Good morning to you. Anonymous people from the internet report that if you do not sum up the past year, you should not start another one. So I decided to reveal a little inside of this blog. If you are not interested in numbers and web charts, you can easily skip this entry.
Blog.
New entries appear extremely rarely. In 2017, 57 appeared on the blog. Not much, but for me it is a space number. Why?
Let's look at it like that. First of all, take any bicycle magazine and see how many full articles are in each issue. Immediately I will tell you that usually less than 20, the vast majority of them do not exceed several thousand characters. The longest texts on this blog also have several thousand ... but words. Respect for anyone who has been able to read eg our relationship with the Azores - there were almost 45,000 characters. For comparison: Mr Tadeusz consists of 68,682 words. One text takes me from a few to several dozen (!) Hours (including visual processing).
I spent nearly 700 hours in the saddle this year, plus dozens of swimming and running and full-time jobs. I do not know exactly how much I ran and swam, because I've been measuring it for a short time, but maybe it's better. I would like to expand my blog a lot, but unfortunately it is not possible to combine this with your sport hobby. Compromises are needed, and with a choice of bike and blog - I choose a bike.
Near 700 hours in the saddle, not one won race. During these hours I could learn fluent conversation in two foreign languages, embrace new skills to earn twice as much, make a mass like a Baywatch rescuer ... but would I be equally happy with the past year?
The only option for more entries is to divide them into smaller pieces, namely: Azores - logistics, Azores - routes part I, Azores - routes part II, Azores - practical information. This would also result in a multiplication of the number of visits to the blog. This will not happen. Long texts are a deterrent, but this is a characteristic feature of this blog. Thanks to this, there is a much higher culture among readers than the average internet.
A trained eye will notice that the amount of text in articles on the blog is comparable on a scale with the amount of text in articles appearing in full-fledged printed cycling publications ... although it is known that this should not be compared.
Several texts appeared as usual in the SZOSA magazine. Writing for a magazine is something completely different. Instead of sitting and writing extensive stupidities, I have to close it and stress myself in the evenings, or have not smoked some stupidity, which could be quickly edited on the blog. I admire the editors of printed magazines.
The most engaging words to discuss this year were: Factor and Rose. Case? I do not think so ;-)
I added 245 posts to Facebook, which were commented on by 1498 people. On average, 15 comments, 3 shares and 169 reactions for each of them.
The most popular wrzutkami are in order: a snowy road to work, a bike choice for Panda, a dumper on Rondo Babka, glowing eggs from China as a lamp, the only start in the MTB race
The saddest post, as you can easily guess, was the photo of the empty tribunes of the Polish Championships on the track. You can always count on the track. It also worried me even to the point where I saw that even the players were honestly decorating their competitors.
Money.
Gentlemen do not talk about money, but it's always nice to see someone in the pocket.
How much does a blog earn?
Last year, the blog earned (read: received cash payments): £ 0.00.
The following ads have been issued on Facebook: 743,46zł
Recently, in the survey on the Maratona MTB / XC website, this blog took the honorable second place. It's a bit funny, because MTB / XC is a bit strange to me. I am far, far away from Bicycle Tips, to whom I will never come closer because of topics I am talking about. Guide posts, especially for a slightly more novice group of cyclists, are reachable kilometers in front of me. RP, in turn, are (in my opinion) far behind Szajbajek who runs the VLOG. For both men blogs are a serious (if not the main) source of income.
I have a lot of objections to the survey, as it was designed to promote average students (what you read vs. what you like the most). This is how to ask: which road do you ride by bike, instead: which way you like to ride a bike the most and decide on this najlepszości. However, it can be safely assumed that the blog is in the lead. What makes me happy, because I write rarely and not very friendly on the so-called one reading session (if you know what I mean ...).
Is it good?
Of course no, it is very bad. How can the fact that I do not earn money be good? ;-)
But seriously: it kills the market and harms others who live or want to live out of it.
In this way, however, it is easiest to appear to a new player in the industry. Large companies are beginning to transfer marketing from kiosks to the internet and would like to be ready for it. I would like to stand with my arms outstretched and say: good morning - I invite you. The problem is that when you do things for free, nobody treats you seriously. Both from the point of view of the companies with whom he cooperates, as well as readers.
And freebies?
The only thing on it I earn it's invitations to presentations, equipment that I got for tests and I never gave back and some freebies like calendar or socks, so that they could be seen in the pictures afterwards. Although in the case of trips is also not fun, because all events are always held in the week (because journalists on weekends have weekends), so you need to take a vacation from work - this is calculated moderately.
To take money or not to take - that is the question.
Let's ask ourselves a quick question: are the loudspeakers in a thousand or ten thousand better? The answer is simple: for ten. You can answer this question without even looking at the parameters. If SZOSA was distributed at intersections like a metro, no one would treat it as a premium product. Despite exactly the same content. If it cost 2x more than now, it would automatically become an even more prestigious product. That's why it's hard for blogs because it's difficult to take them seriously.
The second problem is taking money from companies that send equipment for testing. While in the case of small things it is simple, because you just do not give, then the bike is already a problem. Because what if you write something bad?
In paid reviews, there is rarely any clear criticism. In blogs it is even worse, because the more positive you write, the greater the chance that the described company will harden your text and will be willing to cooperate. Same benefits for everyone! People see a positive opinion about the equipment, you reach a larger audience and you have free advertising. So why risk it?
Worse if you find, even for strength, some problems. And problems can always be found. I have examples of companies that follow nielaurkowym the product description has never been spoken again and hit other - checked places. And this is a wrong loop. Bloggers will never run out, bicycle journals probably too. One falls out of the list, there will be another one. At such moments I am glad that this is not my source of income.
Of course, this is a subjective opinion that no one has to agree with. Especially that bicycles are a special case. I know very positive reviews and advertisements for bicycles that everyone else would say: it goes like wood on a garden hose. But if someone is going well on it, then maybe he is going well? If I borrow some equipment, I try to make it available to my friends for a few days, with which I can confront my opinion. It's a big risk, but I think it falls out like that.
To pay or not to pay - this is also the question.
The preparation of an entry takes me from a few to a dozen (or even several dozen) hours. These are hours between 8-hour full-time work and free time for sport and life. I treat it as an extra hobby that I really like. Because imagine that after a dozen or so hours over the entry you want to show to the world ... you have to pay for it with your own money. This is how Facebook works - I hate it :)
I try not to sponsor entries. Throwing up to PLN 2-5, however, sometimes helps to spread wings a little bit, which for some reason unknown to me have got lost. I will also adopt such a policy for 2018 - maximum PLN 5 per entry.
Why do I do it - I do not know, but it hurts. Especially if you count, that the advertised click on such a link you have to pay from 20gr, in retrospect it does not give you anything measurable. That's why I'm also trying to slowly move away from Facebook towards Googel searches and direct entries. However, I do not know how to comprehend comments - how to motivate people to comment on the site not on the Internet.
This year's lack of advertising caused that the organic and direct entries were ahead of the social media in total:
And the trend is going in the right direction, although to a large extent it is probably due to the growing amount of materials and potential stakeholder. For organic searches it looks like this:
The same is true for the fanpage on Facebook. You do not pay - you do not grow ... although obviously a good chance that it's just me doing something wrong. You can always throw a funny movie from the dump truck and count on it to disperse. Only what, if it will mainly provide recipients from other countries. Funny movie with the dump of kids, to which I used stolen music, saw almost 100k people and was raised from 700 times.
On the other hand, too large a growth is not recommended, because then comments are extremely stupid from people who should not be there. The cost of one like for a fanpage is between 20 and 30grams for me.
Reading and looking
What are you reading?
Curiosity. In the first 14 most popular entries there are no ANY ONE text for route / departure / area. In total, I'm not surprised, I read texts about equipment more often than places.
In the top 24 most visited pages there is one text regarding a region (i.e. logistics, not routes that were described in a separate one): Kolarska Tenerife: bicycle, logistics, prices, reduction
The most read entries are those about training and about Zwiftt. Then this tutorial / column a bit about nothing, and a bit about current topics, then equipment, and then races and routes.
How much do you read?
Numbers for 2017:
Let's look at statistics of visits this year divided into weeks:
It looks quite stable instead of growing, but in the range of several years it is slightly better:
Is this a lot? It does not ridiculously little. I think that a very catchy text about life that accidentally gets on Wykop.pl is able to calmly develop it alone. Probably even any shocking text with a catchy title in style Cyclists do not want to ride bicycle paths on some large portal he would overtake this result many times.
The increase in visits may also be caused by the growing target group. It is not difficult to notice the growing interest in road cycling. Here are the number of people and journeys along the famous Lipkowska driveway in Góra Kalwaria over the years:
The segment starting the famous Gassy loop does not look so positive. Beautifully and homely named the first sprint after warm-up it traveled by over 400 people more than last year, but the total number of journeys is one hundred less. Still, these are ridiculously low numbers - we are talking about 2000 people. Of course, I am talking about people using Strava, but I think that it is definitely more than half of the local cycling world. As a reminder, a 5-digit number of runners competes in each of the large runs in Warsaw.
What did not work?
If for any unfinished or forgiven idea I would leave the penny, I would be able to hire a local Biedronka at the cash register and for at least a year do not owe anyone anything.
For example, I wanted to release my first piece of clothing. Premium winter hat, ready before Christmas - the perfect gift. Project made by jolantaowhich is also responsible for my logo. Everything was even played out with the Lodz sewing, but formalities overcame me. The full profit was to be used for charity, it turned out not so easy ...
Due to the lack of time, which I mentioned at the beginning of the entry, I do not always remember to write back to everyone. I get a lot of inquiries: about the choice of equipment, invitations, requests for sharing, cooperation proposals, asking for a picture in full chapter. I often reply that I will get it when I get back from work, and then I miss the time. Anyone who I did not answer, I'm sorry. However, I stick to the rule: I never share any event in which I do not take part - sorry.
I wanted to organize a fan trip this year for a cross-country competition in Katowice. I took a cheap bus and full logistics. Despite the coarse sponsorship of the event, about 14 people volunteered for a month, nothing came of it. I gave up all plans to organize anything, because it's a pity for nerves. For the February cross-country world championships we are going again a small, harmonious and reliable team.
I did not run on VLOGA. I made some movies, especially at the end of last winter, which we are happy to come back to even today - probably because they have a form from a family VHS video. Unfortunately, recording movies does not go hand in hand with taking pictures and riding at the same time. A few hands and an extra pair of eyes are missing. You can find a few films here: LINK TO YOUTUBE.
Every blogger draws conclusions, I can not be worse
If you saw how many times I was blogging, you would laugh until the evening. Because it's like this: you spend 20 hours over the entry, you choose dozens of photos from several thousand, arrange everything, ask your girlfriend to check, share, pay money, people see it, or else fejs cut your reach ... you get 60 likes. 3 times less than a man who just put a photo of his head on training and 5 times less than a cyclist with the display of his strengths;) I'm not surprised, I click on them myself. You feel like throwing it and saved time for a walk in a nearby park. Because why all this and where the sense?
Fortunately, I managed to cure it, I stopped worrying about the numbers (though of course I keep following to know in which direction it is going). I run a blog as a hobby and thanks to it I learn more, about the places I visited and I have order in the pictures. The form for the future remains unchanged. The texts will be further long and rare and on topics that interest me, not those that click. However, I will try to develop the formula of quick hardware presses, or 500 words about, in such a form that they actually have 500 words. Such a challenge for yourself ;-)
Only three questions remain:
Do you interfere with sponsored entries? (in the sense that the same texts, but marked as "sponsored" on Facebook, and hence - more often displayed)
If I can get the calendars / socks / other crap from the distributor, do I take them and organize a competition on which to win them?
Did blog advertising interfere with the advertising of bicycle equipment, from which 100% of the profit will be used for charitable purposes?
10 entries you may have missed
Finally, a small reminder. As for the most interesting things (subjectively) thrown in by me last year:
Probably the most exotic place that we were able to visit with a bicycle:
The first MTB race for many years and at the same time an event after which I had to cure my psyche for months:
Finding that food is much more pleasant than racing:
A new way to spend spring weekends, that is, 2x250km sets. Holidays compressed up to two days, for example:
and
Podsiodłówka, highway and Sandomierz: holidays at the weekend
The first fatbike ride in our life, which also left a permanent mark on our heads:
Probably the dumbest idea you can come across in the winter - go to the mountains with cross-country bikes:
A classic over classics, the Garda Lake spring:
Cycling Lake Garda: 10 places that your road bike would like to see
Two trips to the US and at the same time the first entry in the history of the blog, in which there is nothing about bicycles:
Hello. I answer your question 3 x No (sounds better but the middle one is really: maybe”. Over the last few years, a few blogs that I like have disappeared and I was sad about that and if you disappear too, I will be very sad because I like what you write and how you write (okay, and the photos of Panda too ;-)). Greetings in the New Year
thanks, although these were more questions out of curiosity than ones that the life of the blog would depend on :-)
1. No
2. Yes!
3. They won't get in the way, even if you were to make money from it, which I think you deserve for putting so much work into your blog.
I answer the question asked at the end of the text 3 times – NO, NO and NO
As for dealing with blog comments with Facebook comments, maybe just change Disquas to the FB comment system? https://developers.facebook.com/products/social-plugins/comments/?utm_campaign=social_plugins&utm_medium=offsite_pages&utm_source=comments_plugin
Yes, but that's exactly what I wouldn't want to do. A surprising number of people don't use Facebook, and they learn about new posts from RSS - it would be great if they could comment too. Maybe one day I'll be able to load comments from Facebook into Disqus ;-)
…but if it doesn't work out in the long run, it will have to be considered
I know how much it costs to create content on a blog, how much free time you have to spend on photos, videos (and their editing), not to mention proofreading (but you have the right people for that). All of this costs (maybe not PLN, but if you convert it to PLN per hour, it will be quite a fortune)
But I am glad that a cycling blog like yours exists on the Polish web. I wish you further success, further development and interesting proposals for cooperation ;-)
Answer the questions:
1. NOPE
2. Ofkors
3. NOPE
ps. What do you think about patronites? You probably thought about something like that, huh? But you'd have to quit your job :P
Patronite is cool, just look at Szajbajka: https://patronite.pl/szajbajk
Changing my full-time job to blog is out of the question though. I like the certainty that I'll be able to survive the winter without starving :)
There's one catch with patronite; you have to have a plan for the whole year that will allow you to operate without having to take out a loan for your hobby. I'm not saying you wouldn't be able to do it, and looking at the content and your non-blog activities, you would gather a large group... Szajbajk has ups and downs (I don't know if you've been following him from the beginning, but he restored the group because... YT blocked accounts and channels, so... $$$ went).
I prefer independence. and also, certainty that I will have something to pay for new wheels, clothes or premium on strava ;)
1. No
2. Yes
3. They won't bother you, even if you were to make money from it
1. NO – I often skip it and it disappears into the depths (because I read it after work and then I forget),
2. IDK – if I say yes, it means I'm waiting for it. Maybe the rule 'whatever I don't need (because why do I need 10 calendars) I give to a contest' will be fair, because you'll have something after all;)
3. Cool idea. Every ad is cool, because regardless of whether it is biased or not – it makes our selection easier. Maybe something will catch our eye;) Best regards
Maciek, as you probably guessed, I know most of the things you wrote about from experience. Over the past year, I have limited my activity to a minimum – I still host the server and bought a domain for another year ;-) My real feelings are as follows: a blog is a hobby. You can make a living from a hobby, but I probably wouldn't want to do it that way. It's simply not a hobby, it's a job... and the question is what will become of your hobby then... Lego blocks? Will you professionally run a blog/vlog about cycling, and as a hobby, assemble Lego blocks after hours...? In my opinion, the key is something completely different... Motivation. If you ride a bike to have material for a blog, then in my opinion, this is the beginning of the end... If you ride because you love it and at the same time take a photo and describe your experiences, then keep doing it. Of course, blogging itself can also be a hobby, and it's great if it is - this is the optimal version. Generally, take care of the motivation to ride and that should be enough :-) I wouldn't count on the money for now, but it's not certain that it won't appear one day because this sport is clearly developing in Poland.
Maciek gave the example of Szajbajka and I will, in turn, give Marek from xouted.com – he also has patronite but it is not as interesting as in the case of Szajbajka.
Bobiko – ask Marek about the statistics. I'm afraid they lie and squeal. And statistics and numbers are the only argument for advertisers. On Patronite it's also hard to find support with his topic.
Szajbajk – hmmm completely different target. I, between god and truth, do not understand his phenomenon. I understand, but I do not understand.
The truth is that to be strong you need to have Google entries. And the biggest traffic there is generated by texts like - what bike to buy. Do you wonder why Michał 1enduro is now doing a series of such posts? Because it does the job. A very good example is, from what I remember, the blog https://www.trasymasy.pl. Do you read? I wouldn't be sure. And it was among the best blogs listed by Marek Tyniec in some ranking. The guy who runs it is an SEO specialist. You can see perfectly how it works. The basic question is, write about what you feel like or what your readers need? Or how to write about what you want so that your readers want it too :)
I used to follow Masa's routes but quickly removed them from RSS for the reasons you wrote about. But... texts like this are unfortunately the future, the inevitability of intelligence that the G-signed intelligence wants to provide.
And that's how Szajbajk works - I was initially positively surprised by the phenomenon of this guy, but... after the way he treated his fans, closing the group on FB (i.e. suspending it) only to unsuspend it a year later because... he has problems, I decided that he's not worth my attention or the attention of the Readers.
From what I remember, he probably closed it after people started criticizing him a lot in the comments. Not everyone can handle that, apparently ;-)
Łukasz, as always on point. I have exactly the same observations. And my motivation is like a sine wave - at first you want to write, make materials, handle SEO etc., but then you realize that to make everything work you spend more time on it than on riding. And that's not good, so I start riding more, but then I start to lack writing and again this loop starts all over again. Running a cycling blog is difficult in general, because cycling takes time. Culinary is different, you eat a hamburger and write whether it's good or bad. It takes two hours at most. I think I'll switch :)
@dorotajuranek:disqus hmmm – good idea with these hambuks :-) have to think about it :-)
Hey. I'll answer here, as the author intended, not on Zuckerportal.
Thanks for the posts and for being eager. As for me, I like your long epics about trips the most – regardless of whether to Sandomierz or Tenerife (the Azores were also great!). Your post about Gran Canaria was very practical, a lot of information was useful when organizing my own trip, and I remember Valley of Tears very well, because at the very end I got an engagement ring as a reward ;)
Equipment tests are boring, existential musings (like the last one about Festive 500) are too long-winded. But I'm still glad there's text and a lot of it (and that there are nice photos, you can see that you're developing in this direction!). From my point of view, it's good that you gave up on video - I can't stand it, I don't watch any vlogs, it would be a waste of your energy and money. There's no shortage of guide and equipment articles on the web (I won't read your 500 words about equipment, sorry), but there's still a dearth of those that awaken and cultivate the joy of riding (apart from Szymon, PNT was such a hit, but as their last entry shows, don't count on a reactivation - because they don't calculate either). That's why I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll still want to write about it. That's why I'm writing this comment (which I do very rarely), because I know from life that nothing clips your wings like a lack of feedback. So this one, keep going! We read you!
Regarding your questions:
1. Sponsored posts on fb don't bother me, I understand the motivation behind them. Plus sometimes there are some malicious comments under them, and that's always a good read and worth coming back to :) On a side note: while writing this comment I noticed that for many people sponsored posts are posts sponsored by corporate marketing, not by you. So the TLDR generation is holding strong on your niche blog too.
2. Contests – I don’t need them, I don’t participate, but if it motivates you to write, then ok.
3. Advertisements – hope not. I like the simple form of your blog, not the gaudy acid-induced crap like a nutcase.
First the questions: No, It can be, No
(As the message says, I'm commenting here and not on FB ;) )
Congratulations on your open analysis of the material. It is precisely because you write without the burden that you have to earn money that this blog is cool, credible, and this analysis is honest. I understand you well. As a hobby (apart from cycling) I dive and take photos underwater. The cost of this fun is exorbitant (but I also work in IT). Sometimes, choosing photos and editing them can take a few hours. You post them on Facebook and get a few, a dozen or so likes. You can get demotivated. But when you think that you don't care, that you are doing it for yourself, that it brings you joy and at the same time someone may benefit, maybe get inspired, or maybe archaeologists will find it in 10 thousand years and show it in a museum of natural history, then you are free from earning likes and money and you do it however you want and have fun. And I wish you this joy in 2018.
Personally, I don't see any obstacles in advertising. Of course, relatively unobtrusive ones ;) . I don't usually take part in contests, but their visibility (just like sponsored articles on Facebook) won't bother me.
Greetings and thanks for reading!
To answer the questions: no, yes, no
1) I don't mind it as long as it's not an advert for JAGU wheels ;-) If you want to reach more people this way, I'll gladly give you a thumbs up. You have to exhibit your art. A painter who paints something and hangs it on his wall, only shows it to his friends, he won't gain much from it. You write on a blog, not in a diary, you do it well, so brag about it and try to reach others.
2) The competition is a great idea. A bottle from the starter pack for a like and comment would increase popularity for more than one person. If I have the opportunity, I participate in these games. Just look at how CCC boosted the popularity of its Facebook profile by throwing a place for each stage to be selected in the comment and sending a bottle, a pen and a Christmas tree to the car (I got it and it was a joy out of nothing). Cost? Basically, shipping and the effects are encouraging.
3) Advertising equipment doesn't bother me as long as it's advertising and doesn't leave too much room for boobs and a cat. Some companies might be bothered by it for image reasons.
Since you ask for comments on the site, I will also join the discussion, because I read everything, but I do not provide the reactions you list in the article.
In answer to the questions:
1. No. As you wrote, it's a blog for a limited group of people who like your page anyway, so fb should handle the issue (that's how it works for me).
On the other hand, of course, advertising is the lever for… a blog.
2. Quite a good idea to easily boost the "popularity" of your blog and fanpage
3. No, it will commercialize the blog after all. Despite donating profits to charity (there will also be haters demanding perfect accounting from you), when buying equipment from manufacturers you will probably have to fit into some scheme, and as a result the form of the texts will change a bit…
No
Yes
No
I will add that reading your texts is a pleasure. Because of you I bought myself a magazine SZOSA so that I could read another one and you can also be blamed for subscribing to that magazine. Every time I sent my friends a link to something you posted I got one specific comment: "awesome!" Have fun writing and we will have fun reading :)
Maciek, you write in a cool style, I've read all your topics, personally I don't mind some kind of sponsorship from any companies, because if you show, present or compare something, you can see it on the roads anyway, or when SZAJBAJK (I also read) started writing and riding a Cannondale, the whole of Poland didn't ride, and later Merida, and somehow there weren't any cyclists on those products. I'm more scared of so-called bloggers, vloggers or YouTubers, experts in everything, but you can't really see them on the roads, at events or even at races, and you show it all together with Panda.
Thanks for this post, because it's a great opportunity to thank you and appreciate the huge amount of work! Your blog is a great piece of work, something practically unprecedented in the cycling blogosphere. Special thanks for the reports from trips and races. It's not only a solid portion of entertainment, but also an incredible inspiration and know-how. You've already permanently changed my approach to cycling. Thanks. :) It's probably not enough, but for now it will have to suffice until you come up with something better. It's great that you're still fighting. Lately, somewhere between the lines I've noticed some tiredness, doubt and I was afraid that you'd suspend your activity like that blogger who also had a cool logo and would jump out like a jack-in-the-box every 6 months, or like that other blogger you'd go off somewhere to seek the wind in the field and all you'd be left with are socks or a hat (the #petarda hat!). Good luck in 2018!
Regarding your questions:
– number one is ok for me, but I don't use FB and I don't understand the question,
– number two means additional duties and specific activity on the blog, but it's your blog. Actually, it's probably funny that it's number two? ;)
– three is also ok, I use AB – but I can tax myself in a charity of your choice or on Patronite.
And off the record, because what do I know, writing a comment is a chore for me (I appreciate it even more that it's not a vlog). Maybe change the publishing cycle? I'll wait, I guess many will too? Maybe at least test what comes of it. Every industry has its silly season and everyone needs a vacation. Don't waste your energy on another post about the Rapha 500, if you know what I mean. And exclusivity probably sells, looking at the Szosa.
First questions: No, Yes, No. The blog itself and your (although there is also a lot of Panda in the texts and photos, so I don't know if it's not yours ;) ) posts are great to read. In general, I think you have such a cool writing style that even someone not interested in cycling could read it with interest and often with a smile on their face. For me, the most interesting posts are the travel posts. Thanks to the description of Tenerife, I went with my family, used the recommended climbing site and did Anage from Teide. If it weren't for this post, I wouldn't even consider it. I also value your local expeditions, they really inspire me to check out new places. I can check the descriptions of training, wadding or diet elsewhere. I treat your posts as a natural approach to a passion pursued after work hours. I like that :).
Good job Hop! All the best in 2018! Thanks for the good advice including the best one. What bike to buy? Nice :)
1. No
2. Yes
3. No, but invest it in a blog! For charity it's better than Hussar in Sobótka.
In relation to statistics, person-rides and short forms, add something for beginners. I think there are a lot of people who would like to try, but I have the impression that there is an atmosphere of slight fear. So from the outside, one can get the impression that cycling is expensive, difficult and unpleasant.
In answer to the questions:
1 – No, I don't pay attention to it
2 – If you want to play it, then sure. Small ranges mean a bigger chance of winning, hee hee
3 – No, although I don't understand why for charity? Put it in your pocket, you'll have enough for buns. The basis of the blogosphere is "commercial cooperation", after all.
I think it was only in 2017 that I started reading this blog regularly – which is probably related to the fact that it is my first year on the road. And although I am far from the “road world”, I have done less than 2000 km this year, I do not wear long socks and I ride a trib, I enjoy reading you, Mr. Hop. I will drool over the bikes I will never buy, I will read about the routes I will never ride (because my fitness does not allow it), I will look at fantastic photos, I will laugh because we probably have a similar sense of humor and I am satisfied :) And I read the posts that discuss the latest Festive 500 with the greatest pleasure. Although, as someone wrote here earlier, it would be nice to see something for beginners – but I understand that for one reason or another you do not want to play with it :)
And last but not least, congratulations. You have created a great place on the internet, keep doing it, because it would be a shame if you were to close. I hope that in a year's time in such a summary on the profit side there will be some money. What I wish you in 2018 :)
I'm excited, I read and I applaud. Because you have a cool style and something that is not common on the Internet - reverence for content! And by the way - if you use "a" in the form of a connecting conjunction - don't put a comma before it. Verified information. Peace outside!
for me the greatest reward after 30 minutes of reading a long post is an insert like: "If I put aside a penny for every unstarted or abandoned idea, (...)" :-))))))), thanks!
Ad. 1 No, they don't interfere.
Ad. 2 Yes, take it and keep it for yourself or for a competition (at your discretion).
Ad. 3 No, they won't interfere in any way, especially with this concept ;)
Hello Maciej,
Now that I know where and how to write a comment, I will answer these 3 questions like this:
1. No, because in my opinion you write honestly, and even when subjective, still with sense and humor ;-)
2. Yes and yes, not necessarily on Facebook (but there will always be someone disappointed that they didn't win/received such a gift)
3. No, and it will only depend on you how you allocate this profit. Maybe this blog is a hobby but having "money" from it is not a disgrace. You write for readers, they have a dose of information/entertainment/knowledge of anything that will be included in the entry so you have the right to have both satisfaction from "readability" and additional income compensating/rewarding your time devoted to others.
Regarding the "mood swings" and motivations of you and Mamba (her blog is also on my reading list), it's probably natural that there are ups and downs (i.e. sine wave ;-) ), besides, one (i.e. driving - even around the parking lot ;-) ) can be, and probably is in your case, a cause of the other (i.e. the desire to write about these wound up wheels)
Best regards and I wish you more successful texts
Your blog is the only place I know where you can finally read a valuable, in-depth text about cycling. With a flood of thousands of shallow, superficial, a few-sentence posts, blogs, videos, articles, from which absolutely nothing valuable results, your activity/creation/activity is the only place I know where you can read something valuable and not just on the surface. So if you ask whether to continue writing, my answer is YES, if you write, whether to flatten, shorten, embellish with silly videos/photos, please NO. I prefer to read something once, rarely, but sensible than daily pap for a quarter-intellectual. I give portals and bloggers praising sponsored products a wide berth, because just as much valuable results on this subject come from the opinion of my 4-year-old son. I am reminded of this particular occasion, a song-like article about wheels of a certain company, which a blogger I personally know praised to the skies, while it is common knowledge that the discs of this company are anvils made of shred. The climax was already the confirmation of an opinion contrary to the one on the blog in a private conversation. So, I prefer to read an objective text than sponsored pap, so if you are going to write sponsored texts/reviews, forgive me, but I probably won't click. However, I fully understand the economic aspect. However, I would gladly buy a monthly subscription to valuable content, rather than read catchy "sawdust". Long, ambitious texts arouse my respect and interest. I await them like ROADS with bated breath. I admire them and don't change anything, unless for the better even more in-depth.
I sign under the above, with both hands and feet. It is known that worse money drives out better, but do not let it.
I found your blog probably through FB and currently I find out about new entries from there. I don't ride on the road (XC for fun - I don't take part in any competitions and I don't intend to, and "ęduro") but I like your style and read it with pleasure, because you can see real passion in your texts. For example, I stopped watching Szaja, because you can see that he has started to be a bit of a star and speaks on topics he has little knowledge about - which is probably the result of the pressure for money (e.g. his smart-ass talk about enduro, while people write to him in the comments that he is wrong). So 'keep rolling' - your blog is on my top list :)
Maciek, as a feedback: I've been reading your blog for about two years, regularly for over a year. I have the impression that I haven't missed any text that you've published here in the last dozen or so months. I don't come in through Facebook, I usually start the page on my finger every Monday, checking if there's anything new. I like your texts, sense of humor and distance to everything. All of this makes reading even long texts on your blog a pleasure.
As for the questions – asked more in the form of "throwing them into the crowd" – I don't think anyone will have anything against these activities, especially if they can activate your readers in some way.
If you want to motivate people to comment here, then I think it's worth mentioning it simply – in the form of asking questions to readers.
And I support the idea of more people identifying as beginners in road cycling – I feel that way myself, even though I've been riding for over 4 years.
To sum up – good job, keep it up!
1. No
2. Take
3. No – but invest in whatever you want – no one is looking into your wallet. We have value from you in the form of a great cycling blog! IMO the best.
BTW: Keep up the good work on YouTube!
All the best in the new year!
I read almost all the articles with great pleasure and I always wait for the next one because careful, thoughtful and brilliant text and illustrations are Hop Cycling's strong point. I wish you perseverance and further creative inspiration.
As for the spoonful of tar, I personally am slightly bothered by the note of snobbery peeking out from between the lines of the text, but I understand that, just like in "Szosa", such are the marketing requirements of elitism.
Regards
1. No
2. Yes
3. No
Great job, don't give up and keep working :)
The trend on the internet indicates that content is also coming back into favor (instead of pasting images), so maybe in some time your statistics will also go up and the blog will allow you to earn money. However, as @rovver:disqus mentioned, you can't combine a hobby with work, because then you always lose one :-) Either you ride because you love it and when you feel like it you describe it, or you ride because you have to, because that's how you earn money. But where's the fun in that? Going out for a bike ride even when you don't feel like it, because you have to post something on the blog? Horror...
Quality.
Quality is also starting to play an important role again in this whole human mess. Handmade things, high-quality clothing, food without Mendeleev – this is starting to be important again. So it would be good if you, too, continued to stick to this quality. Quality that can only be when you don’t have to force yourself to write another post. So do it only when you feel it. Once a week? Okay. Once every two weeks? Okay, we’ll wait.
A profession that successfully combines running a widely read blog with earning money is that of a dietitian.
A visit to a well-known dietitian with a good blog costs twice as much as a visit to an “ordinary” dietitian.
Maybe you should start charging for cycling consultations?
The stupider the question (“What bike for up to PLN 4k?”), the more expensive it is.
Ad.1 It depends. I don't care
it bothers me and I doubt that your descriptions are dripping with Vaseline. Facebook does not exist for me, I do not use it and I would prefer you to remember about such entities.
Ad.2. I'm afraid that you'll rather discourage me with such actions for such trifles. I would take, present and describe. When you accumulate unnecessary gadgets, you can do spring cleaning or charity auctions from time to time.
Ad3. It doesn't bother me. I would prefer that all profits go to you. If you want to help charity, you can always promote "Something" or make a deduction from your tax return.
I don't buy the argument that I will share with you the crap I receive, or that what I get from you/thanks to you I will give to those in need.
Remember, I love your posts and photos. I like your frequency of publications. I wouldn't like to read you every day, because your posts/experiences are about the longer perspective, "walking with the subject". I like that and thank you.
Maybe try posting a donation or something like a “freedom scholarship.”
Your blog so write in a way that you are happy with it. I know, it's easy for me to say. Should the entries be shorter? No, I'll just make a second coffee or finish reading after training.
Man does not live by numbers alone and we should not evaluate our work by numbers alone.
For example, I don't have FB (the logged in one is fake to spy on friends ;) ) and I enter your blog from favorites. I read every entry this year to the very end and I like the non-equipment ones the most. What's more, I don't even have a road bike yet, I don't know what I do, I just ride for fun on an MTB bike (26″ oh my) mainly in flat Mazovia, sometimes a trip to the mountains.
I love this blog and your writing style, don't change it and don't fight for likes, shares and other…
You can run contests, I don't mind advertising even if you take the money for yourself - you deserve it.
Keep it up and good luck in 2018!
IMO you have created a product (blog) containing very high quality content, but targeted at a narrow audience (I would define the main audience as an advanced amateur with secondary/higher education, the main age range is 25-40). Naturally, with this form of product you will NEVER break into the mainstream (long form of entries, often heavy, intelligent and ironic text, no so-called "clickbaits"). If you do not want to change the form of the blog to a more "mainstream" one (and I hope that will not happen), then if you want to earn money you MUST change the method of advertising and monetization. You CANNOT use the methods used by "mainstream" blogs to earn money, classic ads on the blog or sponsored texts will not give you anything, because by producing the kind of content you produce you will never have such reach that it would be a significant source of income. I would rather go for earning directly from readers, i.e. paid premium texts, e.g. best guides, opinions + photos to download in printable resolution + some "exclusive" videos. PATRONITE is also a very good idea.
I will write it again – with such an ambitious form of blog you will never have such reach to earn money from classic internet advertising. If you want to earn money from blogging (and I sincerely wish you this) go for direct sponsorship from readers (PATRONITE).
I hope you will follow my advice and in a year you will write that thanks to me you started earning money :) Greetings from Warsaw ;)
1. No, they don't bother.
2. Take them.
3. No, they won't interfere.
Cycling is a luxury good. The barrier to entry is relatively high, and that's just the beginning.
Cycling is demanding but also addictive, even absorbing. All the people speaking here are people who are wondering whether today (Saturday, January 20) they will go out on the road or I will be smashing the base on the trainer. These are people dedicated to the cause.
After all, these are people who have the money to pursue their cycling hobby and can appreciate everything that brings positive value to this hobby.
Now the question is: who are you directing your blog to?
You can't make money off of mass. We all know the reality.
The level of your content is high and already requires some knowledge from the reader. Knowledge that 99% of those 70% who supposedly ride bikes in this Country - do not have and will not have, because they are not interested.
You won't lower your level because it will destroy your ambitions and ultimately your blog.
We remain your target.
Your offer is luxurious, aimed at people who can afford and appreciate this luxury.
Will ads or payments kill your blog traffic? A small percentage will probably drain away, but you'll still come out ahead. Is there anything wrong with that? Absolutely not. Spending tens (hundreds) of hours a month producing high-quality content that you still have to pay extra for - that's crazy. Positive, but crazy nonetheless :)
Kind regards.