Stats and Charts. Really what is the Point?
I recently read a post by Tim Liew about his decision to leave the Tots 100 index. I would like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not because he is another of the more recognised bloggers to leave this index.
All this got me thinking about stats and charts and top 10 lists. First of all I would like to say that this year I have been lucky enough to be named in a few top 10 lists and my stats are better than ever. Of course that has alerted big brands and larger PR companies, and enabled me to monetise my blog to a certain extent. I also found that by being named in these lists, when dealing with PR companies it gives you some bargaining power.
Currently I am number 274 in the TOTS 100 index. I have always failed to understand how it works and the next time it is realeased I wouldn’t be surprised to see myself drop out of the Top 500.
As little as six months ago I would check my position every month and be disappointed, if, which was usually the case, I’d dropped in the rankings. As Tim said in his post, it becomes addictive and obsessive and then I just realised that this is pointless.
When a brand or PR company approach me I have learnt they are not interested in your TOTS 100 rank. To ensure you get the deal.
So, yes, it is lovely to be named in top ten charts. It is purely an ego boost though. I suppose like scoring a goal, hitting a six or winning a race, it’s a feel good factor, not really to be taken that seriously.
If you have decided to start blogging, my advice is to blog naturally and most importantly do it for yourself. I never started to blog to achieve places in top 10 lists. I wanted to write about my life and about all those closest to me, my children and my wife.
The question is, will I be leaving TOTS 100? Well not at this time because I don’t feel that strongly anymore about its importance. Quite simply it’s just a chart and most people don’t really care about it!
14 Comments
Simon (Man vs. Pink)
November 30, 2016 at 6:05 am
I’m kind of like you on this. It’s nice to feature on top ten lists, and a rise in my tots position is a boost too (hasn’t happened for a while – ha!), but I don’t obsess about chart positions like many other parent bloggers seem to. An engaged readership is vastly more important to me.
The DADventurer (Dave)
November 30, 2016 at 8:07 am
When you’re looking to monetise, I think appearing in lists is important as it gets you on the radar (readers, companies, PRs etc). However, totally agree that it’s not everything. Things like Tots don’t take into account how engaged your readers are etc, which is more important than something like page views which can be inflated by giveaway after giveaway. I keep a close eye on all my stats / rankings etc, but it certainly doesn’t make or break my month like it does with lots of bloggers. There’s more important things to worry about!
Kelly
November 30, 2016 at 8:09 am
Love your honesty! It should be enjoyment that fuels it and I agree, the rankings change in such a weird way! I was doing better before I started checking haha x
Rach
November 30, 2016 at 8:30 am
I keep a close eye on my stats – in terms of hits/readers etc but that’s it. I don’t monetise my blog, my site is for me and no one else. I’m not a reviewer or brand ambassador etc, I just love to write and that’s it. I can appreciate how despondent a blogger would feel when they drop out of an index each month, it must be quite a disappointment. I’m not sure how it works in terms of what PR’s & companies look for when deciding who should work with them but all I can say is I enjoy your blog immensely. You’re one of my favourite writers so I say bollocks to Tots 100!!! #bestandworst
Fiona Cambouropoulos
November 30, 2016 at 8:32 am
A very sensible way to view it all and I am much the same. I feel very proud to be number 15 in TOTS this month but I have no advice on how to do it as I am quite clueless. I can never predict where I will pop up, I think it is more to do with what others are doing that month relative to you than what you alone are doing. The morale of the story as you say is to just blog away and don’t take too much notice of your score. Well done in monetizing your blog, I’ve hardly ever managed that in 5 years so it’s not all about stats! #BestWorst
Sarah Howe @runjumpscrap
November 30, 2016 at 8:33 am
I wish I had more time to put into my blog to improve!!….I must admit I do keep an eye on stats but not rankings as such. I don’t think it effects work with PRs that much and really therefore, as you say, should it matter? I think I will stay in Tots (I all read Tim’s post) but not stress too much. You have done fab with your chart positions so I’d be happy just for a little while!! hehe xx Thanks for sharing with #bestandoworst
Martin
November 30, 2016 at 9:08 am
I am starting out as a blogger and am slowly getting to grips with this hidden world of blogger charts. Is this an effective way to get your blog recognised and gain more followers? I want to use my blog to reach as many people as possible but know Rome was not built in a day!
Amy Treasure
November 30, 2016 at 9:38 am
Yes to this Nigel!! The longer you blog, the more you realise that the charts aren’t the be all and end all. Every month I see people getting upset over it. The more I have sat and thought about the more I’ve realised it’s an ego boost, I couldn’t physically take on any more work if I wanted to and although I know I’ve landed one big contract down to tots, I would like to think the others are more down to merit. Therefore, if bloggers want to monetise then of course, stats are important but not to manipulate a position on a chart where so many other factors are involved. Lots of PRs aren’t aware of the charts anyway. Fab post!
Mark Richards
November 30, 2016 at 9:53 am
Have to say that I haven’t checked my Tots ranking for about 4 years: I’ve always thought the algorithm was flawed. Generally I don’t pay any attention to charts at all, and if there’s something I specifically want I simply approach the company directly. I don’t get as many unwanted approaches as I used to, but with youngest son now 18 I don’t really need a breast pump any more. And full credit to Tim – a very sensible decision and if I had the slightest idea what my log in details were I’d do the same.
David
November 30, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Great post, Nige! I keep reading post like this – I also read Tim’s – and it has helped calm my angst about stats. As someone who has only been blogging for four months, I’m quite happy getting a single comment! My biggest blogging desire is that my kids choose to read it when they’re older. But I would also like to gain a genuine following – no matter how small. The stats can go hang!
five little doves
November 30, 2016 at 9:46 pm
I try not to get too hung up on stats and charts, I never check my stats unless someone asks for them and I only know where I rank in the charts as I’m emailed to tell me. I think it’s very easy to become hung up on this side of blogging but for me, that’s not where the enjoyment lies. I blog because I love to write, if people choose to read it then great, but even if they didn’t I’d do it anyway! #bestandworst
Amy
December 1, 2016 at 5:25 pm
I agree with you. Although it doesn’t really bother me where I am in the chart I’m not going to leave it. It’s still a community to be a part of 🙂 ox #BestandWorst
Crummy Mummy
December 6, 2016 at 8:57 pm
I read Tim’s post too – it’s an interesting one isn’t it. I broke into the top 250 of Tots100 for the first time this month and I feel like it’s a recognition of my hard work and validation of what I do. But I know I shouldn’t care so much! #bestandworst
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks
December 28, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Wise words, I like my ranking in theory but after I dropped all the way out I realised that it isn’t the be all or end all!