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New Years Reflections (with a little announcement at the bottom)

Posted By Darren Rowse 31st of December 2005 ProBlogger Site News 0 Comments

It’s now New Years Eve here in Australia so I thought it appropriate for a few reflections on the year gone by here at ProBlogger and a brief look forward at 2006 (with a few hints at what’s in store for me).

2005 was a year that went beyond many of the expectations that I had for it on many levels. I remember writing some goals for the year back in January and feeling the potential that lay ahead for us – but what I wrote was nothing in comparison to what actually came to be.

On a personal level the year included many highlights including a wonderful trip through parts of Europe, buying our first home, growing our church community from 1 to 3 groups and marrying 8 couples.

In terms of business and blogging things were just as massive. Many of the highlights (and a few low lights) have focussed around ProBlogger which has become the blog that I own which I’m most proud of (and addicted to).

Statistics:
In terms of performance it’s been a great year. Here are a few stats that I’ve just found as part of my annual review:

Unique Visitors (over last 15 months) – 670,000+
Page Views (over last 15 months) – 1,540,000+
Total Posts – 1814 with around 1500 written this year (although there will be a few more by the time this goes live)
Comments – 14263 (and counting)
Lattes Drunk – 730 (estimate for 2005)

Achievements:
There’s also been a lot of kind recognition from around the blogosphere with many kind links from bloggers (too many to mention) and even a few award nominations. Following are some of the current rankings of ProBlogger on a variety of Blog Services and Tools:

Feedster Top 500 Blogs – 129th
Blog Pulse – consistently in top 100 (69th today)
Technorati – hovering just outside their top 100 (today at 102)
Pub Sub – regularly in their top 1%
Alexa – ranked 7327th (3 month average) or 4305th today
Truth Laid Bear – ranked 242 for traffic and 663 in ecosystem

Statistics, awards and rankings are not what blogging is about though and are secondary to the two things that I’m most proud of at ProBlogger. Firstly I’m proud of the community and shared learning that goes on here. I’m constantly being told by readers that they appreciate the discussion that happens in comments. I’ve toyed for months with the idea of forums to enhance this but to this point have left it happen in comments (perhaps if there were two of me forums would eventuate). Thanks to each person who has contributed to the increased knowledge bank of ProBlogger by leaving a comment or submitting a link or tip.

Secondly I’m proud of the growing levels of content in ProBlogger’s archives. As I mention above we’re closing in the the magical 2000 posts level. While a lot of it is newsy and quite time related there are also a lot of posts that are making a contribution to helping many bloggers find ways to improve their blogs and even earn a living from blogging.

I always find it difficult to know how to showcase the posts in my archives – I’ve previously ranked some of my favorite posts in my ProBlogger Turns 1 post but today thought I’d put the ranking in the hand of you the reader and report which posts were the most read this year. The following list is the 40 most read posts on ProBlogger for 2005.

  1. Earning Milestones
  2. Chitika eMiniMalls – How much do they Earn Me?
  3. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 1
  4. How Much do I earn from Blogging?
  5. How Bloggers Make Money from Blogs
  6. What is a Blog?
  7. I’m a Six Figure Blogger
  8. Shoe Blogs Six Figure Blogger
  9. Earning a Six Figure Income from Blogging
  10. ProBlogger Slashdotted
  11. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 2 – Is Your Blog Suitable for Adsense?
  12. Chitika eMiniMalls Review
  13. Look What Blogging Bought Me
  14. 11 Tips to Increase Page Views of your Blog
  15. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 4 – Increasing Traffic
  16. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 5 – High Paying Ads
  17. 31 Days to Building a Better Blog
  18. Chitika eMiniMall Tips
  19. Converting one off readers to your blog to Regular Readers
  20. ProBlogger Turns 1
  21. How the Most highly visited blogs earn money
  22. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 7 – Well Placed and Designed Ads
  23. 20 Types of Blog Posts – Battling Bloggers Block
  24. Blog Case Study – Is it Time to Quit?
  25. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 6 – Relevant Ads
  26. Adsense Tips for Bloggers 8 – Miscellaneous Tips
  27. Adsense Developing Fully Customizable Ad blocks
  28. Principles of Choosing a Profitable Blog Topic
  29. Network Blogging vs Individual Blogging
  30. Positioning Your Adsense Ads
  31. The Importance of Title Tags in SEO
  32. Adsense Optimization Tips – BuzzMachine
  33. Monkey Bar Blogging
  34. Blogging Stories – How Blogs Change Lives
  35. A list of Business Blogs
  36. Social Bookmarking – Getting your Blog Noticed
  37. WordPress Plugins for ProBloggers
  38. 10 Tips for Using Affiliate Programs on your Blog
  39. Search Engine Optimization for Blogs
  40. Lessons from a Goose

In addition to these posts – the following three categories also got significant levels of traffic this year.

1. Adsense
2. Blog Design
3. Blogging Tools and Services

Partnerships

I quite often talk about how ProBlogger.net is nowhere near the most lucrative blog in my stable of blogs in terms of advertising dollars. This is still true – but there is increasingly some wonderful (and potentially lucrative) opportunities coming from writing this blog. A number of great parterships and friendships have emerged from ProBlogger this year including:

  • b5media – the initial partnership with Jeremy and Duncan (added to by Shai in more recent times) has been quite an amazing journey.
  • six figure blogging – Andy and I discovered each other in the middle of this year and quickly developed our first course together. I suspect it won’t be our last.

On the Flip Side – I won’t pretend it’s been a completely wonderful year this year. In the midst of the many reasons to celebrate have been a number of real challenges for me and for ProBlogger. There have been a few times where I felt like giving up and moments of wondering what the point was. I learned this year that while blogging can be a wonderfully community minded endeavor that it can also at times be a place of attack, bitchiness and selfishness. I’ve not always been just the victim of this and hope I’ve come out of it as a better person.

2006 and Beyond – Someone asked me today what 2006 holds in store for me in terms of business and I had great difficulty in answering them. This is for a number of reasons. In part it is because there are a few projects that I’m working on (a couple in collaboration with others) that are not ready for public announcement. The other part of it is that I’m about to embark on a two week break (I’ll be on it by the time you read this) where I’m going to be spending some time (at the end of it) working out some goals and plans for the year ahead.

Sometimes it takes getting out of the craziness of life to be able to see it with perspective. It is my hope that the next few weeks will bring some clarity to the next steps.

Lastly 2006 looks like it’s going to be the year that my life changes considerably on a personal front as in June we’re expecting our first child. I am so excited about this news on many fronts (and also a little fearful)! I’m certain it’s going to change every aspect of my life in ways that I’m sure I’ve not even thought of yet – but it’s a journey I’m looking forward to immensely.

Happy New Year – I hope this post hasn’t been too cheesy or arrogant. I’ve actually found it quite therapeutic to write. Sometimes at this end of a year it’s easy to be a little glum in the midst of one’s tiredness but I realize that I’m in an incredibly fortunate and lucky position and have much to be thankful for.

So I’d like to finish this post with thanks – thank you to my family (V especially), to my partners in blogging, to readers of all my blogs, to partners in advertising and affiliate programs and to the many of you who have gone out of your way this year to drop me an email or comment (and a few of you even a card) of encouragement. I do appreciate you and hope that you all have a great celebration tonight and happy and safe new year.

About Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse is the founder and editor of ProBlogger Blog Tips and Digital Photography School. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Comments
  1. Thanks for all the great reading and tips throughout 2005 and congratulations on your wonderful news.

    Yes, a child will change everything but it’s all good. :)

  2. Stephen says: 12/31/2005 at 1:16 am

    As I’m sure anyone will tell you, no matter what you achieve in your business endeavours, it all pales in comparison to the joy a child brings. It completely rocked my world in so many ways – the defining point of my life. Many congratulations.

  3. Congrats for 2005! All the best for 2006!

    The baby will change everything (I should know, I have two!!!) but for the better – all the better for a problogger – you can be there and watch him/her grow up and not be stuck in a job somewhere and wake up to find your kid turning 20!

    Happy 2006 everyone!

  4. Not cheesy and definitely not arrogant, but a whole lot inspiring. I have enjoyed your posts throughout 2005 and eagerly look forward to your normal routine early in 2006.
    Happy New Year, Darren.

  5. Congratulations, you are a lucky man!
    I’ve discovered your blog two months ago and i’ve learned a lot to tweak my vegetables’ blog.

  6. Trent says: 12/31/2005 at 2:24 am

    Congratulations! My first child just turned four, and I will be launching my first blog just after New Year. (First time since she was born that I have had a moment to spare.)

  7. Congratulations Mate!

  8. […] Darren over at Problogger.net posted a end of the year summary for Problogger and gave me a little inspiration to do my own. […]

  9. Congratulations on the baby news Darren. I know that I for one sometimes do not tear myself away from my two kids to get my blogging done and at the same time sometimes feel guilty about my online time when I could be playing with them. On the upside the kids give you a great reason to push the limits and try to make sure that you are providing them everything that they want.

    At theend of this year now I would like to thank you. Every morning and some evenings I jump online to your blog first as the ideas always seem new and fresh. I really hope you keep this blog going for a long time as it has been a great inspiration as well as a great source of posting material.

    To Darren and all the commenters that I have had a chance to read this year, Happy New Year.

  10. There could be money in blogging afterall

  11. Darre, and family,
    Congratulations with the good news. Hope your wife is well.
    Yes, it will be a new, but different, challange for you in 2006.
    Hope your writing does not suffer to much, because your blogs inspire me!
    Regards…

  12. congrats with the news, i like ur blog so much,
    because ur blog is very good. we can know
    every thing from u. thanks

    HAPPY NEW YEAR
    http://www.technology-gadget-review.blogspot.com

  13. Congrats Darren, all this success is well deserved. You are the biggest Problogger of them all…and you have guided and created several probloggers too.

  14. Stewart says: 12/31/2005 at 5:34 am

    Congratulations on the upcoming addition to the clan. I stumbled on your blog last night, and it has been compulsive reading since then..and I really should be working. I have been inspired to get blogging myself, so I thank you for the inspiration, and wish you and yours all the very best for 2006.

  15. I’ll add my congrats too. I’ve got 4 little ones and they make life so much more fun :)

  16. Happy Year 2006. Looking forward to reading this blog again, and again…
    :-)

    Enjoy the weather.

    brem

  17. And from Sunny South Africa, a Happy New year…!

    James

  18. Congratulations on Darren and V

    Treasure every moment you have with them because all too soon that windy little bundle that you held in your arms as you paced up and down the hallway at 2am will turn into a strapping young man or elegant young lady who will fill you with immense pride.

    I know we look at our 10 and think ‘Is that handsome young man in the uniform who so willing puts his life on the line for his country really our boy?’ or ‘is that young woman who nurtures and educates young minds in bush schools really our daughter?’

    And then you feel that odd sort of pride that really makes you feel very humble.

    All the best for 2006

  19. Oh that’s just wonderful Darren. Congratulations.
    Life doesn’t really start till you’ve got a babba.

  20. Thanks for a great year, Darren – you’ve given me many ideas and a daily dose of inspiration. Here’s to a great 2006.

  21. congratulations darren (and V)!

    it’s wonderful news to be pregnant and expecting the first addition to the family

    best wishes to all three of you

    mark

  22. Congratulations on a great read.

    There’s plenty of wisdom available in these pages, and not just for bloggers.

    How many Lattes?? :)

    Roll on 2006!

  23. Congrats Darren! kids are awesome, and thank you for all the help.
    You are truly a person I consider a great friend.

  24. Hey Darren, congratulations to you and your wife! May God bless you and your little one to be. Wishing you a blessed and prosperous 2006. Your blog continues to be an invaluable resource to me.

  25. Oh Darren, what wonderful news for you and your family, congratulation! As always in those cases, wishes for health and luck are before everything else.

    And don’t go deciding over your childs name based on the fact if the url is free or not! ;o)

  26. Happy New Year Darren! Hopefully 2006 will involve positive milestones and adventures for everyone.

    With you, becoming a new dad and all…have you thought about doing a blog on your experiences from the pregnancy on? Would be interesting to have something documented on the net that you and others could look back on.

    Enjoy your time off. Won’t be a lot of that going around once the baby is born…trust me!!!! :)

  27. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

  28. Congratulations, Darren. I hope you are enjoying your vacation.

  29. Is it just me? Where is the “little announcement at the bottom?”

    Happy New Year everyone, and congrats, Darren, about the kid. Oh wait, was THAT the announcement? ;-)

  30. Darren–

    Congratulations on a great 2005. I must admit, it’s only been the past 3 months that have seen me even discover Problogger (I discovered Living Room long ago) but to be honest, it has become somewhat of an addiction. Do you even have the smallest, teeniest, weeniest idea how many times I sit on the home page and hit refresh obsessively waiting for new content! :)

    Alot. Not to give you a big head. I think you’d tell us that you’re the most humble person you know. :D

    Congrats on a great year. A new year is coming. Whatever you have planned will likely be dynamic and full of energy and thus, will enjoy a high chance of success.

    As always, I’m only a Skype call away.

    Blessings!
    Aaron

  31. Steve says: 12/31/2005 at 3:33 pm

    Congratulations for a fantastic year. I have learned so much from your honest communication. I wish you and yours the very best in 2006. Stay blessed.

    Steve

  32. Hey, Congratulations!!! You’re a blessed man.

    Question, you have great stats, and also great graphs although not on this post showing your stats on earnings and visitors, how do you make those?

    Plugin?

    Manually?

    Blessings

    Wayne

  33. Congrats :) What a year it has been for you! :)

    Now start a baby blog :)

  34. I am new to blogging and have learned a great deal from this site. Thank you for all of your hard work, congrats, and Happy New Year.

  35. Happy New Year ! and Congratulations for your great job in 2005 !
    Wow, that’s amazing. you got 670,000 unique visitors for 15 months !

    Thank you for your interesting post .

  36. Thank you darren!

    You’d inspired me to diversify and write more!

    Congrats!

  37. have plan re-design your site in 2006?

  38. You’ve touched and transformed a lot of people’s lives who you’ve never even met. I’m humbled and appreciative that you found time to talk to me.

    All the very best with fatherhood. You should have no probs – bloggin is such good training. eg Nappies=spam, you’re always amazed how many you get and every now and again you get one that you think is the worst ever.

    May 2006 be your most rewarding year yet.

  39. Thank you for all of the wonderful tips you’ve provided!

    Congratulations! What glorious news! (Stop by to see what to expect in a few years – LOL)

    Making a list to thank everyone who commented on my blog in 2005 – you helped me a great deal when you promoted my post regarding comments – thank you! List to post later today. Best wishes for 2006!

  40. oh wow, congrats darren!!! on everything, but especially on the baby news. how exciting! blessings to you and yours. will be praying for that little one. (problogger jr.?)

  41. Congrats on the new addition and thanks for a great roundup post of your 2005 efforts. I did the same earlier today as it’s always great to look back and see what you planned and how you actually did. Best wishes for continued success in 2006.

  42. How I wish to have a fraction of probloggers traffic…

  43. Happy New Year and congratulations on your to-be fatherhood! I can’t think of anyone who has worked harder, or with more dedication than you. You’ll be sure to reap many personal and career sucesses in the year to come :)

  44. A giant congratulations to you. Put your mind and heart to it and you will certainly be as successful a parent as you are a blogger. We have five (that’s not a typo) and appreciate your blogging tips as we are trying to gain some freedom from the work world to spend more time with them.

    Have a great year!

  45. Another similarity between children and blogs… you start with just one, and in no time at all you have more than you thought you could cope with.

  46. […] Anyhoo, the problogger traffic is mentioned in brief on his January 1 ‘06 post. He says he’s getting 1.54 million page views in the last 15 months, which is about 1.2 million this year. So, I check my own stats, to see where I stand, right? […]

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