Do You Know What Today Is? It’s My Blogiversary…Blogiversary

OK, many of you are probably too young to remember, but there was a horrible song in the 90s called “It’s Our Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Tone!.  (All pronounced ‘Tony’.)  Anyway, ever since I thought about my Blogiversary, that stupid song has been in my head.

Anyway, I cannot believe it has been one year already.  I am getting old really fast.  If I was a good blogger, I would have a giveaway of some sort to celebrate.  However, I just didn’t have the time to think that far ahead.  Therefore, no giveaway for you…

Instead, what you get is my list of ‘reflections’ about blogging over the past year.  That way, everyone is a winner!  🙂

1. I was laughing to myself the other night when I was thinking about my reaction to comments in the early days.  Back when my traffic was under 10 visits a day, I would get the occasional comment that read something like this:  “I really like your blog, I have learned a lot already”.  Those comments made me so happy.  Then, as I became more experienced, I realized those were spam!  Oh well, they made me happy for a little while.
2. You can’t blog ‘alone’.  Being a part of a community is so much more fun and rewarding.  I have made some blogging pals, and I love the Yakezie group that I am a part of.  Go Yakezie!
3. Blogging can be like a drug.  I had no idea it could actually be addicting until I started writing everyday.  I love the comments I get, I love writing, and I love reading other blogs.  Cheaper than controlled substances, and minimal side effects if you need to take a break for a few days.
4. You don’t need to be a computer programming specialist to have a blog.  Of course, I am a computer programmer, but the knowledge I had going in to blogging was not helpful at all when it came to HTML and such.  I muddled through like everyone else.
5. I like writing.  Before, I always thought of myself as mathy-sciency person.  I have redefined myself through blogging.  I found that I really enjoy writing, and I don’t even cringe reading my own writing anymore.  Well, maybe a little…
6. I could easily blog 8 hours a day as a job.  When I first started I thought ‘eh, I will write posts here and there and just share all the wisdom I have when I feel like it’.  However, I could easily see how you could enjoy writing and learning 8 hours a day.  If only I could make really good money doing so.  Then I could live anywhere in the world and just write from whatever locale I was at.
7. It is ok to take a few days off.  During my ‘really addicted’ phase, I felt I had to post everyday and respond to every comment in a timely manner.  My recent ‘sabbatical’ taught me that you can take some time off if you need to, and your blog and loyal audience will be waiting for you when you return.

Here are some of my stats from the last year:

Visits:  45,437

Unique Visitors:  30,352

Search Engine Traffic:  40 percent

Most Popular Post:  Tax Avoidance, Double Irish and Dutch Sandwiches! (3,296 visits)

Pageviews:  Can’t share that number because pageviews were counted incorrectly for much of the year.

Top Referrers:   (Thank you!!)

1. Grumpy Rumblings of the Untenured
2. Budgeting In The Fun Stuff
3. Money Reasons
4. Free Money Finance
5. Len Penzo dot Com

I have to say, I am so glad I took the plunge and started blogging.  I want to really thank those that stop by and read most days, and leave wonderful comments.  In addition, I also appreciate my advertisers!  I have just really enjoyed writing this past year and ‘meeting’ so many great people.  I look forward to what the next year will bring!

Tagged as: blogaversary, blogging, blogging stats, blogiversary, writing