I want to thank each and every one of you for answering my survey. And since you were so gracious to fill it out, I’m going to share the responses with you.
The percentages I am sharing are based on all of the respondents, not all readers, so just keep that in mind.
56% are daily readers, that is fabulous!
34% read CHF a few times a week.
Thank you, thank you!!!
92% get my emails, again thank you so much!!!
As for commenting, approximately
1/3 comment occasionally,
1/3 comment rarely, and
1/3 comment not at all.
This does not surprise me. Only a small percent comment often. It’s easy to not comment, and maybe the post doesn’t speak to you in a deep way. I know I read a lot of content without commenting, so I can’t blame you.
37% said yes, to which I am so excited.
52% said they feel a slight connection.
A small percent said they don’t come here to connect, or don’t feel any connection.
This is a challenge, and I am going to step up to the plate. I think there are some things I can do to help that situation, and I’m ‘on it’! I’m making an announcement next week about something new I am working on, that I hope will help us to connect better. Really, I’m VERY excited about it.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THE LAYOUT?
There were loads of positive comments about many things here. I also was not surprised that people don’t like the ads. I know! I hear you! Of course it is very expensive to run this site and I work on it at least 12 hours almost every day. So it’s a big investment of my time, and it costs me a bundle to keep it going. I pay for hosting, email services, I buy products so you won’t be looking at the same old thing in my house all the time, and I have a couple of assistants that help me behind the scenes. Of course if you see anything written or any photos on my site, I took all the photos and wrote all of the words. I don’t turn that over to anyone, but clearly I can’t do everything.
As much as I would love to remove the ads, this website has to be profitable. If it isn’t, I will have to shut it down. So that is why I have ads. Yes I sell products in my shop too. I do make a profit from the sales, but here’s the thing. I only decided to add a shop because in the last survey over 90% of the respondents were interested in buying items from me. And it may surprise you to know that my shipping charges are almost always more than I charge. The bottom line is that after I pay for the item, then pay someone to pack the boxes, pay for the packing materials, and pay for shipping, my profit on my online shop is very small. I mainly keep it now to sell things I’ve already shown in my house, since readers like to see new things all of the time. I’ve sold a ton of things through the shop, it’s just that it’s a break-even thing for the most part.
I’ve done away with the pop up to sign up for my email list. Some people complained about it, and it’s now gone. Instead I have an opt in at the bottom of each post.
WHAT DO YOU COME HERE FOR?
86% decorating tips
68% inspiring photos
68% farmhouse French style
48% vintage items
36% how to information on painting
33% where to buy decor items
32% personal stories
Bathroom in my friend Lisa’s farmhouse
There were loads of suggestions on what I need to do more of, and what I need to cut out. And let me say that some of it was contradictory. For example, some wanted recipes while others did not. So if I didn’t implement what you requested, it may be that many requested the opposite.
Some wanted to see other houses. While I would like to do this, it’s more complicated than you think. If I’ve worked with a client, I have to get approvals, then bring my photography equipment, set it up, style the rooms, and photograph the house, just like a magazine shoot. I am actually phasing out local design client services, so I will have less and less opportunities to do this. It is much easier to work with other bloggers and show their photos. I CAN do that, so long as the blogger agrees to it. I do work with clients online, but they live in other states, so I don’t have a way to photograph those homes.
the porch at Lisa’s house
There were many, many suggestions and ideas. I am going to be changing the format based on the results of the survey and making other changes. I’ll announce the changes over the next 10 days. All I can say is I appreciate your feedback so much. And I am listening AND making changes.
My friends this blog is here to serve you and I think you are going to like the changes on the horizon!
Just leave a comment to enter this month’s giveaway.
Thank you for listening……I had no idea what went into this…thanks for caring
Good morning, Anita, Your blog is wonderful and I enjoy reading it every day with my first steaming mug of java while relaxing in my cozy little nook…I become inspired when reading your book…French Accents…so happy I ordered it. When I turn a page it takes me along a journey to learning and becoming more creative. So thank you once again! It takes loving what we do to work the hours we work and meet the challenges head on. Today is a bloggers paradise….it is wonderful for all of us.
I’m sorry, I have seriously under estimated what goes into your blog but I appreciate the effort, I read it every morning. Thank you ?
I too thank for caring enough to listen, feedback is positive and with trends changing to must adjust with your readers interests. my hats off to you for trying!!
Thank you for caring ?
Anita, you’re an amazing, energetic lady! Thank you for caring so much about us (your readers) and your decorating skills. Sharing your love for it with all of us is such a blessing. Thank you!
Hi Anita,
I don’t remember seeing your survey post, but I do read your posts pretty much every day or when I receive them. As far as ads, Marian Parsons from Miss Mustard Seed just did some posts regarding them. She went into a lot of detail why they are necessary for bloggers that do this for a living. The ads can be distracting for sure, but after reading her posts about why they’re needed, I now understand why they have to be. I enjoy your blog so keep up the good work.
I ordered the blue irrigator from you, and am excited to receive it. I was in France last June, and I absolutely loved it! That blue reminds me of France. Take care.
Deb
Anita, your blog is always a comforting & inspiring spot in my day. Thank you for bringing it to us!!
I love your blog and read most days.
What do I come here for?
All of it. lol
Thanks for all of your hard work. Your photos are always eye candy! (Still crushing on your office chairs!!!)
Thanks for all the work you do to host this blog. I enjoy your ideas and tips and the ads do not bother me – you post items that I enjoy knowing about. I like Lisa’s bathroom with the wall of mirrors!
Does Lisa have a blog?
I love your blog and read it every day. I don’t remember seeing the survey either or I would’ve filled it out. I love your taste . I am inspired by your beautiful staging. Keep up the good work.
Hi Anita, You’re doing a tremendous job…reading your blog as well as other favorites is fun, informative and motivating ! Happy Sunday…..Smiles….Anne
Your blog is beautiful just the way it is…it is a true reflection of your time and effort.
You are such a blessing. I pray it all comes back to you in every way needed and possible. Thank you for all that you do 🙂
I love your blog just the way it is, but I am very excited to see the changes!!
I read your blog everyday and if I am too busy, I archive the email so that I don’t miss anything. Keep up the good work!
Interesting reading about the survey results! Will be watching for what’s new!
I’ve been reading your blogs since you were in the beginnings. I rarely comment as I tend to just enjoy what I’m seeing and reading. I understand the blog has to be profitable as you work it like a job. It’s nice when your passion is also your job. There are many perks having a reader heavy blog, but it’s very time consuming and has to be so fluid without controversy. That’s difficult, I know. Keep up the good work.
The pop ups are irritating, but I understand now, why they are there. “Home tours” of other bloggers would be great! I LOVE to get ideas from tours. Thank you for listening to us. I don’t necessarily need recipes. I love to decorate for the seasons so that is why I signed up for your blog. I don’t paint wood. I refinish it. I buy antiques.
It’s interesting to see the results of the poll. I’m not a fan of change when I’m comfortable with the product as is. But I’ll go with the flow and see what’s ahead that could possibly make this experience better. Seriously, only if you drove to my house, moved everything around, painted, and then sat down and had a glass of wine, could I imagine it being better!
Ginger
You are too cute Ginger!!! That sounds like fun!
Good Job
Is there some way to do something different for shipping? Selling your items shouldn’t be a “break even” for you. One of my favorite items in my house is a mirror I purchased from you. Also, you have such great taste in lamps, I would love to see you do a story on great places to purchase lamps and how you find yours. I wish some lamp manufacture would agree with me and have a lamp line chosen by you! I’m not dreaming big am I? Ha Great lamps are not easy to find. You do a great job. Thank you for bringing beauty to our lives.
Thank you for the survey results and for all the work you put into your site. I enjoy your posts very much and look forward to the new ones to come. TFS and take care……….
Anita, I appreciate the amount of work a blog requires and of course kindred spirits will be loyal through thick and thin. But I greatly admire your willingness to hear thoughts that might challenge you to grow in new directions. Refreshing. Me, I enjoy learning different ways to incorporate ideas to bring a little more interest to my home. Thanks!
The survey results are interesting. I’m in that tiny blue sliver in commenting! Have a wonderful week Anita…thanks for your inspiration!
Thanks for all of your hard work, really enjoy your posts.
One day I realized that I received too much mail, so I chose to delete some that I rarely read. When I came to yours I knew right away that we had to stay friends. You inspire me everyday and I always enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work.
Although I didn’t see the survey I do enjoy your blog regularly. I totally understand about the ads. Looking forward to see what changes you make. Xo- maryjo
I originally started seeing your posts on The Scoop. I now subscribe to your blog, also and I read it faithfully every day. The ads don’t really bother me, I know they are what keep you available to us! Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge with us!
I think it’s great that you even consider changing things based on your readers’ suggestions. I mean, it’s your blog, shouldn’t you be able to do exactly what you want ? I would never think of asking someone to change their blog to what I want. If I want something different I think it would be necessary for me to go out and find the blog that fits my ideas. It’s super that you take our comments and suggestions so seriously, Anita. I guess in the end all this matters because you have to count on the numbers (of readers) to keep the business of blogging alive. Good luck ! Enjoying it from Texas!
I love your blog the way it is but I’m also anxious to see what changes you have in store. I do think most blogs do well to change things up now and then. Not originally a fan of the “French Farmhouse Style” I have to say that when you started doing a lot of the changes at the farmhouse you sort of had me. I like a casual living style and a comfortable and welcoming home is most important to me, no matter what the style. I must say, I have stopped subscribing to a couple blogs that had so many ads that it took forever for the content to load. I fully understand that this is an income for you and others but sometimes I just don’t have the time to sit it out. Sadly, they all were good blogs but I feel they have lost their way with repeating posts and pictures. Not a problem now and then but same or repeating information about once every 3 weeks is just not worth my time. You do not do that and 12 hours work makes sense to me. Again, thank you for all you do, what you choose to share, and for your hard work. Happy New Year.
I think your site is wonderful either way. I am excited to see your changes, but I known I will continue to enjoy your site and I will continue to read your site every day. You are a part of my life. I consider you a friend even though we have never met. Thank you for being you!!!!
Anita,
In the three years that I have received your blog I have identified and developed my style. You guided me every step of the way.
I love The Shop! I check it out every day and finally scored the Harvest canister set at an awesome sale price. Yay me! Can’t wait to finish my house reno and start decorating with my acquired knowledge and goodies. Thanks to you my home will be a reflection of the real me.
The greatest thing about your blog is this; you open your heart as well as your home. The heart makes the home. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Maggie Kimble
It is always nice to be in a community of kindred spirits. I have to step up on my comment input too. Love what you share and I am “happy jealous ” of your talent.
This was such a personal blog, I felt like you were talking straight to me! I too love the shop. I bought the house number 45 because i just purchased a condo in Pinehurst, NC and, yep, it’s number 45! How cool is that? I am ready to tackle my trunks of European linens purchased in the 80s when I lived there! Thanks for your lovely advice! Hugs!
I wish other bloggers would follow your example and get rid of the pop up to subscribe to their website. For those who are already subscribed it’s annoying. On the other hand I visited a site that was new to me and I had to hunt all over to find where I could subscribe. Your way is the best, at the bottom of each page and large enough to spot quickly. Thanks for all of your hard work in putting together a great blog site!
Thank you for caring and for listening, I enjoy your blog very much!
Like the others, I too thank you for caring so much about us, your readers. I look forward to your new changes but if you never made any changes, I would be ok with that too. You’re my favorite blogger, my first go-to for inspiration , creativity and joy!!
Thank you for blogging.
Love this blog but excited to see the new format. Thanks for all you do to bring/share your information, ideas and photos.
Keep up the good work…
Its my favorite blog
Wow! Didn’t know what all was involved in the process. Thanks for sharing and listening.
Love your blog and all that you do!
Thank you for listening AND for caring!
Thank you so much for sharing the survey results and explaining things in detail. It puts a lot of perspective for your readers including myself. Thank you for all you do to entertain our creative minds.
Wow! 12 hours per day? You are a hard working lady and I’m thankful for all the great decorating information you share with us.
Blessings to you Anita,
Patti
I love your blog, rarely comment, feel connected , don’t mind ads or at least understand them and cannot wait to see what the new year brings!
Thanks so much for your blog, and your attention to and consideration of your readers. I believe most of us understand about the adds; there isn’t a blog out there that doesn’t have them and yours are unobtrusive.
I look forward to reading about your adventures each time. Keep up the great work!
I enjoy your blog and the site. Reading through, get lot’s of great tips, ideas and smiles. If you keep blogging, I’ll keep reading!
I am looking forward to the new things and enjoy your blog.
Love your blog. You make it all look so effortless! I get it that there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into it!
Thank you for all of your effort.
Also, I thoroughly enjoy your book.
I love your blog as a whole but like you said sometimes some things don’t catch our interest and that’s okay. Everyone has different styles and interests and they change just as we do over the years. Looking forward to this years ideas from you and all the bloggers I follow!
Anita, I have enjoyed reading your posts for a rather short time, but they are always interesting and informational. But, my goodness, I had NO idea the work that goes into doing a blog! I can’t imagine doing it myself!
It’s always nice to encounter new ideas and projects, etc. on a blog, so I am in favor of you exploring the possibilities for change with yours. I’m not invested in the status quo and I realize that you can’t please all of us all of the time.
I do look forward to seeing what new things you have come up with to share with us and I’m sure they will be fun and interesting. I didn’t catch the survey, but I do read your posts nearly every day. Thanks for taking the responses seriously and letting us now that you care what we think.
I enjoy your blog and if I don’t read the day it is posted, I catch it later. It’s fun, relaxing and informative. Thank you.
Anita, you are such a wonderful, caring person who puts so much into your posts. I always appreciate your posts. They are always so interesting and I just love to sit with a cup of coffee and read each one. I have absolutely no complaints!
Keep up the great work! Bless you, today!
Hello, Anita,
I just stumbled upon your site this morning . . . and I love it! I’m actually an interior designer who’s been thinking of doing more than an occasional blog on my website, but you’ve changed my mind now that I know how much time it takes! You have a great eye and sense of style. I’ll be reading you a good deal, now!
Well Kathleen, I love my blog, but yes it is a huge time commitment.
Keep up the good work! I enjoy your blog and all your time and effort shows.