My year 1 blogging review

As year 1 of blogging comes to an end (270 posts later), here are my top 15 (measured by traffic), top 5 page views, and some things I’ve learned about blogging along the way.

Top 15 posts of 2011:
1. 10 actions that kids learn from their parent’s marriage.
2. Better Together: I was fired today.
3. Crossing the line: 8 warning signs of inappropriate relationships with students (Guest Post)
4. 3 ways to help teenagers with porn.
5. I still can’t believe this is FREE
6. Lady Gaga: “I feel like a loser!”
7. PORN: “I’m just assuming you struggle.”
8. This is a picture of youth ministry.
9. “I was fired…my family is hurting.”
10. 10 ways a teenager benefits from being in a small group (from a dad’s perspective).
11. 7 ideas for deeper conversation with teenagers.
12. One of the BEST IDEAS I’ve seen in a long time!
13. 10 ways I deal with criticism.
14. I wish this was an April Fools’ complaint.
15. 4 steps I’d take for intentional parenting

Top 5 page visits of 2011:
1. Student Leadership Conference 2011
2. Doug’s longer bio
3. Books by Doug Fields
4. One Minute Bible for Students
5. Join the team

Some of my “year 1” learnings:
1. Blogging is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I wouldn’t consider myself a natural writer and have found writing books very difficult, but at least when I write books I can write at my own pace.

2. When I began blogging in January I thought, “Wow! That’s a lot of people reading the blog.” I had no idea that there would be 10x more viewers by October. The growth amazed me.

3. Almost half (7 of 15) of the most popular posts had numbers (#) in the title.

4. Some of my favorite posts didn’t even break the top 20… seems strange to me.
*Duffy, Dr. Ruth, Syracuse & me (part 1 & 2)
*5 Steps toward the death of “to-do” lists (part 1, 2, 3)
*MOM: you lived well, you loved well…you left a legacy.
*Duffy Robbins: to know him is to love him

5. While it is hard work (#1 above), I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I felt fueled by the emails and personal interactions throughout the year where people commented about something they read here. It made me want to keep writing.

To those of you who stop by and read and/or subscribe via RSS and/or email… thanks for being part of a new journey with me in 2011. I look forward to learning a lot more about blogging and learning more from you too.

Blessings,
doug

Question: What input do you have for me as I move forward in 2012? I’m so very open to learning and would love your input here.

http://adammclane.com Adam McLane

You had a real good rookie season. I’m looking forward to seeing how God will continue to bless this part of your life!

Anonymous

Thanks for your all your encouragement & coaching. Aside from your misunderstanding of UFC & CS Lewis, yours is one of my favorite blogs to read (http://adammclane.com/)

http://adammclane.com Adam McLane

At least the UFC is more real than the NBA. And who bought his kids the Narnia series for Christmas? This guy!

Matthew McNutt

I’ve enjoyed your personal posts the most – things about your life or family. Anything about raising your kids has been something I’ve saved and reread a couple times, or even forwarded to my wife. I’m a pastor’s kid who resented the church taking my dad away as a kid, so love advice that helps me break that pattern. : )

Anonymous

Thanks friend… you know the blog world, so shoot me ideas every once in a while or (better yet) questions about ministry and marriage and I’ll turn them into a post.

Chris

Doug, I appreciate your honesty and openness. We only met briefly here in Hattiesburg, MS but in that meeting I could tell you were a real person not a stage show. The post about your marriage and kids was not my favorite and yet it was. I printed it out and put in front of me so i see it daily. Thank you for this, please tell your wife thank you from us. I’m not good at it, i admit, but as a believer in recovery, i know it’s a daily discipline. I’ve done youth ministry now for 22 years, but marriage and family has been my hardest ministry battle. Anyway, i am rambling, but my main thought was just a big fat thank you to your and your wife.

Anonymous

Thanks Chris…Cathy was honored to be thanked.

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http://davemiers.com davemiers

have enjoyed the blog this year. thanks. looking forward to 2012!
http://twitter.com/PhilBell Phil Bell

Doug, I really appreciate this blog and your ministry to youth workers! I get so much out the posts as well as the great amount of comments and ongoing interaction! Brilliant! I wonder if some video posts from you would be another effective way to post? (Like Mark Driscoll does on his blog)?

Anonymous

Thanks Phil. I’ll have to look into video posts. The thought doesn’t excited me, but who knows…

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Alisa

As a youth director, I really enjoyed reading your Blog this year. You had a lot of great information and thought-provoking posts. I loved your posts about to-do lists, it really helped me to prioritize my days at the office. Thanks for all you do for us in ministry!