Survey Results

A huge thank-you to everyone who took the Cassandra Pages reader survey over the past week. (It's still open, and if you haven't responded and would like to, I'm very interested in hearing from you!)

So far 69 people have responded, which seems like a large number to me. This blog has about 180 average daily page views, and I really don't know how many people read it per week anymore. Whatever it is, this seems like a high percentage of respondents.

As for the results, here's what you said.

The early responses were, predictably, from the people who use feed readers and came from social networking sites (in my case, that would only be FB and Twitter), but over time the blogroll/bookmarks took over and ended up being half the respondents. In the "other" category were quite a few people who just type in the URL. These results indicate to me that plenty of people still use traditional ways of reading and accessing information online.

 Again, I was surprised: I thought fewer people were using their computers to read blogs. Since this was a "check all that apply" question, nearly everyone still uses a computer to read, even if about a quarter of them also use a tablet, and 18% a phone.

 Another surprise! I was worried that I was posting too much about art, but almost everyone said these were among their favorite posts. Places/travel came in second, with spirit/ideas, people/stories/memoir, and literature/books/music pretty much tied. I guess the original Cassandra Pages description of "arts and culture, place and spirit" has been pretty consistent and is still why people come here.

 Wow! A quarter of the readers who responded have never commented, but cared enough to fill out the survey. I appreciate hearing from you this way very much, and if you never want to comment again, that's just fine.

 Makes perfect sense.

--

In the optional "feedback" field, I received 39 personal responses -- also unexpected, and for which I'm very grateful. Many of them were about technical blog matters, and the overwhelming recommended platform was WordPress. But there were also some general comments about the blog, and a number from people who said they hadn't ever commented. Here are a few favorites:

"Blog continues to delight and inform me. It is the only blog I still read from way back when I discovered blogs."

"I continue to read this blog because of the decency, depth, and generosity of the entries. The good humor doesn't hurt either."

"Love the variety and the art and MTL especially. Big fan- sorry for not commenting ever!"

"Cassandra Pages is one of the blogs I've read the longest, so it has sentimental value as well as intellectual and artistic value to me."

"Love the blog and your home town in Canada, despite the extremely long winters you seem to get!" (from the UK)

"You are awesome and should you decide to move, I will follow you to the ends of the interwebs."

"Change the technology as much as you like, but never the still small voice."

I've always felt I had the best readers in the blogosphere -- knowing you're out there makes all of this worthwhile, including the work that will be involved if I ever pack up and move. Thanks again to all of you!

Comments

[marly youmans]

Ah, good responses. Glad to see it.

[Rachel Barenblat]

What wonderful responses! I'm so glad.

[Isabella Massardo]

I am a first time commenter. I discovered your blog years ago (through Language Hat, if I recall correctly). To me, Cassandra Pages is just a sheer pleasure: it's interesting, kind, thoughtful and (at least for me living on the other side of the Ocean) even a tad exotic. I look forward to reading more of your stories. Thank you.

[Hattie]

Yes. Your blog is unique.

[Duchesse]

Sorry missed poll while traveling. I love your writing and art, and always feel I'm offered a small, exquisite bon bon when I see a new post. Thanks you so much, dear Beth.