Just The Facts: The Results Of My ‘How Am I Doing?’ Survey

/ Ally Bean

Thanks to everyone who took my How Am I Doing? survey [now closed].

You’re the best and overwhelmed me with your kind answers.  I wasn’t fishing for compliments with this survey;  I was challenging myself to see if I could write one.  Then on a whim I decided to share it here for the fun of it.

At one point in my life I worked in marketing research so I’m familiar with the process of collecting data from respondents.  Below I’ve categorized it into three parts.

 I also know that once you collect the data, interpretation is a whole ‘nother thing.  Spin it the way you want. So with that in mind, and me being me, I’m spinning this funny, because honestly some of your answers were a hoot.

• • •

PART 1

What I learned about you:

  • 90% of you write a blog
  • 50% of you like to goof off on social media in the blogosphere;  followed by YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
  • 60% of you were very likely to recommend this blog to friends and family
  • 90% of you thought the survey was cool beans

• • •

PART 2

How you answered two specific questions regarding this blog:

These responses were straightforward and clear to interpret.  No further explanation required.

This is where things got complicated because over half of you used “Other” when responding to the question.  Some of you said that there was nothing you disliked so you were using “Other” to tell me this.  Some of you who clicked on “Other” made suggestions about my writing style and graphic design.  And one respondent said that using “Other” was the only way to show that all the choices were applicable to this blog.

• • •

PART 3

Here are some of your responses when asked what comes to mind when you think about this blog:

  • Ohio
  • A red kidney bean dressed like Elton John
  • Ooh, what will Ally Bean say today?
  • Engaging, enjoyable blog. Funny without trying too hard.
  • oh, shit, I haven’t read that spectacled blog in awhile. I better go catch up!
  • Beans 🙂
  • Lovely variety of slice of life topics.
  • A string bean wearing glasses. But also humorous posts and genuine connection with others.
  • My bloggy friend for years now
  • Flapdoodle

• • •

99 thoughts on “Just The Facts: The Results Of My ‘How Am I Doing?’ Survey”

  2. I didn’t get to take the survey, but you’re funny and thoughtful and thought provoking. You make me think of projects…don’t asl me why that word comes to mind cause I don’t know. And my only criticism is you don’t write often enough (ironic as I missed your last post)

    Liked by 2 people

  5. You are very methodical in collecting/interpreting your survey results. Unlike you, I’ve never worked in market research. ‘Tis a pity, I suppose. Tomorrow I will post a one-question survey, rather puny. We’ll see what happens!

    Very cool, Ally Bean!

    Liked by 3 people

    • marian, I fear that my background trained me to be methodical. Not quite what is required when writing a personal blog, but there you have it. Also, even though this survey was done in a light-hearted way, I did learn a thing or two. That’s good in my book.

      I’ll look for your survey tomorrow, and *fingers crossed* will be able to comment on you blog. Sometimes the system lets me do so, other times… 🤷‍♀️

      Liked by 2 people

  6. I have to second that Flapdoodle thing. Don’t know why, just had to.

    Kinda pleased with the results of the survey, not surprised, just pleased. I’ve never seen that kind of thing done with a blog and maybe it should be done more.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. So if one respondent thought that all of the “dislike” choices applied to your blog…. how exactly does one post both infrequently and too often at the same time? And be boring, silly and old school to boot. I guess you need just a bit more flapdoodle (I can’t imagine who would have responded with such a silly word like that)….

    Liked by 2 people

    • evil, I see you noticed the inconsistency inherent in the one response that made no sense. Having worked in marketing research and being a good observer of human beings, I’d have been disappointed if there wasn’t one illogical write-in response on this survey.

      And yes, I wonder who would have used the word FLAPDOODLE to describe this blog… 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

  9. So Ally Bean, I always thought that flapdoodle was a rather derogatory term and had to check because why would anyone say a mean thing about you or this blog. Google tells me the most common definition is nonsense so I hope the respondent who used that term was thinking silliness because you make me laugh in a wonderful way!
    By the way, the Urban Dictionary defines flapdoodle in a much different way…I will allow you the joy of researching that one yourself. I think you might appreciate their definition 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, I appreciate your concern re: flapdoodle. I’ve only known it to mean silliness so I am amazed by your findings. I am not a fool; that definition does not fit. And I think we can both agree that the Urban Dictionary definition is not applicable here, but who knew?

      Thanks for sharing your research and thanks for the compliment. I do try to keep things light-hearted on this blog… at least most of the time.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Interesting facts. I look forward to seeing what you choose to do with the facts. It’s a fact that I wonder about such things and birds of different colors seem to flock together, so there’s that fact too. Happy Tuesday, Ally – your blog is a favorite read of mine!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Shelley, you make an excellent point, what do I do with these findings now that I have them? Change my ways, or keep on keeping on with my flock! [Nice tie-in with your blog post topic today, btw.]

      Liked by 1 person

      • No, don’t change your ways – expand on them. I’m curious to hear which one surprised you the most and if you were a reader of your blog would you agree or not and why? Oh, my…who am I to dictate what you should write about anyhow? What a brat I am! Thanks for the notice of my subtlety LOL! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        • The one thing that surprised me the most was that no one said the blog looked pretty. I go out of my way to make sure I add color and images to each post and I’ve optimized this template to coordinate with my icon. But that didn’t come up anywhere. Go figure.

          Liked by 2 people

          • I’ve noticed your color scheme, sorry I didn’t say so. It is warm and welcoming. Noticing that 90% of readers are bloggers, and assuming WP bloggers, they likely read your posts through Reader – that doesn’t do anyone’s blog justice IMHO. Isn’t there a setting that requires them to read the post on your website? Look at me, thinking I know something? LOL!

            Like

            • Thank you for noticing. I wanted it to look warm and welcoming so thank you for saying so. You’re right about that setting feature and I’ll see how I have mine set.

              But I think the reality is that most people don’t focus on design as much as I do. I’m just glad that they’re here, so it’s all good by me.

              Liked by 1 person

              • I think more people notice offending sites, and simply welcome pleasant ones. Black with yellow or white writing sends me running. Sorry if I offended anyone, but my eyes can’t tolerate the reverse of mostly white with black writing. Again, your site is pleasing to the eye!

                Liked by 2 people

                • Good point, Shelley. I have a difficult time reading white letters on dark backgrounds, too. I bet you’re right that it’s only the truly awful blog templates that offend, all the rest are acceptable.

                  Liked by 1 person

            • Thank you, philmouse! I appreciate you saying that. I enjoy messing around with design, both blog and interior and garden. It’s not my background, but I call myself an active amateur. 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

  11. I don’t necessarily agree with the “posts infrequently” stat. Typically you post on Tuesday/Thursday right? I mean…geez…you’ve got to have a life. I follow very few people who post every day. That’s just too much.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Jill, I’m happy to hear [read] you say that. I show up on Tuesdays and then on Thursdays or Fridays, if I have something more to say. I live my life first, then blog. Not the other way around. 😐

      Liked by 3 people

  12. I think the answers to the “least liked” question is how I feel about the emoji to use on Facebook – if I like the article written but am upset about the topic (usually something trump has said), do I hit the angry face or the like symbol? I like your blog – I prefer fewer posts of blogs to an overload (for me) of posts. I would not presume to give anyone writing tips because if I don’t like your writing (which I do, actually), my opinion is really subjective, isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Carol, good question about those emoji buttons and what they really mean. No answer, but you’ve hit the nail on the head about the difficulties when using them.

      I won’t be posting more than once or twice a week. I occasionally write three posts in a week, but that usually has to do with the fact that something struck me in the moment and needs to said.

      I take writing tips [and design tips] in stride. Anyone may tell what they think of my blog style, but that doesn’t mean I’ll change anything. I’ll just know what that person thinks.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, I’d love to see you make a survey for your blog. You’ve been at it longer than I have. The responses would be fascinating.

      Also, TP wouldn’t take my comment today. I saw that you mentioned you were having difficulties, but I tried.

      Like

      • That’s frustrating! Typepad is a paid site, so I expect better. I think I’ll contact them to complain!! I would like to expand my blogging horizons and a survey would challenge me a bit. 🙂 Most people would probably say that they are tired of reading about my problems and are sick of Typepad not behaving.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I used to be on TP and back then they were helpful when you had problems. Don’t know how they are now, but they might help you.

          I was surprised by what people said about this blog. I had no preconceived ideas of how my readers would answer my questions, but I learned a few things and got a few laughs out of it. What more can you ask for?

          Liked by 1 person

    • Susan, thank you. I did this survey on a whim with no preconceived notions of what would happen. It was fun to see what respondents said and I encourage other bloggers to make a survey for their blogs. That being said, this was a onetime deal for me.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Well, I didn’t say it in the survey but one of the things I like about your blog is that you always make me feel like a Cool Kid. I was never one in high school so thanks for that! Also, you must be hip and relevant because no one said you were too old school. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, of course you’re a cool kid now! We all are at this point if we want to be. I hadn’t thought about what it means to not be called old school. What a great way to interpret this information. Sure, I’m hip. You’re hip. We’re all so forking hip we can barely stand it. 😎

      Liked by 1 person

  19. “Cool beans’ – a very cool saying and I had a co-worker that said it all the time … a great description to give your blog. I have only followed you a short time and I identify with a lot of your posts and laugh out loud at them. Enjoying other’s posts and interacting with regular bloggers is the best part of blogging. We need light and entertaining reading after getting through the drudgery of our days (most days anyway). I didn’t notice you were The “Spectacled” Bean right away. I misread it as The “Speckled” Bean … where did I get that? P.S. I’m spectacled now too, though I wore contacts and was very vain about wearing glasses for years.

    Liked by 3 people

    • linda, many people have misread the title of this blog and thought it was the speckled bean. You’re not alone. I can see how it’d be easy to do that. I called this blog what I called it for a variety of reasons, but one was that I’ve worn eyeglasses since I was 5 y.o. They are who I am at this point.

      I like to say “cool beans.” Funny that you’d mention your co-worker, I got it from a boss I worked for who’d say it whenever she was pleased. It’s a charming saying that means everything and nothing.

      Liked by 2 people

      • One day I happened to notice the title out of the corner of my eyes and wondered how I missed the name – glad I am not alone. Thought I needed new spectacles perhaps. 🙂 I got glasses on my 7th birthday. Hated them and when I got contact lenses I would give my eyes a rest on Sundays, but put big sunglasses over my regular glasses to hide them if I ran out on an errand. I am not that vain now. Ten years ago today was the last day I worked on site … the makeup and contacts were the first to go since I was working from home. My coworker, Sue, would be the same age as me (62) and used that expression all the time and I often wondered the origin of it (there was no Google or “Ask Jeeves” when I first met her) and I thought it might have been a throwback to the 50s which had a ton of fun words and phrases.

        Liked by 1 person

        • I’ve worn glasses most of my life except for the time from when I was 15 to 30 when I wore contacts. They never really worked for me because of my allergies and my astigmatism. However, I tried them, didn’t take to them, and gladly returned to spectacles. I don’t know the origins of the saying either, but I like it.

          Liked by 1 person

    • krcc, sorry you missed the survey. I did it for fun and to see if I could do one. It was only around for one week because it was free, so I went with what they gave me. Make of the results what you will. Thanks for surveying the post and leaving a comment. 😉

      Like

    • Donna, I agree, some of these responses were hilarious. None were mean, btw. I do have some of the best followers, including you, of course! Thanks for being one.

      Like

  25. You are just the best! I look forward to more surveys from you, because they are very creative. And yes, I’ll feel free to ignore any questions about what I dislike about your blog. 😉 That’s how I roll.

    Liked by 2 people

  26. well i am so mad that I missed the survey!
    I have been a little in the weeds with doing the promo for the book giveaway – ugh. and when the promo is done I look forward to a week of just reading and reading – ha
    –
    anyhow, enjoyed the results.
    I noticed that nobody selected “truthful” – and if so, well i do feel a sense of honesty here- when you post there seems to be genuine “ally” with no BS

    Liked by 1 person

    • Prior…, the survey was something I did for fun. Making it was a challenge, but once I had the survey I wanted to see what people would say. I had no preconceived idea of how anyone would answer the questions, but I’m pleased that you see me as truthful. In real life that’s how friends and family describe me, although I can sometimes be too honest… so I’m told! 🙄

      Liked by 1 person

        • Yes, I try to be kind as I’m being honest and I’m not one to stick my nose into things, so in the overall most people thank me later. And if they don’t… well, not all people are meant to be your friends. 🤨

          Liked by 1 person

          • yes – it was nice for me to “mature” into realizing that not everyone “can” be and many times it is nothing personal – but even when it is .. well humans are complex – and varied – eh?

            Liked by 1 person

    • Sheryl, I hesitated about sharing the results. I wasn’t certain if anyone would care, but the response has been positive. I tell you, doing that survey was a lark, but seeing what people thought about this blog was fascinating. Who knew?

      Like

  30. In the short time that I’ve followed your blog, I like your humorously commentary on life and basically your astute observations around you – like the things that are out of the ordinary at home. Lol, interesting to read some people think of beans when they think about this blog. I also thought of beans briefly when I first visited your blog 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • Mabel Kwong, thanks for the compliment. I’m glad you enjoy what you read here. I’m not trying to change the world with this blog, just provide a friendly fun + informative distraction for those people who follow along.

      I got a big kick out of finding out that people think of beans when they think of this blog. I can live with that, there are much worse things to be associated with than beans!

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      • I really do enjoy what I read here, and also enjoy the down-to-earth vibe. Fun distraction always makes us feel better 😉 I wonder what kind of beans do people associate with your blog. I’d think baked beans (covered in tomato sauce) from the can 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • Mabel, thanks for my laugh of the day. I could be a can of baked beans, although one respondent on the survey said I was a red kidney bean dressed like Elton John. So there’s that possibility, too. 🙄

          [BTW, I’ve tried to comment on your blog, but am having technical difficulties on my end that I hope soon will be resolved.]

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          • Well, Elton John does wear some put together suits, so maybe one respondent meant you dressed shaply with a touch of flamboyance 🙄😀

            Must be technical gremlins running around your end. Hope they go away soon and thank you for wanting to leave a comment this end 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

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