I have been blogging for one year. I don’t know how many blogs make it that long, but I feel good about it.
What happened in Backpack to Buggy’s first year?
- 52 posts (including this) – Averaging one a week is a good start. Though, I am sure you noticed my posts drop off: when anyone in my house gets sick, when I am traveling, when I am moving cross country, and, when I am a working from home while being a full time caregiver to a 2.5 yo.
- >200 comments – Thank you for the dialogue.
- >6000 page views (since 1/1/09) and >2000 in the past 30 days
- >70 subscribers
- 4/10 Google page rank
- Was one of the top ten Family Travel blogs according to Trip Base.
The most read posts over the year:
Bali or Hawaii? Bali may be cheaper.
The Safest Sunscreens for Kids
Travel in a Time of Epidemic
How to eat out with a toddler.
Disney is an OK destination, if it’s free.
And for a laugh, my top search term is “wine poo”. I should be upset, but the napa picture sill makes me laugh.
Seriously though, the opportunity to meet so many interesting and talented travel and other writers has been a pleasure. It was also a thrill to write for multiple publications under my own byline. (I did a lot of ghost writing in Washington, DC in my past so I carry chip on my shoulder.)
Proud as a peacock.
Good first year, but how am I going to improve?
Well some changes you will see over the next year:
- A new tagline. While I think “An avid traveler adapting to being a mom” will always be relevant, this blog is less about adapting than it used to be.
- “Taking Travel Home” – an occasional series on the things we bring home from travel including recipes, books, toys, art and more. Guest posts are encouraged.
- More on travel deals, resources, travel without the kids, product reviews, and editorials.
- Lots more on food. I am a foodie. I want to share my passion. Food and travel are natural partners. Oh, and food includes beverages in my world.
- Improved grammar and punctuation? Seriously, corporate America and slide presentations are changing the “written” word in a dangerous way. After 14 years of working in that world, my writing has suffered. I hereby pledge to take some refresher courses (or hire the local high school English teacher everyone fears to grade my work).
Any other suggestions?
Happy anniversary! I wouldn’t change a thing about your blog, but look forward to seeing v2!
.-= jamie´s last blog ..Childproofing Your European Vacation =-.
Regarding the last bullet, you could always take advantage of your friend who is a professional editor.
Congratulations on a great first year! I love the “bringing travel home” idea – wish I’d thought of it!
.-= Debbie Dubrow´s last blog ..What Topics Do You Want to See Covered on DeliciousBaby? =-.
I like the way you broke down your stats. It’s not only impressive of how much you accomplished in a year, but it also illustrates how bloggers need to think of their world when growing their readership. I’m not quite there yet myself, but love seeing the role models. Great work!
.-= Lorraine´s last blog ..My Plan to Stop Time =-.
Hello! Thanks for this post. This is really inspiring me to get on top of my own blog writing…though now I really want to change the name of my blog.
.-= BlackGirlChi´s last blog ..Do you want to MOVE to Paris for a YEAR??? =-.
Congrats! It looks like we started at almost exactly the same time (my 1 year anniversary was August 1).
I’m still settling on how to celebrate…and decided to make it a 13-month anniversary celebration, to give myself time to unpack and catch up from after Chicago
Here’s to many more blog anniversaries for both of us
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..Five more Midwest lighthouses to love =-.
Congratulations on your first year! Thanks for sharing your statistics with us! My blog anniversary is coming up as well…it has been neat to see all the one year celebrations around the same time. I look forward to reading your blog for another year!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Alfred B. Maclay Gardens – Tallahassee, Florida =-.
Congrats. It seems like you’ve enjoyed your blog (even through more challenging life changes) and still have lots of creative kick, that’s awesome.
Of course, I’ll keep coming back!
YAY!! congrats. i enjoy your blog – many years more, i hope!!
.-= jessiev´s last blog ..Interview with Debbie Dubrow: Reflections on TBEX ’09 =-.
Congratulations! Great job and keep it going
.-= wandermom´s last blog ..Four Tips For Finding Vacation Rental Accommodation =-.
Congratulations, Meg! What a wonderful accomplishment. I enjoy your blog very much!
And if your professional editor friend is busy, your freelance writer friend will also gladly help with the last bullet!
Two Kids and a Map » Travel Blogger Tuesday – Backpack to Buggy // Aug 11, 2009 at 10:18 am
[...] board. Backpack to Buggy posted an article on her blogging anniversary where she discussed where she has come from and where she would like her blog to go. Some of my favorite [...]
Congratulations Meg! A year of blogging and all those posts is a big accomplishment. I love your blog.
I also love your theme idea – you might make that a meme and encourage people to link their own posts. It would be a great one for photos.
And I certainly look forward to more posts about food!
I like thinking of taglines, so let me know if you need any assistance in that area
.-= Mara´s last blog ..Miniature golf with a view – Vermont style =-.