Saturday 12 February 2011

Stats - and worldwide readers!

Thanks to my new blogging friend Frances (on http://francesgarrood.blogspot.com/), I've just discovered how to see the stats on my blog - you know, all the stuff about how many hits you get, and when, and where they're coming from. I know, I know - you'd think it was obvious, wouldn't you: there's a big tab there with 'Stats' on it, but needless to say, I'd managed not to see that and had to be directed to it! I did know how to look at the stats for my websites (I've got two: one for Olivia and one in my own name), but I actually think the Blogger stats are more comprehensive. So I've now spent a silly amount of time studying them when I should have been doing other things (you know how it goes!) - and I'm fascinated by what I've seen.

For instance: obviously most of my hits are coming from the UK - cheers, mates! And after that comes the USA - thanks, guys! (waves!). And third in the list is Russia, and then Holland - both countries where I've had translations published so it does give me a nice feeling to think that there might be people in those countries reading my books in their own languages and bothering to look me up. Germany features too, where one of my newest translations has just been published - but also France, Ukraine, and several other countries where I'm not aware of any of my books appearing.

But of course, there are lots of other reasons for people finding, and looking at, a blog or website - and I'm not so vain that I don't realise most of these hits are probably accidental. One of my websites' stats-page gives the phrases people have put into their browsers when they end up on my site - and often they have only a very tenuous connection to me or one of my books. For instance, I've had a lot of hits on the Olivia website from people planning hen weekends, weddings or honeymoons - something to think about when you choose a book title, perhaps! I always imagine them sighing with impatience when they see that they've landed on an author's website instead of what they were searching for, and clicking straight back to their search again!

I've also been told that some of the hits are from marketing companies looking at websites to see if they're worth targeting. And I know, too, that the name Olivia is very popular now (which is why my editor and I chose it, of course!) and people will inevitably be stumbling upon me when they're looking for other, younger, prettier, maybe new-born Olivia Ryans! Sorry about that!

I'm always thrilled when I receive e-mails, or messages via my websites, from genuine fans who are contacting me to say they've enjoyed one of my books or short stories. I think we authors often suffer from insecurity about our work (not surprising, when the odds are stacked so highly against us and we tend to get rejections like other people get hot dinners!) - and personally, even knowing someone is actually out there reading something I've written makes me feel a whole lot better. The thrill of fan mail from overseas can't be overstated - I've had readers contact me from India, for instance, as well as the States, Australia and various European countries. Taking the trouble to contact an author is such a huge compliment - now that I know how it feels, I sometimes do it myself when I've particularly enjoyed a book.

So - as Frances said on her own blog about her hits - I'd love to know who all these mysterious people are, who 'hit' my blog. Of course, we realise that not everyone wants to become a 'follower', or wants to leave comments - but I'd love to know if any of them are actually reading the posts, or whether they're all just accidental hits. In the absence of any proof to the contrary - I'll choose to imagine them all hanging on my every word, even those from South Korea and Slovenia. I know I'm probably fooling myself but ... well, it does my self-esteem a power of good!

12 comments:

  1. It's because you write great books and I like to know what you are up to, which is the reason why I like to drop by and say hello.

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  2. Aw, thanks, Jarmara! I'm always pleased to say hello to you, too! Hope it's all going well for you.

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  3. Well, I hope you have a bit more luck than I did with my post, Olivia. My "readers" have elected to remain anonymous, despite my asking them to reveal their identities!

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  4. I'm going to haver a look at the stats for my blog though I can't imagine that I'll find anything earth shattering - but you never know.

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  5. Frances - I don't think we'll ever know. I looked at the phrases people had used to search my blog, and one was 'hedgehog cake'! They must have been directed to my blog because of the post I wrote about my grandson's first birthday, and how his mum made him a cake in the shape of a hedgehog! And they were probably looking for a recipe and were very disappointed to find themselves here!!

    Colette - do let us know what you find out!

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  6. I originally came via womagwriter's blog. I enjoy reading your blog and love seeing your name(s) attached to a short story.

    I'm trying to say I enjoy hearing about your life without sounding stalker-ish.

    I especially enjoyed your trip to China - sounded wonderful. I'd love to go some day.

    I'm also a short story writer though I haven't had anything publishd for ages - must start sending stuff out again.

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  7. I wasn't aware of the stats page either until Frances posted about it. I've had one look but resisted the temptation to go in again. I know I'll get hooked if I do.
    I was also excited to receive an e-mail from the Philippines a few years ago about a story that I'd posted on writing.com. They thought it was very funny. It wasn't but it was nice of them to show their appreciation.

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  8. Hi, Sky Blue, and I'm so pleased you enjoy my blog and stories! And please don't worry - I don't think you sound stalker-ish, it's just nice to know you're interested in what I have to say! You definitely should send out some stories again. I had a bit of a break from short stories at one time, while I was concentrating on writing novels and still working full-time. But I was so happy to start getting them accepted again. Good luck!

    Keith, I share your excitement about the e-mail from the Philippines! As you say, appreciation is always welcome and it's worth a lot that people take the trouble to contact us.

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  9. This is my first visit - at least I think it is! So 'HELLO' it's very nice to cyberly meet you! :-)

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  10. Hi Amanda and welcome! And nice to meet you too. :)

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  11. A lot of people find my blog searching for 'turkey cartoons' bizarrely. I doubt they find what they're looking for!

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  12. How funny, Karen! Did you ever include a turkey cartoon in your blog?!

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