When you started your blog, did you set any goals? Have you achieved them? Have they changed at all? - Prompt from The Daily Post
This blog started off in 2007 to be an outlet for my creativity and to promote my Etsy store. I was partially unemployed, trying to make it on my own and pretty depressed about not having many people to associate with offline. I felt lonely and wanted to feel like I was contributing something to someone. Well, as time went on I realized that I really missed blogging -- I love to write about random topics that are important to me or sharing stories about my life and family. So I decided to move my blog in a different direction and go back to writing about family, mommy situations, topics that are near and dear to my heart, etc...
I started my blog in this direction because I was trying to find a place where I would belong and for inspiration for my writing. Being different and having a creative mind, I never really fit in amongst anyone around me. I thought with the right side of my brain while everyone around me thought with the left side; I look at everything and find beauty and creativity in it...a lot of people don't understand that. Therefore, I got bullied a lot and got made fun of a lot. I wanted to be with people who are me, who are also creative and think creatively.
My main goal, once I turned this into a personal (slash) mom blog, was to connect with other moms and share information and experiences. I wanted to try to contribute what I knew to others out there. I've always said, If I can help just one person with my blog, I would feel like I accomplished a hell of a lot. That's actually become my personal motto, one that I keep dear to my heart. Basically, I wanted to make a difference. Now, I know I'm not the most popular mom blogger out there, but I feel like I've accomplished that goal. I've had people comment saying that my post really helped them or that they could relate to me or that I gave someone the strength to go on as a single mom... I love hearing all of the positive feedback because just as I may have helped them a little, they're helping me keep my motivation and confidence.
Another goal that I have is to help brands. I'm very PR Friendly and love to connect with brands to promote them, that's something I am passionate about. Being a SEO and Social Media coordinator, helping brands and businesses is my passion. I feel that since I have the skills to help companies get "out there", I should definitely incorporate it into my blog in a different way, and I do. I've worked with some amazing companies and PR reps and continue to do more in the future. These are my ultimate goals:
- To completely monetize my blog well enough to have a good second income to put into savings for my girls.
- To become an ambassador for a company.
- To go on a blogger conference trip to network, learn more and promote my blog.
- To continue to grow a readership that actively loves to give me positive feedback but also constructive criticism.
I would love for my blog to become another business for me along with being a hobby and I will actively work towards that goal until it actually happens. Goals are a part of my life -- I feel like I have to set goals for myself or I could easily get sidetracked, derailed and discouraged.
What are your blogging goals?