In a few months hilaryStyle will be 4 years old, which is something of a milestone, but a few weeks ago I published my 300th article, that’s 266, 855 words, which absolutely seemed worth mentioning.
When I set out to write this blog I had no idea that I would still be writing it 300+ articles later, nor that I would never miss a single week’s edition. That’s right I’ve never missed a week, which I admit at times feels like a chore, and there are weeks I’m not sure I’ll have something to share, but I always seem to manage and a deadline is a deadline…
In honor of this milestone, I thought I’d share some of the blog’s stats. Although I don’t have the most impressive numbers I do have a steady following. Occasionally I think about throwing in the towel, but then I hear from someone letting me know how much it’s helped them, or made them laugh and I realize it’s still a worthwhile endeavor.
Table of Contents
The Numbers
I’ve personally visited 18 countries, and 22 States, which in the world of travel bloggers may not be impressive, but what I do find impressive is that HilaryStyle has been visited by people from 157 different countries. Thinking a blog would be a fun way to share my adventures with friends and family, I had no idea my thoughts, ideas and photos would be shared around the world.
Click on the suitcases for links to related articles.
Where in the World
I’m most popular in the United States, but it’s nice to know that HilaryStyle has reached Greenland, Iran, and Zambia as well.
Ten countries with the most visits:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Germany
- Australia
- Moldova
- Singapore
- France
- Mexico
- Phillippines
Ten countries who visit the least:
- Zambia
- Guyanan
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Cuba
- Mongolia
- Congo
- Palau
- Martinique
- Iran
I’m often surprised as to which posts receive the most and least attention.
The top ten blog posts of all time:
- Making A Tsum Tsum Birthday Party (15, 420 views and still going strong)
- The Home Page
Always a great place to start! - The Hidden Staircases of Silver Lake
- 50 Things to do in Los Angeles
- Downtown Los Angeles Graffiti & Mural Walking Tour
- Visiting the Anne Frank House
- Things to do in LA’s Korea Town
- 10 Things to do in New Orleans with Kids
- 50 More Things to do in Los Angeles
- 12 Iconic Film Locations in Los Angeles
10 Blog Posts that could use MORE love:
- Taking the High Road… (Since renamed: Day Trip in the Highlands of Scotland)
- Roma! La Citta Eterna (Since renamed: 10 Things to do in Rome)
- Along the Way… Surprise Another Castle (Since renamed: Visiting Blair Castle & Gardens)
- Cocoas Around the World (Since renamed: A Chocolate Travel Tour)
- Pompeii (Since renamed: Day Trip to Pompeii Italy)
- You Can Fly, You Can Fly, You Can Fly… RunDisney (Since renamed: Running with RunDisney)
- Exploring the Highlands of Scotland
- Ireland: Along the Way… Cork (Since renamed: A Visit to Blarney Castle Cork Ireland)
- Along the way… The Heart of Ireland ( Since renamed: A Visit to Newgrange in the Boyne River Valley Ireland)
- Along the Way… Nottingham (Since renamed: An Afternoon in Nottingham)
Favorite Places
50 of the 250 travel articles I’ve written are about Los Angeles and surrounding areas, but I’ve got love for other places too. London is in second place with 22 articles, and New Orleans, with 20 articles came in third. France and Scotland are tied for fourth place.
London, England
Shoreditch Street Art Tour & Masterclass
St. Pauls Cathedral and Westminster Abbey
10 things to do in New Orleans with Kids
The Garden District New Orleans
New Orleans Let’s Eat Lunch and Talk about Dinner
Fashion & Fun
The blog’s tagline is Travel, Fashion & Fun and while there is a heavy emphasis on travel, I have written 60 fun, 26 street art, and 23 fashion related articles. Occasionally I’m even funny, or at least I make myself laugh and I love to give advice. Here are a few of the most popular articles falling into the aforementioned categories:
DIY: 10 Steps to Building Your Own Longboard
A Super Birthday For Your Little Hero!
Shopping the Sample Sales in LA’s Fashion District
Fashion Favorites: Walking In My Shoes… Travel shoes that is.
Biking & Art on the Atlanta BeltLine
What do you say LA? Messages from the Street (Art That Is)
30 Tips For Better Travel Photos
Packing it all in… My Suitcase!
Whether you’ve been with HilaryStyle since the beginning, or are just joining me, I am so grateful for your interest, and will look forward to continuing the journey. Although I may ease up on that weekly deadline. We shall see…
Pin for later:
Robin
Hil, keep it up. I enjoy reading your blogs.
Karen Mhyre
Miss your mom and dad here in Seattle. Love your blog! Thank you!
Hilary
Thank you! I’ll tell them you said so!
Nick Cook
Looking forward to 300 more posts, and nice to see my adopted home of Nottingham in the top 10!
Hilary
Thank you!!
Pauline Y
Gutted that your Scotland posts don’t get more love, it’s a beautiful place.
Hilary
I know! One of my favorites. Honestly, I think it’s more to do with my lack of SEO than it being uninteresting. 😂
Phoebe | Lou Messugo
Funny, I’ve started renaming some of my old posts from early days when I didn’t know a thing about SEO (though honestly I though my titles were more interesting 1st time round). (Ditto with your titles, the first ones are more imaginative but the 2nd ones will probably get more traffic, which is the dull side of blogging life!) I love your photos and will definitely go back and check out your older posts in need of love, thanks for sharing all this Hilary. And congrats on 300 posts in 4 years, that’s a phenomenal achievement…never missing a week.(I’ve recently missed a whole year!!!!) #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you, I couldn’t agree more about the titles! It will be interesting to see if they receive any new traffic, now that I’ve renamed them… I’m not sure about a whole year, but I’d like to at least allow myself a week or two here and there. Ha!
Annabel Kirk
Well done, Hilary. I’m impressed you’ve managed to publish something every week. I love your top blog post, how funny that it’s the most popular! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! It just keeps hanging on… I guess I was ahead of the times when I wrote about it, because now those characters have become a phenomenon in some parts of the world!
Wendy Maes
It’s great to get to know you and your blog a bit better. Thanks for sharing! #Farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you!!
Clare Thomson
Congratulations on writing so many posts, Hilary. You’re always putting me to shame. I find it fascinating reading about other people’s blogging journeys. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! Are you kidding? No shame allowed… You’re a huge part of my inspiration for keeping this thing going, and you know I’m just a little bit crazy.
Katherine
Congratulations on your milestone! That’s awesome, and it’s amazing how the words add up! I’m super impressed that you’ve made it to 22 states, that’s pretty epic! I’m obviously biased, but may I suggest Australia as a trip sometime? #FarawayFiles
Hilary
You absolutely may suggest Australia! I just wish tickets there were just a little less cost prohibitive. My husband had it as his number one, but then went for work and now he’s ticked it off… when I do go, I know just who to ask about it.
oregongirlaroundtheworld
300! What an accomplishment – seriously! Happy to have followed along on your journey for at least half of it. Love your energy and that Hilary style. Cheers from Copenhagen. Tillykke! Congratulations from here.
Hilary
Thanks Erin! I honestly don’t know how I’ve done it? For the first 18 months I published twice a week. How? I’ll never know… our group has played a large part in keeping me going, I’m so thankful for our Faraway Files hosting group. Xx
wildkidswander
Congrats on your milestone! And my kids LOVE Tsum Tsums! We’ll have to use your ideas for a party! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thanks! Tsum Tsums are the cutest aren’t they? I’m thinking of making them out of cookies next!
passion fruit, paws and peonies
Brilliant Hilary – you have done an amazing job. Cheers to the next 300! xx Maria
Hilary
Thanks! We shall see about another 300, but in any case I think it will take me longer next time. 😂
Rhonda Albom
Congratulations. Those are some awesome statistics. Keep on writing and travelling.
Hilary
Thank you!
Sharon
This is a very interesting analysis and roundup. I notice for the posts that got less love, you have renamed them. That’s a great idea. It’s hard to tell — I would think Ireland and Scotland would be most popular! Your run at Disney looks really fun. I’m heading to Los Angeles tomorrow and plan to explore a new hiking area – there’s so much to do in LA!
Hilary
Thank you, yes, I realized later that being clever doesn’t mean anything if nobody can find you…
Would be fun to meet up sometime. I’m gone this weekend, but would love to come down your way…
Janis
This a great post, it’s really interesting completing reviews on your own website. It also surprises me sometimes which posts outperform others and equally like you say some that need more love. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you!
Corey | Fifi + Hop
What an accomplishment, Hilary! So many countries that have visited! You should feel proud :). #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! Xx
Kathleen (Kat) (@katpegimana)
Congrats on the 4th anniversary of your blog,, and wow, 300 posts and weekly dedication! I’ve been neglecting my blog and Faraway Files link-up since the last quarter of 2018 as a result of running my freelance writing business and trip planning service, and am trying to get back on track again. I enjoy reading your blog posts especially the interesting and fun things to do in LA and other American cities. Keep it up, Hilary! 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thank you! Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on!
Paul Healy
Congratulations on your success for far. You’ve certainly covered a lot of different destinations. Looking forward to the next 300.
Hilary
Ha ha! Thank you, not sure I have another 300 in me, but we shall see…
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Congrats on the milestone Hilary, it’s always nice to look back at what you’ve achieved and you’ve done so much! 😀 #FarawayFiles
Cultural Wednesday
Why that Chocolate Tour post is in want of love is beyond me!
Hilary
Right!