I like to think I write about a pretty wide range of topics. While it is true that many of my articles could be grouped under “business” and “development,” I also wrote articles this year about art installations, climate change, opera, contemporary dance, urban farming, festivals, home tours, legalization of marijuana, biking, local authors, theater, rebel flags, music, local natural areas, personal profiles, preservation, people in need, health care and comedy. Those don’t usually get the most views, but they are often the stories I’m most pleased to share.
So, what did most capture your attention this year? To find out, I looked at the top stories of the year based on page views. One thing that I quickly noticed is that readership is usually higher when I say something is coming than when I later announce that it is here. I’m not sure what to make of that. The other obvious fact is that you guys love stories about business and development.
Let’s start with the articles which just missed the top ten. Finishing in the top 25 places an article in the top nine percent of the 295 articles I’ve published this year, so that’s a pretty select group. The minimum number of page views to make the top 25 this year turned out to be 2,766. To make the top 10 took 4,379 and the first place article amassed 9,172 views.
An interesting side note: Comments often do not indicate the popularity of an article. Sometimes it overlaps: the most commented story (63 comments) wound up number 3 on the most viewed list. The number one most viewed article, however, didn’t rank in the top 25 most commented (18 comments) and the second most commented (55 comments) didn’t crack the top twenty-five most viewed. The same is true with Facebook activity. Some of the articles go crazy on Facebook, but don’t register as strongly with a wide range of viewers.
Here’s the “next fifteen:”
25. Vine Avenue Rowhouses Downtown to Break Ground in October
24. Maker’s Donuts: Doughnuts on the Way for Downtown
23. Boxwood Brake: New Furniture, Sundry Store Opens Downtown
22. Shuck Closes, Holly Hambright’s Holly’s 135 to Open
21. Back to the Future: Bar Marley Returns 10/21/2015
20. “Open Streets” Comes to Knoxville in October!
19. Multiple Updates From Around Town
18. Balter Brewing Coming to Downtown
17. Development Plans for Depot Avenue
16. Yes, They Are Open (Except One That Has Closed)
15. Chef Joseph Lenn Announces Downtown Restaurant
14. Open Streets is this Sunday: Here’s What’s in Store
13. Cholo Taqueria Coming to Gay Street
12. Just Ripe Sold to Century Farms
11. Wine Bar Coming to the Old City
So, the next fifteen are all business and development with the single exception of two articles about Open Streets. Interest and participation in that were very high. Another interesting note on that first fifteen: most of the stories are about areas outside the heart of downtown. It’s Old City, Depot, Broadway and beyond. It’s where much of the development is happening and people are interested.
So, let’s hit the top ten and see if the trends hold:
10. A Bowling Alley on Gay Street? Yes! Maple Hall Coming Soon
9. Your Planner for Knoxville Festival Season 2015
8. Inside the JC Penney Building Renovation and Restoration
7. Wildlove Bakehouse to Open at 1625 North Central Street
6. Oliver Royale Opens at 5 Market Square
5. Sweet P’s Downtown Restaurant Set to Open Next Week
4. Downtown Knoxville Set to Get Modern/Old Fashioned Pharmacy on Gay Street
3. New Business Coming to 36 Market Square!
2. Amazing New Condo and Retail Project Announced: Regas Square
1. Good Golly Tamale Opens Storefront
So, there you have it. You guys love business and development news. And tamales. It’s been a fun year and I’m already hearing rumblings of openings coming very soon to kick our 2016 off in style, so stay tuned. I’m going to mirror last week and take a couple of days to spend with family, so I’ll re-join you after the New Year with Saturday Sounds. Get out and enjoy some of the spectacular music and parties on New Year’s Eve. I hope to be out in the middle of it, myself. Happy New Year, Ya’ll.