Well, this is what happens when I am all written-out.
This week I wrote an anthology contribution piece (details in a few weeks), contributed a syndicated piece to BlogHer called Couples Who Make You Want to Puke (a different version than the post on Road to Joy), edited novel #2 (Going for Kona), worked on novel #3 (Conceding Grace), and posted the oh-so-much-fun Froggy Series.
I thought some of you would enjoy seeing the BlogHer impact on Road to Joy. BlogHer gets about 25 million visitors a month; they totally rock as a content provider and as a platform for up and coming female writers. They even paid me. Shhh, don’t tell them I’d have done it for free. Anyway, my blog Road to Joy gets about 3,000 views a month. As you can see, I’m nipping on their heels. Ha.
Here’s how my post is doing on BlogHer after six days, as of 5:00 p.m. CST today (3/27/11) : #1 under Love & Sex, and, although you can’t see it on the screen, it’s #3 on “What’s Hot on BlogHer”. I’m THRILLED. I had really feared it would bomb. Since I know my mom and husband couldn’t have clicked 7,336 times all by themselves, that tells me a) that my readers came out in force, thank you! and b) a few “real” people actually it, real as in “new to me”. 😉
7,336 views! For me, that's enormous exposure.
Meanwhile, the impact on Road to Joy? HUGE. I got as many hits in one week as during my current average month. About 10% of the referral hits from the BlogHer post were “quality” hits: browsers who hung out and clicked multiple posts for 15 minutes or more. The BlogHer click-through’s to Road to Joy resulted in an upward tick in RSS and Email subscribers, twitter followers, and Facebook fans. ** For newer subscribers and readers, I should tell you this: I started Road to Joy one year ago, to promote my writing while I search for an agent to represent me for my women’s fiction novels. At that time, I was lucky to get 1,000 hits a month.
{Oh yeah, it was a good week! I got a manuscript request on the very first query letter I sent out on Going for Kona! Woot! Fingers crossed. Leaving Annalise is still under consideration by two other agents.}
Wk 10: a normal wk. Wk 11: a great wk, before BlogHer. Wk 12: Road to Joy bombarded by BlogHer readers.
As you can see, it was a busy week for me, even before you factor in the day job. So, I’m waving the white flag on writing for Road to Joy tonight: I resort to video, instead.
This video is of us in the worst outfits ever, dancing in our garage. It’s super long; you’ll die of boredom after about 30 seconds, if you make it that far. But I don’t know how to chop these things shorter. And tonight is not the night I’m going to teach myself how. So click-watch-shut-and-bolt 🙂 And, I am only posting this because people asked for it, God only knows why, after I wrote about our ballroom dancing lessons. Which means it will probably get five views — all from the five people who requested it. [Y’all are gonna be sorry after you watch it, I’m sure!]
There’s a story behind the video, and the story is this: my sweet husband asked me to dance right before he left for San Antonio. I was wearing something atrocious. He put on his black dress socks with camo shorts to achieve an almost-as-bad outfit. And then we decided we’d never (hopefully) look worse, so it was time for Clark to videotape us. Of course. Because that’s what normal people would do, right?
Oh my.
(Email subscribers, click on the title of this post to go out on the internet and view the train wreck video)
[youtube X-hJNHbjM7A]
I hope this doesn’t ‘t give you nightmares —
Pamelot
Congrats on BlogHer and your stats! Super fantastic! Thank you for posting your vid…you both just moved up on the vomit-inducing scale – I mean that with much love. 🙂 You two are too, too cute. I aspire to be part of a vomit-inducing couple in the near future. Much continued success to you and Eric. 🙂
P.S. Clark is a very, very patient kid. 😀 Give Cowboy and Layla a squeeze from all the viewers.
I can’t believe Clark sat there for 15 minutes videoing this. He is either very patient, or very scared of his mother. Probably both. Seriously, he’s a great kid.
And how much did you love Eric’s socks????!!!
The socks were classic! 😀 The fact he put on the shoes and socks, too cool.
Yes, he is an adorable keeper. Especially with the socks 🙂
Woot! I made it all the way through! I’m freakin’ exhausted. That was fun, ya’ll. Loved the singing, too. I was singing right along with you. Joan was giving me a weird look. It’s all good.
Well, all I have to say is I SANG THE CORRECT LYRICS. I might not have sung them well, but Eric is totally wrong on the words. Totally.
Tell Joan Hi 🙂
First of all YAAAAAAAAAAAAH on the BlogHer article and traffic. Such an awesome positive step change for you. You can just feel the momentum right now around your work, very very cool to watch it happen and happy to be along for the ride. AND thankful for the friends old and new who have given you so much awesome support.
My readers RAWK!
And 2nd,,
No Honey, you really aren’t that bossy :), it might SEEM that way in the video but…..
🙂
I love you and thanks for putting up with my two left feet and awesome dark socks.
There’s nothing worse than hearing my strident, directive voice telling everyone what to do and not do, on video. Oy vey. I’m sorry! I’ll put up with your awesome dark socks and refusal to shake your groove thing, if you’ll continue to put up with all of my stuff 🙂
OMG, the video is PRICELESS, sweet, fab 🙂 Loved this.
Thanks for the smile.
Thanks, Kim. We have a good time together, Eric and I. 🙂
You two are really sweet…
ILOVE the news on the query letters! I’m crossing my fingers, b/c your success story helps me to keep going.
IT CAN happen, right?
IT CAN HAPPEN 🙂
I’m entering lots of contest too (even won a couple) and going to a writer’s conference next month where I will meet with 3 agents. Fingers and toes crossed.
Keep the faith!
My eyes! My eyes! My ears! My ears! Juuuust kidding. I can’t say anything about Eric’s socks – Leland wears boot socks (knee) and you ain’t seen nothing until you see him coming home from the gym in his shorts and cowboy boots (won’t wear gym shoes outside). I think this was a great video of the play room, ceiling, dogs, exercise equipment, and someone’s feet. Who were those people pushing one another around the floor? Awwww, ya done goot. It was a great video. Four more days until 30 Day Challenge #2!
Oh Lord, I hope you didn’t watch the whole thing. I need to learn how to edit video to shorten the clips!!!
The boots and socks sound SOXY 🙂
4 days!
You two are the best.. and as far as Eric’s socks thank goodness he did not grab the white tube socks 😉 Pamela, I am going to be the most obnoxious person around saying “I knew Pamela Before…” I am so proud to be sitting in the cheering section… this is your year girl 😉
Thanks, Ridgely 🙂 And yes, come to think of it, tall white tube socks with red stripes around the top of the calf would have been even worse!
LMAO! Did you notice you were digging your fingers into Eric’s shoulder during your waltz?????
At least the dog wasn’t licking himself so to say…………
NICE LEGS ERIC!!
Pam, you look cute in your outfit!!
Yes, he is patient. My husband wouldn’t even let me listen to the music.
At least you’ll be the smart ones at the next wedding you go to. People will be marveling at your rockin’ dance skills!
I can’t believe Eric doesn’t have bruises. I was giving his shoulder the death claw!!!!
OMG, I didn’t even think about the licking-himself part. Or double check. EWWWW. B/c he likes to do that. A lot!
Thanks, Irene 🙂
So glad to hear about the traffic bump! Your post was fabulous.
Good luck on the agent road — I am going through that too, right now, and it’s nerve-wracking.
Good luck to you, too! It’s nerve-wracking and self esteem shattering. But, a writer will do what a writer must do!
Thanks for stopping by, Rita, and thanks for helping me with my first BlogHer syndicated post!
You guys are just too cute and adorable for words! I swear, I could smell fish sticks, tater tots, and mac-n-cheese cooking in your kitchen while you were dancing and your son was being a videographer! (Because that’s how normal and sane and perfect your life seems to me! That’s a compliment, by the way! :)) Now, if you could just find a place that’s a combo dance/karoke, you’d have it made! You two are the most blessed couple I have seen in a long time. It does my heart good to watch that video and know that there are people out there that can truly have happiness in a marriage and will work at it to the point it doesn’t even look like work anymore — it’s just comes natural. What a sweet, sweet man to dance with you like that. (sigh!)
Verstile Blogger Award goes to you! Info on my blog.
LOL — you are sweet, and also of course talented as I tell you every time I see your gorgeous photos. And I have a special prayer that you run across someone that rings your bell like Eric rings mine and live a pukey happily ever after w/him. And that he looks like George Clooney.
Yes, we are sooooooo just like you described. The dogs, the cats, the kids, the rambling house. It’s awesome.
Woo hoo, thanks for the award, I’ll go check it out 🙂
George Clooney? I’ll take it! He would be sooo… my type! 😉
Not a shock you are finally getting the writer love you deserve cause you are entirely awesome and ahmazing. This is so cool for you!! Hey I got a new follower today, that makes 73 and I’m shocked that more than 5 people (the number of family members I can threaten to follow me) follow me. It’s purty cool.
You are so incredibly charming and cute on your blog, your following will only keep growing. I LOVE to read your blog. It makes me want to hug you. Which I mean in a friendly and non-stalkerish way 🙂
I’m loving the hopeful news on your writing. Fingers are crossed!
Congratulations on the syndication. That was a great post. I didn’t know that the syndicated posts could be edited. How does that work, do you edit it, or do they? The traffic spike is awesome…and you totally deserve it!
The video is fun. Are those fancy dancing shoes you are wearing?
You know, I’m not sure if they edit or I can. I’ll go check it out and let you know.
Those are FANCY dancing shoes with felt soles, which makes a huge difference. Although we’re not good enough yet for anything to make a huge difference, what am I saying. Ha.
Thanks re the writing. I’ll take those crossed fingers and add them to mine!
Those shoes are pretty Cute :).
*snort*
You’ve got some really exciting stuff going on! Congratulations!!
Thanks, Liz, and thanks for stopping by 🙂
I’m one of those with too much time on their hands. (Roight! I watched it between rushing to check on cabinet installation in one house while making a beeline for Home Depot for paint for the present house. I came back with the exact shade of green that made everyone in the family want to puke when I put it on the front door. [And yes, it is going in the bathroom.] I happen to adore pastel green) Lovely to have a hubby who will take lessons much less go on record aka video!!!!
I want to hear more about your haunted house!
As yes, Eric is wonderful.
First thing I thought was – Look how the dog just lays in the corner and ignores it all – then I saw your comment about the dogs snoring through it now! LOL
Congrats on the BlogHer and the boost to your own site… and especially on the manuscript request for Going for Kona! WooHoo!
That dog is about to star in his own blog. He was bitten by a snake this weekend, and I am a doggy-nurse today. Poor puppy!
Thanks, Ally!
Yikes – (I know I’m a couple days late, but still – OUCH!) Poor baby!
O.M.G. How cute are y’all? I love how he’s smiling at you… and yes, the outfits are god-awful! Thanks for sharing!
He’s the best 🙂
YAY!! Congratulations!! You are putting so much good energy out there, you deserve to have it come back in droves.
The video was awesome! Totally made me smile and giggle too.
We had dance class again tonight. Ugh. I leap instead of glide and watch my feet. It’s very giggle-able. And fun! Thank you, Kjersti!
I’m so happy for you on the increase in traffic!! That is awesome. I need to talk to you about the blog her syndication. I’ve got some questions. I’ll email you later!
sounds good — i’ll look for it.
Many congrats on the BlogHer boost! I’m such a Traffic Tart that I am insane with jealousy over your normal numbers (btw we decided in our Kristen Lamb-led blogging course that “Traffic Tart” sounded less violent than “Hit Whore”. I’m still not sure it’s the right term for a male, but what choice do I have here?) I may send in something to BlogHer under my typo name of “Damina” who sounds vaguely Eastern….
I love your Eastern European name and think you should go for it! I am going to have to say I think I’m more of a hit whore than a traffic tart tho…violent imagery be damned. 🙂
That is so exciting about all that traffic. It’s so intimidating to put something out there like that. Good for you!
Thanks, Lacie. I was pretty scared 🙂 But in the end (cliche alert!), nothing ventured, nothing gained. It was a great experience, and I hope I get to repeat it many times!
Wow, that’s awesome that Blogher has that much impact! 🙂
I thought your video was cute. I’d have to bribe my husband to dance with me like that!
Why thanks! My husband rocks 🙂
Whoohoo!
I have good feelings about those manuscripts!
I really, really like this agent. Pray!