Exactly. The sort of writers who are excited by thirty clicks are probably interested in influence. For them, measuring RSS subscriptions, comments, or inbound links is better.
I'm not actually sure what I'm looking for, it wasn't necessarily traffic. I wouldn't expect HN to lead to signups on my site and I don't actually monetize my blog at all. However I have gotten something great already; I got a comment to correct my spelling or grammar, I don't know which but I appreciated it.
