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100 Post Recap #1: The Best, The Worst, and The Surprising!

Keller Hawthorne | September 10, 2009 | 13 Comments
Blogging 101, Keller's Thoughts
100 Post Recap #1: The Best, The Worst, and The Surprising!

Have you ever heard of the Weight Watchers journal concept? They say their most successful customers tend to be the ones who journal each day by tracking what they eat. It’s supposed to act as a reinforcement, reminder and motivation tool.

I was never good at it, which is probably why I always ended up quitting :).

It can be uncomfortable taking inventory of yourself and seeing your successes and failures in writing. But, I believe it can work – especially for bloggers.

Bloggers are in the business of providing content. Content is essentially our product. Shouldn’t we analyze our content and discover what seems to be working for our readers (customers) and what isn’t?

I’ve decided to use the journal concept on my blog. Every 100 posts I write, I plan to tell you what I achieved during those 100 posts and what I perhaps could have done better. I will highlight my top 10 favorite posts, my readers’ top 10, my traffic, my followers, etc. This will be a great way to retrace my steps and see what I can learn. So without further ado, let’s dive into my first 100 post recap!

Awards

Most Comments Award

The post that has received the most comments on my blog is How I Got Google PageRank within 3 Weeks of Launching My Website coming in with 59 comments!

Most Re-Tweets Award

The post that was shared the most on Twitter is PODCAST: Designing Your Website with a Marketing Perspective: Support Your Call to Action coming in with 89 Re-Tweets!

Most Successful Guest Post Award

The most successful guest post on my blog so far is Make More Money Online: 7 Tips for Increasing Your Conversion Rate coming in with 17 Re-Tweets, 4 Diggs and 6 Comments. Great job Stuart!

Most Disappointing Award

The most disappointing award has to go to Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? This was the first post I made into a podcast. I had very high hopes for this article, but it failed to impress coming in with only 2 Re-Tweets, 1 Digg and 6 Comments.

My Top 10 Favorite Posts

This list is made up of MY favorite posts. They may not have received the most re-tweets, diggs or comments, but they were my favorite ones to write and discuss.

The Best Ad Manager for WordPress – OIOpublisher
This was my very first product review post and one of the very first posts I ever wrote. It also shows the second video I ever produced. This one post has paid for 5+ years of web hosting for my blog!

Shameless Self-Promotion: Confidence Can Grow Your Internet Business!
This post is one of my favorites as it not only helped my readers, but it helped to remind me of what I can achieve each day by simply opening my mouth and asking for a little attention. It’s also the second most re-tweeted post on my blog!

PODCAST: 5 Mistakes Internet Business Owners Make When Choosing a Niche
This podcast is near and dear to me as I discussed many mistakes I made when starting my first Internet business. It’s amazing to look back now and see how much I’ve grown!

PODCAST: How I Got a Google PageRank of 6 Within 7 Weeks of Launching My Blog!
SEO is one of my FAVORITE topics to discuss, so this is an obvious choice. Though this podcast never became as popular as the post I wrote prior to the recording, it’s one of my favorites as I elaborate on the details of how I achieved PR so quickly.

FresheVenture.com’s New Search System: Blogging with Lijit
This post won me first place in the “My Lijit Story Contest!” Lijit awarded me with an awesome Kindle, a t-shirt, stickers and a hand-written congratulatory note!

How I Attracted My First 100 Newsletter Subscribers
This remains one of my favorite posts as it acts as a tracking device. Since writing this post, I’ve more than doubled my subscriber list!

Blog Mastermind vs. Become a Blogger: Review and Comparison
I actually learned so much in the process of writing this post. I was having a hard time understanding what the difference was between these two programs and it turned out a lot of other people were in the same boat. This post has caught the attention of both Gideon and Yaro of Become a Blogger!

How I Designed My Blog – Summary of Platform, Theme and Plugins
Hey, I love discussing web design, so this is another obvious choice! It also alleviated the numerous emails I was receiving regarding how I did this, that and the other.

PODCAST: Designing Your Website with a Marketing Perspective: Support Your Call to Action
Definitely one of my favorites – from the picture I used to the topic I discussed! It received an enormous amount of Twitter love, which I wasn’t expecting. It’s also the second podcast I recorded with my brand new mic – much better quality.

But, I Don’t Want to Deal With Customers Today!
This is one of my least read posts as it was one of my very first (when I had little to no traffic). Though it never got the attention I hoped it would, it remains one of my favorites – the topic is all too familiar to me :).

Dispelling Myths of an Online Business
Again, a post that has received very little attention as it was published when I first launched my blog. But, I feel the topic is highly relevant to my readers. It also discusses one of my pet peeves – the idea that an Internet business doesn’t take any work.

10 Most Read Posts

Whether it’s because of search engine rankings each of these posts receive, or just my awesome writing skills :), these are the 10 most read posts on my blog:

Stats

As a way of tracking my progress as a blogger, this section focuses on my traffic, audience and post stats.

Traffic

During my first 100 posts I received 18,015 unique visitors and 33,635 page views. 73.26% of this traffic represents new visitors. Visitors stay on my blog an average of 2 minutes 45 seconds. Let’s see if we can increase that during my next 100 posts!

Stats for May 8 - Sept 9, 2009

Blog Vitals

  • Comments/Pingbacks: 600+
  • Google PageRank: 6
  • Alexa Ranking: 94,993
  • Technorati Authority: 26
  • Technorati Rank: 134,624

Followers

  • Twitter Followers: 1204
  • Digg Fans: 6
  • Facebook Friends: 111
  • Facebook Fans: 30
  • BlogCatalog Friends: 84
  • BlogCatalog Fans: 7
  • BlogCatalog Blog Rating: 5.00 out of 5.00

Subscribers

  • RSS Feed: 352
  • Podcast Feed: 17
  • Newsletter: 246

Multimedia Posts

  • Videos Produced: 10
  • Podcasts Recorded: 4

Awesome Experiences

Customer Spotlight – Theme Kitchen

Network Solutions, my ecommerce host, contacted me in July regarding an interview on my ecommerce experience. The interview was just recently published on NS’s SMART Ecommerce Blog and will be distributed to their newsletters recipients – very cool!

Famous Blogger’s Club Interview

Hesham of New Media Bloggers was nice enough to request an interview from me regarding my blogging experience. The interview has already brought me new readers!

4 Sponsors for Our Best WordPress Design Contest

I didn’t think this would happen, but I was fortunate enough to receive sponsorships from 4 amazing companies including Become a Blogger, StudioPress, OIOpublisher and Internet Marketing Sweetie. I couldn’t be happier that they were all willing to be so incredibly giving with their prizes!

New Discussion Forums

I actually wanted to create a forum the day I launched my blog, but I knew it would be a while until it saw any action, so I held off. Finally, during the redesign of my blog last month, I took the opportunity to make it happen. The best part is my readers are actually using it!!! Very cool – and a very nice WP plugin from bbpress. Visit Internet Business Discussions today!

Future Goals

Post Topics

Though I started this blog as a way of helping online entrepreneurs create successful businesses, I have noticed a slight bias with my writing – a bias toward what has taken up the majority of my time and attention this year – blogging.

Since blogging is a brand new and fun experience for me, I notice myself wanting to write more and more about it – discussing what I’ve learned and what I have yet to learn.

Though this topic is relevant to a large portion of my audience, it isn’t the only business model I wish to help my readers with. So, I may need to become more disciplined with my topic choices. However, as we currently have a blog contest going on, you will see many more blog related posts from me in the near future.

Followers and Subscribers

I would really like to double my follower and subscriber lists by my next 100 post recap. It took me about four months to publish 100 posts, so I have four months to achieve this goal.

When I first launched my blog, I signed up for just about every social network I could handle. Through my blogging experience, I’ve since realized there are only a few networks I really enjoy utilizing: Twitter, Facebook and Blog Catalog. So, you may have noticed I removed the large number of social network buttons in my welcome sidebar message and replaced them with 4 large, prominent buttons representing my most important online profiles. I will continue to reinforce my favorites from now on rather than attempt to spread myself thin over all of them.

Video Social Networks

Yes, YouTube is the most powerful video network website in existence, but it also happens to NOT be my favorite. About a month ago I purchased a membership with Vimeo. Their video player is sooo much cooler and my channel is a lot nicer looking. Plus, I can remove their logo from the videos I embed on my blog. Oh, also if someone clicks on the video, it DOESN’T take them away from my blog like YouTube does.

I will continue to post all of my videos on YouTube, but I will be replacing every video on my blog with the Vimeo players.

Multimedia Marketing

I really need to step up my game when it comes to recording podcasts and videos. They both offer new channels of distribution and traffic. They also require a little more time than simply writing a post. I hope to at least double the amount of multimedia posts I have on my blog by my next recap.

That’s That

So, there you have it – a complete recap of my experience as a blogger during my first 100 posts! The next recap will be really exciting as I’ll be able to compare it to this one and see what kind of progress I’ve made.

I highly suggest you bloggers look into doing a recap of your experience, whether or not you post it on your blog as I have. Your content is your product, so take some time to analyze it and see if there are areas you could improve on.

What Have You Achieved In Your First 100 Posts? Any Successes, Disappointments or Surprises?

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  • http://www.monetizemylife.com monetizemylife

    Hey Keller,

    Congratts! I'm really excited for you. You've done such a fantastic job with your first four months. I started at the same time and I've had no where near your results. That's okay though. You seem to have a better handle on what you're trying to accomplish that I do.

    I still feel like a fish flailing out of water sometimes. That's okay though, I may not be where I want to be yet, but I'm persistent and I'll get there. I don't plan on giving up. ;)

    Here's to all the success we are prepared to earn!
    Richard

  • http://letupdate.com/ Online Knowledge

    Wow, your blog seems very well established already.

  • http://www.indi.ca/ Indi Samarajiva

    you fucking bitch you bribed John stupid Chow with 500 dollars for a paid review. That money is best spent on charity you bitch. Pathetic creature you are Keller. I want to fuck you for doing this cheap act that makes john chow rich. he's a nasty man. so are you nasty whore.

  • http://www.fresheventure.com Keller Hawthorne

    You definitely will get there Richard!

    Sometimes we can become completely distracted or overwhelmed with all of the fantastic ideas we have for making money online. We just need to learn how to manage and prioritize those ideas (something I'm still trying to get right).

    It's just all so exciting – and that excitement can hinder us at times. You've got great ideas and a smart head on your shoulders – you'll get there.

  • http://www.monetizemylife.com monetizemylife

    I Know!

    I'm so excited about all sorts of things. I got SOOO Many opportunities right now I feel like I could sprint in a hundred different directions.

    Seriously, right now is the BEST time in the world to get started with a Fresh E Venture. There's just so much un-tapped opportunity if people would only begin to look for it.

    You've proven it with your blog. Four months ago you were unheard of in the blogshpere and today you've been recognized by Yaro and Jon Chow… and all the supporters of the Blogging Design Contest. You've accomplished a ton in a very short amount of time and I'm inspired to more action and more focused action because of you.

    Let this post be a lesson to anyone who's reading it that simply focusing on something you love and do a little work every day to further your business… you can have any success you are prepared to earn. Any!

    Wow… I think I've started rambling in excitement… I'll stop now. Bye now :)

  • patricia1

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Patricia

    http://dataentryjob-s.com

  • http://twitter.com/jaredplittle Jared Little

    Wow, I just hit 50 I guess I should look at some of your numbers for some goals for myself. You did a really nice job of summing this all up. I guess I know what I will be reading this week seems like you have a bunch of great articles that of are interest to me.

  • http://www.fresheventure.com Keller Hawthorne

    I hope you do come back Patricia! You are welcome any time and please never hesitate to leave me questions or suggestions.

  • angelia110

    <h2 align=”center”>Ugg Boots–More Fashion Or Just A Trend Now?</h2>

    –>Several years ago, a new popular wind has been blowing the nation. Some adored it while others are amazed and confused by its success. This fashion trend is known as the Ugg boots. Although an unattractive appearance, Uggs has gained a huge following among all fans. Not only they are extremely trendy,but also their features to keep feet warm in cold day and cool in summer.

    –>But Uggs is more than just sheepskin boots; it has casual uggs, slippers as well as handbags and other accessories. Ugg cardy, Ugg Short, Ugg Tall, .Classic ugg boots are comfortable, stylish, and great to wear in any occasion. Ugg slippers are warm and comforting that both indoor or outside is ok . Ugg also offers a full line of high-quality handbags and backpacks to match your Uggs. A pair of Ugg boots, matched Ugg handbag is the perfect shows.

    –>Why Be Fashionable – Why Not? This fashion style, perfect deductived by famous stars, had blow up a fashion to imitate of wearing UGGs, to perfectly match with long jeans, minipants, skirts,etc.

    –>With Kate Winslet, "Declaimer," "Revolutionary Road," two outstanding performances in the film won the Golden Globe for best supporting actress and best leading actress in the film drama category, won several Oscar nominations . She was photographed shoed a pair of UGGs, with her daughter the same impersonation. And reporters caught Hayden Panettiere at a vegetarian Thai restaurant on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Hayden sported a denim hot pants and Ugg boots.

    –>Ugg Boots–Is More Fashion Or Just A Trend Now?

    –>The Ugg boot is made with sheepskin instead of regular leather which helps you stay cool in the summer and keeps you warm and dry in the winter making it the perfect boots to wear in all seasons.

    –>No matter is fashion or just a tread now, it also can be your style that makes you be more fashion mastering trend pop. With it, you will feel comfortable, look trendy, and be the envy of everyone around you. I don't have permission to require you finding the ugg boots at goodugg.co.uk, but shout out if you find them!

  • http://bradleyaharmon.com Brad Harmon

    Keller,

    Thank you for sharing this information. I follow a few other bloggers that have shared similar information but not to the detail that you have provided. These stats are very helpful to me as a new blogger to know to what stats I should be paying attention.

    Also, it is a comfort to me to know that some of your favorite posts did not generate much of a response. I know that sounds a little petty, but I don't mean it that way. It is just nice to know, as a new blogger, that even successful bloggers like yourself have posts that don't connect too and that I am not alone.

    Congratulations on your 100th post. I am looking forward to reading, listening, and watching the next 100.

    Regards,

    Brad

  • http://www.fresheventure.com Keller Hawthorne

    We definitely all have our “flops.” It can be hard when one of them happens to be a post we really liked, but it's not about us – it's about our readers. I hope to see more of you during my next 100, Brad!

  • http://www.fresheventure.com Keller Hawthorne

    We definitely all have our “flops.” It can be hard when one of them happens to be a post we really liked, but it's not about us – it's about our readers. I hope to see more of you during my next 100, Brad!

  • http://bradleyaharmon.com/2009/10/blog-walking-the-shameless-self-promoter-keller-hawthorne-part-1/ Blog Walking: The Shameless Self-Promoter Keller Hawthorne (Part 1) | Bradley A. Harmon

    [...] Her years of trial and errors on her way to success with internet marketing and ecommerce have given her a confidence to openly share her experiences, both good and bad, with her readers.  A great example of this can be seen in 100 Post Recap #1: The Best, The Worst, and The Surprising! [...]

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