How Do You Know If A Blog Is Successful
Sweater: c/o Chicwish ($52.43)
Jeans: Asos ($56)
Heels: Marc Fisher ($59.99), this is the new version ($160)
Sunglasses: c/o Zenni Optical
Crossbody Bag: Angela Roi (old), similar here ($99) and here ($158)
Red Lipstick: Beautycounter in ‘Scarlet’ ($32)
How Do You Know If A Blog is Successful?
How do you know if a blog is successful? That is something I recently have been asking myself. The blogging industry has changed so much since I started and there are so many different factors to consider when looking at the analytics of a blog. I’ve been blogging over four years and first of all, I didn’t think I would last this long. I wasn’t sure if I had the time to blog or where it would take me. Second, I initially thought that if I had been blogging this long I would have definitely known if my blog was successful.
What Can You Measure?
For instance, is it all about the volume of page views your blog is receiving every month? Is it about the number of sales you are converting? Or is it the number of following on social media? And if it has to do with numbers, what number is considered to be successful? Or is it to the point you feel comfortable to make blogging your full-time profession? What if you can make it full-time but still don’t feel comfortable doing it as a profession? Does that make you unsuccessful?
Another factor that people look at with bloggers is the impact your blog or social media presence creates. However, to me that is hard to measure. We can’t tap into every follower’s mind and check if an impact has been made. Or what about passion? What if you blog because you truly love it. Maybe your numbers aren’t comparable to other bloggers, but you feel satsified and complete with your blog.
Thinking Out Loud
I honestly don’t know why I’m sharing this with you all or questioning how to know if a blog is successful. Maybe I would like to hear your thoughts on this? I know I blog because I love it. I love to share what I’m ‘obsessing’ over (hence the name RD’s Obsessions) and sharing my cancer journey. There are days I feel like I made it as a blogger and there are days I feel like I have a long way to go before being a successful blogger. Maybe I want to know so I know what to tell myself when I’m feeling down about my blog?
Sorry for the ramblings. Just random thoughts popping in my head about blogging. I hope you all have a wonderful Friday!
xo RD
Loving the look! 🙂 About the theme, honestly, I feel that more and more the success isn’t measured by numbers! But more about relationships and community! 🙂
Kiss*
http://www.fine-alchemy.blogspot.pt
Thanks Ana! I do agree as well!
Hi RD,
Just came across your blog. I was just thinking about these things last night when I discovered a new niche community on Disqus where I might post some of my historical pieces and experiences. I do think certain platforms are all about the numbers game – such as IG which I hate. There is this maddening trend to follow and then unfollow a person and I refuse to partake in it. I’m not that concerned about portraying myself to be some kind of rockstar with 5K followers and I, in return, follow about 50-100 people. As Ana mentioned above, I think people are catching onto this and are also becoming frustrated with it because it doesn’t provide a valued relationship.
I also think that being a successful blogger is what you decide that means to you. If it’s numbers and conversions, then good for you. If it’s the pleasure of the process, then good for you. I personally am still trying to decide what my blog is all about and what I love most about my blog. I do have BIG goals for it, even though I am just one year in, and I’m made it a point to remind myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. I am also learning sooooo much about analytics and SEO and everything else in between to make me a a great online marketer for my blog (and that could very well translate into the real world), but the creative process of my content causes me a lot of strife. I am very critical of my work and find that I make content (sometimes) that isn’t true to my interests because of the impact of social media and comparison. Right now, I am working on maintaining my genuine interests and how that translates into story for my readers.
I kind of went all over the place, but there was a lot and is a lot for me to say about this. I think and question it too.
https://www.learningfromstrangers.com
Hi Jess,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on this topic. I completely agree with you and it’s all about what we decide for ourselves what it means to be success. I love that you are creating a genuine story on your blog. Those are the kind of blogs I love to read. I love creating content that I personally just love and I love to share my experiences with life.
I have more questions than answers on this too. I think it is so individualized. I have and love this sweater. So cute!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Haha I am so with ya! And it totally is so individualized! And yes, you wear this sweater so well!
You are asking some great questions! I definitely agree that measuring a blog’s success is difficult! Also I love your outfit! The sweater is so cute!
http://roadesque.com
Thanks Valerie! It is hard when sharing it to the outside world. But I honestly think as long as we continue doing this because we love it, success will come natural.
As someone who is just starting out, I am wondering the same thing! For me, I am focusing on staying true to myself and seeing where I can take it
xx Jen
http://lilthoughtswithjen.com/
I definitely staying true to yourself is so important! Excited to see where it will take you!
It depends the criteria you define and probably it’s something very personal to any blogger. You gave some examples such as number of page views, followers on social media, sales, … there are probably many others. Important is to have KPI (key performance indocator) once you have define it or them to measure if you are reaching your goal; otherwise it’s easy to lose focus and try anytime to do anything which is likely a big source of failures!
Great outfit by the way and superb heels 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/03/11/relaxing-week-end-in-spa/
That’s a good point and we need to define our goals. Thank you for sharing!
Very thought-provoking post! I believe success as a different definition for every person. Depending on the main reason why the author is blogging we may or may not be able to measure its success ! And that’s awesome haha 🙂
http://www.desiringsme.com/5-benefits-reading-books/
I couldn’t agree more Yara!
I love the outfit (hearts are adorbs!!) and the random thoughts. Blogging has changed SO much – it’s kind of crazy! I’ve been sitting on a post for a while and one of the things I’m touching on is that same thought.
Have a great weekend!
Jackie from Something About That
Isn’t it crazy?! I can’t wait to read your post Jackie!
Personally, I think one has to set goals for one’s blog and then determine if success has been achieved, or not. We all had different agendas when we created our digital diaries and in my case, it was to share my views on female empowerment through dressing, and to enthusiastically fling rules out of the window when it came to societal expectations of how women in their 40s ought dress. How do those two objectives translated into measurable goals? I look at engagement 🙂
You make a good point! Everyone has a different agenda and so success is measured differently. I love your goals and what you are trying to share. Engagement is a good measurement!
Great tips! I’m definitely still working on my blog success!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Good luck on your success!
That outfit is seriously on point. When reading through this, I couldn’t help but admire your sweater, jeans, shoes, and bag! <3
The French Press
Thank you Sarah!
Great blogger advice, and I’m in love with those maroon heels! http://mariannyc.com/2018/03/12/own-your-sass-part-v/
Thanks!
Very well written,great outfit,beautiful shoes ❤
Thanks Kinga!
I think it’s complicated to see how successful is our blog, there are so many different factors since we started (I also started few years ago). The most important is to do it by “passion” and you are doing great! When I first discovered your blog it was about your cancer ans was so touched by this post and happy to see how brave you are! Keep up like this Rach!
http://violettedaily.com/
I definitely agree that this is a complicated since so many people define a blog’s success so differently. Thank you so much Violette! I am doing much better. Thank you so much for support 🙂
I have the same question…and no real answer. You are so right about blogging changing over the years and especially with the recent social media changes and people buying followers it’s hard to know if a blog is actually successful. For me it’s as long as I am having fun with my blog do I find it to be successful =o)
https://dreamofadventures.com/
I know right? I always question when we have to look at social media following. I think having fun is for sure should be the #1 reason.
Loving this look and the sweater! Great tips!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: PLUFFY RED COAT – SPORTY GLAM LOOK
Thanks Monica!
Great post and love that sweater!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thanks Samantha!
Madre mía es díficil saber. Yo estoy en la misma tesitura e incluso me he preguntado si sería bueno invertir dinero en el blog para darme un poco más a conocer. Es todo un dilema. Creo que cuando haces un blog sabiendo que te encanta hacerlo y lo haces por que quieres y luego se convierte en tu forma de ingreso es realmente genial, hay sentimiento puesto detrás de tu trabajo pero si lo haces simplemente por ganar dinero al final eso se nota y se ve y no gusta. Sigue adelante siempre, eres una luchadora.
http://www.simplysory.com
Thank you for your thoughts! I’m so with you and the blog has to start with passion. I do agree that readers can tell if you do it for money only.
Good question! I honestly have no idea. Is it only a matter of numbers? because lately it seems that every thing has been measured by numbers. Instagram, Blog, Views, Followers, etc. Which I absolutely understand and I get the point. But a blog is also a sort of personal diary so a more personal and uncountable factor is part of it.
I like to think that a success comes when you naturally inspiring your readers. When people use your blog as a source! xx
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
I like that! When people use your blog as a source. It’s crazy when you talk to people outside of the bloggers and they relate it to numbers. I definitely think inspiring and passion is the way to go.
obsessed with the look!!! new post/ http://www.oliviaschueller.com
Thank you Olivia!
I’m in love with this outfit! From the retro jeans to the heart patches on the sweater, it’s definitely a look. As for the topic, I think success is setting a goal, big or small, and reaching it. I think success looks so different to different people and is constantly changing. I’ve noticed the people who are the most successful are happy, but never satisfied and are never done achieving.
Shann Eileen | http://www.shanneileen.com
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts! It is individualized and I do agree that happiness is success!
Lovely tips dear. And I couldn’t agree more. Though the definition of success differs from one person to another, it is often longevity that defines success. Anyway, love your chic look here dear. The matching bag and heels looks incredible. the vibrant color just pops!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
You are so right! And thank you Hess!