As our sixth blogiversary winds down (and we stow the t-shirt launchers and airhorns until next year) we wanted to thank you guys for the good times. Hashtag thanks for the memories (please tell me you’ve seen this). Last year’s blogiversary concluded with a geeky graphic round-up of some of the most interesting stats from our annual reader poll, and this year nearly 30,000 of you guys took the poll at the end of Wednesday’s post, which was a pretty big contrast to our first blogiversary poll where I copied and pasted all 199 comment responses into a spreadsheet by hand). It was interesting to see what has changed since last year’s infographicized recap (and what hasn’t) along with just generally hearing what makes you tick.
In case you’re one of those people who’s like “BOO PICTURES. ME NEED MORE WORDS!” the gist is that on average you guys gals are largely 20-to-30-something, married women who enjoy reading blogs (surprise!) and reading books, who could use a little more dancing in your lives (couldn’t we all, really?). And as for anyone who’s not in the majority of a certain category, you aren’t fringe data, you’re extra special (heck, I’m a very rare species around here myself, being a guy and all). You know we love a smorgasbord.
PS: Guess Who graphic from here.
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.
Deanna says
So fun – love that you two do this. So surprised that only 25% are married or engaged – especially since 68% are home owners. Not that those have to correlate, but I just find it surprising I suppose :)
Have a great weekend!!!
N Shirley says
I am so excited! I am finally a member of the “one percent” as Mitt Romney once mentioned….oh…. not THAT one percent? Nevermind…..
James Hogan says
There are very few instances in life when I can be counted among the “1 percent.” Thanks for making a guy feel special! Congrats on six years of blogging, and cheers to the next half dozen.
Hashtag AWESOME.
Jessica says
Happy to be representing the less than 1% located in Asia. :) I miss decorating and you guys help to satisfy some of that–even if only virtually. Thank you!
Linda says
I happen to be one married woman who does not fall into your other categories! I am 62 and just LOVE your blog and your enthusiasm. I bought your book and got my daughters following your blog as well. Thanks for all the great things you write about and letting us follow your journey of decorating your houses! Linda
Keila says
Loved the video link, made me laugh. Steve Carell is the best.
maddy says
wooo for the teens with a weird obsession for home improvement- we’re cool!
Stephanie says
Let’s take another look at “Susan” in Guess Who. Are we sure about “her?”
Nicole says
John and Sherry,
Now seems as good a time as any to say THANK YOU for all the work you put into your blog. Myself and so many others look forward to it each and every day. I love that you take so much pride in your posts and it shows. I don’t think you even realize the extent to which this blog affects people. When it comes to home stuff, I’m always thinking “WWJSD” What Would John and Sherry Do? :) And my new policy is to buy your book as a housewarming present for everyone I know. You’re such great people and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings your family. Sending love from Council Bluffs, Iowa!
#OnTheGuessWhoGraphicBandwagon
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Nicole! You’re so sweet!
xo
s
Tonya says
Where do you get these really cool graphics and charts? Do you design them yourselves?
YoungHouseLove says
All John! Isn’t he cute?! He loves it. Fonts and the shape tool in photoshop = totally his idea of a good time.
xo
s
Zsuzsa says
Hi guys,
here is Zsuzsa from Germany calling. I´m one of those 4% blog-readers, who follows your articles over the sea. :D
Your blog is hilarious and it makes so much fun to read your practical hints and DIY-projects. My favourite articles are those about Clara, since our daughter was also borned in May 2010.
I wish you guys a lot of energy, love and health to keep on writing this blog with the same enthusiasm as till now.
Big Hugs
Zsuzsa
Tara says
As a self-professed Beatle Maniac, I must interject…”You might say that I’m a dreamer” is from John Lennon’s “Imagine”, after he left the Beatles. Just an FYI.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, you’ll have to excuse John for that. I’m the real Beatles lover (#blamemydad #hemetthem!!!), although we did tape the Glee episode of their songs… which I promptly declared weren’t as good as the originals.
xo
s
Pamela Bertone says
FOX ALERT—FOX ALERT–FOX ALERT
This is a message from the emergency fox alert broadcasting system. Target is having a clearance on their fox paraphernalia. If you are in the vicinity and must make a purchase, proceed to the nearest Target Fox shelter. If you are not near an appropriate shelter, or wish to avoid foxes altogether, take shelter in the most interior room of your home.
Regular programming will resume shortly…. :)
YoungHouseLove says
I TOTALLY SAW THAT! The faux wood ones were so cool!
xo
s
Kelly Lightbeam says
What a clever post, well played, indeed. Congrats on 6 years, and here’s to the next chapter of Young House Love!
Joan Klein says
For the first time in my life I am in the select 1% group. I really am inspired by your blog much to my handy son’s dismay! Congratulations on 6 years of fabulous!!
Heather says
Sherry,
After seeing you guys around a thousand times before and never saying “hi,” it was nice to officially meet you today outside the estate sale. I never said hi before because I always felt so awkward with the whole “I know who you are but you don’t know me” deal. I guess today I felt less awkward saying hi since we were on my neighborhood home turf. I still think I came off super awkward! haha
Did you figure out where you recognized my son from? Most likely you saw him having a massive tantrum in the grocery store or Target or at the playground any of the the thousand times we saw you but didn’t say “hi”. :)
Did you get any treasures at the sale? Aside from the gorgeous oasis garden pool, my favorite part of the house was the bonus room- specifically the closet/play house. What a fun feature! Our big purchase was a $3 French children’s book.
Nice to meet you,
-Heather
YoungHouseLove says
It was so nice to meet you too Heather! I still can’t place where we have seen your son, but I’d guess we have seen him on the playground or something sweet. He was adorable and I promise I have no memory of any crying. Haha! I did get some sale treasures. Might even Instagram them tomorrow. And you’re right about that house – besides that pool (ahhh, that pool!) I was in love with that closet/playhouse. So much fun!
xo,
s
Heather says
I’m wondering what you got! I really loved those four poster twin beds and the writing desk. And since I’m basically an 8 year old girl at heart, I also really loved the vintage dollhouse (complete with furniture) and the vintage doll with trunk and clothing. Amazing!
I suppose I could win the lottery this weekend and go back to buy them if you didn’t beat me to it!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I think the doll was gone when I got there! Did find the perfect thing for Clara in that room though!
xo
s
Israa says
Im a teenager living in United Arab Emirates(U.A.E).
I am feeling very special:D
Marianne says
I missed the poll somehow! I can tell you I am in the 8% age category (until December next year). But I still feel like I belong to in 45% category…most of the time. Love your blog though and I will keep on reading until I am old enough to have a category of my own, 100+. Congratulations on your blogiversary!
JennP says
Were you surprised at all by the low percentage of poll talkers who were married/engaged or with kids? Not to say it’s a bad thing, I just would have thought that with the content of this blog, the age ranges and the number of homeowners that it would have been much more than 25%!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, that surprised us! We don’t remember what last year’s results were. Will have to see if they were similar or if it’s a new trend this year!
xo
s
Linda Jenkins says
If I had taken the survey, I’d be in the 1%. But then, folks in this age group generally don’t care for surveys…therefore, I think there are MANY more 60+ folks out there enjoying your blog. “Young” is a state of mind. Keep up the good work. I enjoy your work and your approach to DIY and to life!
Barbara says
Well, I may count as only one of 3%, but I’m here!
YoungHouseLove says
And we’re glad that you are!
xo
s
cappy says
Right back at you Good Lookin!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Cappy. You flatterer, you.
-John
Jackie says
Taking a shot in the dark- any chance you’ll give a hint about what’s in the queue for next week? I’m kind of dying to know :)
Congrats on the anniversary! It’s a huge deal and should be acknowledged and celebrated. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Best,
Jackie
YoungHouseLove says
Let’s see, we’re starting on a new area of the house, continuing work on the inching-along sunroom project, and I whipped up a quick and fun fall project for you too! Wahoo! All are in various stages of completion, so it’s gonna be a busy weekend. Ha!
xo
s
Jackie says
This just made my day! Ahhh can’t wait to see!
John says
Forgot to fill out survey. I’m a guy in my late 40s. I feel so unique!
Natalie says
Woohooo 2% Australians !
hashtag represent!
hashtag come here for a holiday and I will host you please
hashtag addicted to YHL
hashtag the 3am college student
Genevieve says
Look – these madeover bookshelves are exactly like the ones in your dining room!
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/09/try-this-fabric-lined-built-in-shelves.html
YoungHouseLove says
I read their blog and I LOVED that! Such a cute idea for the backs!
xo
s
krystal says
Ha! I love you guys! You made me snott a few times over here with your reader breakdown. I love stopping over at your blog everyday because I almost always get a chuckle and learn something in the process :).
krystal says
Lol, I meant *snort :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Brandyn says
I was most surprised by the only 14% dog owner stat. I feel like 90% of the homes in my neighborhood have dogs.
Antonia says
Nice to know that I’m among the 1%! Actually, it is kind of interesting that there are so few of us. Even though YHL is about a young couple, with a young daughter, I certainly don’t feel it is irrelevant. We actually did a gigantic renovation on our house 4 years ago and we were in our 60’s then too. I STILL feel as if there is more to do — and more time to do it.
Tara says
I am fifty, and have been reading since the first house. I think you have more older readers, we just don’t do surveys..lol.
Esti Swart says
Whoohoo! I”m one of the <1% from Africa (South Africa to be exact) who regularly reads and finds inspiration from your blog! I love your little family, your style and the helpful hints and tips!
I'm also looking for a place to buy your book and cannot wait to lay my hands on it! :-)
Thanks for making me smile en inspiring me to make my house a home!
Anna says
What interesting stats!
I find the location one the most interesting (probably because I’m in Australia).
I’m surprised we make up 2% of your readership v’s Europe being 4%. Given that the UK has about triple our population…let alone the rest of Europe (granted that a lot don’t speak English – but a lot still do out of the 739 Million people there!).
We even stack quite well against Canada when you compare our %’s and population sizes – especially considering they are probably more familiar with, and able to access, stores and products that you talk about on a regular basis.
And on that note, I actually whooped out aloud the other day in Bunnings (our equivalent to your Lowes – I think) when I spotted, for the first time ever, Rustolem spray paints. I have no idea how long we’ve had them here in Aus (knowing how observant I am, probably forever), but I’ve never seen them before and have always been jealous of all the self-priming fabulousness that US bloggers seem to get from those cans!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! That’s so exciting! I never would guess they’d be in Australia! Hope you love it!
xo
s
Natalie says
As a fellow Aussie reader, I also did a happy dance when I saw Rustolem spray in Bunnings! Happy days!! hahaha
Fay says
In reality, you have more readers in foreign countries than your charts show. It’s simply that many readers don’t speak English well enough to participate in your poll.
I live in Brazil, do speak English, and check in often on your blog; but because I’ve been traveling I did not see the poll post until today. So, after the fact, you can add one more blip to the number for S America.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Fay! That’s an interesting point! Never thought about that!
xo
s
Marie Moser says
Hey Sherry
Check out this pillow. Totally thought of John when I saw it.
He will LOVE it!!!!
http://www.gilt.com/home/sale/hipster-pillows/1026095861-checkerboard-lifestyle-bicycle-throw-pillow
Marie
YoungHouseLove says
Really cute!
xo
s
Christel says
#Hashtag #LOVE
lisa says
I am almost 46 and I love your blog and look forward to reading it . I have three boys one 17 and one 14 and little one that is 8 . You all have inspired me to paint and redecorate my house . I love your creativity and of coarse the pictures of your adorable Clara . I have renovated two bathrooms and a kitchen on a budget in my house in NOVA .I have also been painting furniture to update it ..keep up the great work your blog is inspiring !
Audur says
Found your blog earlier this year, started from the back and am finally up to date (I was very dedicated!) and I love your blog so much!
I’m just a little sad, beeing from Iceland, that my country doesn’t fit into the the box for Europe… though we should be used to being left out :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you count! We love you for reading all the way in Iceland!
xo
s
Robin says
I would take part in polls written by you guys any day – every day! That was fun! Love your blog! I have been here since house #1 and feel like I really know you! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Robin!
xo
s
Andi says
I was one of those 199 people in the year 1 survey. Congrats on 6 amazing years! #loveyouguys #luckynumber7isnext!
Caitlin Anne says
IM THE 6% in CANADA
This is the first blog I really got into.
It opened up my eyes to the magic and creativity out there :)
It’s inspired me & i LOVE it.
Thanks
xox
http://www.caitlinannexo.wordpress.com
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Caitlin Anne!
xo
s
Meghan says
SEVENTY-FIVE percent of readers are neither married nor engaged?
That’s shocking.
(I can tell you with a fairly high degree of confidence that the gif or meme of Elf saying “That’s shocking!” does not exist on the interwebs. And that, my friends, is shocking.)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Stacey says
I’m in the 2%!
That 2% of your readers are Aussies when we’ve only got about 6 or 7% of the US population means you’re actually really popular here.
Maria says
Love the graphics – especially the guess who one :-)
Sherri says
Hey there!
I am reaching out to bloggers in order to try desperately to save my business! (how’s that for honesty!?)
I am an artist and my main venue for sales for the past year has been on Etsy and things were going very very well. My stuff is received with joy when people see it at shows, and online sales were brisk. Something has changed with Google search as well as Etsy search and many long time sellers are feeling terrified.
see here; https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/13067569/page/23
and here: https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12512708/page/1
(and those are just two of the dozens of threads on the same topic)
Anyway I guess instead of crying in my tea this is a better option, even though I dread bothering busy people like yourself especially when I’m looking for help straight up.
I would gladly do a trade with you if you like anything from my shop. A little publicity with a link or two might go a long way to help me over this hurdle.
Here’s the link to my Etsy store, and one to my web site.
http://www.sherrinelson.ca
http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BonesNelson
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Sherri
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I’m so sorry about all that Sherri! Sounds so frustrating. We don’t do trades or accept freebies, but I’ll post your comment for all to see over here, and you might want to try posting on our Facebook page as well to spread the word about your awesome shop! All the best with everything.
xo
s
Sara says
I was surprised you didn’t include an option for people who can be found DIYing. I read your blog to get ideas on how to do things myself! I painted my kitchen cabinets from your tutorial, have made no-sew curtains (and pelmet boards from other blogs), and am trying to convince my hubby to let me paint our stair risers and install a runner (all while 6+ months pregnant). I’m sure a lot of people who read YHL are avid DIYers themselves. It’s a shame that wasn’t captured in your stats!
YoungHouseLove says
I know! Every year we include that but somehow this year in building the survey it got bumped out somehow and we didn’t notice until it was too late! Next year it’ll be back for sure!
xo
s
Lisa says
I am shocked that I am in the 3% range of people who read your blog. I love following your blog and your fresh ideas on home remodeling and decorating. I guess “50” really is the new “30” and the rest of your readers are just children. hahahaha, keep it up you guys.
Charles says
While I don’t have a moustache, my name is Charles and I am one of the 382 guys that responded. Thanks for the inadvertent recognition and keep up the good work!
Lisa says
I didn’t read through all the comments but was wondering if you’ll do a blogiversary post about your goals for the blog. I think I remember reading that kind of post the past 2 blogiversaries and found it interesting.
Thanks for the survey and the info! I love seeing where your readership is coming from. My goal this year for your blog is to try to get mny husband to become a regular reader! LOL!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Lisa! We realized last year that we do goals and a few months later we do resolutions, so we thought this year we’d just do resolutions since we had so many other Blogiversary posts we wanted to share.
xo
s
AlohaAlly says
No love for the 50th state?? I’m checking in from Oahu on a weekly basis!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ally! We have so much love for the 50th state! We had the best family vacation there last year! Aloha!
xo
s
Odyssey says
this is a bit off topic, but i love the fonts you use. what is your go to/favorite font? what do you use for your post titles.
thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Odyssey! Our post titles are simple (just usually Helvetica or Arial so they load on all computers) but our header and sidebar font favorite is Ostrich Sans.
xo
s