Tyson’s Roundup – 2012 in Blogging

Today I just want to say a few things, offer some thanks and show some love to people and their sites who have helped shape my 6 months in blogging.

In June 2012 I created this blog with the aim of sharing some movie reviews in the hope someone somewhere would maybe read them, and hopefully like what I had to say. Fast forward 6 months, and I can’t believe how far this site has come. I am going to name drop a few people throughout this post that have shared and shaped this journey for me, as I round-up my 2012 in blogging. For those I don’t mention directly by name, believe me I am beyond grateful you visit me here, I apologise for not having time to list everyone!

I’m 99.9% convinced that the very first post I read somewhere else that rocked my world was when John from Written In Blood not only added me to his blogroll, but also added my site name on a list on people’s sites to check out on a post he made. He may well of forgotten this but I never have. I remember thinking ‘wow, someone has said my name, in a good way……he has a hugely successful site, maybe just 1% of his viewers will check me out, maybe I can make this work!‘. Thank you so much John, it meant the world to me.

Gradually I met more and more people, and was always so proud to see my site listed on blogrolls. I know a lot of people don’t use them, or click them, but when I was starting out, seeing my name there was a huge morale boost.

Eventually I created a couple of projects which really helped things take off. The main reason I did this was to try and create an interactive community, and I wanted to give a reason for people to join in and comment. I started up my IMDB TOP 250 project first, where I want to offer a review for all the films on that list. I knew I would need help, and have been stunned by the amount of people volunteering to help. There are too many to name, but they have their own page on my site and please check them out on the Guest Contributors page HERE. Then I wanted something personal to an individual, so made the Desert Island Film project. Again, I am constantly amazed by the success of that, over 50 entries so far with more asking to join all the time. I always want more volunteers, so if you ever fancy it (or don’t know what it is but would like to learn more) please click HERE. You will also see everyone and their sites that has taken part so far.

I mentioned yesterday what my personal blog highlights were in terms of an individual achievement, and they can be seen HERE. Aside from that, just getting any kind of audience has been overwhelming. When I started out, I would happen across sites such as Fogs’ Movie Reviews & Andy Watches Movies for example, and see the amount of ‘likes‘ and comments they received, and I used to dream of one day getting that kind of response. Now I see other bloggers saying they would love an interactive site like I have here, and that honestly makes me swell with pride. I know I’m still a long way of the numbers of visitors some people get, but believe me, the numbers I have had here are beyond my wildest dreams and I’m so grateful to everyone that has ever stopped by here.

I have seen everyone posting their 2012 stats that WordPress very kindly compiled for us, so thought I would share some of mine.

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 52,000 views from 153 countries in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 12 Film Festivals.

Not bad considering I only started in June! 🙂

My most viewed posts in 2012 were:

1 – The Strangers (2008)
2 – Snowtown (2011)
3 – Tyson’s Friend Dan – Desert Island Films
4 – The Divide (2011)
5 – Casino (1995)

Not only am I gutted that The Strangers has been so popular considering I didn’t like the film, to see out of 50 Desert Island posts, my real life friend Dan as the 3rd most popular of ANY post or review makes me a little bit sick and jealous! Considering he hates movies too, but luckily everyone loved his post, and his humour carried into the post nicely.

These were my 5 most active commenters:

1 – Mistylayne
2 – Mark Walker
3 – Fernandorafael
4 – Eric IPC
5 – Atothewr

Please click their names and visit their site if you don’t already. To these 5 people, thank you so much!!! To everyone else that has commented, I am so grateful to each and everyone of you, but try and break into the top 5 for next year alright!? 🙂

Blog Awards are interpreted very differently from blogger to blogger. Personally, I love receiving them, and have received so many, for which I am eternally grateful. Everyone that has ever nominated me for an award has a link back to their site HERE, but a special mention must go to Marilyn from Serendipity & Mike from Mikes Film Talk who always seem to be passing me some kind of award. You two are amazing for thinking of me, sincerely, and please don’t stop! 🙂

Speaking of awards, a few weeks ago I made a post asking for my readers to go vote for me in some awards Andy from Rorschach Reviews was running. I vowed that if I won the money would go to charity, and I am proud to announce that thanks to everyone that supported and voted for me I won 2 categories; Best Networker and Best Segment for Desert Island Films. I was also runner-up in Best Blogger by 1 vote, so if you didn’t vote I blame you! I kid, I was blown away to do so well, and it’s all because of you amazing readers. You helped raise $30 which went to the Salvation Army, so thanks for voting, and thanks again Andy for giving me the awards and donating the prize money.

Needless to say, I had a blast in 2012, and that’s because of all of you. I genuinely appreciate every single view, like and comment and I pray they continue! Just to finish off, I have a few more personal mentions to give before I sign off for the day, and get back to watching some horror films so I can review them for a change.

My most popular post in regards to comments and interaction was The Face Off – Drive. I have to thank Mark as my winning partner in crime, and Misty & Kloipy for being amazing opponents. I have more lined up for 2013, and I hope they are as well received.

Currently busy working away designing me some new logos for my new site is a man called Chris, more commonly known as Film Hipster. He runs a great site, and is a graphical genius. Please go check his place out, and I hope you are blown away by his work when I show it off my new site. If he ever finishes them, taking his sweet time…….. 🙂

So that was 2012. Looking forward, I hope for more of the same. I can only dream of things improving, but I will strive to try and give you all reasons to keep coming back. I hope 2012 was good to you all, and I hope 2013 is even better. Thank you all, again, so much for stopping by, reading my stuff and joining in to make Headinavice.com what it is today.

Tyson

Posted by Tysoncarter182 on January 3, 2013

https://headinavice.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/tysons-roundup-2012-in-blogging/