*smile*
Last month I was able to finally cross the 1,000,000 pageview mark amassing nearly a quarter of a million unique visits in just under 16 months of blogging.
I’m honored and humbled by the size of the traffic – but to be sure, my blog’s rate of growth is not altogether impressive so don’t cheer on too much!
What it is showcasing clearly is the art and science of consistently growing an audience over time and how there really isn’t that “magic” formula to success – it’s just good old-fashioned work, every single day, hitting the “Publish” button and hoping for people to show up.
Remember, it’s a marathon race, not a sprint, and those that will ultimately be the most successful as bloggers are simply those that will not quit. Time and execution are your most valuable assets and the only true metrics – you see, most people will quit too early and many more simply won’t hit the “Publish” button.
If I were to give any words of advice to those seeking to reach their first 1 million pageviews it would be the following:
- Do the Work – Just hit “Publish,” period. Forget your insecurities since everyone’s got them. You have nothing to lose.
- Number Don’t Matter - They don’t matter nearly as much as people make them out to be. Don’t believe the hype. The only use numbers have is for the use of measurement so that you can calculate, iterate, and improve. Otherwise, forget about it.
- Financial Impact - People think that you can only make an income off your blog if you have high traffic numbers. Obviously I’ve proven that to be categorically false. Part of this is perception management but for the most part it’s just being a blog of high value that advertisers and partners love to work with. Traffic is only a small part of the financial equation.
- Don’t Give Up - I just have to say it explicitly. Please don’t give up too early. I learned this from my dad.
- Enjoy the Ride - If you’re not having fun with it (another very valuable asset and strategy) then you’re doing it wrong. Literally. Take a look at this post on “focus” if you need some guidance.
My next goal is to reach 2MM PVs in half the time, that is, 8 months to be exact. It’s a big goal but why not?
How are you doing so far? How can I help encourage you this year? Go get ‘em!
Congrats, John! Love the work you do. To the next million!
thanks david!
Congratulations! You’re right about the fun factor. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the numbers game. It distracts from the creative process and from the reasons why many bloggers began a blog in the first place! Tip: check your vanity at the door, write and just be happy.
Congratulations. I have found your postings of value so good to see you are getting valu back.
thanks so much aushike!
Huge props and congrats on this one! It’s more proof that it can be done and gives me some great inspiration to keep going.
sure thing chase! thanks for supporting me!
Congratulations, John.
There should be some kind of award that bloggers get when they reach the million page view mark. Of course the million page views is an award in itself.
I believe I have failed on every single point you mentioned above on my blog.
I didn’t do the work because I sprinted and got tired. I got caught up in the numbers game and that just added to the frustration.
But all that is about to change. http://www.MutantMinds.com will remain dormant for now, because I am about to launch a new blog that I am very excited about and that I believe I will enjoy making content for.
I am redirecting my focus on the things that I get excited about in the blogosphere.
It will get off to a great start, because first of all, it will have the Standard theme as the framework.
I have been tweaking the theme to fit the blog and one day I will let you know the name of the blog.
Until then, I will continue to comment here under Mutant Minds and try not to be a troll. I like to have fun, but sometimes I get carried away and I hit that little submit button only to realize three hours later that what I said was not good and there is no edit button.
Anyways, thanks for all the hard work you do to provide us with great content on Tentblogger.
Till the next 1 million views ….
new blog?
Wishing you all the success. With the amazing articles you turn out every day, your new goal is not far.
thanks! i hope to!
John, I tend to get caught up on the numbers I see for my blog. I did take your advice and make sure I publish something everyday. I can see the increase in Feedburner subscriptions and the reach. However, when comparing my blog to others (yours in particular) I’m not even close when it comes to traffic and conversions. Its a true work in progress and as a start new blogs, I will keep this in mind. Congrats on passing the 1MM Pageview mark. I’m daily creating that Brand, thanks for helping us all succeed through your blog.
Yeah, I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same – you know, put a lot of work into blogging, enjoying it, improving everything.. and at the end I don’t see the results.. I start to compare with others (which is stiupid, really, I know) and can’t stop looking at statistics and wonder what am I doing wrong?
But really, till I do what I like and till I can I’ll do my best this year..
Congratulation, John!
one must remember that this isn’t my first blog (won’t be the last) and i’ve been doing it for more than 10 years…!
you guys will get there…! time and execution! go!
Congratulations! Very inspiring.
I think I’ve added at least 50 pageviews to your total in the past few days as I’ve been studying up on SEO and advertising. I’m loving your resources. I’m also stealing your tricks. Is that okay?
yes. please take all of them. they are yours for free: http://tentblogger.com/steal/
Congrats, John! Great milestone. Loved the lessons.
thanks jeff! i’m sure you’re way beyond 1MM at this point!
Yahoo John, big ups bro!!
thanks chris!
Congrats John! You have a great blog and I wish you continued success. I just started my own and it went live just about 2 weeks ago, so I have a long way to go in this “marathon”. Thanks for the insight and encouragement.
thanks man!
Keep leading the way John!
It’s time for some goal setting
that’s what needs to be done!
John… you rock, and walk the talk my friend. Simple, consistent, committed actions win! “…those that will ultimately be the most successful as bloggers are simply those that will not quit.” I am never tired of being reminded of this! Thanks.
don’t quit!
John,
Great job with this blog project. I wouldn’t be half of where I am now without your easy to use tech advice. When is that e-book coming out?
working on it.
Congrats John! That is impressive work you are doing. I know every time I read an article on your blog I learn.
Hearing stories like yours gives me hope. I recently started blogging on leadership and a couple of other topics. So far traffic is growing but it seems so small. Knowing others are doing it lets me know it’s possible for me too.
joe.
awesome… love this!
Congratulations, John! Just wanted to leave you a congrats comment as well as let you know that my viewership is slowly but surely growing! Thanks for all the great tips!
sure thing! don’t stop!
Way to go, John.
I just rebranded my blog a bit, changed the domain back to my original domain (which is my actual name, and it killed my Alex rank, but I don’t care) and I’m just going to blog about things I enjoy. Period. I plan to rant and rave, encourage and lift up, socialize and remind people to be genuine. I want to change the world for good and so I (we) need to be genuine.
I want to be authentic and helpful. You are, and you’re passionate about what you’re doing, and that’s why it is working for you. Kudos, my friend.
this is a great plan. refining… getting better. that’s what it’s all about.
Congrats! Looking forward to what’s next!
thanks jon!
First off congrats on achieving that huge accomplishment. I know your going to blow your new goal away. I know I don’t comment to much but you have really helped in through your writing and knowledge.
thanks dan! appreciate the support!
Congrats! And, well-deserved! I haven’t been able to read or write much over the last half year, but whenever I’m able to check your posts, they are always excellent (high value), which has been your goal for your readers. Well done!
thanks marcy!
Congratulations, John!
I came to know this blog through Michael Hyatt. You are truly helping many!
thanks joe! appreciate it!
Best part of this post: the *next* goal. Great job, way to look ahead.
thx hans!
Congrats John and thanks for the great value you offer here at Tentblogger. Love the encouragement and practical knowledge.
“those that will ultimately be the most successful as bloggers are simply those that will not quit.”
You are AWESOME!
thanks rob! the coffee was great, btw.
The most remarkable thing about you and this blog is not the content, as excellent and inspiring as it is, but you’re willingness to compile and share your knowledge so freely to encourage and motivate others! THANK YOU
jason,
might as well give it away. no point in keeping it all!
Congr8s friends….
and really i have same thinking that don’t quit and don’t waste your time in number system….
don’t quit bro!
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing this insightful articles.
Your blog looks amazing, as it is filled with lots of interesting contents.
I really liked the way you said, ‘Hit the Publish Button.’ as this is also the case with me. I really struggle with my insecurities, but I am getting better and better each day to overcome my writer’s block.
I am passionate about blogging, and writing in general, and I have started my blog.
What I think the most important thing is to, ‘Just Do It’, and, ‘Just Show Up’. This means that I don’t have to come up with brilliant article, but I just need to write what I want to write.
Anyways, thanks for motivating article link for ‘focus’. I really need that.
go for it!