Welcome back to #SummerBlogSocial – hosted by Liz and Jessica!
Yesterday, I talked about my Top 10 Tips for Blogging Newbies. Today, I will be talking about my blogging goals and how they’ve progressed over the past eleven months.
My blog and my writing style has changed a lot over the past eleven months, but one thing has always remained the same: My voice. As I’m coming up on my first anniversary, I’m contemplating a fresh twist on the same ol’ me and deciding how I will kick my blogging habit up a notch.
Months 1-3: When I started blogging, I really didn’t have any goals. I’ve talked before about how I first started blogging as a way to avoid using a pen and piece of paper. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I really loved blogging. I had no idea how vast the bloggy world was when I first started, but it didn’t take long for me to dive into it.
During my first few months of blogging, I found my voice and what I thought would be my niche. Around this time, I started reading and commenting on other blogs, and I quickly decided that I wanted a custom blog design.
Months 4-6: When January came around, I had a custom blog design and a new found confidence. I joined BlogFrog and started participating in blog hops. This was when I wrote my infamous post about Lil Wayne, which landed me a coveted spot in Mama Kat‘s top five (my first of two!). Seeing my post in her email lit a fire in me; I finally felt validated. Not only did I pen that post in a matter of minutes, but I had fun doing it, too. This is when I began to realize that good posts come naturally.
I had signed up for Twitter a few years ago but quickly grew tired of it. However, at the urging of some other bloggers (I was finally starting to get comments and I was STOKED!), I gave Twitter another shot – via TweetDeck. The five month mark is when my Twitter addiction finally cemented itself.
Months 7-9: In April, I convinced my super cheap husband that I needed to switch to WordPress. So, with the help of Kate, my blog was switched from Blogger to self hosted WordPress. At this time, I was focused on continuing to build my readership and expand my niche while maintaining my tribe. That’s right; it took me about seven months to finally feel like I was in a tribe. Thanks to Twitter and #wineparty, I was able to find like minded bloggy friends whom I can always count on for blogging advice and friendship.
Around the seven month mark, I also started my weekly link up. Sunday Funday came about because I was tired of joining linkies, only to receive tons of “I’m a new follower! Follow me back!” type comments. What I wanted was a place for people to showcase their favorite posts or posts that didn’t receive enough comment love. I’m always amazed at the support and number of link ups Sunday Funday receives, and seeing my Sunday Funday button on blogs I love makes me a very happy blogger!
Now: I’m all switched over to WordPress and I’ve found my voice. Now? I’m focused on learning the ins and outs of SEO. With the help of Eli | Rose, I’m also working on my personal strategy in hopes of making the money I spent on blog design back.
Or at least that’s what I’m telling my cheap husband.
I’m also seriously considering a total overhaul, which would consist of a new blog design as well as a fresh, new blog name and tag line. It’s only a matter of time before I pull the trigger on that.
One last thing that I’m super excited about? Attending Blissdom in Nashville next year! It will be my first blogging conference and I’m finally feeling like I’ll be able to wrap my head around all things blogging. I never really felt confident enough or ready to take on a blog conference, but now I’m more than ready. Bring it on! I want to learn it all!
Now tell me: What are you blogging goals? How have they changed over the course of your blogging?
Wow this was awesome, I think I have been stalking, er, following you since around the time of your first link up!
I think it is bloggers like you that have helped me find a place in the clogging community so quickly.
Okay and I have to say that my phone keeps autocorrect blog and blogging to clog and flogging. I don’t enjoy clogs.
I was going to say… Clogs? Are you Danish? hahaha
Twitter is awesome
Sounds like you are having a lot of fun and know where you want to go. I hope that your plans work out for you
I am still waiting to feel like I actually have a tribe, but I know that I will get there. Blogging is one of the best things I ever started to do.
If you go to Nashville, I’m sure you’ll meet lots of bloggy friends. Like me!
YAY
I am assuming there is a conference in Nashville, but which one? And when?
I like how you broke this down. It really shows your progression in blogging. I think you’re doing really well and I’m excited to see what you have in store for us! Good luck!
I like how you broke all of this down for us. I love your Sunday Funday link up! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this blog, too!
And Blissdom in February? I’m going too!!
Are you??? OMG!
I’m interested to hear more about your total overhaul ideas.
Also, I’ve totally got my fingers crossed on going to Blissdom.
I don’t even know what my overhaul ideas are. I just know that I need an overhaul!
As someone who knew you BEFORE you started blogging and has watched how you’ve progressed, I can totally agree that you have always “sounded” the same even when you’ve covered a TON of topics. It’s been fun to watch your space grow and change and to hang out with you in your space. I dig it!
And I’m excited to see what new stuff comes out of the overhaul too!
I think its mostly the content. I first just wanted to have drinks and books, but it look like it’ll turn into a foodie blog with books b/c I’m messing around with recipes and taking TONS of pictures.
I think you are doing very good with your blog. Keep up with what you’re doing and with your ‘voice’ because it’s great, I love it. And of course with the Sunday Funday, I wouldn’t want to miss it.
How exciting that you’re going to Blissdom! It’s funny how we always have the itch to make changes to our blogs. I think I migrated in May (?), but I said I would give it a year before I changed my design. And I’m sure I will.
I’ve had this design since December. Now, I think I have a better idea of what I actually want!
You’re going to BlissDom?! Squee! I might actually try and go to that – Nashville is only two hours away from me!!!
You should totally go!!
I love how you broke this down – the evolution of a blog. It’s genius. Also, Sunday Funday sounds, well, fun. I will have to stop by sometime. Sunday evenings are always a good, relaxed time for me to read.
I am considering Blissdom, too, but I’m a little scared! (My blog makes about $.02 a day. My husband is not convinced Blissdom is even close to a good investment, LOL)
kes
My blog makes less than yours! Haha I was able to convince him that he can use it as a business wriite off. I’m cunning like that.
I loved this! This is a great idea! And how far you’ve come in less than a year! And you’re so lucky to be going to Blissdom. I don’t foresee a blogging conference in my immediate or not so immediate future, because unlike your husband, my cheap-ass husband won’t let me spend anything on blogging. I’ve had to steal from my student loan account for my blog makeovers. He thinks I’ve gotten the makeovers from winning through a giveaway. Anyway, good luck and much continued success, and I’m so glad I’ve found you, you make me smile like an idiot all the time, and I like that!
I love how you did the chronology – so helpful for new people! My goals remain the same, but the route I’m taking is definitely getting altered/improved. It’s funny – b/c depending on what area of the blogoshere you are in, the “way” to do it needs to be different too!
I loved reading about the progression of your blog! I like the way yours looks, but I understand how sometimes you just want a change. Also, I’m glad you mentioned Blissdom. Since I didn’t get to go to BlogHer, maybe I can start convincing my husband to let me go to Blissdom. Fingers crossed!
I’m totally considering Blissdom right now, too.
I have to say that I felt totally validated when Mama Kat chose one of my posts to feature, also. I couldn’t believe. I doubt it will happen a second time for me, but you never know…
You better get your ass to Nashvegas! Or else we may need to hunt you down, Lindsay Lohan style!
Lindsay Lohan style? OMG! Are you going to hit me with your Mercedes? Huck a dime bag at my head? Wait… wait… I want it to be a surprise!!!
Just curious – you’re not the first person I’ve heard saying they want to switch to wordpress. What makes wordpress better?
I switched in April. There are a lot of benefits, but the two main benefits (for me) would be owning your own domain/space (you do not own your domain with Blogspot) and the fact that designing with WordPress is limitless. Also, the premium themes have SEO built into the site.
Love how you walked us through the evolution of your blog. I totally agree about feeling validated when someone gives you a mention and how much that fuels the blogging fire. I think that is what keeps me totally addicted to blogging.
I think the trick is to blog for yourself. Being validated is just the icing on the cake!
if it means anything I LOVE your blog design!
Also?
WTG for 11 months!
You’re an inspiration
Thanks! I want to redo it. I REALLY love your design. She did such a great job.