Young House Love

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The Facts & Figures Of Blogging

Fire up your laser pointers and bunsen burners. We’re back with our yearly numerical slash statistical goodness. Each year we like to break down what YHL looks like by the numbers. Some are crazy. Some are surprising. Some are serious. Some are, well, just for fun.

Number Post Blogiversary

Oh and this year we thought we’d include a few fun blog facts that might blow your mind (no guarantees though, your mind might remain intact).

Fun Bloggy Fact #1: Each month the cost for us to host our site (so it loads well/doesn’t crash, etc) is more than our mortgage payment.

Fun Bloggy Fact #2: We have written over 2,311 posts in the past five years, and if they each took an average of 2.5 hours to write (that’s the usual with uploading & editing pics) that means we’ve spent 5,777.5 hours writing posts, which translates to over 240 straight days of post-writing (without any sleep).

Fun Bloggy Fact #3: There have actually been Internet rumors about us, which always strike us as extremely hilarious for some reason. They’re usually of the “Sherry is pregnant” variety (I joke that I would have ten kids already based on their frequency) but perhaps the most random one was something we learned about when John’s mom called to say that her sister’s friend told her we were Mormons (which apparently is a popular rumor about us). Who knew?! There’s nothing wrong with being a Mormon, it’s just not our religion – so it’s pretty funny when your relatives hear something like that through the Internet grapevine! Also, in case you’re wondering, I’m not prego. Haha.

Fun Bloggy Fact #4: The total value of all the giveaways that we have hosted on our site in the past five years is over $55,000! And we’ve given away more value in prizes over the last two months (over $15,000!) than we did over the entire first two years of hosting them on our site.

Fun Bloggy Fact #5: Blogging is the longest job either of us have ever held (if you count the full five years that we’ve done it, not just the more recent ones when it was our full-time profession).

Fun Bloggy Fact #6: Tori Spelling once called us (herself! For real!) to chat about producing a TV show with us. True story. She was really nice (and there was a goat and a chicken in the background, which was hilarious) but you guys know that we’re waaaay too awkward to pursue a TV show gig. I can barely survive almost touching hands with Nate Berkus. We’re just happy to hide safely behind our laptops. As for when the call took place, it was actually right after Hurricane Irene, so we were camped out at John’s parents house where they had power, and I took this picture to forever memorialize the event.

Conference Call On Floor

Fun Bloggy Fact #7: Last month our site got 5.5 million page views (crazytown) and our total number of page views for all time is over 143 million (which is funny because we pretend we’re writing to ten people to avoid blog stage fright).

OK, now on to a slew of straight-up-stats. We’ve included some of last year’s numbers just for comparison’s sake, but you can also look back at our past by-the-numbers posts for our last four blogiversaries to see how things have changed: 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

1,043,621  – The number of total comments left by you fine folks. Nearly double our number last year (570,314) meaning there has been nearly as much commenting action in the last 12 months as our first four years.

76,825 – The number of comment responses we’ve posted ourselves, which is nearly double last year’s total (38,754).

Pamen – Default name Clara gives anything if you ask her “hey, what’s that bear’s/doll’s/person’s name?” (Aemon is her second most popular choice). No idea where either of those came from…

4 – Our longest span (in days) of not blogging over the last 1,827 days, also known as the last five years (through having a baby, an earthquake, a hurricane – we’re like the postal service, haha).

3 – Average number of times a week we find ourselves at Home Depot.

DayLife 17 Home Depot

143 – The number of published posts to date on Young House Life (clearly someone’s gotta pick up the slack over there, especially when compared to the 2,311 posts that we’ve written on YHL).

21 – Number of months we’ve lived in our new house.

27 – Clara’s weight. Up from 21 lbs last year. She’s tall and skinny like her daddy.

8  – My main man Burger’s weight. A smidge down from a whopping 8.5 lbs last year.

198 – Total number of weekly giveaways that we’ve held since starting them back in November of ’08 (after you guys requested them during our very first blogiversary).

35  – Our average number of posts per month.

4 – Number of soda-themed shirts that John owns (up one from last year’s total thanks to adding a Coke one to the Dr. Pepper, Sprite, and Pepsi collection).

303 – Number of Instagram photos posted to date.

Instagram Pic

1,800 – Average number of words written per post (we’re chatty, huh?).

14,400 – Average number of words written per week (admittedly, this is kind of insane).

629 – The total number of projects that we link to on our Projects page (we still have around 40 to add, but haven’t gotten to that part of our to-do list yet. Sorry!)

70 – Number of Clara photos that we’ve taken for her photo project (52 weekly pictures + 17 monthly pics + 1 for her birthday card).

933,962 – Number of Pinterest followers (this. is. insane.)

1 – Number of ears remaining on Clara’s Olivia doll for her dollhouse (don’t ask, it was a terrible tragedy and we try not to speak of it).

One Eared Olivia

So there you have it. The stats of the year. Do you guys count things like average trips to Home Depot or how many soda shirts you own? Are we the only weirdos who document this stuff?

Psst- You can also look back at our past by-the-numbers posts for our last three blogiversaries here: 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job. 

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    You “ditched” Tori?! Say what?! You guys are crazier than I thought! ;) I remember when she talked about you all on her blog! Your numbers are literally insane! Where does it even go from here?

    Reply

  2. Rebekka says

    I think that a rumor about you guys being Mormon is a wonderful compliment!! All of the Mormons I know are the nicest people I’ve EVER met, and they just seem to love life! My fiance and I joke that we should convert so that we will be nice and happy all of the time!!

    Reply

  3. Mary Kate says

    This was an awesome read! I also can’t help but ask, did Tori Spelling call you about Craft Wars? I immediately thought of you guys when I saw the show.

    Reply

  5. Erika says

    Wow – had no idea it costs so much to run a blog!

    Very interesting #’s; glad I didn’t have to research all those facts and figures!

    Reply

  6. Cat says

    A mini clamp to hold Olivia’s ear in place and some epoxy would fix her right up! I can’t tell you how many small and delicate toys my dad fixed that way when I was a kid.

    (That is, provided you still have the errant ear…)

    Reply

  7. Sabrina says

    I am actually really glad you guys aren’t doing a tv show, makes you more relatable. Keep up the great work! As far as Olivia’s ear, my cat has systematically eaten all of barbies fingers off and nibbled on Rapunzel’s toes! My 3 year old keeps telling her she is a “very horrible person” lol

    Reply

  8. Emily E says

    The Mormon thing makes me chuckle. It kinda makes sense since you guys don’t drink alcohol or coffee and that’s usually what people associate with being a Mormon. (I am one, so those are usually the first questions I get.)

    Reply

  9. Tracey says

    I can’t even imagine someone saying “your baby’s ugly” (I’m guessing that was just an example and didn’t really happen.) But sadly, even though I can’t imagine it, I’m sure it does. I’ve been reading The Pioneer Woman for years and there’s actually a dedicated website about how bad she sucks. Really? How could someone be so cruel? (Jealousy?) UGH. Anyway! Thanks for the stats. I’ve always been terrible at math, so I kinda thought this was gonna be dry/go over my head, but you guys even manage to make math fun! Go fig!

    P.S. – Stat #1 – Holy cow! Really???? =O

    Reply

  10. Kate says

    As a fellow blogger, I love, love, love how transparent you guys are and how much “behind the scenes” stuff you share. Really educational and fun! Didn’t starting reading until about a year ago but have since gone back and like, stalked y’all and read tons of old posts.

    Thank you for sharing your blog lives! Keep up the good work!

    Reply

  13. janetl says

    I’ve been reading for the last two years and the site has really grown in a short amount of time. A lot of these numbers are craziness. I didn’t realize you have internet rumors now. You also share so much of your private life, do you feel like it could get to a point where it will be too big?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      In some weird way we’re comforted that we are only two people, because it can only get as big as something that two people can run, which can’t be too huge, right? At least that’s what we tell ourselves :)

      xo,
      s

  15. Michelle says

    For a work presentation a few weeks ago, we needed a fun fact. We just finished a huge home remodel and I kept all Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace and IKEA receipts in a big gallon sized bag in my giant purse to facilitate easy returns…so my fun fact was that I had 37 Home Depot receipts in my purse at that time! NUTS!

    Thanks for 5 years of awesome. You’ve helped me love our home more, saved us thousands during the home buying process by insisting on a radon mitigation and asbestos mitigation system and helped me grow more creative. You guys are amazing!

    Reply

  16. Betsy says

    Really like your blog, found you way back when you were in your first house….One feature you do, that I really like is the Reader Redesign, whats the stat on that? I think that would be so encouraging to be featured on a blog like yours, in fact when I go to your featured blog, that is always the comment I see… how flattered they are you spotlighted them! Hope you are blessed with many more wonderful years….

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm I wonder how many we have featured over the years. Might have to go back and count! We shared about 52 since last year since they pop up about once a week!

      xo,
      s

  17. Elise says

    1. I recently started counting how many striped articles of clothing (mostly shirts) I own but stopped because I was too ashamed of where the number was heading.

    2. 934k Pinterest followers?!?!?! Wooo! That is insane!!

    3. You posted 77k responses to comments last year? Major dedication!

    Reply

  18. Nancy says

    It’s cute how kids pick certain names to name
    everything. My son called every stuffed
    puppy, Timber, for awhile. The default name is
    now Fish 1 or Fish 2.

    I love watching how your new house evolves. I
    found your site when I think your old house
    was completed.

    Reply

  19. meredith says

    the Mormon thing made me laugh. i’m Mormon, and i have never once thought you guys might be, so i guarantee you that rumor must have been started by someone who is NOT Mormon! when you have been Mormon all your life, there are little things that clue you in immediately– i can spot a Mormon blog right away! :)

    i do have to say that your blog is one of my faves, though. when i see i have a post of yours waiting for me to read in my Google Reader, i read all the other ones first and save yours to the last… save the best for last i was always taught! and i think it’s so fun that you guys have a job that allows you to work together, do something you love, spend time with your family, and make your house a home at the same time. not many can say the same so i’m sure you consider yourselves very blessed!

    (p.s. can’t even imagine keeping up with all the emails/comments/FB posts that you do… i almost feel guilty giving you MORE to read!)

    Reply

  21. Brenda Kula says

    I don’t think I’ve ever commented over here. Due to the sheer volume of comments you generate. I like you guys though. One reason is, I think we may be the only folks/bloggers left who do not truncate their posts fearing the horrid content monger/fiends. I didn’t notice, but if you don’t watermark your photos, we’d be in that same category as well. I figure if someone wants to steal my posts about my dogs having diarrhea and pancreatitis I suppose the world won’t come to an end. I prefer not to sit and worry over such things. I just want to write and take pictures, which I’ve been doing for five years over at Cozy Little House. And if you guys had to jump through all those crazy hoops, I doubt you’d have the time to count up all these random things that are in this post. I like the one about the tragic ear the best. But the rest are pretty clever too.
    Brenda

    Reply

  22. Elizabeth says

    I wonder if the Mormon thing is because of John’s teetotalling and soda problem interest. All the Mormon guys I know don’t drink (obv) and are therefore obsessed with, like, artisanal small-batch root beer and Dublin Dr Pepper.

    Reply

  23. katalina says

    wow!

    with those post stats is there any time to demo a kitchen or breathe ??

    you guys work so hard… reading your blog every day is the only blog I read every day.

    I love how Burger gets in the photos and clara always looking or peeking through a window.

    how does Burger sneek inside home depot? my sister and her australian dog were in HD when he was a puppy was told to leave HD because of liability?! !

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! We usually tackle big projects after Clara’s in bed (8 – 12 is our magic time) so if we’re not on the sofa with our laptops, sometimes we’re off painting something or swinging a sledgehammer. Haha! As for HD, the one near us allows dogs in all the time (in a cart, walking on a leash, etc). Maybe it varies by location?

      xo
      s

  24. Elaine says

    Since John is always talking about you wearing a black shirt, or not, how about including the number of black shirts you own? :) And soda shirts are cool! We call that “pop” here in Kansas. And “coke” out in California where we came from!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hahah! I think Clara likes the drama of it. She’s always holding it and saying “oh no, baby! did you hurt the ear? I take you to the doctor!” – it’s hilarious.

      xo
      s

  27. liz says

    I’m dying over the Tori Spelling phone call! And Clara is only 27 lbs? I’m in for back surgery with my almost-eight month old! Charlie is a whoppin 31lbs!

    Reply

  28. Mollie says

    Super cool on the Tori offer! I’ve always had a soft spot for her. She seems to keep it real and be super sweet. I like her style too. Totally respect you for staying true to yourselves and not doing something just for financial or promotional gain. Buuuuuut I wouldn’t be upset if you collaborated for a one-time special or something. :) maybe a little Katie/tori/sherry action while the men looked on. Haha.

    Reply

  29. Smith207 says

    We almost named our son Eamon but decided against it because it is difficult to say/spell. Glad that Clara approves! We’ll keep it on the list if we have another boy.

    Reply

  31. Nicole says

    Wow, you two are awesome, and these stats prove it! I love reading your blog everyday and hope your book tour takes you close enough for me to meet you in real life… congratulations and good luck with blogging year 6!

    Reply

  32. Ruth says

    My sister once got to know from my mom, who heard it from a neighbor, that she (my sister) is going to marry soon… Its hilarious if other people spread the word if nobody proposed to you at all…
    So… Congratulations to your twin-pregnancy Sherry ;-)

    Reply

  33. kristi says

    I also wanted to add that my daughter is only 17 months and weights 27 lbs. 11 oz. and is 33.5″ tall. She’s probably the same as Clara! OMG I hope I don’t sound like a Clara stalker. She is one of the reasons that I connected with this blog. New parents with a cute little girl, fixing up their second home, it’s the same deal here but my blog was stale so I let it go. Keep up the good work!

    Reply

  36. Angie says

    Reading your blog makes me feel happy. You are not pretentious, very witty and obviously real people.

    Your consistency and response is a huge part of the success.

    Thanks for being a bright spot in a world full of consumerism, advertising and scaminess.

    Reply

  37. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    These stats seriously blow my mind haha I have no idea how you guys do it but I’m so glad that you do because you inspire me every day and I don’t know what I’m going to do when you guys stop blogging!

    PS: PLEASE don’t stop blogging! :)

    Reply

  38. Wendy says

    If you do ever want to test out the Mormon rumor in Utah, you will probably love our fine state.

    As a very recent newcomer, I can say it’s one of the best family places around (our city ranked in the top 10 for the US for places to raise a family), has immense cultural diversity, phenomenal thrift shops, and fabulous running/biking/hiking/kayaking/caving/etc.

    This past weekend we were able to drive the short (20 minutes through the canyon) bit to volunteer at the XTERRA US trail running championships which happened the day after the XTERRA US triathlon championships. The leaves were at peak color as we worked outside of the Olympic Lodge at Snowbasin.

    My hub (whose family is LDS, but only one sib lives in UT) remarked the other day, “even the cell phone people are nice!” in shock to which I responded, “do you want to return to DC and get a dose of it for a day?”

    You’re always welcome here.

    Oh and it’s the 150th anniversary of the Union Pacific Railroad, so train bonanza! :-)

    Reply

  39. jessica says

    Three trips to Home Depot a week is pretty good! Some weeks, we average three trips a day to Lowe’s. It’s not pretty. We’re thankful for the 5%-off-when-you-use-a-Lowe’s-card business.

    Reply

  40. Ginny @ goofymonkeys says

    LOL – I love this post. Sort of a random summation of you guys.

    I think it’s awesome that you turned down Tori Spelling – Not because I wouldn’t watch a show, but because it was about KNOWING YOURSELVES and staying true to that. And that’s an awesome thing. I’ll bet it was tempting though! And so flattering.

    I’ll have to head back in time to see what your first blogiversary says and how I stack up LOL!

    Reply

  41. Dani says

    I have to tell you a lot of the views my blog gets is from google searches of “Are John and Sherry Petersik mormon?” I am Mormon (don’t know if I wrote about it on my blog though? I just looked, I have a “I’m a Mormon” html thingy on my side bar.) and I think I mentioned some inspiration from your blog a couple times so I guess the two things merge on my blog according to google. So I guess my blog is getting an audience from being a parasite on rumors about you. (Thanks, I guess!) I promise I’m not the one spreading them around. People probably think that because you guys mentioned that you don’t drink coffee or alcohol and you come off as really nice. At least, I’d like to think Mormons have a rep for being nice :)

    Reply

  42. Liz says

    WOW! I have to admit that you have inspired me to start a blog but I had no idea how hard you both work! I don’t think I will be a big as you two, but then again I bet you never thought your lil’ old blog would be this big either! Keep the amazing post coming and i can’t wait to get my hot little hands on your book!

    Reply

  43. Mary says

    I can’t wait until your book comes out on my Nook Color! Seeing all the things you have attempted, even those that didn’t work out, encourages me to try something new. It’s like giving myself permission to make mistakes. Keep up the great work!

    Reply

  44. Michelle G. says

    Congratulations on your 5th Blogiversary!!!! I was magically introduced to you guys only this past year, but have managed to look at practically everything you both have conquered. I love it!!! Congrats and happy blogging!

    Reply

  46. kjpugs says

    ((Guilty Face)) I was one of those people who was POSITIVE you were pregnant a few months ago!!!!!!! Probably because 1) I wish I was and 2) you guys make ADORABLE babies!!!!!!!! (That must be weird to be told but come on, Clara is adorable!) So… I am sorry if that made you feel weirded out! Thanks for not blocking me on twitter in anger, haha.

    Reply

  47. Jane Davidsaver says

    I absolutely LOVE this posting! Thank you so much for your honesty…it is extremely refreshing. You always make me smile. Jane~

    Reply

  48. LARY @ Inspiration Nook says

    HAHA love this. Is crazy once you put everything in numbers how it all adds up. I suggest you do a count on “how many projects readers have done inspired by you”. It might be a crazy number! (I think I’ve done a total of 10).

    Reply

  49. Emma says

    More than your mortgage payment! That makes me cringe. The thought of an affordable project blog being so expensive makes me wonder what our future is like over at Broke Ass Home!

    Reply

  50. Erin says

    Love it!!! Thanks for letting me peak into your lives for the last three and half years (that’s when I found the blog).

    And love that Tori called you!!!
    yes, I’m on a first name basis since going to her book signing whilst I was in LA in April. She’s a sweetheart….though I think I freaked her out a bit when I started talking about how long I’ve watched her on 90210 (since it came out in 1990, I was in 6th grade) and how I watched all the reality shows…..my BF says I “geeked” out on her….but HEY, I would do the same if I meet you at your book signing!!! When are you coming to Chi-town!?? (I know you said you’re still deciding, so don’t answer. It was more rhetorical…)

    Reply

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