16 “The Fly” posted some sobering statistics on his blog last evening leaving me feeling downtrodden. Not only that, I had to watch as an individual who unquestionably should be institutionalized, “lead” his (and my least favorite) team to a Super Bowl championship.
According to the statistics counter we were provided, I was feeling good about my efforts, regularly pulling the 3+% of site traffic that was required, then I received similar news in my inbox at the end of January. I consulted with my fellow interim bloggers regarding this matter and the general sentiment was “that’s curious, but on the other hand it would also appear that we are doing fine”.
I banged out 99 posts in January, averaging better than 200 words per post (not counting the “Best of The Fly” posts). I use these stats to provide a stark reality to all of the wannabe bloggers on this here site. You can sit there and say: “Pffft, I should have no problem maintaining 3% of the readership, these clowns just suck at blogging”. Let this information bounce around in your tiny skulls for a moment.
Additionally, I have a full time job (contrary to the perception put forth here that I am a crossing guard, that is not what I do), I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old, I have VERY VERY little precious free time, yet I still have found the will and creative energy to grind out original and fresh content every single day here on iBC. I take time to honor every reader request that I have received and have been generally been amenable to all readers of my blog (you can disagree, just don’t disrespect). Thusfar, the feedback I have received has been nearly unanimously positive.
Nevertheless, it would appear that I am slated for “termination” come mid-March, as I do not see myself plowing through 300 posts in February in order to bump my readership to the required 3% (based on the laws of mathematics). So, I will continue to “play out the string”, and do what I do…even though it would appear to be nothing more than in vain.
-EM
16 Responses to “Portfolio 02/01/13; The Well, That Sucks Edition”
Berniecornfeld
My condolences sir. I do come by and read when I can, but there is just too much going on for me to read everything. I think the problem with the 3% metric is the other 97% are simply trying to “first” on Fly’s blog and are more interested in hurling feces than banking coin.
elizamae
Yeah, such is life on the interwebs.
I appreciate your readership and comment.
OldDix
I joined this page in September, so I consider myself a rookie, but I’ve been trading for years. I read 3 blogs primarily here on PPT. I know I risk being banned after this comment, but here it is. I read CheesNwine and yourself because I like the logic and the way you both explain your whys. Whys mean, explaining your opinion on why you’re watching a stock or buying a stock.
I also read the Fly for entertainment. But as far as being an educator, he has no skills. I’m sure his position is that we are all pikers and are un-worthy but he who knows how to teach is able to present his comments and data in a fashion that would educate while boasting at the same time. The way he buys and sells are done in fashion that seem top secret even though he’ll explain that his numbers inside his PPT are saying this, that, or the other thing, but I have no clue how to interpret them on my own if I were screening for stocks. So whether he makes 50% a year or minus 50% a year means nothing to me because learn nothing about the how’s and whys.
My point is this, keep writing your blog and tweaking your skills because your posts come across as informative, and in most cases in a teaching format. The teaching part might not be intentional, but it is there. Lastly, I like the way you show what’s in your portfolio and how your trading it with a P/L.
If this is a popularity contest, you are going to lose out. If this is actually a content contest, you’re in the running and hang in there to end. You never know how it’s going to play out. I’m done now and prepared for my tongue-lashing and evitable banning.
elizamae
Thanks.
We all have different aims for our blogs (if we didn’t, it would be glaringly derivative and mundane), mine just happens to put a premium on transparency, education and proper grammar.
Some readers are looking for that, some want tales of old men being thrown into lit fireplaces.
Here’s to hoping you are not banished, as I appreciate all of the traffic that I can muster.
Sooz
I’ve never been a fan of statistics.
EM, please don’t let these numbers damper your thought process, mighty fine ideas and ‘Mad’ writing skills.
Keep up with all your hard work though you make it look so easy and remember, if all else fails(stats), you can always fall back on that rodeo clown gig.
*same can be said for Sir Raul and Rhino minus the rodeo clown gig.
elizamae
Thanks Sooz…you have been a fan for a while now and I appreciate your readership and contributions.
Thanks again.
Sooz
Rightfully so, my Brother from another Mother!
😉
You should be writing a book of short stories. It would be a ‘Best Seller’.
~Sincerely
The Eye-Talian Stallion
First of all you insult your readers, then you play the violin.
Go figure.
elizamae
Two questions.
1) I’m curious, after rereading this post nearly 20 times, where did I insult my readers? If there was anything that could be construed as in “insult”, it is towards those who deem themselves superior in the act of blogging and think that garnering 3% of the readership of this fine site is an easy task. I am in no way insulting the people who frequent this blog for the information that I provide. Maybe if I amend my post to eliminate the “tiny skulls” comment, would that be more amenable with your delicate sensitivities? Maybe you are a Ravens fan?
2) What should I “go figure”?
Thus far I have been nothing but cordial and friendly with my readers. Yes, it fucking sucks to put so much energy and effort into something only to see it (likely) fail…so I apologize for my brief emotional outburst. I’ll keep it more professional from now on.
Berniecornfeld
You must have overlooked my earlier comment re:”Hurling Feces”
elizamae
heh…
Bozo on a bus
My hat is off to you, the time investment required is huge. There are bloggers that claim 3-4 hours per post; I’ve put half an hour into just some thoughtful comments so I know it’s tough. Have you looked at the readership of individual posts? Perhaps readers are looking less for good ideas and more for comic relief?
elizamae
Thanks for commenting.
Re: your last point: the thought has crossed my mind, but I’m not going to try and be something that I’m not. I enjoy working with the material that I produce and it helps me immensely with my trading. If there are “financial” bloggers out there who can provide comic relief and generate 5000+ page views/day, then I tip my topped hat to those individuals and will probably really enjoy reading their work.
Vertigo
Your blog is a great read. What do you hope to gain from it? I’m not trying to be a smart ass but this is a ton of work. Will the “gain” offset your investment of time?
elizamae
That’s an excellent question and one that I really haven’t pondered. Like I mentioned in a previous comment, for the most part, the material I provide here helps immensely with my own trading (even if the results have been substandard thus far). I also love to write, but over the long term I’m definitely unsure whether what I gain from it will offset the investment of time.
Nevertheless, thanks for reading and commenting, I appreciate it.
widespread panik
Really enjoy your charts and volume in the chart metrics. I was just toying around with this such analysis in December so it was refreshing to see. Hope you make it past the 3% threshold??? I am a fan and love your writing. PPT would be doing themselves a disservice by not keeping you on.