For a time at work it became all about page impressions and unique browsers. I hovered over Google analytics every day to see how many visitors there were to the site, how many were new and how many had visited before. I pored over Facebook to see how many new likers there were and how they were interacting with the site. I scrolled through Twitter feeds looking for mentions and retweets. I went to Pinterest like a mad woman ignoring the images and looking only at the repins and the likes.
It wasn’t how I started at Mamamia, it wasn’t even who I was. I’m not a numbers person, a stats kind of girl – I used to balk at the sight of a graph and I’m still innately scared of numbers.
Soon after I announced that I was resigning from Mamamia/iVillage the messages started to flow in, both here on my blog (you people made me cry with these comments) and into my email inbox, my Twitter DMs and my Facebook messages. People that had contributed to Mamamia and iVillage started sending me messages without contributions attached. The most beautiful, heartfelt tear-producing messages you can imagine. Messages that I read again and again and will keep forever.
It wasn’t just the readers but the amazingly beautiful and talented Mamamia/iVillage interns* who sent me emails last week that turned my world around very briefly. Because they worked with me and they got what I was about.
My friends are supportive, amazing, reaffirming. Kerri you are getting a special mention because AWESOME.
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All the messages and the feedback I have been getting just confirm for me that, in the end, it’s not about numbers and figures, stats and unique browsers. For me it’s about being connected. I want to be part of a community where I can be good and kind and be around people that are the best people that they can be (in a very non soppy and totally cool way) and essentially be true to myself.
I don’t want this blog post to be about me patting my own back or singing my own praises, Lord (and anyone who knows me in real life) knows I do not like spotlights in any shape or form but I have been overwhelmed and humbled and I have been feeling better about myself after reading those messages than I have in a long time.
So thank you everyone. Thank you for helping bring me back to my own blog
Lovely to be part of your journey…readership-wise and via twitter. Love D x
Happy to be following you AGAIN xx
Ah Lana – that’s a lovely post. I stopped looking at stats a year into blogging because regardless of how many came it didn’t change what I wrote about – so I just focussed on the comments and the interactions. Glad you’ve found your way back to where you want to be x
Thank you Sarah – it certainly feels freer to do it that way doesn’t it?
Uh…..yeah *rolls eyes* like you’re surprised that we all love you so much and think you will go on and do amazing things ????!!!! Pffffttttttt !!!!! xxxxxx Love you Lady 🙂
xxx <3
My dear friend, it has been a long and winding road…. I have never been more proud of you. You deserve everything and more. Love me. xox
My angel, we’ve been on longer and more winding readers together AND LOOK WHERE WE ARE! xxxxxx
Oh my goodness Lana. At the risk of sounding like a creepy stalker I need to say this…
YOU. HIT. THE. NAIL. ON. THE. HEAD. …always!
The reason I followed you – God knows how long ago – was because I felt that secretly you were my long-lost sister, & now I’m convinced you are. (Don’t worry – I’m kidding – but just kinda!)…
I struggle with the same thing. I’ve been “told” by all and sundry to look at the same things you speak of. Stats, google analytics etc… And yes, when I do, I DO get more “hits” – just not the type of “hits” that make my heart sing! Sure, the ones I do get may have the potential to turn my site/blog/business into something that pays my bills. BUT. And that’s the crux. Is it me? Do I sit st my computer bashing out blogs about “fashion”, which, yes, I’m good at deciphering, but no, I couldn’t really give a rats about? Or do I write more about inside-style (i.e. what really makes people stylish?!)…
Dilemma. Need. I need to earn a crust. Boy do i need to do that?! How do I do this in my “condition” & still stay true to ME?! Aargh….any/all advice appreciated & very much needed!!!
GO Lana! You Rock! Always have, always will xx
Happy to have you as my long lost sister – flattered and delighted in fact.
You know, it’s easy for me to say in the very first days of being jobless how important honesty and truth is to me and I am blessed and delighted that it IS true. But of course I am going to have to make some money at some stage (soon) and as you know no one is going to pay me for being authentic and kind.
I think you can combine the authentic and the passionate with the money earning and the traffic grabbing and I think you already do that well. The trick is to always bear your reader in mind (you are doing that). Look at the stats and the traffic for your business but never lose sight of the fact that the reader is not a stat, not a hit but a person
Don’t be embarrassed to make money out of your site – you deserve it xxxxxx
Lans, during my time at MM & ivillage you were my go to person who epitomised the audience. You truly understood the audience and how to emotionally connect with them and were commercially minded. You taught me a lot in terms of what will work and you helped me translate that into a language my clients would understand. You were always a joy to work with and you always listened and gave me terrific advice which meant a lot to me whether it he professionally or personal. You are a giver as you shared your talents with us and you were always inspirational and a positive person ( aswell as a realist) I miss working with you and seeing your smiling face and bubbly personality. You made me feel welcome from day 1 and you knew how passionate I was about the sites. I know you will still continue to inspire and spread positivity and I will continue to read your blogs ! X big hugs V
Oh My God Ness, You just made me cry. Again. It was an honour and a privilege working with you and I hope our paths cross many times over xxxxx
You deserve all the praise in the world Lana. No doubt I will be knocking on your door very soon to get my weekly Lana fix xxxx
You’re welcome at my door. Any time!
You always were and still are the sharpest pencil to me. And on top of that you have achieved amazing things. To do that and still have people see who you really are, the authentic Lana, is the real success. Lots of love from me x
Thanks Yvette, it means a lot to me
Lana, I didn’t realise you were leaving- I am so glad you’ll be still ‘on air’ as I love your writing, and have been moving more towards following individual blogs that I value than the broader female sites. Thankyou SO much for publishing two of my stories (one on MM, one on I village). This has really helped diversify my writing folio – I so appreciate it.
Look forward to your musings more regularly!
Have a ball with it! Edwina x
Thanks Edwina – great to see you here! 🙂
Oh that world of page views and likes and followers and … Stats … Horrible and hard and I admire anyone that can work in it for any length of time. I don’t think people realise just how hard the world of online content creation is. 5 years is a long time in that world Lana … I hope you don’t have to hear the word ‘unique’ again for a good while 🙂
Thanks Kelly *blocks ears so she she doesn’t hear the word unique*
Lana, this is an incredibly belated comment. I’ll blame my insane work/uni schedule because it means I’ve been neglecting the internet and the work of all the talented, wonderful folk like you who inhabit it. I was trawling through Mamamia/iVillage recently and noticed your absence and came across the post detailing your departure! (I know, old news!) I started reading Mamamia in 2010 and I just remember how warm and lovely you seemed. A talented writer yes but your kindness just beamed off the screen, I always admired that. In my few email dealings with you as well you were just so nice to me it blew me away and I just thought, you are such a good egg! Best of luck with your new adventures and I’m so glad I can still read your work here. Amy xx
Oh Amy – thank you so much for your very kind words. I’m flattered (and delighted that you are here)