Friday Favorites – Goals for Year 4
Happy Friday friends! It’s our last weekend before school starts and wouldn’t you know it, instead of heading out for one last hoorah we are going to be hunkered down riding out a hurricane. We are about 150 miles from the coast and will probably only see heavy rain but if the predictions are correct there will be lots of flooding in Texas and many people displaced. If you are a regular here then you know Riley is living in Corpus Christi right now but thankfully his organization has moved them inland. My mom, brother and Mamaw all live about 60 miles inland from Matagorda and they will be on the “dirty” side of the storm if you are familiar with hurricanes. All this being said, Texas could use some prayers!
If you haven’t stopped by this week, I’m celebrating my 3rd Blogiversary! On Wednesday I shared the blog milestones from year 3 along with a giveaway so hop back over and register to win!
Today I thought I’d share my blogging goals for moving forward in year 4!
Blog Schedule
For three years this space has been consistently inconsistent! Some weeks I have managed to post 6 posts and some weeks I’ve struggled to post 2. I do love joining other bloggers for prompt led posts so I am not positive it’s realistic for me to ever consistently post on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday type schedule but I do think it is realistic for me to pick X number of posts per week and stick to it. Now to figure out the perfect equation to identify that X!
Another thing I have never done is schedule breaks. The pressure to post is so real and I think we all need the opportunity to step away and let the blog totally leave our mind a bit. When we do we can come back with a fresh outlook and new ideas. In year four I’m going to attempt to schedule 4 weeks a year to be “off” on a blogcation! I think being able to look forward to this will give me some peace of mind.
I have a running list of posts I’m ready to write but there always seems to be something else pop up. Moving forward with writing these posts and having them edited and ready to schedule at some point in the future will also give me some relief on those weeks I may not be fully feeling it if you know what I mean. If I could have 4-5 posts ready to go at all times that would be amazing.
Blog Conference
Attending the Thrive Creative Conference was such a great experience for me not only as a blogger but just as a women who strives to be inspiring to others. The only negative was going alone! I would really love to attend a conference with a few of my blogging buddies who I’ve come to know both in real life and online. Having a squad along would definitely make me feel more confident and I know it would be so much more fun.
Blog Meetup
I have built so many relationships through following along with others and celebrating their successes and praying over their struggles and we have built online relationships through comments and emails. Last March I was even able to meet one of my readers (Hi Kim) on her trip through Texas! I really hope to have a chance for more “in real life” encounters in year four. Maybe even stepping out of my comfort zone and inviting myself to some meetups in the Houston or Austin area or hosting one locally. Evidently we have quite the little blogging community right here in this sleepy town and I just need to round everyone up!
Blog Photos
I upped my photo game in year 3 and have gotten so much better with finding different locations for taking photos. This year I would really like to learn to use Lightroom and really give my photos a really professional feel.
Photography has always been fun to me but I lack some of the creative side and it would really help in creating more still shot photography to use for my posts. Learning to style objects for photos and to create flatlays is really something I’d like to master.
Blog Traffic
My numbers held fairly steady on the blog in year 3 and while I’d be thrilled if views increased, I’m good if they stay the same. Increasing followers on other social media outlets has also improved and I hope to continue to add numbers on both Instagram and Facebook in year 4. The biggest thing for me is I want to continue to gain followers who identify with me and gain something from stopping by. I’m never going to be the trendiest girl on the block but I hope by showing a middle aged girl who still cares about putting outfits together and is concerned with taking care of herself and her family there will be someone out there who can identify with me.
I need to make these goals a little more concrete and set timelines, budgets and really measure the success or failure of my goals in year 4! Cheers to taking one more step forward!
Booties | Jeans (similar) | Top (Solid, Animal Print) + Extra 25% off at Macys this weekend!
You have ALL seen me carrying the Taj clutch and loving it right? No? Well here are a few pictures to jog your memory!
Well the fall version is available and lucky you, I’m giving one away today! Such a fun way to add a little flare to fall.
I love all your goals, especially about having extra posts on deck in case you need something in a pitch!!! Praying for you and your family with this nasty hurricane coming upon Texas!!
Thank you Emily! I am most worried about my great Aunt and her husband who live in a mandatory evacuation area but who is refusing to leave. It’s going to be a tough week for Texas I am afraid.
Congratulations, and these are wonderful tips for other bloggers to use too! I love that clutch, I could see it styled casually with a long sweater and jeans, or with a black dress!
Kelsey
acupofteawithkelsey.blogspot.com
So ready to wear a long sweater and some jeans Kelsey! Good luck!
Totally fantastic goals for the yeAr- here’s to yeAr 4!
Thanks Lady!
Nice goals! I think planning some breaks and having prepped blog posts is a great idea! Hope all of your family will be safe during the hurricane. I do not watch the news so most of time, I only hear about things through social media.
Thanks Mireille! Things are devastating here in Texas but we are safe where we are. Watching the news has been almost paralyzing so I’ve tried to limit myself.
Happy three years!! Love the photos. I struggle with a publishing schedule, too!!
Thank you Mande! It’s so crazy because I have tons of post ideas but I have hard time finding the mental time to pull them together. Fashion posts often seem so much easier!
Those goals sound wonderful! I have started having “extra” posts at the ready for when life throws me a curve or two and it has helped tremendously.
I really think it would give me some peace of mind! I’m really going to try to get there this year.
I would definitely style the Taj Clutch with a nice black dress to highlight the clutch!
I’m definitely thinking it would pop with black!
I agree with your goals, I need to do all of those things (and more). I really want to attend a blogger conference, and I ‘d rather not go alone so…let me know which one and when you’re going,maybe I can join you! I struggle in so many areas and I just have to slow down and realize Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m trying to focus on one thing at a time. You’re doing a great job!!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Yes Kellyann….definitely realizing it takes time is soooo important! I’m going to find some conferences over the next year and send some of you girls the dates. I would love if we could all get together in real life!
If you ever want a buddy to go with to a blogging conference, hit me up! I’m in the St. Louis area, but would be very open to travelling someplace for a conference. It would be so fun to be there with someone you know, even if it is just through the blog world!
I so will Penny! I just know it would be so much more fun with others!
Do you mind if I just copy and paste this? LOL It pretty much sums up all of my thoughts. I’m hesitant to write goals for myself because it intimidates me if I don’t meet them. (which is such a strong possibility) I really hope a bunch of our squad can do a conference or meet up soon. I admire you for going alone to one. I’m not really sure I’d have the moxy for that. Congratulations on year 3. I can’t wait to follow along on year 4!!! Saying prayer for all my Texas peeps. Stay safe! XOXO
LOL! I didn’t scroll through the comments until after I posted- let’s just get Shelly to do everything for both of us! 🙂
You girls are silly! But I would seriously love to get together for blog brainstorming anytime!
Girl…we continue to be more alike! I am always hesitant to write down goals too…that’s why I don’t do the monthly thing! 🙂 We are hold up with plenty of wine and snacks and my momma is here instead of nearer the coast. It’s going to be a wet few days.
Go for it with your goals! It has been so fun to see the growth of your blog, and I hope you’re proud of yourself and see it as an accomplishment! I love that you have stayed “real” on the blog and true to yourself. I can relate to lots of your goals. I was trying to blog everyday, and that’s just not going to work for me. It’s good to find the right schedule, or be easier on yourself if you don’t get all your posts out. Also, I like that you are looking for new readers who can relate to you, and not just thinking about the numbers. A blogger meetup sounds fun! I don’t consider myself a “serious” blogger, but would love to see some fellow bloggers in person.
Hope your family is high and dry. This hurricane Harvey has certainly gotten stronger and stronger. Our area is predicted to get 25+” of rain so I’m pretty sure we’ll be flooded in for a few days. We’ll have to wait and see!
I think we are going to see very little compared to every one else but very worried about my moms house and my brother. And my sweet great aunt lives in Victoria and I spoke to her this morning and they were refusing to evacuate. Hope you guys stay dry! Right now I just can’t quit watching the dang weather channel.
So, can you accomplish all of those goals and then do them for me, too? Thanks! Ha! 🙂 I hope your family stays safe- the projected rainfall is insane!
Hope you guys are safe out there Allie!!
Hi Shelly! 🙋🏻….oh this sweet clutch would look great with my new faux leather leggings ( Nordstrom anniversary sale!) and a new denim tunic I picked up last week at Tarbet. Have you seen the A New Day brand target has? Cuuuute!! I’ve thought about all of you today with this weather! Stay safe, my friend!
Umm…yes, yes it would! I had not thought about it with a denim top but I think that would look great.
I’m not so daring with my attire. I think I would let the bag pop against all black like you did above! I’m all about “middle age style” 🙂 I wish there was a greater presence on blogs.
My mental age is still stuck at 28 but knowing my body needs to dress more middle age is definitely sometimes a challenge. 🙂
I would style it with jeans, black v neck tee and pumps.
And you would be adorable Jessica! Good luck!
Congrats on reaching your 4th year of blogging! I think it’s amazing you have set goals for yourself that are very specific!
I would style the clutch with black jeans and pull out one of the colors of the clutch with a basic tee (like a hunter green one). I think it would be simple but very cute!
I’m positive that would be a perfect way to style the clutch Kasey! Good luck.
Black Jeans – with a tan and blue top with a silver necklace 🙂
oh Cynthia….I amy be secretly wishing you win so I can see this ensemble!!
I’d style it with a black dress:)
Kathy I know you would be adorable!
Happy blogiversary! I hope you can reach all your new goals!
Thanks for joining us at Thursday Moda Linkup 🙂
http://www.memoriesofthepacific.com
Thanks Christina and thanks for hosting!
I am positive you can reach your goals. I loved reading this post, I have been thinking about my own space and the different goals I want to reach in year two. I like the idea of scheduled breaks, you are right, the pressure to post is real. I hope year four is wonderful for you!
It’s so crazy because it’s totally a self imposed pressure! As much as I love the relationships I’ve made through this space, I’m positive no one is just sitting around waiting for my post!
I love all of your goals, totally doable! Yes to scheduling breaks, mine are always unintentional and never planned….I think I would style this clutch with a fun going out dress with the girls. Probably something black so that the clutch can showcase.
I really wish I was better at not having guilt when I take a break! Happy Monday Sarah!
I am a major blog slacker. I haven’t posted in months !
slacker!!! Lol miss your blog but you know that 🙂
It’s a huge commitment isn’t it Kimm? Sometimes being with your family and focusing where you are MOST needed is the right decision.
Your goals sound realistic and not pie in the sky. Wishing you another good year of blogging, I’m going to keep reading 🙂
white top and black shorts!
The goals sound very realistic. Congrats on 3 years. I’m struggling with staying consistent sometimes life gets in the way.
http://tresfly.blogspot.com
It looks like it goes with so much from your looks you shared, which I love. I also love this clutch..so cute. I would style it initially with a white top, darker denim jeans and booties. It would take my basics up a notch. Congratulations on your blogiversary and thanks so much for this opportunity.
Love the clutch! I think it would look great with black jeans, heels, and a moto jacket for a night out.