New Year
With the New Year, most of us typically look forward at what we want to do differently. Resolutions are set. Plans are made. As a blogger, things are no different.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Each group I am in, bloggers are laying out their plans for the New Year. More traffic. Grow numbers. Less giveaways. Better planning. Whatever it may be there are changes to be made. I am in that group.
Back to Basics
Perhaps my reasoning is different than some. My husband lost his job last month and has currently been working alongside me. That means that this blog is now our biggest source of income for the time being. With 5 little mouths to feed that puts a bit of a fire under your feet to get things done. I want to get back to the basics of blogging and simply do what I intended to do all along: write.
I have never been one to make resolutions… but I do believe in setting goals. My biggest goal which I simply MUST ascertain is a base monthly income. I need to determine exactly what that needs to be and then get it done.
I want to grow my readership with real numbers. Those readers that come back again and again to actually read what I write. To engage in conversation. To be a part of my online community. I enjoy that type of engagement and miss it.
And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath
I want my voice back. The real me. The voice that speaks my mind and what I want to say… not what others want to hear. I am still working on courage in a few areas, but I think I can do it. I simply have to write that first post and get it out there. That first step is always the hardest.
And I do not necessarily want to run from reviews. I do like sharing information with others. It has become quite fun actually. I enjoy learning about so many great new products and the PR relationships are simply amazing to form. I would hate to lose any of that. So, the reviews will remain. A few giveaways here and there, as needed. But, I do hope to mix in more content as the year goes along.
photo credit: johnwilliamsphd via photopin cc
Therefore, I guess we can consider this baby step #1. I am putting it out there and so it must be done. The internet in all its glory will work to hold me accountable. Right?
About Staci
Twitter: thenerdswife
says:
I love this. Great goal for 2013. If you write it, they will come, right?
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LOL… love that you used the “Field of Dreams” reference. We use that quote a lot. And. yes, that is my hope!
I agree about reviews..I can’t give them up totally especially with ones I’ve established relationships.
I’m sure you’ll find your voice, and I understand the desire to express it and fear of it too
Laura recently posted..When I grow up…
The reviews are nice… but just like with everything else: in moderation.
And thank you! Hoping to conquer that fear and just be me this year… and hope people like “me. ”
great post! thanks for sharinh
Thanks… and thank you for stopping by. Happy New Year!
I haven’t decided what I want 2013 to be about yet…I stopped making resolutions a few years back but I think I want to start back up because it’s good to have goals even if you fail.
That is why I stopped with resolutions as well… they set me up for failures. But, having a goal is always a healthy thing. At least I can shoot for something and if I don’t reach it this year… well, just keep shooting.
Good Luck. Would love to witness your transformation
Lena recently posted..Setting Goals 2013
Thank you! I am pretty excited about the opportunity to just write. Hoping it proves to be less stressful.
Twitter: scentednights
says:
Totally agree, Staci. I’ll be focusing more on actual writing and less on reviews/giveaways. I miss really writing and sharing and creating which is why I started to blog to begin with.
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So true! I had to step back and remember why I started and get back to that. Here’s hoping we are both successful this year!
I will be spending more time with my family in 2013!
And you really can’t beat a better goal than that! Family makes my world go round.
Great goals! I, too, set goals rather than make resolutions. My goal this year is to be smart: about my writing (including marketing), my health, and my life in general. My writing style is pantser, and sometimes my life gets that way too. This year, I want to think a bit before I leap. Good luck to you and all of your goals!
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What great goals! And I love how you worded it “to be smart.” That is exactly what I hope to do in everything I attempt in 2013. Good luck to you in the New Year as well!
Blogging does require work. I am now realizing that. I like the word goals better than resolutions. I think goals you can accomplish if you set your mind to it. I hope the best for you and your hubby. Thanks for your hard work.
Blogging requires LOTS of work. Even my kids know this. I always crack a smile when others ask me to tell them how to do my job. I give them tips to get started and that is often as far as it gets. Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate your encouraging words.
Here’s to a great 2013! My husband found work in TX and we moved here. It took a little while, but I also found work here and I am starting my new job on Monday!
I’m looking forward to the new chapter in my life. Great blog, thanks!
Diana C
Welcome to Texas then! I hope you like it here and that things go well with your family in this new chapter!
I’m going to focus more on quality than quantity. Loved reading this post.
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