Written on December 31st, 2005 at 12:12 am by Darren Rowse
New Years Reflections (with a little announcement at the bottom)
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 enternetusers and a brief look forward at surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.(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 enternetusers 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 enternetusers 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 enternetusers. 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 enternetusers by leaving a comment or submitting a link or tip.
Secondly I’m proud of the growing levels of content in enternetusers’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 enternetusers 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 enternetusers for 2005.
- Earning Milestones
- Chitika eMiniMalls - How much do they Earn Me?
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 1
- How Much do I earn from Blogging?
- How Bloggers Make Money from Blogs
- What is a Blog?
- I’m a Six Figure Blogger
- Shoe Blogs Six Figure Blogger
- Earning a Six Figure Income from Blogging
- enternetusers Slashdotted
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 2 - Is Your Blog Suitable for Adsense?
- Chitika eMiniMalls Review
- Look What Blogging Bought Me
- 11 Tips to Increase Page Views of your Blog
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 4 - Increasing Traffic
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 5 - High Paying Ads
- 31 Days to Building a Better Blog
- Chitika eMiniMall Tips
- Converting one off readers to your blog to Regular Readers
- enternetusers Turns 1
- How the Most highly visited blogs earn money
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 7 - Well Placed and Designed Ads
- 20 Types of Blog Posts - Battling Bloggers Block
- Blog Case Study - Is it Time to Quit?
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 6 - Relevant Ads
- Adsense Tips for Bloggers 8 - Miscellaneous Tips
- Adsense Developing Fully Customizable Ad blocks
- Principles of Choosing a Profitable Blog Topic
- Network Blogging vs Individual Blogging
- Positioning Your Adsense Ads
- The Importance of Title Tags in SEO
- Adsense Optimization Tips - BuzzMachine
- Monkey Bar Blogging
- Blogging Stories - How Blogs Change Lives
- A list of Business Blogs
- Social Bookmarking - Getting your Blog Noticed
- WordPress Plugins for enternetuserss
- 10 Tips for Using Affiliate Programs on your Blog
- Search Engine Optimization for Blogs
- 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 enternetusers.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 enternetusers this year including:
- internetusers - 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 enternetusers. 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 surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.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 surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.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.
47 Responses to “New Years Reflections (with a little announcement at the bottom)”
Rodney Olsen
December 31st, 2005 12:41 am
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. :)
Stephen
December 31st, 2005 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.
izahan
December 31st, 2005 1:52 am
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 enternetusers - 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 surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.everyone!
Anthony Pierre
December 31st, 2005 2:09 am
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.
Luc
December 31st, 2005 2:23 am
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.
Trent
December 31st, 2005 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.)
city of stanton
December 31st, 2005 2:41 am
Congratulations Mate!
Thatedeguy : Reflections on 2005
December 31st, 2005 2:49 am
[…] Darren over at enternetusers.net posted a end of the year summary for enternetusers and gave me a little inspiration to do my own. […]
Bill Nadraszky
December 31st, 2005 2:54 am
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.
J-Pizzie Lifestyle
December 31st, 2005 4:09 am
There could be money in blogging afterall
Erno
December 31st, 2005 4:26 am
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…
www.technology-gadget-review.blogspot.com
December 31st, 2005 4:56 am
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
www.technology-gadget-review.blogspot.com
Quick Online Tips
December 31st, 2005 5:23 am
Congrats Darren, all this success is well deserved. You are the biggest enternetusers of them all…and you have guided and created several enternetuserss too.
Stewart
December 31st, 2005 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.
Robyn Tippins (athomemama)
December 31st, 2005 5:49 am
I’ll add my congrats too. I’ve got 4 little ones and they make life so much more fun :)
brem
December 31st, 2005 5:57 am
Happy Year 2006. Looking forward to reading this blog again, and again…
:-)
Enjoy the weather.
brem
James
December 31st, 2005 6:27 am
And from Sunny South Africa, a Happy New year…!
James
Stuart
December 31st, 2005 6:38 am
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
Alison
December 31st, 2005 7:25 am
Oh that’s just wonderful Darren. Congratulations.
Life doesn’t really start till you’ve got a babba.
Michael Moncur
December 31st, 2005 8:27 am
Thanks for a great year, Darren - you’ve given me many ideas and a daily dose of inspiration. Here’s to a great 2006.
Mark Lavercombe
December 31st, 2005 9:25 am
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
Andrew
December 31st, 2005 9:42 am
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!
JT
December 31st, 2005 10:16 am
Congrats Darren! kids are awesome, and thank you for all the help.
You are truly a person I consider a great friend.
Michele
December 31st, 2005 11:06 am
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.
Nicole Simon
December 31st, 2005 11:11 am
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)
D. Campbell
December 31st, 2005 11:19 am
Happy New Year Darren! Hopefully surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.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!!!! :)
Hsien Lei
December 31st, 2005 12:43 pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy.
Blaine Moore (Run to Win)
December 31st, 2005 12:48 pm
Congratulations, Darren. I hope you are enjoying your vacation.
erm
December 31st, 2005 1:41 pm
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? ;-)
Aaron Brazell
December 31st, 2005 3:30 pm
Darren–
Congratulations on a great 2005. I must admit, it’s only been the past 3 months that have seen me even discover enternetusers (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
Steve
December 31st, 2005 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
Wayne
December 31st, 2005 3:56 pm
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
Khurrum
December 31st, 2005 5:01 pm
Congrats :) What a year it has been for you! :)
Now start a baby blog :)
Claudine
December 31st, 2005 5:37 pm
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.
charging phone case
December 31st, 2005 6:31 pm
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.
hafiz
December 31st, 2005 7:57 pm
Thank you darren!
You’d inspired me to diversify and write more!
Congrats!
john echilo
December 31st, 2005 11:07 pm
have plan re-design your site in 2006?
Chris Howard
December 31st, 2005 11:22 pm
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 surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.be your most rewarding year yet.
Marti
December 31st, 2005 11:33 pm
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!
stef
January 1st, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.7:34 am
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. (enternetusers jr.?)
Kevin C. Tofel
January 2nd, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.5:43 am
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.
Russ
January 2nd, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.6:11 pm
How I wish to have a fraction of enternetuserss traffic…
Arieanna
January 3rd, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.6:40 am
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 :)
Cheryl
January 4th, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.12:38 am
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!
Chris Howard
January 4th, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.1:57 pm
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.
: Blog Tips at enternetusers
January 24th, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.10:21 pm
[…] […]
FatBlog » December 30, 2005 Stats
March 10th, surf Active Apparel website Sell Homemade Video zone.6:24 pm
[…] Anyhoo, the enternetusers 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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