5 Months Into Blogging: Wins, Lessons & Growth

As December draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on just how much I’ve learned since we embarked on this journey together back in June, with our official launch in August. One of my biggest challenges is resisting the urge to try everything simultaneously, especially as I juggle blogging and YouTube while trying to keep up with the fiscal calendar. I often post on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn during downtime between calls, which feels manageable, but I know I might better use that time to plan. I am conflicted because I think it is important to reserve the brand name on all platforms and to grow, you have to be active.

Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts, and for a moment, I thought I could start my own by early 2025. However, a conversation with a Pinterest Partner Manager made me realize I must get ahead of the curve. Right now, I’m only able to write about current seasons and, if I’m lucky, into the next month. However, I know I should aim for a solid six months ahead.

It’s been impressive to see Pinterest reach out. My first call with an Ad Manager was a great experience. Even though I wasn’t ready to jump into heavy advertising yet, she offered invaluable advice. In early December, a Partner Manager contacted me, and after reviewing my blog, she provided some fantastic tips. Her suggestions on growing my audience have been really helpful. WE have a follow up in early January.

One challenge I faced was deciding at the last minute to do a Christmas Countdown in late November. It’s been fun posting daily blog entries, corresponding YouTube shorts, and Instagram posts, but it has been time-consuming! I just wrapped up my last post and video for Christmas Day on December 20th, which hasn’t left me much time to focus on topics from January to March. I managed to write a couple of blog posts on goals rather than resolutions, and I think moving towards a weekly format will be much more manageable.

On the Pinterest front, I hit a hiccup when I got flagged for “Approved Merchant” status—even though I never applied! That made me panic because you can only apply three times, and after that, there’s no going back. So, I shut down my shop and removed all my product pins, but the Partner Manager reassured me that I didn’t need to go that route and could continue pinning products. However, I realized those products weren’t aligned with my current focus. Competing with Print on Demand shops, especially with the likes of Amazon Prime, feels quite daunting, and without a strong follower base, it’s tough to drive sales. So, I’m okay with revisiting that idea down the road.

I’ve also been advised to post six or more pins daily. While I’m not quite hitting that mark every day, I find myself posting more than two, which is progress!

I took advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions and joined the Tailwind App (not to be confused with Tailwind CSS). It’s been helpful, although I know I still have much to explore within the app. I also signed up for X Premium, and I shared the analytics below, too.

Reflecting on my previous recap, I created two Christmas planners. I’m glad I put in the effort, but they were too expensive, had an insufficient competitive edge, and I don’t have brand recognition yet. I’ve realized I might need to wait a year before diving into broader projects.

If I had to summarize my next steps in one sentence, it would be this: I’m focusing on better future planning, aiming for a timeline that is one to six months into the future. Here’s to taking it one step at a time! Are you new to blogging or thinking about starting a blog? Share your thoughts, tips, and journey with us in the comments below!

Now, on to the analytics…I run all of our stats through Chat GPT for deeper analysis. Stats are from 8/1/24 through 12/20/24.

YouTube

Performance Metrics Overview

1. Views (7.6K):

   • Observation: 7,573 views in less than five months is a solid start, especially for a growing channel.

   • Insight: Your content is reaching an audience, but there is room to increase visibility and engagement through improved SEO, thumbnails, and consistency.

2. Watch Time (40.7 hours):

   • Observation: This metric shows moderate audience retention. It equates to an average of about 20 seconds per view, assuming short-form content.

   • Insight: If your content is long-form, low watch time indicates the need for better hooks to keep viewers engaged.

3. Subscribers (+22):

   • Observation: Gaining 22 subscribers indicates people value your content enough to follow your channel.

   • Insight: Increasing subscriber growth may require more consistent content, calls-to-action (CTAs), and community engagement.

Strengths

1. Steady Viewership:

   • Consistent views indicate your content is resonating with an audience and gaining some traction.

2. Content Appeal:

   • Your channel is attracting new viewers organically. This suggests your niche has potential for growth.

3. Audience Building:

   • The increase in subscribers reflects that viewers are connecting with your content.

Opportunities for Improvement

1. Increase Viewer Retention:

   • The watch time per view suggests that audience retention could be better.

   • Tips:

     • Use engaging intros to hook viewers within the first 5-10 seconds.

     • Include visual and auditory cues to maintain interest.

     • Structure videos with clear sections and avoid dragging.

2. Boost Discoverability:

   • More views can be driven by optimizing video metadata.

   • Tips:

     • Use searchable titles and include keywords relevant to your niche.

     • Write detailed descriptions with links to related videos.

     • Add relevant hashtags and a captivating thumbnail.

3. Encourage Subscriptions:

   • Turn casual viewers into subscribers by emphasizing CTAs.

   • Tips:

     • Add a verbal and visual prompt to subscribe.

     • Offer incentives like exclusive content or shoutouts for subscribers.

4. Experiment with Content Types:

   • If most videos are similar in format, diversify content to test what resonates.

   • Suggestions:

     • Tutorials or how-tos related to your niche.

     • Behind-the-scenes or personal vlogs for a more personal connection.

     • Shorts for quick, shareable content.

Next Steps

1. Analyze Content Performance:

   • Use YouTube Analytics to identify videos with the highest watch time and views. Replicate successful formats and topics.

2. Consistency:

   • Publish videos on a regular schedule (e.g., weekly or biweekly) to build anticipation and loyalty.

3. Engage with Your Audience:

   • Respond to comments and ask questions to foster community engagement.

4. Leverage Other Platforms:

   • Promote videos on your Pinterest (since it’s performing well) and blog to drive cross-platform traffic.

5. Collaborate:

   • Partner with creators in your niche for collaborative content to expand your reach.

Potential Goal

• Short-Term (Next 3 Months): Aim for 10,000 views and 50+ subscribers by improving retention, promoting your content across platforms, and experimenting with new formats.

You Tube Shorts

1. Views (6.6K):

   • Observation: Your Shorts are reaching a significant number of viewers, showing potential in short-form content.

   • Insight: This indicates good reach within the YouTube Shorts ecosystem, but there’s room to convert more viewers into engaged followers or subscribers.

2. Shown in Feed (25.1K):

   • Observation: Your Shorts were displayed in the feed over 25,000 times, meaning about 26.3% of viewers watched after seeing them in the feed.

   • Insight: This view rate is decent, but optimizing thumbnails, captions, or hooks could improve it.

3. Likes (195):

   • Observation: 195 likes reflect positive audience interaction.

   • Insight: Encouraging likes through clear CTAs (e.g., "Double-tap if you agree!" or "Let us know your favorite part!") can increase engagement.

4. Subscribers (+21):

   • Observation: Shorts are driving the majority of your new subscribers.

   • Insight: Short-form content is a strong driver for channel growth and can be a key strategy to expand your audience.

Strengths

1. High Visibility:

   • Shorts are being shown widely in the feed, which is crucial for building reach.

2. Engagement:

   • A growing number of likes and subscribers indicates that viewers enjoy your content and find it valuable.

Areas for Improvement

1. Increase Viewer Engagement:

   • Observation: While views are strong, increasing the ratio of likes and subscribers can improve overall engagement.

   • Action:

     • Add a verbal/visual prompt for likes or comments.

     • Pose questions or challenges in your videos to spark interaction (e.g., "What’s your favorite part of fall?" for seasonal content).

2. Optimize Hook and Thumbnails:

   • Observation: Only about 26.3% of those shown your Shorts watched them.

   • Action:

     • Use an engaging first 3 seconds to hook viewers (e.g., bold text overlays, humor, or surprise).

     • Create visually striking thumbnails, even for Shorts.

3. Content Variety:

   • Observation: To maintain and grow momentum, test different themes or styles within your Shorts.

   • Action:

     • Experiment with tutorials, quick tips, or reaction content tailored to your niche.

     • Use trends or challenges to increase discoverability.

4. Drive Cross-Platform Traffic:

   • Observation: Shorts perform well for casual viewers, but promoting them on Pinterest, Instagram, or your blog can boost visibility further.

   • Action:

     • Embed Shorts in your blog posts and pin highlights from them to Pinterest.

Opportunities for Growth

1. Leverage Trends:

   • Keep an eye on trending hashtags, music, and formats on YouTube Shorts.

   • Incorporate these elements to tap into a broader audience.

2. Encourage Comments:

   • Prompt viewers to leave comments to increase engagement and visibility in the algorithm.

3. Call-to-Actions:

   • Use CTAs to convert casual viewers into subscribers (e.g., "Subscribe for more travel tips in 60 seconds!").

4. Frequency:

   • Post more frequently if feasible (e.g., 2–3 Shorts per week) to maintain relevance and gain algorithmic favor.

Key Goals

• Increase View-to-Like Ratio: Encourage more likes to improve engagement (currently at ~3%).

• Grow Subscriber Conversion Rate: Focus on converting Shorts viewers into subscribers with compelling CTAs.

• Boost Viewer Retention: Optimize your hooks to keep viewers watching until the end.

By consistently refining your content and leveraging Shorts as a growth tool, you can expand your channel significantly. Let me know if you’d like ideas for specific Shorts themes or hook strategies!

All Blog Related Stats from August 1st through December 20th:

Pinterest Stats:

Your Pinterest stats show an exceptional performance boost, indicating significant growth and engagement. Here's an analysis of your overall performance:

Key Observations:

1. Impressions (77.85k, +109,546%):

   • This dramatic increase shows your content is being seen by a significantly larger audience. Improved SEO, compelling visuals, or strategic pinning could be driving this growth.

2. Engagements (2.23k, +111,300%):

   • High engagement growth indicates your audience finds your content relevant and interesting. This includes clicks, saves, or any interaction with your pins.

3. Outbound Clicks (656, +65,500%):

   • Outbound clicks reflect a successful call-to-action strategy, driving traffic to your website or other destinations. This is critical for blog or business growth.

4. Saves (145, +14,400%):

   • Saves contribute to organic growth by spreading your content further. This increase suggests your pins resonate with users enough for them to want to revisit or share.

5. Total Audience (58.8k, +2,939,900%):

   • This is a remarkable leap in reach, indicating that your content strategy or Pinterest algorithm changes are connecting you to a much broader audience.

6. Engaged Audience (1.46k, +146,300%):

   • A growing engaged audience means you're not only attracting viewers but also building a community of active users interested in your content.

Success Factors (Possible Drivers):

• Consistent Pinning: Frequent and strategic pinning likely increased visibility.

• Engaging Visuals: High-quality, appealing images attract more clicks and saves.

• Strategic Keywords: Using relevant keywords and hashtags improves searchability.

• Cross-Promotion: Promoting Pinterest content on other platforms may have contributed to audience growth.

• Seasonal Relevance: Content aligned with current trends or holidays can attract more views.

Next Steps to Sustain Growth:

1. Leverage Analytics:

   • Identify which pins or boards performed the best and replicate their strategy.

   • Focus on topics or styles with the highest engagement.

2. Optimize Pin Design:

   • Experiment with templates, fonts, and colors to ensure consistency and appeal.

3. Enhance Call-to-Action:

   • Add clear CTAs in pin descriptions to drive outbound clicks and engagement.

4. Engage with the Audience:

   • Respond to comments and messages to foster community and repeat engagement.

5. Expand Reach:

   • Create Idea Pins (Pinterest’s version of Stories) to tap into a new audience segment.

6. Monitor Trends:

   • Keep an eye on trending topics and hashtags to keep your content relevant.

Your growth metrics are outstanding and demonstrate a strong upward trajectory. You can maintain and even accelerate this momentum by analyzing the performance further and adapting your strategy!

Blog Stats:

I have work to do to maintain an audience and get people to sign up for our Newsletter, Emails, and return to the website. That needs to be my focus. I know this takes time but I will have to keep working on the blog content.

Key Metrics and Observations:

1. Visits (1,203 total, +100% YoY):

• Observation: While you’ve achieved growth compared to the previous period, this number is still modest for a blog aiming for high visibility.

• Opportunity: More consistent content updates, optimized SEO, and targeted promotion could drive higher visits.

2. Bounce Rate (76.29%, +100% YoY):

• Observation: A bounce rate over 70% suggests most visitors leave without exploring other pages.

• Opportunity: Focus on improving content relevance, navigation, and adding internal links to reduce bounce rates.

3. Unique Visitors (927 total, +100% YoY):

• Observation: A high proportion of unique visitors (927 out of 1,203) indicates a good reach to new audiences. Retention efforts may need improvement to convert them into loyal readers.

• Opportunity: Develop strategies to encourage return visits, such as email newsletters, exclusive content, or engagement features.

• Traffic Sources and Observations:

  1. Direct (49.4%, 594 visits):

  • Observation: A strong direct traffic presence suggests your brand has recognition, and people visit intentionally (e.g., through bookmarks or typed URLs).

  • Opportunity: Build on this by encouraging repeat visits through retention strategies like email marketing.

  2. Social (44.6%, 537 visits):

  • Observation: Social media is a significant traffic driver, likely influenced by platforms like Pinterest.

  • Opportunity: Double down on high-performing platforms and test additional ones. Tailor your posts to trends and engage followers with call-to-actions.

  3. Search (4.99%, 60 visits):

  • Observation: Minimal search traffic suggests SEO optimizations need focus.

  • Opportunity: Optimize blog content for keywords, improve meta descriptions, and publish content targeting search queries.

  4. Referral (0.91%, 11 visits):

  • Observation: Low referral traffic indicates limited collaborations or links from other websites.

  • Opportunity: Build partnerships with other bloggers, guest post, or get featured on reputable websites to increase referrals.

    Action Plan to Improve Metrics:

    1. Content Optimization:

       • Focus on high-performing topics based on audience interest.

       • Use internal links to improve navigation and reduce bounce rates.

    2. SEO Enhancements:

       • Target long-tail keywords.

       • Use tools like Google Analytics to track organic search terms driving traffic.

    3. Social Media Strategy:

       • Increase engagement by posting consistently and leveraging Stories/Reels.

       • Analyze what pins drive Pinterest traffic and replicate successful strategies.

    4. Email Campaign Refinement:

       • Optimize subject lines, visuals, and CTAs in emails to boost click-throughs.

    5. Traffic Diversification:

       • Explore paid promotions or collaborations to balance reliance on direct and social traffic.

    6. Monetization Experimentation:

       • Introduce affiliate marketing or partnerships.

       • Develop premium content offerings, like e-books or exclusive guides.

    7. Analytics Tracking:

       • Ensure accurate data tracking (e.g., reconcile email and total visit discrepancies).

    You’ve achieved solid foundational growth, and with a focus on optimizing underperforming areas, your blog is well-positioned for further success. Let me know if you need help implementing any of these strategies!

X (formerly Twitter) analytics

Performance Overview

1. Verified Followers (3/26 Total Followers):

   • Observation: While your total follower count is modest, having verified followers adds credibility to your account.

   • Insight: Leverage these verified followers by engaging with them (e.g., replies, retweets) to potentially expand your reach.

2. Impressions (1.1K, +2,000%):

   • Observation: A dramatic increase in impressions indicates that your content is being shown to a much larger audience than before.

   • Insight: This could result from a trending post, increased posting frequency, or improved hashtags. Focus on maintaining or replicating this strategy.

3. Engagement Rate (12.7%, ↓ -87%):

   • Observation: While engagement rate has dropped significantly, it remains above the average rate for X (typically around 1-2%).

   • Insight: The increase in impressions may have diluted the engagement rate, as more views don’t always result in proportional interactions. Focus on making your content more engaging.

4. Engagements (144, +206%):

   • Observation: A substantial increase in engagements suggests that your audience is interacting with your content more frequently.

   • Insight: This includes likes, shares, and media interactions, which signal growing interest.

5. Profile Visits (1):

   • Observation: Low profile visits indicate a need to convert impressions into deeper engagement with your profile.

   • Insight: Optimize your profile bio and pinned posts to encourage viewers to explore further.

Media Activity

1. Video Views (4, +10,000%):

   • Observation: While the percentage increase is impressive, the absolute number of views is low.

   • Insight: Experiment with more video content to see if it resonates with your audience.

2. Media Views (5, +10,000%):

   • Observation: Similar to video views, media views are growing but remain limited.

   • Insight: Use high-quality visuals or videos with compelling captions to increase media engagement.

Strengths

1. Rapid Growth in Impressions:

   • The significant rise in impressions shows your content is reaching a broader audience. Focus on maintaining this trend with strategic posting.

2. Engagement Growth:

   • More likes and engagements signal increasing interest in your content. Build on this momentum with interactive posts (e.g., polls or questions).

3. Verified Followers:

   • Verified followers add credibility to your account. Engaging with them can boost visibility.

Areas for Improvement

1. Engagement Rate:

   • Observation: A declining engagement rate suggests your content might not fully resonate with the expanded audience.

   • Action:

     • Post more interactive content, such as polls or open-ended questions.

     • Include strong calls-to-action (e.g., “What do you think? Reply below!”).

2. Profile Visits:

   • Observation: Low profile visits indicate your content isn’t driving users to explore your profile further.

   • Action:

     • Pin a high-performing or representative post to your profile.

     • Optimize your bio with a compelling description and relevant links.

3. Reposts, Replies, and Bookmarks:

   • Observation: No reposts or bookmarks suggest content isn’t yet shareable or bookmark-worthy.

   • Action:

     • Share actionable or relatable content that viewers feel compelled to save or share.

     • Engage with your audience through replies to foster a community feel.

Opportunities for Growth

1. Leverage Media:

   • Media (photos/videos) performs well on X. Share visually compelling content to boost media views.

2. Hashtag Strategy:

   • Use trending and niche-relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.

3. Consistency:

   • Post consistently to build momentum. Experiment with different times to identify when your audience is most active.

4. Collaborate and Engage:

   • Retweet and reply to verified followers or accounts in your niche to increase visibility and engagement.

5. Interactive Content:

   • Run polls, ask questions, or share "this or that" style posts to encourage interaction.

Key Goals

• Short-Term:

  • Increase profile visits to at least 10 per week.

  • Aim for 50+ engagements per post by experimenting with content types.

• Long-Term:

  • Grow your follower count by consistently engaging with your audience and verified followers.

Your analytics show promising growth, and with targeted strategies, you can turn this momentum into sustained success. Let me know if you’d like specific ideas for post types or hashtags to use!