
Bloggers will tell you they don’t care about the numbers. Perhaps this is true for some. I, for one, like to see how my posts and years fare against each other. I’m always rooting for the underdog.
What I’ve Learned Through 5 Years of Writing Blogs
- My most popular posts are more vulnerable.
- The more I post, the more views appear.
- As for categories and tags, use them. I can’t explain it, but more people will find your blog.
- WordPress Bloggers are the best! Thanks for taking time to read today!
- The blue links below are clickable.
10. Butterfly, Butterfly (2020)
A love note from my second-grade self to my mother.
- Blogging Categories: Alzheimer’s, Family, Love
- Tags: None
9. My Beautiful Miracle Baby (2022)
Just one of the reasons I believe in miracles.
- Categories: faith, family, miracles
- Tags: None
8. Tale of the Unwanted Letter Jacket (2020)
The time my letter jacket met its demise.
- Categories: introverts, writing
- Tags: None
7. Rejection Is God’s Protection (2018)
The time I crashed and burned at an interview and didn’t get the job I thought I wanted.
- Categories: Faith, God, gratitude, peace, hope, strength
- Tags: #teaching, #learningneverstops, feeling good, Life Lessons, my grandmother’s pearls, Nina Simone, rejection
6. I Am Fearless and Therefore Powerful (2022)
A 2022 newcomer to the all-time top ten list and a little lesson from Anne of Green Gables.
- Categories: Books, Gratitude, Inspiration, Literature
- Tags: Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an “E,” coming of age
5. I’ll Be Okay (2022) and When God Speaks (2022)
Two 2022 posts took a flying leap into the top ten and tied for #5. “I’ll Be Okay” details my recent breast cancer diagnosis.
- Categories: Faith, Gratitude, Health, Hope, Peace
- Tags: Breast Cancer
“When God Speaks” contains a confession.
- Categories: Believe, Breast Cancer, God, Peace, Prayer, Progress, Walking
- Tags: Mom, Philippians 4:6-7
4. Five Years Before I Said, I Do (2017)
The prequel to my marriage.
- Categories: Faith, God, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration, Love, Peace
- Tags: None
3. That Time When I Met Harvey (2017)
The time when a hurricane flooded our home and the piece that compelled me to start a blog.
- Categories: Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration, Peace
- Tags: None
2. Writing Better (2022)
The top post of last year was just 16 views short of usurping the all-time #1 spot, and I don’t know why. A short piece about the steps to writing better: reading, writing, and revising.
- Categories: Blogging, memoir, writing
- Tags: None
1. Making Macbeth Memorable (2019)
The first time I taught Macbeth I posted this on a Facebook English teacher page where it continues to bring viewers.
- Categories: High School English, Learning, Life Lessons, school
- Tags: Shakespeare
My Beautiful Miracle Baby was my favorite. It brought tears to my eyes!
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Thank you, Priscilla! Some life-defining moments in that one.
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Hey there Crystal, I’m looking forward to some more of your great essays. They keep my brain cells jumping and that’s a good thing. Have a great day. Jerry
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Hi Jerry! I keep telling myself I should start writing fiction because right now I’m all out of ideas. Your guess is as good as mine for 2023 blog posts. One day at a time, right?
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Hello Crystal, Try reading a book of quotations and I’ll bet you’ll come up with some new ideas. Have a good day. Jerry
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Thank you for sharing these. I will be reading! I look forward to seeing what God has in store for you in 2023. God bless and Happy New Year!
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That’s the best part about a new year—the anticipation! God bless and Happy New Year!
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Goshdarnit, Crystal, every time I identify a favorite blog, another memory stirs elsewhere on the list, replacing it. By now, I roll the dice and visit entries posted before my time here. Nothing doing.
Well, of 1 through 10, which is my favorite? Yes.
As for number-gazing, there’s no shame in doing something universal. Why wouldn’t we follow the digits? The figures are the best, and the most objective, method we have of measuring the shadows our blogs cast.
It’s humbling, yet instructive, when our opinion of a particular entry doesn’t match the audience’s. When, two weeks after posting a “masterpiece,” we see 5 Views, 3 Likes, and 0 Comments. Or, after posting a “meh,” we have trouble keeping up with all the activity.
Better, of course, is when both you and the public send exclamation points. For me, this happens about once every four weeks or so, and it validates dedicating all the time and resources to blogging.
Naturally, Crystal, you and readers seem to share an “!” much more frequently than that.
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It’s hard to pick favorites, and often my posts surprise me with what resonates. All I know is that if I were picking posts for this list, Making Macbeth Memorable wouldn’t make the top ten, much less the top spot.
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What a great idea to check your all-time stats. I’ve not done the same (don’t get near your clicks), but like yours, I do see where my most vulnerable posts get more clicks. I enjoy reading those types of posts myself. It makes us feel not so alone, don’t you think? Thanks for sharing these.
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Thanks, Lori! It’s always nice to know when the words resonate.
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The vulnerability posts are a big draw for my blog too
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I suppose our imperfections are endearing. ❤️
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People like to know they’re not alone…
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Yes. ❤️
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My lessons learned are very similar to you. I find it extremely interesting to see what posts get the most hits. There are so many factors that come into play. Looking forward to see what you post in 2023!
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So many factors. Titles. Opening lines. Thanks for the visit, Brian. I look forward to your posts, too.
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Since I have started reading your blog fairly recently, I have some back reading to do to catch up. Some of these titles do seem so vulnerable, and that is where we get the best glimpse of someone’s heart. I’m looking forward to reading about those events and insights you chose to share.
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I’m honored that you would even think about back reading my posts, Linda. Thanks for making my day!
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What a great idea Crystal! Love your top 10 posts. I just might stay in bed with my coffee tomorrow and read! Love you, C
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Great idea or shameless self-promotion? I’m not sure, Cheryl, but I appreciate the image of you enjoying!! Love you!!
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I look forward to reading the ones from pre following you Crystal!
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Thank you, QR! I appreciate you for visiting.
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I love this. It’s fun to do a retrospective of what you’ve written– and the world liked. I know you’ll keep us enthralled with more great blog posts in 2023. Happy New Year!
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Hi Ally! Thank you, and I hope so. Happy 2023!
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I always find it amazing that the posts I think should do well often do not and those I think a bit light go over the top. I think the key is to be honest and not try to over polish. Happy blogging and happy 2023 Crystal. Allan
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts over the years!.. I just let my fingers do the walking and the heart do the talking and Que Sera Sera…. I started blogging around the time Yahoo 360 came to be, blogged a bit on Facebook when it were still a blogsite, then Multiply and around 2014 or 2015 came to WordPress… I posted many and never got a like, etc. wasn’t sure if anyone read it and I know that some people will click “like” and never read the blog, something I never do… 🙂
My favorite blog is the one I write for me that I never post… it has thoughts and memories about loved ones and those special moments in history’s past… I save it for when I grow too old to dream and it starts; Dear Heart… 🙂
Hope you and yours have the wonderfulest new year ever and until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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Thanks for sharing, Larry. I appreciate your kind thoughts, warm memories, and Irish blessings! 🤍
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Personal posts are my favorite to write and read.
I love your blog so much and look forward to reading all of your thoughts this year. Cheers to 2023!
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☺️ That means more than you know, Belladonna. Thank you!
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You are so welcome!
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I haven’t looked at my stats in a while but I also root for the underdog and I DO care to some extent about my stats. Love your blog as always my friend. I’ve missed catching up with you!
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Thank you, LaShelle! I appreciate your continued visits and love your writing, too. I hope 2023 has good things in store for you. 🤍
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I love this line, WordPress Bloggers are the best! Thanks for taking time to read today! Congratulations to all WordPress bloggers for being the best.
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Thank you and congrats to you!
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