Trisha over at MomDot has been hosting a blog carnival the past several weeks. This is the first one I have participated in. Thought I had better get some goals down on paper so to speak…maybe…just maybe I’ll attain them.
When I Started Blogging
When I started blogging it was on a private family blog on the back end of our online bookstore. It was for close friends and family to keep up with the children’s growth and achievements. A “mom brag place” if you will. That was back in 2006. I stopped blogging there in late 2010 when I started this blog. I also had a blog in conjunction with our online shop, but it wasn’t going anywhere; which led to me becoming frustrated with the whole thing. After we had shut our bookstore down the blog itself didn’t make much sense. My purpose in doing it was to connect with our customers, possibly make money (back then I was trying to make money with affilate links and only made pennies and lost money because I didn’t make the payout goal in time…frustrating to say the least). I also wanted to try to be an encouragement to other moms. Then there were the people lurking that I wanted to get away from due to personal reasons. Not that they couldn’t find me again, but I was ready for a new adventure. I wanted to do more product reviews because I enjoyed that sort of thing after having wet my feet with book reviews. I also wanted to hide behind reviews so I wouldn’t have to blog about personal stuff anymore.
But I’m over all that…it’s what fueled the birth of this blog.
Goals for Faith and Family Reviews
I’ll admit that in addition to wanting to do more reviews, I wanted to monetize my blog. Yes, I wanted to make MONEY. I’ve been working at home since 2005, but only making money from home since 2008. Our book business basically paid for itself and that was about it. When my husband was laid off in 2008, that jet propelled me into a working machine to earn money. I can’t say I am good at it but I am making some money and it helps pay the bills. The problem is it’s usually at the expense of time with family. Before all my children are grown and hate me for working so much, I want to work smarter, spend more time with my family and work less.
Blog Goals: Make money. Smarter with my time = More time with my family. Trips are extra perks.
Money Goals for 2012
One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to double my blog income. I think I’m half way there, at least some months. Now, I want to double what I am currently making.
I wanted to get a couple of ambassadorships. I have one, now to acquire another one.
I wanted to get more paid advertisers. I joined some ad networks, but only time will tell if those make a dent in my income or not. I’d like a couple of paid advertisers for my side bar once I clean it up a bit from old campaigns.
Goals for 2013
Establish some relationships with PR. It seems like I work more with blog networks than directly with PR.
Get my page rank up again, preferably by January 2013.
Create a blog “inner” circle where fellow bloggers and I bounce opps/ideas off of one another. Similar to what we do on the MomDot forum but on a smaller scale.
Possibly get into some consulting.
Defining Success
I know in some circles making money with my blog does make me a success, but to me success means something bigger. I want to make more money and work less. That means getting paid more for my time. Bigger jobs, more money, less time. I’d love to make enough to pay my contributors. That’s always been a goal of mine too.
Success to me has also been to be the best mother I can be. My children are part of the reason I work so hard. So if I can manage to raise my children to be good, God fearing, law abiding citizens, responsible and courteous, then I consider myself to be a success.
So how do you define success and if you are a blogger, what are your goals?
Most of my goals are similar to yours. I want to build my brand but no clue on how/where to start. That’s my goal for the year 2013. Great blog post, by the way!
Linda, exactly. It’s how to get from point A to point B. It seems like an uphill battle, doesn’t it.
Thank you!
Theresa our goals are really similar. I have to work on my time management skill too because I easily get caught up on momdot when I should be writing posts, etc. Good luck on your 2013 goals.
i like how you laid it all out. It sounds like you have a clear head of specific goals, so that helps you succeed in the short and long term. Keep moving ahead!
trisha
momdot.com
I want to build relationships with PR as well, most of my blogging business is through networks.
Kelly, I am sure we aren’t the only ones who struggle with time management.
Thanks, Trisha!
Jenn, for some reason building PR relationships has been a struggle. At another blog I worked for it came easily, but of course I don’t use those contacts due to a conflict with my contract, however, I’d like to build the same rapport.
Your goals are really good ones. I like the Page Rank one, I think that is one I would like to work on too. I also need to learn to be smarter with my time. I get online and end up wasting SO much time. Best of luck to you with your goals!
It is always great to set goals they really do help you stay on track. I too need to be smarter with my time and spend more time with my family.
those are so great goals. one of mine was to double my income and so far so good. I’d love 1 or 2 more ambassadorships too
Great job laying them all out for yourself. My only goal is to be a K-cup ambassador. Seriously. I lurve coffee and my Keurig.
Tiffany, page rank is a tough one. I have had lots of opportunity to guest post thanks to MomDotters, but have yet to see it jump back up to the 2 I was at in January.
Colleen and Tiffany, there are so many time wasters.
Jennifer, yes doubling income is fantastic! And those ambassadorships are hard to come by…at least paying ones.
Rachel, that shouldn’t be too hard for you since you are pretty much a food blogger. Keurig should be knocking down your door to do an ambassadorship with them!
Have you pitched them?
Great goals! I’m reevaluation my own as well.
I would love to be a part of something like this.
“Create a blog “inner” circle where fellow bloggers and I bounce opps/ideas off of one another. Similar to what we do on the MomDot forum but on a smaller scale.”
Awesome goals. I didn’t write a blog post but did write some goals on momdot in the comment section.
I learned so much with just this posting. Can’t wait to “dig” in -see more of your blog! Thank you for sharing!
This is a great post. I agree with a lot of your goals. I really have a pretty good idea of mine but need more hours in a day at the moment :).
I could easily lay out my plan but with a family health crisis, that just has to take precedence. Nevertheless, I love blogging and want to continue growing as a blogger.
I have a lot of ideas I can’t wait to implement.
Wishing you luck on your goals!
Those are some really great goals! I know you can reach and even exceed them with a little smart planning.
A mastermind/brainstorming group is a great idea and it was when I found some really good people to do this with that I started creating some form of blogging/emailing schedule which leads to increased income.
I’d suggest, though, that you aren’t the most knowledgeable person in whatever group you create or you’ll be doing the bulk of the work and not getting much advantage.
I woudl say mine are similart oo. Good luck with them!
Theresa having met you in person I know that you will achieve these goals. You are a very sucessful blogger and mother!
Thank you Tracy, Connie, Yolanda, Kim, Rachel and Anne!
Debra, everything has a season. A family health crisis is important and that’s when your blog will take a back burner, but don’t let that deter you. Once the family health issue gets better you’ll be able to focus on blogging again.
Joy, you are very sweet, thank you!
Looking forward to seeing you again at Brandcation!
What great goals, good luck! I need to sort out mine.
I want to at least double my income.
oh, yeah, baby! I can agree with that goal to make more money in less time. I should include that in my goals, too.
I think I’d like to participate in some ambassadorships, and increase my blog income and traffic. I really should take the time to set my goals and jot them down in writing.
Theresa, thanks for the support! (((hugs)))
Great goals.. I should really set some for my blog.
I saw this post on MomDot and need to join in. I set zero goals and really need to do this. I get bored quickly with myself and have so many ideas but do not put them into action.
You are certainly a great business minded person. The way you have your goals laid out is wonderful.I wish you much success in all that you do!
“Make more money and work less”. This is what I want too. Right now I work day and night, and yes I do alright…but I want the time to enjoy my family too.
Those are great blogging goals, I really need to write down mine.
fabulous goals thanks for sharing. i didn’t catch that post but I’ll have to look and see what I”m missing
These are wonderful goals!!
I wish you much luck in achieving your goals!