On Saturday I celebrated the six years of Peanut Butter Runner.
When I wrote my first post I never dreamed my blog would grow into what it is today. Sharing daily updates about my life online for this many years has been something that I’ve grown and learned from as I’ve navigated my way through everything from quitting my corporate job to becoming a personal trainer and yoga teacher to ending and beginning relationships to publishing two books to becoming a dog mom of two and so, so much more.
Blogging has opened so many doors for me but most importantly it’s created connection. Every email, comment or message that I receive from readers who I’ve helped inspire or motivate in any small or big way lets me know that this work is real and meaningful. I could cry over how many emails I’ve received from readers who tried yoga for the first time because of my blog and went on to develop a regular practice. Some have even become teachers themselves! Same for those of you who have taken up strength training or running and shared your stories with me. I am so passionate about helping other women feel like their strongest and best selves, both inside and out.
Recently, I asked for your feedback on how I can continue to make Peanut Butter Runner a place you want to stop by every day. A place where you feel like you learn something and leave with a bit of inspiration. You showed up BIG TIME! I received over 1,200 responses to the survey and can honestly say that I have read each and every one of the responses that you took time to share. Thank you. Your support, encouragement, brutal honesty and kindness mean the world to me.
I promised to share the survey results with you so here is a high-level overview of what I learned from a statistical standpoint along with some commentary from me in a few places. I also learned SO MUCH from your additional comments and shares. Be sure to read to the bottom for the giveaway winners announcement!
How long have you been reading Peanut Butter Runner?
What type of posts do you most enjoy reading on Peanut Butter Runner? (Select all that apply.)
I was blown away by the feedback I received on the content mix. Many of you said, “don’t change a thing!” But then there was a serious divide among many. RE: recent eats, “I love your recent eats and they give me so much inspiration for my own meals” and then “your recent eats posts are repetitive and I skim through them.” RE: workout recaps, “I enjoy your workout recaps and replicate your workouts myself” and then “your workout recaps aren’t relatable.” RE: personal growth/introspective posts, “I miss when you posted more Danielle LaPorte type stuff” and then “I am turned off by these type posts.” This pretty much went across the board for all topics.
While there were some clear subjects/topics you’d like to see more of (recipes, meal planning, personal/life mainly), I think that this was a reminder that if we live our lives trying to make everyone else happy we will go crazy…and never succeed in making everyone happy! 🙂 #youdoyou
What type of content would you like to see more of?
Would you find more video content useful?
What type of video content would you enjoy and/or utilize?
I personally find video the best way to understand how to do a certain exercise, yoga pose, etc. more so than pictures so I wanted to ask before I spent a bunch of time making videos. You guys were pretty 50/50 on video but I think where I’ve landed is that I will do more videos demonstrating workouts/exercises (which hopefully you’ve already noticed!) and also some yoga tutorials.
What products or services would you like to see provided on Peanut Butter Runner?
I just want to clear one thing up here, when I mentioned creating a subscription workout service that would be completely separate from the blog. I don’t plan on changing anything about regularly posting free workouts like I have in the past. The subscription service would be specific training plans that offer a day-by-day guide to workouts. There would be more detail and more technical exercises versus the simple circuit-style workouts I share now (which are great but the service would be for those looking for a more structured plan). And possibly some meal planning to go along with. And a lot of other features I’m still figuring out. Haha.
What social media sites are you most active on?
What is your biggest struggle when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle?
I asked this to try to understand how I can better support and serve you!
How old are you?
Do you have children?
Right now you are…
I thought you guys would also enjoy learning a little more about who’s reading along with you!
Giveaway Winners
Wild Friends Peanut Butter Sampler: Hannah A
Premier Protein Sampler: Anne C
Track & Field Store Tank: Megan K
Erin McDermott Disc Necklace: Lauren
I have emailed all of the winners! I wish I could send ALL of you a thank you. Seriously, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your continued readership and feedback.
All my love and gratitude,
Jen
And this is why you are my favorite blogger and actually the first blogger I think that I stumbled upon looking for pumpkin recipes! I know that you likely don’t share every snippet of your life (that’s a book or a diary, not a blog!) but you are such a real and relatable blogger that I think most readers feel that they have found a friend in you. Thanks for sharing the results and I look forward to the next 6 years of my journey with you and your blog!
Michelle – thank you SO MUCH for the extremely kind words. <3
Hi Jen
I have been following your blog for approximately 4 years and I don’t fit your majority demographics. I’m almost mid fifties, very physically active (4-6 workouts/week),divorced and not on social media. I am inspired every time I read your blogs. Often I wonder why I relate so much to someone I am so much older than but I feel I can. I am a runner, yoga follower, functional fitness lover, and I love to cook. Your blog is inspirational and I enjoy it immensely.
Hi Irene – thank you so much for taking the time to comment and introduce yourself. Even though I have a common demographic that reads my blog, one of the things I love most is hearing that people of all ages enjoy it. I have had so many moms tell me that both them and their daughters read my blog. I think that’s so cool. I feel grateful that what I put out there is applicable/helpful/relatable for a large audience of women! I so appreciate you reading!
Cool! Thanks for sharing!
What great insight into your readership! It must be tough when people are clearly divided on what they’d like to see. But as you always say, you do you and the rest will fall into place. 🙂
The first thing I took away from this post was how engaged your readers are – I work for a digital publisher and we often have a hard time getting 600 of our readers to answer survey questions for site improvement — so that says a lot for you and the blog! Congrats! Keep doing what you’re doing!
Hi Lindsey, I know! Having worked in the field of advertising/marketing for so long, I was also super surprised by the amazing response. It makes me feel happy that my readers are engaged enough to want to provide such thoughtful and thorough feedback.
I don’t comment much (something I need to improve), but you are truly my favourite blogger and sometimes I imagine the great loss it would be for myself and others if you hadn’t started PBR. I’m a graphic designer, fitness instructor, personal trainer and yoga instructor (although the design is my bread and butter these days), so you speak to me on so many levels. Your recipes are staples in my rotation, I always refer ppl to your blog, and have bought your books for family and friends. Above all though, you’ve helped me with healthy eating and a strong fit self image. I have struggled my whole life with body image and eating disorders, and I feel that you set such a good healthy example for me. Anytime I struggle, your blog and its readers help lift me up and remember that a healthy body needs heathy food and exercise, and I’m on track again. So thank you for starting this. You’ve helped more than you know.
Colleen – I really appreciate the comment and I feel really happy and grateful that I’ve been able to provide you with inspiration and support. Thank you so much for spreading the word and for reading on a daily basis. Sending you lots of love and strength. <3
Hi Jen,
I have been following your blog for about 4 years. I am definitely in the minority as I’m now 60 years young. This fact is sad for me as I have received so much inspiration and motivation from you and I wish more women in my age group would follow your message. I have always worked out but during this 4 years I started practicing yoga twice a week and have shared many of your blog messages with our group. My husband and I also completed a Whole 30 beginning in February and we each lost 12 pounds. I personally gained much needed insight into how to really eat food that is good and good for you. We completed the Whole 30 about a month ago. I have brought in almost all of the food groups but I still try to focus on approved Whole 30 meals for breakfast and lunch. It is life changing in a very good way.
Thank you Jen for sharing your inspiration, motivation and life experiences with all of us. Even at 60 I have grown with your blog.
Thank you for keeping me young at heart.
Cindy
Cindy – oh my gosh, this comment made my evening when I read it on Friday night. THANK YOU for taking the time to comment and share part of your story. I’m so happy to hear that you’re active and enjoying yoga and CONGRATULATIONS on your Whole30 finish! That’s awesome that your husband did it along with you and that you both saw such great results (not only on the scale but mindset as well).
Although we’re at different ages, I firmly believe in a common bond over wanting to live a healthy and happy life.
Sending love!
Jen