Stats, Guest Posts, and Audiences

~ livelytwist

stats, guest post & audiences

 

The quickest way to go where you have never been is to find someone who has gone where you want to go.

 

If what they say is true, that your potential audience reach spans people ten years younger and older than you are, most people who read Livelytwist are in their thirties, forties, and fifties. I do not know for sure. The implication for reaching broader audiences including people in their teens, twenties, sixties, seventies and beyond, may be a change in style.

An acquaintance signs off her emails with these words, star differs from star in splendor. I have thought often about what they mean. If our lives are our message to the world, then our vocation is our platform. I believe that our experiences, location, age, race, gender, talents, and so on, position us to reach certain audiences. That only some are able to cross the barriers that separate us, innately or through learning, and have, more mass appeal than others do.

This past blogging year, Livelytwist’s total number of blog views was lower than the previous year, but I witnessed a shift in the type of blog articles that received the highest number of views. In the past, articles, which I wrote received the most views. Last year, the top five articles viewed, apart from the ubiquitous Open Letter to Akpos—search engine terms must bring Akpos seekers to my blog—were articles that others wrote for my blog. In order of most views:

Hardwired For Sorry [3]
Think Like a Man, End up Without One [1]
Hardwired For Sorry [5]
Think Like a Man, End up Without One [2]
Shifting Gears [6]

Storytelling is an effective means of communicating with a diverse audience. As much as I enjoy writing, I do not possess the authority or authenticity to tell all the stories I want to and therefore reach as many people as I would like. As William Faulkner noted, “A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.”

By sharing my blog stage with others, Livelytwist gained more universal appeal. At least one teenager and one writer in his seventies contributed an article to a blog series last year, as well as writers in every other age category in between. At least one person in every continent, in 125 countries, viewed Livelytwist in 2015, up from 115 countries in 2014. Guest writers shared the stories they wrote for Livelytwist on their social networks, engaging audiences I may never have reached.

world stats 2015

 

country stats 2015

After I ran a series on my blog that featured other writers, a reader scolded me for not writing my own stories. I understood her loyalty, the queasiness, which occurs when vision expands and threatens the status quo; as if I would abandon my blog. I explained that I conceptualized the series, handpicked the writers, and in some cases edited their stories. Then I sent her the links to a couple of stories I had written as part of the series.

What do my stats tell me? Numbers sometimes mean little. Perhaps they confirm something I wrote in my notebook years ago—I want to tell other people’s stories. I am getting closer to that dream, am I not? And it is because you said yes to sharing your story on my blog.

Thank you!

 

© Timi Yeseibo 2016

 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Timi Yeseibo and livelytwist.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

50 thoughts on “Stats, Guest Posts, and Audiences”

  1. 😀
    I always wonder about how you do guest posts (I love the ones from Ifeoluwa Nihinlola and Panic Cord by Pemi Aguda). Maybe what I really want to know is how you meet them, interact and let them live (for writing is living) on your blog. Questions, questions, questions. 😀

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    1. The internet has made the world smaller and it’s possible to meet and interact with people in that space. I think that being here for a while and having a credible digital footprint has helped. I’m persistent; I don’t like “no”. And I never hesitate to say a prayer when approaching people.

      Here are a couple of posts I wrote that may help answer your questions 🙂

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Collaboration: You and Me

      Forging Connections through the Internet

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  2. Someday Timi, I will seriously ask to guest post on your blog. I already have a story in mind.
    But someday isn’t here yet. Nevertheless, I’m very happy that you’re telling other people’s stories as well as your own.

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  5. Your blog has universal appeal and I am proud to be part of that. I like that you are willing to share the stage with others. All the world is a stage and each player must play his part. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Benn.

      It took me a while to adjust to what the stats seemed to reveal, namely that other writer’s articles were more popular than mine were. It challenged me to search my heart about something I say- I want to light as many candles as I can. I lose nothing by lighting other candles for together we brighten the room. On the other hand it also helped me appreciate some skills I have and take for granted.

      All the world is a stage and each player must play his part. Yes, I’m learning my part. 🙂

      The quickest way to go where you have never been is to find someone who has gone where you want to go. Sharing my blog stage has taken me farther and I’m really glad that you joined me on the stage.

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  6. I used to check my stats all the time. I hardly do anymore. Could be because my life has gotten so darn busy.
    You know what though? The good thing about having your own blog, is that you do with what you want, right? That’s great that you tell others stories.
    🙂

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  7. Interesting about the robot guessing the demographic of your readership.

    Hmmm. For regular readers I think I’m attracting readers from late 20’s or 30’s up to even readers in their 70’s. But most readers based what I know about the blogger-reader’s profiles and what they write on …in more into 40’s and up.

    I think I attract an audience that is young at heart….physically active adults who have tremendous curiosity and noticeable willingness to learn. I can see it in their personal blogs and how they interact with others as well as myself. It’s a good bunch and you’re one of them.

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    1. In other words, you attract people like you. I’m happy to be one of them. If only I biked more!

      WordPress Stats reveal plenty but not the age of people who view your blog though. I’ve heard it said that you attract audiences 10 years younger or older than you are. I don’t know if that’s accurate. I have a good following of people in their twenties.

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  8. “engaging audiences I may never have reached.”
    Yes please, guest writers are important. We want to grow. We want to look at out stats and smile. We want new audiences who’ll jump from one post to the other and because of guest posts, they just might decide to be loyal

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    1. Some people say they don’t care if anyone reads their posts. I find that hard to believe- why write on a public blog then and not your journal? Of course we want an audience. Size may differ as well as the strategies we employ to reach them.

      Thank you for your support and all the best as you broaden your readership.

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      1. @ “why write on a public blog then and not your journal”” Spot on! XD

        I agree with you, one who choses to publish on a public platform must want a public audience and will most often than not also want their feedback, which is not necessarily a need for their validation or approval, but simply a need to know that the audience connected with their message.

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        1. Hello Nedu, the blog post you shared with Livelytwist readers was among the top 5 viewed in 2015. Thank you for sharing your story with us and using the power of your network to connect me to a broader audience.

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          1. Hi Timi,

            What I find remarkable about your guest posts is not only how generous you are in sharing your blog stage with others, but also how you manage to do it in a way that enriches the guest.

            One who looks closely will see that it is not a case of a lazy copy and paste but a mindful, careful process.

            Quality over quantity has become my writing mantra ever since “A Leggy Affair” and I can’t thank you enough.

            Have a lovely weekend. 🙂

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  9. I like the Faulkner quote: “A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.” Of those three, experience especially my personal experience seems to be the most important to my readers. At least that’s what my stats show. They like posts about things like my interracial marriage and how I met my husband. Obviously, I only have a limited number of experiences like that, so I have to branch out.

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    1. Stats can be eye openers, can’t they?

      In a way I am not surprised that your personal experience seems to be the most important to your readers. At our core, we aren’t very different. I suppose when we read about your experiences we see ourselves or people we know in them, making for an emotionally satisfying encounter. For me, that your experiences are set in a context different from mine, also engages my imagination as I place myself in the settings you describe.

      I haven’t followed your blog long, but in my view, when you ‘branch out’ you still manage to weave your experience into the narrative, no matter how little. Your lucid sentences and your ability to write from ‘behind’- the whole combo- makes for rich and rewarding reading. All the best as you continue to branch out!

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  10. I’ve really enjoyed all the voices you’ve presented this year, Timi. I think I used to just want the numbers to take care of themselves, but I’m definitely contemplating being more aware of what attracts people since my original purpose was to let people know about my novels–the blog sort of took over as it’s own thing! I hadn’t expected that and need to focus my energy a little more. Thanks for the inspiration.

    love,
    A

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    1. Blogging is an interesting journey, isn’t it? So you’re thinking about why you started and finding your way back to your ‘purpose’? All the best!

      Blogging has shown me my evolution, not just as a writer, but as a person. I always intended to have guest writers. What I did not know was that there would be a ‘shift’ in the kind of stories I would share and the people I would approach to share them. So I appreciate your feedback as it also serves as validation.

      You have a strong voice and powerful stories to share … out of your personal experience. And I’m grateful as are my readers, that you shared one of your stories here at Livelytwist. Thank you!

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      1. @ “Blogging has shown me my evolution, not just as a writer, but as a person”.

        I feel the same way too, it’s shown me the possibilities that lay within me.

        I’ve also learned that attracting an audience sometimes requires a certain level of deliberateness, and sustaining them requires that and even more.

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  11. You’re much better than me analysing blog statistics, good for you. I’m afraid I just blink back at them when I look at them at all. Congrats though for reaching a wider audience and helping to tell stories 🙂

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    1. Ah I see. You’re one of the bloggers for whom stats aren’t much of a deal. 🙂

      Blogging is not just a hobby to me. It’s a platform … My stats are one way I measure impact. I was disappointed to see that my total number of views was lower than the previous year but surprised to learn which posts got the highest views. It speaks to me about my strengths and the direction I may go in future: journalist, editor, or writer of my own stories.

      Thank you Lani for helping me in my bid to reach wider audiences inadvertently on Twitter 🙂

      Thanks again!

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  14. I am a fairly new blogger here, almost five months now, but I have similar thoughts about the stats and numbers. I try not to be too caught up into what they actually mean. I also think if I can reach others here and other countries I am effective. I do have re-blogs that reach others, but my main purpose is to put my information out here and trust the rest will take care of itself. The right audience for me will be drawn, timing is important as well. Every week new viewers discover my blog, so that is a progressive move. My numbers are increasing and not decreasing, that’s movement. But, even with that, I must keep my focus on my purpose and not as much about the numbers. Besides, it takes one or two seeds to produce a harvest.

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    1. We approach blogging with different mindsets, including yours- ” …but my main purpose is to put my information out here and trust the rest will take care of itself.” I’m glad your numbers are increasing.

      @The right audience for me will be drawn, how? Do you think you’ll eventually have to do more than ‘trust the rest to take care of itself’? 🙂

      I don’t obsess about the numbers but I pay attention to them as I would like to reach more people. Sharing my blog stage was effective in reaching a broader audience in 2015.

      I wish you many more happy months of blogging!

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      1. Actually, I was in agreement with what I thought was the theme of your message. I know as bloggers, numbers and stats are a part of us knowing our audience and readership. But I perceived the message was more about not being caught up in numbers. I could have misread, and it is possible. In regards to “but my main purpose is to put information out front, the rest will take care of itself” was liken to an expression but not literal in meaning. I’m aware, nothing simply takes care of itself. So, I hope the heart of my response came across as intended for the purpose of being in agreement with what you were saying in your post. I wish you much success in your blogging journey.

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        1. Thanks for coming back to clarify. I enjoyed reading your comment and what I took away from it was that you are enjoying your blogging journey. I also took your words literally! Oh oh 🙂

          Yes we’re in agreement that ultimately purpose matters more than numbers.

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    1. Lol. So you’re my link to the ‘older’ generation in the UK and beyond! 😉

      Thanks Derrick for sharing the stage with me and linking me to audiences I couldn’t have reached otherwise.

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  16. Writing your stories can be tasking along with other life commitments especially when you are committed to providing rich content. Guest posts can be an escape from being stuck. My blog suffered because of the increased challenge in my job coupled with my study for a taught masters degree.
    Good job and you are an inspiration.

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    1. Indeed guest posts can be a life saver. I experienced that first hand during the first quarter of the year as I dealt with illness and other major transitions. Beyond that though, I’m seeing something else…

      @blog suffering, true. And when you get back, you have to build momentum… people move on to other things…

      So are you back now? Are you done with your other priorities?

      @inspiration, thank you!

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