Week 26 Round-Up & Comment Awards
12 July, 2008 - Misc - 12 Comments
It’s Saturday and that means it’s time for a quick recap of the week on this blog. And what a week it’s been!
Notable Points of the Week
4100% Daily Traffic Increase - Wow. I’ve had a permanent smile fixed to my face for the past 27 hours. In that time, this blog has received 2,500 visitors, and it’s still rising at an unbelievable pace. So far, it has worked out at a 4100% increase in traffic compared to the average day. Where from, you ask? StumbleUpon. This is by far the most success I’ve had with StumbleUpon to date, and it’s all thanks to Kelly Rigby of She Power. She submitted my Millionaire Homeless Guy post to StumbleUpon and since then I’ve had a constant army of visitors hitting my blog, commentating, subscribing and emailing me.
To the right are a couple of screenshots of Woopra at the peak of traffic. Click to enlarge. Woopra is a stats program that tracks and displays visitors in real time. To give you some idea of what you’re looking at, the big number at the top is how many visitors are on the blog at the very moment the screenshot was taken. On the second screenshot, you can see the time the visitor entered the site on the left. You’ll notice many visitors enter within a minute of each other. On the right you can see where the visitor was referred from (all StumbleUpon) and again on the right, you’ll see some rectangular boxes (more so in the first screenshot). These boxes popup much like an instant messaging notification to tell me each time a new visitor enters the blog. They stay on screen for approximately four seconds, so if you see nine pop ups in the first screenshot, all nine visitors came to the site within the four seconds before the screenshot was taken. 
I want to thank all those who stumbled the post, and I also want to welcome all the new subscribers who came and enjoyed my content via StumbleUpon.
I should also give a special thanks to Scott McIntyre, (who is an avid blog reader without a blog), who just submitted my latest post, “Finding Perfection Without Being Perfect” to StumbleUpon. Thanks to Scott, the visitors are now also pouring in to read that post. Thanks Scott!
RSS Subscriber High - Partly due to the StumbleUpon traffic, partly due to some incoming links from Cath Lawson and others, and partly due to some extreme commentating on blogs by myself, I hit a new subscriber high today. I’m still not catering to thousands, but I’m growing well which is all that matters to me. I’d rather have 134 beautiful flowers that take a while to grow than 1,034 terrible flowers that grow in just a couple days.
Meeting With My Sun burnt Friends - Since I announced I will be resigning (albeit still blogging) and travelling around Australia, I’ve had several readers contact me to suggest we meet up for coffee, beer or water (whatever your beverage) while I’m on my travels. I’m keeping a list of people I’d like to meet with on my way around the sun burnt country. If you would like to get together while I’m there, please contact me so I can add you to the list and try to work my travels so I end up in your town.
Comments of the Week - Each week I try and repay my best commentators by sharing their comments and linking to their blogs. This week I’ve chosen three comments that I think qualify as the best.
The first comment comes from Scott McIntyre (who I mentioned earlier). As well as being a new reader, subscriber and StumbleUpon submitter, Scott is also a fantastic commentator. And he doesn’t even have a blog! Here is his comment, in response to my post “Childhood Memories - Join Me On An Adventure“.
“Oh, to be young again, Jamie!
Childhood memories can be a mix of the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, but they help colour our world today regardless.
It’s great to hear of your vivid memories of the campsite. I’ve only ever been camping once and the midgies (gnat-like pests) in Scotland are a plague for the camper here ;-(
My favourite childhood memory is of the time I spent in the playground of the local park. There, I had many hours of amusement going round on the roundabouts and going backwards and forwards on the swings- those were the days, eh?
I also experienced one of my less-pleasant childhood memories there too. After a particularly enthusiastic session of chocolate Easter egg munching, I foolishly decided it would be great fun to whizz on the roundabout followed immediately by a climb to the top of the slide.
Needless to say, the combination resulted in a visit to Casualty and a split head!
The joys of childhood”
Thanks for that excellent comment, Scott! One of the best I’ve ever had.
My next favourite of this week comes from Amy of Naughty Dog Cafe. Again, Amy is a new commentator, and I believe she is also now a subscriber. Please welcome her to the family. Here is her comment, in response to my post “The Millionaire Homeless Guy“.
“Excellent article! And it struck home with me. I recently started a new business, and I don’t mind saying that things are tight. Really tight. Yet people tell me “You’re always so happy!” Sometimes I don’t feel like slapping a smile on my face, but I do it anyway. Now I’m glad, because maybe it does make a difference in someone’s day!”
Thanks for the short, but sweet comment, Amy. Keep smiling!
My third favourite of the week comes from Monika Mundell of The Writers Manifesto. Here is her comment, in response to my post, “The Millionaire Homeless Guy“.
“Hi Jamie,
How are you? This post made me smile as it reminded me off all the miserable faces I see when I venture out of my “pod” every now and then.
I admire this John guys for being happy with what he has been given. This truly shows a wise person, whether he is a little demented or not. I think he just knows that living in happiness is what we are supposed to do rather than being miserable about things we can’t change anyway.
You know, this post actually evokes the Samaritan within me wanting to send you money to invite him to the coffee shop. All the way from Australia.
With you blogging about this guy and him not even knowing he touches so many lives through your blog and others who pick this up he spreads a lot of good all around the world.”
Thanks Monika for the wonderful comment. I hope to see more comments from you in the future.
If you want to see your name and link in this spot next week, be sure to come out of the woodwork and join the conversation. I appreciate every single comment I get. It makes this blog so much more. It really wouldn’t be half of what it is without you.
Welcome to my New Commentators - Each week I intend to thank the people who have wrote a comment on my blog for the first time. Here is this weeks list:
Liz Strauss - Liz, the 31st Most Influential Female Blogger in the universe. She operates a fantastic blog, Successful and Outstanding Bloggers, that I read daily.
Scott McIntyre - Have I spoke about Scott enough yet? 
Scott is an excellent reader, subscriber, commentator and StumbleUpon user. But he doesn’t blog. However, he is going to be guest blogging on Liz Strauss’ blog over the coming weeks. Head over to see his first post, “Connecting with the Offline Customer - A Non Bloggers Perspective“
Cath Lawson - Cath has recently shifted the focus of her blog, much like I have in recent months. The old focus was good, but the new focus is fantastic. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her conversations about life and how we can live it to its potential.
Dave - Dave came through StumbleUpon and wrote a comment on my millionaire homeless post. Thanks Dave!
Rajaie AlKorani - Rajaie is a 14 year old blogger who is putting out some excellent writing. His age and good head bring back so many memories of the time when I was 14 years old. Good luck in your ventures, Rajaie. I hope to see more comments from you in the future.
Naughty Dog Cafe - Amy has setup her own “all about dogs” business. If you head over to her blog now, you’ll be able to enter a competition to win a copy of the book “A Dog About Town”.
oMan - Talking all things Oman in one virtual pocket guide. Thanks for the comment.
Monika Mundell - Monika got one of my “best comment” awards. Her blog, The Writers Manifesto, is a must read if you’re in anyway associated with freelance writing (which, if you’re a blogger, you are. I would hope so, anyway. ). Thanks Monika! I can’t wait to read your future posts.
Floyd - Floyd was so impressed with my homeless millionaire post he went over to his forum and posted a link to it, with an excellent testimonial. Head over to his site to see the thread.
Brisbane SEO Consultant - John wrote a comment on my millionaire homeless post after coming through StumbleUpon. He seems to be running a very successful search engine optimisation consultancy in Brisbane, Australia. Maybe we could meet up on my travels, John? I have as keen an interest in SEO as yourself. Thanks for the comment!
Wow. That was a lot of new commentators. I want to thank all my commentators, new and old. It’s your opinions that make this blog what it is, and it wouldn’t be the same without you.
That’s all for this week. Tomorrow there will be a link love post, handing out the best of the love to the best of the weeks articles. If you wrote an article on your blog this week that you think my readers will be interested in, please post a comment here with the link and I’ll consider including it in Sunday’s post.
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Posted on 12 July, 2008 by Jamie Harrop
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Hi Jamie - Thanks for the mention. That’s a fantastic increase and you deserve it. I would vote your post on StumbleUpon but I’m banned.
I didn’t know about the influential female bloggers list - there’s too many lists to keep up with. Liz should be higher up than that tho - she’s a complete star.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..No More Bold Advice
Hey Cath,
No problem.
Banned from SU, eh? Should I ask what the story is?
That list of influential female bloggers was compiled just a few days ago. I agree that Liz should be further towards the top. Liz rocks!
Thanks for the comment, Cath. Have a fantastic evening!
Hello Jamie,
What a day (and a bit) you’ve had)!
The positive things that have happened are not down to luck- they’re down to your own perseverance, hard work, and the fact you’ve produced quality content.
No one would be commenting on, or stumbling upon, your posts if they weren’t top notch
PS I first discovered your blog after clicking on your signature in the comment you left on Liz Strauss’ blog.
Keep up the good work… and put your feet up on Sunday!
Hey Scott,
Thanks for those very kind words. I really appreciate it, and I appreciate the effort you go to in writing your comments.
Put my feet up on Sunday? Not a chance! I’ve actually just scheduled a link love post for tomorrow morning so that’s taken care of, but I also have another post to write.
I’m too excited by blogging to put my feet up.
Jamie
Thanks for the link. I’m glad Stumblepon has resulted in some good traffic for you. The post deserved the attention, so enjoy!
I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time in Australia and I look forward to reading about your travels and impressions. I hope you’re going to blog about it.
Cheers
Kelly
Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..It’s official: Australians are Fat and Badly Dressed
Hey Kelly,
Thanks for stopping by. No problem regarding the link. I owe it to you.
I’ll certainly be blogging about my travels in in Australia. Hopefully I won’t be fat and badly dressed as I do it.
Thanks for mentioning me Jamie! I’m really happy for your blogs amazing success, keep up the great work!
Rajaie AlKorani’s last blog post..What I Think Of Blogging Idol And Its Contestants
Hey Rajaie,
Not a problem. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Jamie,
How are things in your part of the world? As you can see I’m back, albeit a little later than intended. Took some time off over the weekend to live the life.
Coffee, beer, wine, spirits, whatever it is, I’m game for the lot if you come by. Hell, I even take you for pizza at my hubbies restaurant. I know how travelers need fuel to keep them going, been in those shoes many of times myself.
I expect that email when you get close, anyway, I will be back before.
Have a great day and wow, I’m happy for your traffic. I also love Woopra, it’s such a cool tool.
Monika Mundell’s last blog post..Freelance Writing Behind The Scenes
Hey Monika,
Things are going really well right now. We had a meal with the neighbours last night then sat around the fire pit with a few beers. It was a lovely evening.
I’m looking forward to meeting you. Husband has a restaurant eh? That must be a really exciting job. I’d love to dine there.
Speak soon. Keep smiling.
No wonder your traffic increase much…You know well how to appreciate your readers. Good luck and success for you Jamie.
Hey Susan,
Hope you’re well.
Thanks for the kind words.