A few weeks ago, I submitted a potential article to another website. They replied back today with a kind tone and compliments to my writing style– but said they were currently only considering bloggers whose statistics they could see.
This isn’t the first time someone has asked to see my blog stats. When I signed up for a site that sends you free e-books just for reviewing, they asked (upon signup) for each blogger to turn on their stats. They needed to see that each blogger had at least 500 readers before sending them free e-books.
The promise of a free book is pretty much the best Rarasaur bait, so I bit– and turned my stats on just long enough to be approved.
Now, I don’t hide my page views and followers for any privacy reasons. I’m an open book.
My favorite types of panties? Ones with personality. First actor I would bring back to life if I could reanimate life with a simple whistle? Jimmy Stewart.
I also don’t mind showing you guys my site statistics, especially in a context where it might help elucidate a thought.
On an Internet Walkabout, I noticed a few people concerned that showing site statistics would scare away new readers. I don’t see how this is the case, or if it is the case, how it would matter. If someone doesn’t want to read my blog– or only wants to read my blog– because they think I’m a small bean or a big shot, why would I want them around?
Those types of readers would totally harsh my mellow, dude.
I don’t show my total tally of readers and page views because of other reasons:
1. It takes up precious real estate on my sidebar, with little potential result.
Every small area of space on my sidebar is important. It gives a reader a quick glance into the essence of what they will find here, and it directs the show a bit. It tells the reader what to be concerned with and what buttons to push. How many readers I have does not inspire action, readership, or community– so it’s not worth the space.
I always compare web architecture to real architecture. Would you have a door that goes nowhere in a house?
Only if that was your gimmick. Otherwise, it’d be a real waste of space.
2. They’re meaningless without full context.
I don’t mean to be a cynicalasaurus, but I have a good deal of experience with third party stat counters. Most let you start the count wherever you want, or set the number however high you’d like it to go. WordPress stats are more legit, but still not finely-tuned machines of perfection. For example, WordPress “follow stats” reflect a tally of various social websites.– which means my Twitter followers (who, as far as I know, are all following me on WordPress) are double counted. Someone like my little sister who has roughly a gazillion friends on Facebook would immediately look like an All Star blogger before writing a single post.
On top of that, they’re still easy to fake.
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So, did I miss a really good reason for showing (or not showing) your blog statistics? Which actor of the past would you bring back to life if you could? Do you miss Pauly Shore? Did my lack of a #3 reason bother you as much as it bothered me?
[Oh, and these were all questions asked anonymously in my Riddled Rara post-- why don't you show your total readers? (see above) what do you miss most about the 90's? (Pauly Shore) what are your favorite types of panties? (see above) which actor would you bring back to life (see above) There's always room for more questions. Ask away!]