging BFF/real life BFF! I agree, it does help to have you to chat with about all things books and blogs. :)
DeleteSelf doubt is a wicked thing. And I am filled with it - ALL THE TIME. I worry that my blog doesn't look good enough, that I have too much on my sidebars/not enough on my sidebars, that my turn around for reviewing books is becoming too slow as I keep getting further and further behind in my reading, etc. I could go on forever. THEN, I realized that I started blogging to share my thoughts, be creative and meet new people. So then I feel better and only worry about what makes me happy and not what makes others happy. So if I get stuck at 516 followers for the rest of my blogging career, but I have an amazing group of followers then so be it, but I won't worry about those darn stats anymore. I'm not earning an income from it, so stats don't really matter as much to me as it would to someone blogging about a topic that is their only source of income. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion post. But I felt the same as you and I'm pretty sure I have the same discussions with my hubby - he just doesn't get it at all. LOL
:)
PS I love the look and feel of your blog... just felt you needed to know that too. I love your header and the colours. Such a wonderful place to stop by. :)
ReplyDeleteYour conversation with your husband nearly made me pee my pants from laughter! It is almost verbatim the convo's Kelli and I have had with our spouses... and she texts me the line "I'm on ledge... epic fail about XXX"... I just love reading Melissa's and your blog's they ALWAYS make me say something like "That's what I thought too"
ReplyDelete