Line BreakAuthor: Steven Aitchison (407 Articles)
I am the owner of this blog. I am a Freelance Writer and write about personal development with my passions being belief formation, thoughts, perceptions and emotions. My number 1 priority is my family, and after that my aim is to help as many people as I can around the world to live their dream.
As it’s coming toward the end of the year I thought I would give a quick update on stats and what’s in store for 2010.
First of all I would like to thank every single one of you for being great readers and great members of the CYT community. I really do appreciate your feedback, your support, your comments, your suggestions and mostly for being you and being honest.
Highlights
The highlight has to be the change of design and cutting out of adwords and annoying adverts. The new design has made a huge difference and there are more reders, more authors, more comments, more interactivity, more all round. My determination and productivity levels rose dramatically in August as well after attending Leo Babauta’s A-list Bootcamp Course. I met some fantastic people on that course and some great new writers in the personal development field.
Statistics for 2009
2009 has been a great year for CYT in terms of change and growth. Here are some figures:
Subscribers grew from 2500, at the start of the year to 6300 (most of this growth occured from August when I made my mind up to get 10,000 subscribers by the end of this year, it jumped from 3,200 in August to 6,300 to date, I didn’t reach my target but I tried my best 
)
Page Views: 663,978 up from 590,000 last year (12% growth)
Unique Visits: 442,496 up from 397,000 last year (11% growth)
Clicks out: 109,184 up from 78,000 last year (40% growth)
Online Earnings For 2009
Advertising on the site:
TextLinkAds – $826.15
Linkworth – $1,913
Affiliate marketing:
My own product at www.binaural-mind.com – $5,326
Promoting affiliate products from clickbank – $8,283
Freelance writing:
from August – date: $2,350
EBooks – $650
Total online earnings = $19,348
Total direct costs (adwords etc) – $8,800
Earnings – cost = $10,548
Average extra monthly income – $879
The online earnings model I have been using is to promote affiliate products using adwords, and I am getting a good rate of return however it’s not enough to realise my goal of being a pro blogger. A better business model looks to be from writing, not necessarily for others but from creating my own products such as ebooks, books etc. So that is the way I am going to go next year and see where that leads me.
New authors on CYT
2009 saw a lot of new authors and I would like to thank all of them here:
Armen Shirvanian – See All Armen’s CYT Posts Here
Ayo Olaniyan – See All Ayo’s CYT Posts Here
Brian Walsh – See All Brian’s CYT Posts Here
Celetine Chua – See All Celestine’s CYT Posts Here
Douglas Cartwright – See all Douglas’ CYT Posts Here
Dragos Roua – See All Dragos’ CYT Posts Here
Francesca Kotomski – Read All Francesca’s posts Here
John Anyasor – Read All John’s Posts Here
Jonathan Beebe – Read All Jonathan’s Posts Here
Jonathan Wells – Read All Jonathan’s Posts Here
Mary Jaksch – Read All Mary’s Posts Here
Mr Self Development – Read All Mr Self Development’s Posts Here
Nik Karlil – Read All Nik’s Posts Here
Noah St john – Read All Noah’s Posts Here
Patrick Stoeckmann – Read All Patrick’s Posts Here
Tara Miller – Read All Tara’s Posts Here
Zeenat Syal – Read All Zeenat’s Posts Here
I loved having the guest authors on CYT as it broadens the readership and the message I am trying to create here. There are so many fantastic writers out there and I am glad some of them spent time to write for CYT.
Top 10 Articles according to Pageviews:
- 5 Eye Exercises To Improve Your Vision - 45,776
- 6 Ways To Dramatically Improve Your Eye Contact Skills – 35,332
- 22 Of The Best Motivational Videos Online – 34,241
- 8 Destructive Thinking Patterns And How To Change Them – 27,370
- Top 5 Gym Free Exercises – 23,318
- 7 Irrational Thoughts That Disrupt Your Life – 18,743
- 100 Ways To Develop Your Mind – 16,018
- How To Change Your Life In 60 Seconds – 13,688
- 50 Of The Best Personal Development Blogs – 10,139
- Life is Shit – 9,720
Looking Ahead To 2010
Two Books
I have just finished one book and am working on another one, in fact I am working on a few.
The first one is called 100 Ways to Develop Your Mind and is an extension of the post 100 Ways To Develop Your mind I wrote a few months ago. Instead of this being available in eBook format I have put it into print using a service called Createspace and it will be available on Amazon in a few weeks time. I will be sending copies out via pdf to a few people in the next week for review.
The second book will be ready by the end of February 2010 and it’s an ebook, with videos, audios and PDF files, it’s going to be a major one for me, more about that next year.
Services
I am offering more services such as:
Freelance writing
Life coaching
Blog coaching
As a direct result of the success of CYT I have managed to land 3 regular freelance jobs writing for Lifesnips.com, Dumblittleman.com and Eclecticmagazine.com and have written for another 3 people on an ad-hoc basis. I am loving the writing just now and my productivity levels have risen so much this year, it’s hard to believe.
More Writing
I belive the quality of writing has gobe up since last year and I want to keep all the readers interested in coming back so I will be writing the same type of content for 2010 and adding more exciting bloggers to CYT.
I am still toying with the idea of video which I tired briefly, but I need it a little more professional before I attempt it again.
Thank You
There are a few people I would like to thank personally for their support and encouragement and belief in me:
Robin Easton - Has always been supportive of my work and she really is an inspiration to a lot of people including myself. thank you Robin, you’re the ‘Angel of the internet’
Jonathan Wells – Another good friend and someone who has listened to my half cocked ideas and still had my back, thank you Jonathan.
Dragos Roua - Dragos has been great this year with his writing and is some I admire and someone who has been behind me in everything I have done.
Ayo Olaniyan – He took on the role of coach in the ‘Ask The Coach series and is a great professional
Leo Babauta – Without his course A-List Blogging Club course I wouldn’t have rediscovered my passion for writing.
David Peralty – For hiring me and beliving in my writing enough to give me a writers spot at LifeSnips.com
Jay White – For giving me a little leeway with my writing subjects on DumbLittleMan
The readers of CYT have all been great this year and they have made all the authors feel welcome and encouraged them to speak their minds. Thank you, thanks you, thank you everyone I hope next year will be just as good.
Your Thoughts
I am always interested in your thoughts for 2010 and would ask what you would like to see on the blog or what would you take away. Anything at all would be helpful to keep driving the blog forward.
Henri Junttila (23)
Cole Bitting (11)
Craig Thomas (9)
Greg Blencoe (8)
alternaview - Sibyl (7)
Catrien Ross (7)
Hulbert (7)
Annette (6)
Jonathan - Advanc... (5)
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Thanx alot
I found this blog while searching for good way to change my way in thinking ,
i was rwally in the badest mood that i ever have and now after 3 days from joining this plog i feel good ,and i belive that i will be better in the next days .
i would like to have some instructions about the best way to start the new year in good way ,thanx again
Congrats on an encouraging year – one filled with new discoveries and inspiration. Your ideas are contagious – I just wish I had your level of devotion. I’ve got an idea for a short e-book – now I just need to learn how to create it.
Bumbles´s last blog ..ON SPORTS ~ The Agony of Defeat…
Thanks Molly. Write the ebook in Word or whatever and I will help you make it into an ebook, you’re basically converting it into a pdf, once you learn there’ll be no stopping you.
Hey Steve,
I started reading CYT back around September (I think). It’s one of my go-to blogs here in the personal development niche we’ve got here.
Thanks so much for the great content and I hope 2010 is your best year yet!
Brett – DareToExpress.com´s last blog ..Your Most Powerful Tool For Personal Growth: A Notebook
Brett, I’ve enjoyed your participation on the site over the last few months, thanks for being part of the success of CYT.
Stephen, congratulations. These are amazing results. I too, as you know, thought Leo Babauta’s A-List Blogging Bootcamp was a knock all socks off program. Worth the money and 10 times more. And so, I too am thinking of an e-book. In my case, it’s only What Shoes To Wear With Navy Blue:). But that’s my most frequent search term, so it’s what people want to know from me. And, as Leo pointed out, you have to offer your readers something valuable. Again, so many congratulations, and thank you for the encouragement you offer here for all of us.
LPC´s last blog ..Saturday Morning at 6:29am
Hi LPC, it was great meeting everyone at the bootcamp and I have to agree, even as an experienced blogger, the bootcamp was well worth the money.
Your ebook idea – You could expand it to ‘What Shoes To Wear With……….’ and have a blog just about what shoes to wear with certain clothes, e.g. for each post you title it ‘What Shoes To Wear With’ and then have different types of clothes e.g. what shoes to wear with leggings, what shoes to wear with skinny jeans, what shoes to wear with capri pants etc. On your blog you have your ebook ‘What Shoes To Wear With……’ selling for $29.99 and it is 200 pages of shoes to wear with all types of clothing.
Sorry, I got a bit carried away there
Great to see that people do earn money from blogging – and this is a worthwhile blog if ever there was one!
RJ Evans´s last blog ..Celebrating The Books of Triond Writers From Around The World
Hi RJ, thanks for your kind comments.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments in 2009! It’s amazing how you went from 2k subscribers to 6k in just one year!
You mentioned growth really started happening once you set a goal in august to 10k subscribers, could you share some of the things you did specifically to increase your subscriber rate tremendously?
Also, congratulations on publishing your ‘100 Ways to Develop Your Mind’ book, that must be very exciting. Good luck in 2010, can’t wait to see your “Status Report” then! You run a great blog here and it feels good to know that it’s growing in the right direction.
Thanks for sharing this info with us Steve, it’s great motivation.
P.S. Thanks for the mention in the new authors section!
Jonathan Beebe´s last blog ..Turn Off the T.V.
Thanks Jonathan, glad to share your details with the readers of CYT as I think you have a great future ahead of you.
The biggest non-secret to getting more subscribers and readers etc is write, write, write and guest post wherever you can and as often as you can. I cut this practice down as I managed to pick up a few freelance writing jobs So I am writing maybe 4-6 posts per week plus working on ebooks etc.
I would also say to network and get a core group of 20-30 blogs in your niche and keep in touch with them, comment on their blogs, SU, tweet them. Pretty soon you’ll have a core group of followers and you will be part of a core group of followers for them as well. This is good for comments, word of mouth advertising of your products, reviews etc.
Hope that helps Jonathan.
Great info Steve! I’ll definitely put it to practice… thanks a lot!
Jonathan Beebe´s last blog ..Start Learning to Speed Read
Steve, what can I say – you rock my friend. Your focus and dedication are an inspiration to all who know you. The numbers are great, but it’s the man behind the numbers that matters. You are the reason for your growing success. You have a vision and you are taking consistent, focused action to bring that vision to reality. You are the embodiment of the principles you teach, and I solute you!
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..Why Negative Life Lessons Are So Valuable
Jonathan, honestly I wouldn’t have been hald as dedicated if I hadn’t had the support from yourself and a few others and all the CYT readers. It’s been great over the last year, especially the latter half when I have found my love of writing re-ignited and dropped all my other ‘little’ projects
Thank you so much.
I admire your honesty and determination Steven, great results and great inspiration for all of us!
Lana – DreamFollowers Blog´s last blog ..Life Purpose: Do you avoid challenges?
Thanks Lana I really appreciate all your support over the last few months and it’s been great reading blogs like yours and getting to know you a little better. Thank you.
Steven,
You do Rock like Jonathan says…and you DO…and thats the most important thing. You don’t just say things….you do it..and we all know “actions speak louder than words”!!
Youre like my real life inspiration
Your accomplishments for this year alone are SUPERB!!!
I am so thankful..that i connected with you in 2009…i am looking forward to a glorious 2010 with you and CYT. Infact i wanted to write a post for CYT again…I had so much fun the last time
May you keep writing and blogging and Rocking
With Love,
Z
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Human Experience {Inspiration from Helen Keller}
Zeenat there are a few people I class as being ‘Angels Of The Internet’ and you are one of them. Your heart is pure and your words are purer and I am glad we connected on CYT as well, it’s been great getting to know you.
There is always an authors spot open for you, although we have a waiting list now, so get in quick.
I agree with Jonathon.
Numbers can be deceiving. To use an odd metaphor (as I often do) – in the world of Boxing you often see guys with great records (undefeated, 30 wins, 25 KO’s blah blah blah) who completely fall out when really challenged. The numbers are great but its the heart behind the numbers that counts and that’s where you are really scoring!
Hope you really go nuclear in 2010 !
Thanks Gareth, I appreciate your comments. Numbers can be deceiving depending on how they are presented
Wow, Steven, I’m touched. I really am
You’ve done a lot this year and still, I think you’ve only scratched the surface. You can do so much more and I am fortunate enough to watch you raising. This is an inspiring image, that I can tell you. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to be in touch with you, listening to your ideas and plans.
Very thankful for giving me the opportunity to write here, it meant a lot to me.
To a 2010 which will double everything in our lives
Dragos Roua´s last blog ..How To Be Ridiculous
Dragos, I hope we all get the success we deserve, you’ve been an inspiration mate
Hi Steven, this is great, and really encouraging. I love how you write about your goals and your progress with total openness and transparency… I think that’s wonderful. Thanks for sharing this.
Cheers,
Miche
Hi Miche, thanks for your comments I am glad being open is working, I value honesty and openness.
Hey Steven.
You’ve set some examples to follow, and continue to do so. Solid work on making your goals public, and pointing out successes along the way. I’d say we are looking forward to your 100 Ways To Develop Your Mind eBook. Also, it has been cool to write on CYT thus far.
This post represents how “if you don’t look back, then you can’t go forward”.
Armen Shirvanian´s last blog ..Sites To Mention 12-10-2009 Plus Podcast Plus Map
Hi Armen, it was great connecting with you this year and you posts were great. 100 Ways To Develop Your Mind is a physical book, self published so it won’t be available in eBook format, some books are better read physically
Steven, congrats on a successful 2009! I can’t wait to see how CYT grows in 2010!
Thank you for sharing the inside look and letting us know your thoughts about the business side of blogging. And thank you for your kind support this year as well, I’m glad we were both in the same blogging bootcamp.
I wish you all the best with your new book and other exciting projects for 2010!
Melissa Karnaze´s last blog ..Mindful Echoes from 2009
Hi Melissa, it was great getting to know you a little at the botcamp, I think everyone who was on it has done really well. I hope we can help each other next year to even more success.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..Statistics For 2009 And Looking Forward To 2010
Hello Steven,
This is not only inspiring, motivating, challenging but also reassuring.
I went through my first email to you and your response in july and I am humbled by your gestures and readiness to give me a platform to work with.
I believe 2010 is something to look forward to and I’m sure your investments including time and money will pay off because you are dedicated, focused, hardworking, caring and most of all has a good heart.
You are a breath of fresh air to many of us towing this line.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to air my views constructively.
Take care steven.
ayo´s last blog ..30 Reasons You Need Friends
Ayo, it’s been great working with you over the last few months and you have always been professional, kind and courteous which makes you great to work with. Thank you for your comments and may we both have a great 2010.
Oh! My dear Steven friend! I am just in awe of you. All this is a reflection of the earnest free thinking and unique man that I have grown to know through these pages and other places that you leave your wisdom and compassion. I am just blown away….and yet, all this confirms what I’ve felt and seen in you.
WOW!! I am so so impressed, but then I have always been impressed by your remarkable character and honest determination. You are an inspiration for me; you honestly are. It makes me realize how much I have to learn. LOL!!! Well, at least I know it’s possible because you have not just done a great job; you’ve done an outstanding job.
And I agree with Jonathan. What is even more important is that you have not only accomplished all this, BUT you have done so from a place of greatness of spirit, a place inside you that simply IS you. It is that greatness in you that makes all this extra special.
Hugs and congratulations to you Steven,
Robin
Robin Easton´s last blog ..Become the Journey
Robin, you have been the star that has guided me at times and it’s been great connecting with you over the last year. I have appreciated your comments, in fact I look forward to them, I appreciate your support, the way you handle life and your outlook on life. A huge congratulations on your book publishing deal with HCI and may 2010 be an even better year for you and your husband.
Marvellous job, Steve.
Your openness is reassuring.
Your generosity is inspiring.
Your boldness and leadership are motivating.
My life is better because of your efforts.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones.
Robin
Robin Dickinson´s last blog ..5 steps to a super-strong business or brand name
Hi Robin, thank you very much for your kind words and for being a part of the CYT community. I hope http://www.Radsmarts.com is bigger and better for you in 2010
I’m new to this blog so can’t really comment, but I like your latest blog entries a lot, and you’ve linked to some other really good blog articles.
Congratulations on a great year, Steven!
Vin – NaturalBias´s last blog ..Don’t Let Reebok Fool You – Shoes Won’t Tone Your Butt!
Vin, thank for your comments. I have enjoyed reading your blog a lot over the last year and glad I found someone as dedicated to producing great content, you’re an educational inspiration.
Congratulations on a great year Steve…the best is yet to come….
Mr. Self Development´s last blog ..6 Life-Changing Rules
Hi Mr. SD, it was great to see we hooked up in 2009 and your guest post was great. Here’s to another successful year for you in 2010
Hey Steven,
I think I started reading your blog back in June or July, around the time I launched my blog, and have found some great inspiration here
Congrats for ending your year successfully, and I hope you reach the 10k subscriber mark you marked for yourself asap! Wishing Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you,
Zoli
Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and amazing 2010!
peace,
Mike
Happy Holidays from livelife365
Thank you for sharing your stats. It sure looks like it has been an amazing year for you!! Your posts are getting better and better!
All the best to you in year 2010! May your business grow even more and may you reach the target number of subscribers!
With love,
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..My Gratitude To You
Hi Steven,
Mary Jaksch emailed me the link to your blog. I plan to take Leo’s bootcamp in February, and Mary wanted me to see one of his success stories. Congratulations on a fantastic year! Your blog is wonderful. I am looking forward to learning more about the wonderful world of blogging!
Best wishes for your continued success!
Barrie