Month 2 - Report Card

This is more a point in time for me to look back at, rather than anything else. So feel free to bail now.

When I started out with this blog, I said I would continue to review whether 'it's working for me' or not. Two months in and I'm still not sure what my yardsticks are to measure whether it is working for me or not, but I do feel these are developing in the background as I learn more. Suffice to say - I am enjoying it as a learning experience for now anyway, and if nothing else the quality of photos that I take is improving.

TL;DR

I started this blog on 16th July 2025. Since then I've learnt a lot, and made some errors. We are now back into holiday season for the retired - so I'll need something to do whilst sunning myself.

My Self Assessed Report - Improving, but Can Do Better

That's the overall assessment that I'm giving myself for the second month - I've sparked interest and I'm now getting 200+ websites visits consistently each day.

The second month has been filled with learning, acting on feedback of what works and what doesn't. I've found my feet with the tools that I'm using and looking at improvements elsewhere..

What Went Well

Content Creation

I've got a good set of content on the Norwegian Coastal Route, which is served by Havila Voyages and Hurtigruten. These posts have proved popular. I've also been writing up plans for Japan in January. We have trips planned for Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Guernsey and Belfast all before the end of the year - so I will start to focus a little more on the planning of those.

Engagement Stats (after 2 months)

With the grades that I've awarded myself in this report.

Facebook - B

The facebook tools that I've now got tell me loads of stuff. I need to tune in more to what they actually mean - but currently I'm tracking two numbers;

Views (number of times your content was played or displayed) - 733k - this is over x5 of the first month - I don't expect that this growth will continue at the same rate.

Engagement (number of reactions, comments, shares and clicks) - appears to be at 36k - x4 of month 1..

Reach seems to be an important number (so will start to track that) - 214k

My best post this month was again a picture - this time of the icebergs in Iceland.

Much of the content and interaction continues to be buried in specific interest groups.

I'm going to start to pay more attention to number of followers. I've currently got 102 - which is pitifully low, and that includes an initial boost from friends and family.

Instagram - C

Lots to learn - A good post is difficult and takes a younger eye. I'm continuing to be trained and will seek something more formal via youtube when I have more time. On Monday - I went to a free class at my local apple store - I left surprised to what the camera on my phone can do.

Website - C

Post views 10,197 in the last 30 days - so x2 of month one.

Youtube - F

I've abandoned this.

I haven't actually a clue whether these results are good or bad, but they are trending in the right direction on a monthly basis. I think month 3 will probably be a good indicator.

I found this graphic, sessions by location, to be a cool insight to who is reading - on the left is month 1, month 2 on the right;

stats

Stats

SEO Optimisation

Still don't really understand SEO strategies, but traffic from search engines is increasing - so again trending in the right direction. More work needed here.

Challenges Faced

Time Management

I've found a groove - and managing my time effectively

Technical Issues

Less issues - just remembering to add the relevant groups and hash tags

Lessons Learned

Understanding the Audience

Audiences are split by interest groups. Norwegian Coastal Route is a good engaged, specific auduence and I've Maintained good engagement. Finding similar for the vast numbers of people interested in Japan and Iceland is more difficult.

I'm told flexibility and writing for your audience is key. I'm not sure of my goals yet - so need to figure this one out.

Goals For Month 3

• Maintain a manageable pace

• Maintain views, engagement and reach - in the absence of other useful metrics

• Identify further metrics that matter to me - I think these are probably interesting and useful, together with what I'm gaining in terms of good advice for my own travels.

• Double number of followers

  
  

That's all for now.

Happy travels!