 Day 31: Hot Way to End the Month |
Holy crap! Can this be true? Someone pinch me!
It’s already been one full month of 2011, and I’ve actually managed to follow through on my one photo and one blog post a day project. Huzzah!
What can I say now looking back?
Well, it’s been a process and a chore, but a fun and interesting one. Remember when I said I regretted not taking enough photos of myself on my travels, sometimes just because I felt awkward being in the photo or taking the photo in a public place? Going just as planned, I think I’m getting more comfortable with the whole process. I mean, taking a photo of myself in the movie theater is something I probably never would have done if it weren’t for the project, but it’s a moment and a memory now captured and shared.
A few people have asked me if I have been blogging every day or if I set them up ahead of time.
For those of you concerned with my dedication, I’ll have you know that I blog every day. I’ve even fallen asleep after a late night with the computer in my lap in bed. What I’ll do when I actually do a bit of traveling is beyond me, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
For anyone interested in seeing the daily photos in one place, I have them all hosted on Flickr. This is my January 2011 set.
Just now, after having a peak, I can see that a HUGE theme for me is food and drink. Spice of life, I say!
It’s been a blogging smorgasbord.
A number of different topics have been brought up in the past month (many involving food and drink), and I have so many more on the list. The only thing I worry about is running out of good ideas, which is why I have been finding myself holding off on writing about one thing until a later time (see: Saving My Beer Posts for a Day You’re Not All Drunk). Maybe I shouldn’t do that? By holding off on the good, I might be bringing up more of the not-so-good writing. Then again, I’m blogging every day!
As for stats, I’ve definitely become addicted to my Google Analytics again. The beginning of the month saw massive gains and heaps of comments, but towards the end of the month these have somewhat leveled out.
Over the previous month, I have seen:
- an increase in visits by 50%
- an increase in pageviews by 63%
- an increase in pages per visit by 9%
- a decrease in bounce rate by 3%
- an increase in time spent on site by 32%
The most popular post of the month has been my Coffee Around the World round-up in both comments and views.
Feedburner subscribers took a good jump up near the beginning, but I think that has more to do with Christine mentioning my blog as part of a bundle in the top 100 inspired travel blogs of 2010. It’s hard to track blog subscribers unless they subscribe via email.
I was a little surprised to see that traffic from search engines had not actually gone up this month, but I’m definitely interested to see if that increases in the coming months now that I have even more content and topics running around.
There have been no gains in terms of income from blogging this month, which is fine and not really something I expected. January has been about building up my sites and content, and spreading myself around where I can. I got a new blog theme that I’m still ironing out with a not-so-male-friendly color palette that I love (sorry, guys, don’t run away), and I have a gazillion ideas for projects I want to do but just don’t have the time.
Final thoughts on the 365 Photo + Blog Project.
Blogging each and every day sort of makes me feel like I’m constantly running without the time to catch up. I can’t reflect on what I write like I normally would do because I have to get it up and out and keep on running to the next. I guess you could say this is more honest writing in the sense that I don’t have the time to really think back and censor and edit like I could. It’s not really a bad thing, but maybe quality is lacking? You tell me.
In the same regards, maybe there is just too many posts for readers to handle? Too late, though. I’m committed to the next 11 months of doing the same. 
American girl left to travel the world in 2007. Studied languages, slept in a yurt, taught English, met Aussie guy and fell in love. Moved to Australia. Calls Sydney home. Wants a puppy. Still loves to travel. Read more 
I think we can summarize that in January 2011 you’ve spent quite and amount of time eating, hanging out with friend, laying down and working on the computer….
And taking pictures.
Borrrrrring.
I think that doing it every day keeps people engaged. I’m sure it’s difficult for you but, it’s not hard for us to read a blog post for 3 minutes every day
. Keep it up. You’re doing great. I want to hear more about crazy cultural stuff. Stuff that we crass Americans would find just bonkers.
Aw, thanks, Tim
Now if we can just get to the more travel phase of my 2011, this thing will get better 
Looks like your camera and computer have become your best friend=)
For the record, it’s Pat’s camera (the small one) and not mine
My big camera is just too annoying to carry and use all the time.
I am quite liking these posts. They are very short and very specific, which is something I am trying to do with my blog as well. Twice a week is hard enough for me, snaps for doing it every day!!!
It’s funny that you talk about them being short because it feels like I’m writing them for ages
Honestly, what I’ve liked about your blog from the get-go is that you’re very concise. It doesn’t take a lot of time to read you, because you keep things short, but also because you’re writing style just “flows.” I get exactly what you’re saying when I read you each and every time. So I don’t think you’re overwhelming readers–at least not this one
I think I write how I speak, so I guess I don’t use big words or colorful language. Just basic speak, which is good so then people don’t have to think too hard… then again, I won’t be winning any literary comps. *sigh*
Thanks for the kind words, Fritsky!
Way to go Brooke! Sounds like your project is helping out the site!
I think it’s a great idea, even just little tidbits about something you think about daily or even just a small event that day are fun to read about and it gives you a reason to reflect on something that you might not have done otherwise!
Plus, polaroids are fun!
I’ve been so behind on my reading and when I came to you on my Reader I see how many days behind I really am! Gotta find some time to catch up!
Good work! Looking forward to what February brings for you!
Hi Annie! Thanks for getting caught up with me
Much appreciated. If I could keep up with my reader, I would rock so much harder, but damn… too many blogs! Thanks for the compliments and following!
Doing the 365 days project alone is quite the goal but to add the blogging aspect into it… you’re a fiend! I know during my project the creativity comes in waves. There will be times you will want to give up – just hang in there and when you reach the end, it will be one of the most satisfying moments.
Fiend I am!
I just realized that I put up my 33rd post/photo tonight, so I’m having faith that it will pass quickly. I’m excited for the final result!
I love love LOVE this idea. Blogging everyday for me, would be, like a dream. Unfortunately, the reality that I can really only get to a faster-than-dial-up internet connection once a week sort of kills that dream for me, but I love it all the same. People discount the amount of effort it takes to blog everyday once you get in a pattern. I backpacked Europe for 2 months in 2007 and literally blogged every single day of the trip. Yes sometimes I had to sacrifice my afternoon siesta or going out to dinner with hostel friends, but I think I benefited from it so much in the end having such a detailed log of what I was up to. Keep up the good work!!
I was wondering what the “Day XX” in front of every post was. I guess now I know. That is dedication. I guess after all your years on the road, you’d be getting pretty quick at busting out the blog + photo update… well, I hope so #getoffthecomputer!!