As I was editing this week’s newsletter I came across a pretty awesome number. 117. By itself it isn’t all that impressive of a number, but when you add meaning, its wow-worthiness increases ten-fold. My marketing second-half, Katie, and I wrote 117 blog posts in 2013. 117! Maybe I haven’t achieved my intended shock and awe effect; does that number seem more notable if I tell you that in all of 2012, LockNet published 34 posts. Even more notable, for the first half of 2012 the concept of “LockBytes” and tripling our posting efforts was merely a proposal of ideas in an interview.

Let me back up. In August of 2012 my current position was up for grabs. Part of the interview process was an improvement plan for LockNet’s online marketing efforts. There was a shell of a blog in place but it had been put on the back burner in anticipation of the monumental website overhaul I discussed in last week’s post. LockBytes was an integral part of a plan to bring the knowledge, experiences, and stories of the LockNet family to life online.

After settling into my new position and a million and one “Quick Question” emails and instant messages, Katie and I hit the ground running with brainstorming efforts, planning, and outlining. Since then we’ve spent countless hours writing, editing, photographing, googling, learning, analyzing, and hours of banging our heads against the wall in an attempt to figure out what you guys love and hate to read. (You could help us spend a little less time analyzing site traffic if you’d leave us a comment below. Tell us what you’re dying to know more about, what you’ve found interesting, or what you’re sick of seeing posts about. We’d be eternally grateful!)

All this reflection has left me in a nostalgic mood, which brings me to this. I won’t bore you to tears with all 117 posts. Instead check out the top 25 most popular posts of 2013. Enjoy!

25 Most Popular LockBytes Posts of 2013

Physical Security Audit Checklist
Mortise vs. Cylindrical Locks – What’s the Difference?
The Door and Lock Terminology series, which included:
Door and Lock Terminology 101: Strikes, Hinges, Astragals, & Mullions
Door and Lock Terminology 101: Part II
Door and Lock Terminology 101: Part III
Door and Lock Terminology 101: Part IV
Amazing Door and Lock Hardware
LockNet Employee Elf Dance Party
How Does a Safe Work?
Door Handing – How to Hand a Door
LockNet’s CEO – Chad Miller – is Officially an Ironman!
How it Works – Cylindrical Locks
Panic Bars & Additional Security Features – The Code Compliant Solution to Rear Door Security
Locks, Art, & a Starry Night by David Goldberg
Panic Bar vs. Exit Bar – What’s the Difference?
ASSA Abloy Mobile Showroom Comes to LockNet
2013 Changes to NFPA 80
Credit Cards of the Future – Now
The Things Your Architect Doesn’t Know Series, which included:
Specifying Your Restroom – Things Your Architect Doesn’t Know
Construction Cores – Things Your Architect Doesn’t Know
Gate Hardware – Things Your Architect Doesn’t Know
Electromechanical Solutions – Things Your Architect Doesn’t Know
Door Rust – How to Prevent & Correct the Damage
Fire-Rated Labels 101
Evolution of the LockNet Brand
10 Ways to Winterize Your Door & Lock Hardware
Types of Safes – What’s the Difference
Rite Thru Inventor Jeff Jasper – LockNet Employee & Creative Genius
Types of Safe Locks – What’s the Difference?
Types of Cylinders – What’s the Difference?
Life Safety Considerations You (Probably) Haven’t Thought Of

I don’t know about you, but there are some inclusions in this list that are very surprising to me! Were the subjects you’ve enjoyed reading the most included?

Now that you’ve seen what’s been popular amongst yourselves throughout this year, are you curious about what we’re planning for 2014? After the extensive research and dozens of trial-and-error attempts, I’m more than confident that 2014 is going to blow 2013 out of the water! We’re getting back to our roots and focusing on security doors and locks. It sounds like a small category to write about for an entire year, but I’m looking at a preliminary list of more than 75 potential blog posts. Do you have something to add to it? Leave it in the comments!