I always have fun writing up my monthly recap post, such as the one about June that I just wrote up recently. I think that a recap of stats post is a great option for blogs! Here’s why:
1. You get to give a shout out to the sites that are sending traffic to you.
2. You can possibly promote some of your own social media links. (I like to include a link to my Facebook page when including Facebook on my link of top referrers, for instance.)
3. It can make you more aware of what blog hops, memes, and carnivals are worth your time and which are ones that might not be worth linking to (unless you’re writing up the right kind of post anyway).
4. Compiling a list of the most popular posts (I base mine on page views) can help you to see if there a pattern to what your most popular posts tend to be. This might help you in writing future posts.
5. Having a list of the most popular posts from the previous month is a great way to increase interest in older posts. This is wonderful for newer readers or people who may have just missed one of the popular posts.
6. I’m a numbers geek, and I love compiling lists like top referrers and top posts. It also means that I love reading other people’s lists. I’m not the only person like that, so your post will appeal to those other number geeks.
7. Although it can take a little while to compile, a recap post is a great way to have an extra, ready made post each month.
8. As I have started doing the last couple of months, it gives me a perfect place to feature that month’s advertisers. For example, in my post about June (which I posted at the beginning of July), I put the 125×125 buttons of July’s advertisers at the bottom of the post. This will ensure that even those who only read through an RSS or email feed still see information about the advertisers at least once.
9. Blogs of all sizes can have recap posts. Whether your top referring site sent you 100,000 page view or 20 page views, it’s a great post for anyone.
10. Mandie from Life…Your Way also uses a recap post (she calls it the “State of the Blog“) to show traffic growth, as well as to share goals and upcoming plans.
Do you post a recap or “State of the Blog” type of post on your blog (if you’re a blogger)? What do you like about it, if you do?
This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday and Works for Me Wednesday.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t tried posting a blog recap yet on my blog, but I admit I like the idea–I’m one of those numbers geeks. I might try that starting this month, although I might go for a top 5 instead of a top 10 since my blog is still really small.
Up til now I haven’t done a monthly stats post, but you have given some good reasons to start one!
I tried it once and it felt…I don’t know, stiff. But I do like the idea for all the reasons you said! Maybe I’ll try it again!
I don’t, but I do find them fascinating to read.
This is something I think I’ll start doing, I had no idea all the benefits of posting monthly stats
Thanks!
-Samantha
http://www.kreativekaring.com
I’ve just started doing a recap post and I love it. It’s fun, easy and I get to call attention to older posts that deserve being fresh again!
(I love Mandie’s state of the blog posts, too!)
I love the idea and enjoy reading yours, but so far I have never managed to remember to do it!
What a great idea! I’ve never heard of this before. Thanks for teaching me something new!
Love this! I’m going to have to start doing this as well. I’ve done it before and it’s a great way to look at the path of your blog and to see what’ s been happening in your life.
Great post!
You have given me something to think about…I have only does this once as a year end post. Which stat counter do you use?
Thanks for a great post.
What an interesting idea! I never would have thought of even one reason, let alone ten good ones
I really enjoyed doing a monthly stats post last week and plan to do it every month. I agree with it being a great place to feature your advertisers!
Great idea. Good tips. Stumbling this.
Janice
Celebrating Family
Thanks so much for the Stumble, Janice!
I appreciate it!
I love the idea of a monthly recap post, and I’ve been doing it for the past few months as well. It gives me a good idea of where my traffic comes from, and a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised when I found 3 new blogs that were linking to me in their blog roll. I like reading them as well, like yours, and the State of the Blog, and Crystal and Company.
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