My 2017 blogging goals and looking back on 2016

My 2017 blogging goals and looking back on 2016

Oh my god you guys, it’s new years eve! How has this happened? I know it’s such a cliché thing to say on December 31st but, seriously, where has this year gone? A lot has happened in the past 12months, the major event of course being the arrival of my gorgeous second baby boy in October. 2016 has been a big year for my blog too, my audience has grown, I’ve worked with lots of lovely brands and I’ve written lots of posts that I’m really proud of. At the beginning of the year I wrote down some goals I’d love to have achieved by the time the year was out. Well, time is up. The moment has come to look back and see if I managed to smash my goals or not and to set myself some brand spanking new ones for the fresh new year ahead. New year, new goals..let’s do this.

My 2017 blogging goals and a look back on 2o16.

Before I write down what I want my blog to achieve in 2o17, let’s look back and see how Naptime Natter got on with my 2016 goals first.

1. Take better photos – I have loved experimenting with photography this year. Oli got me a Nikon D3300 for my birthday and it’s the best thing ever. I definitely feel like I am taking much better photographs than I was this time last year.

2. Grow my audience – I gave up checking my stats months ago as I was getting a bit obsessed. I definitely have more regular readers now than I did in January but also have new people reading and commenting all the time. My instagram account currently has 1000 followers and I have about 2,500 on Twitter. Still a small following but much more than this time last year.

3. Work with other bloggers – This one gets a big fat tick. I have tried to put myself out there in the blogging community a lot more this year and have really enjoyed working with other bloggers. I have got involved in blog series post featuring on The PramshedAbsolutely PrabulousThe Life of a Glasgow GirlThe Frenchie Mummy and have also been nominated for several different blogging tags. I have invited some fab bloggers to guest post on my blog too and I loved showcasing the work of these brilliant writers. I also helped co host the brilliant KCACOLS linky with Franca which was hard work but I loved being a part of it all.

4. Comments – OK, I have massively failed here. I read every single comment so if you have ever written to me please know that I am so grateful and I have read what you have to say. I really struggle with replying to comments though, it’s one of those blogging tasks that always gets neglected and something I really want to improve on.

5. Reach out to brands – Yes! I haven’t made the first move when it comes to brand work that often but I have sent out emails to a few people and some  (not all) have paid off. I have a review coming up very soon on a brand I love and it’s on a product I asked for myself so I’m really excited about that.

6. Be more organised – Up until the last month or so of my pregnancy I was really organised in my blogging life. I was writing posts in advance and posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday without fail. Since Alex arrived  I’m pretty much winging it and I just blog when I have time, which isn’t as often as I’d like but real life is very full on at the minute. I definitely want to get back to my old blogging schedule as soon as possible.

7. Do what makes you happy – There have been times over the last year where I’ve lost sight of why I blog and have had to take a few blog breaks to get my head straight and get motivated to start writing the content I actually want to be writing again. On the whole though I have loved  blogging this year and have definitely embraced my blogger side.

I didn’t do too badly really did I? I’m actually really pleased with everything I’ve achieved this year. Now it’s time to stop looking back and start getting excited about the future. So without further ado, here are my goals for 2017..

1. Grow following and social media. I would love to reach 6k twitter followers (just over double my existing number) by next December and I would be over the moon if I could reach 5k on instagram. I absolutely love Instagram and I would be so happy to grow my following over there. I understand these aren’t massive numbers but for me and my little blog they are more than  enough.

2. Buy a new theme. I’m currently using a free WordPress theme, it’s OK but not perfect.  I have a very specific idea of how I want my blog to look, I just need to find a theme that matches the layout of my dream blog.

3. Start a Facebook page. I did do this earlier in the year but I gave up on it pretty quickly. From what I’ve read you’ve really got to persevere with Facebook so I’m going to start over and see if I can use Facebook to help drive some more traffic to my blog.

4. Start a guest post series. I’m not sure what I want this to be on, I have a few ideas flying around but I just need to find some time to plan it all out.

5. Work with more brands. I really have enjoyed collaborating with lots of different brands this year and  I would love to keep doing so in 2017. It would be my dream to be able to make a regular income from my blog and this is something I am going to be striving for this year.

6. Be more social in the blogging community. I have really worked on this over the last year and I feel like I have made some wonderful friendships with other bloggers. However, I know I could be more chatty on social media and join in with discussions and chats on Twitter and Facebook if I just made the time. Well, this year I’m going to find the time. I’d love to get to know everyone better and make lots more blogging buddies.

7. Create a child free/mess free zone for blogging. I have made it my mission to convert some of the space in our attic into a blogging corner. A chilled out part of the house where I can sit with my computer and my thoughts and really concentrate and work hard on my blog. I can’t wait to get started on this and you can find out all my plans in my blogging corner wishlist post.

I am going to stop there, I could probably come up with more as the blogging to do list is never over but these are the 7 main things I want to achieve in 2017.

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who’s read, commented on and shared my blog this year, it means so much to me that you take the time to read what I have to say. I just want to give a big special thank you to Fi (beautybabyandme) for being such a lovely friend and Mackenzie (reflectionsfromme) for being so supportive to me and my blog this year. Also, a big shout out to everyone over in the # KCACOLS crowd group on Facebook, I don’t where I’d be without this group of lovely bloggers sometimes. And to all the people I haven’t mentioned, who have been a part of my blogging journey this year..thank you, you’re all awesome.

Happy new year all!!

How did your  blog perform in 2016? Better or worse than you hoped? What are your plans for 2017, are you aiming for the stars? I hope your blog achieves everything you hope it will in the year ahead.
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* After my recent blog move from Blogger to Word Press, some of my posts have been left looking a bit strange. I am working my way through everything and sorting out the formatting, hopefully it won’t take me too long! If you come across a post with strange looking formatting please let me know as I might have missed it. Thank you 🙂 *

 

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34 Comments

  1. January 1, 2017 / 10:10 am

    You know I absolutely adore you and your blog! I am so grateful we’ve got to become such good friends. Heres to 2017 honey! xxx

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 7:05 am

      Right back at ya hun 🙂 so excited for the year ahead xx

  2. January 1, 2017 / 10:29 am

    oh honey, it is a pleasure to be supportive of your blog, I think you are amazing and are gorgeous inside and out! I love your blog and look forward to watching it grow. I have been happy with my blog in 2016, but like you want to be more dedicated in 2017. I just updated my theme too, and it aways feels good to have a fresh theme. Good luck this year and enjoy your beautiful boys xx
    Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…My most popular blog posts in 2016My Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 7:03 am

      Aww thanks lovely. I noticed you had a new theme, love it! I can’t wait to get one and give my blog a make over for the new year.xx

  3. January 1, 2017 / 9:36 pm

    It was lovely reading this Wendy, you’ve had a brilliant blogging year and thanks for the mention. It was lovely featuring you as part of my guest series too! Your 2017 goals all sound really achievable and I’m sure you’ll conquer them all. Claire x
    The Pramshed recently posted…2016: A Year of BloggingMy Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 7:02 am

      Thanks Claire, I will be so happy if I can achieve all of this. I loved getting hubby involved in blogging and featuring on The Partners View xx

  4. January 3, 2017 / 1:35 am

    Sounds like you’ve done really well over the last 12 months. I’ve just started a new blog in time for this year. I bought a Wix website and really missed WordPress so I’ve moved back, but instead of moving my content, I’m just starting again. This is because I didn’t feel that my other blog was working out. I’ve started a more focused parenting and lifestyle blog and I’m feeling much more motivated and excited. I’ve learned a lot in 2016 and hope to really grow my new blog in 2017!

    I love your blog and your posts – Janet (previously from Rambles, Rants and Writings).

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 6:59 am

      Oh wow, a new blog for the new year how exciting! I’ll make sure I come over for a read. Thanks for saying you love my blog, that’s made my day 🙂 xx

  5. January 3, 2017 / 9:15 am

    Congrats on 2016, you’ve done really well. Here’s to 2017 – i’ll be interested to see more from you – inc. your guest series #dreamteam
    Rach recently posted…Predictions For 2017My Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 2:28 pm

      Thanks:) yes so excited to host a guest series just need to get my ideas organised and get it going.xx

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 2:31 pm

      Thank you:) xx

  6. January 3, 2017 / 2:19 pm

    I have only been blogging for five months so I am still figuring things out but one of my blogging goals is to do an least one review a month along with the regular writing gigs that I have landed in order to stabilize an income.

    #dreamteam

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 2:32 pm

      That sounds like a great idea. Wishing you lots of success for your blog this year xx

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 3, 2017 / 4:26 pm

      Thanks..really hope I can pull it all off :). Haha yes, having a baby has slowed down my blogging life a lot though!xx

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 4, 2017 / 3:04 pm

      Thank you 🙂 xx

  7. January 4, 2017 / 10:11 am

    COngrats to you on both a wonderful blog now and goals for the future! You are on top of it all! #dreamteam

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 4, 2017 / 3:10 pm

      Thanks Lisa! I don’t always feel on top of it but I’m trying my best 🙂 xx

  8. January 4, 2017 / 10:13 am

    One of my goals is to start working with brands. I have done this twice before, but I want to reach out to a few more. My confidence is what lets me down here. I love your Instagram, I often “heart” your posts x

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 4, 2017 / 3:13 pm

      Oh I know how you feel. I had no confidence approaching brands but one day I just decided the worse thing they can do is say no so now I just go for it. Aww thanks 🙂 it makes so happy that you like my feed. I’m also following you too xx

  9. Fiona Cambouropoulos
    January 4, 2017 / 11:27 am

    Create that little space in the attic and make yourself organised and the rest will all fall into place. Happy New Year #BloggerClubUK

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 4, 2017 / 3:14 pm

      I hope so!Thanks hun, happy new year to you too xx

  10. January 4, 2017 / 1:23 pm

    Great list Wendy and I’m sure you will achieve all of these things. you had a great year last year!
    Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
    Debbie
    Random Musings recently posted…Blogger Club UK Linky #49My Profile

    • Wendy
      Author
      January 4, 2017 / 3:56 pm

      Thanks Debbie..I hope you have a great blog year too xx

  11. January 6, 2017 / 9:26 am

    I love reading bloggers’ reviews and goals. Sounds like you have achieved lots over the past year! Good luck smashing 2017! A child-free, mess-free blogging zone sounds amazing! I’m at the kichen table. Would love a little blog-zone! #TheListLinky
    Shinners and the Brood recently posted…Six Nuggets of Wisdom from 2016My Profile

  12. January 8, 2017 / 5:30 pm

    Happy New Year! It sounds like you have had a busy year and lots to look forward to working on for 2017. Good luck with achieving all your goals, I am sure you will 🙂 Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeam x
    Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…#HappyLittleButtons December Round UpMy Profile

  13. January 8, 2017 / 5:42 pm

    great goals and its good to have a plan. I think your theme looks great already and your content is always well worth reading. I look forward to seeing how it develops x Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
    Mainy
    romaine lawson recently posted…How to time manage your way back to happinessMy Profile

  14. January 9, 2017 / 12:34 pm

    I don’t keep up replying to all comments either. It’s tough as a small blogger like we are without assistants – we have to choose priorities. So don’t be too hard on yourself. We can’t do it all! Best of luck with your goals for 2017! Thanks so much for joining us at #BloggerClubUK
    Becky, Cuddle Fairy recently posted…Our Favourite Toys this ChristmasMy Profile

  15. Emma and Family
    January 12, 2017 / 11:57 pm

    This is my second visit to your blog now and I love it!
    My blog only started halfway through 2016 so there was a lot a progress to be made starting from 0! I rebranded at the beginning of 2017 (although I still have some tweaking to do) and my main goal for 2017 is to increase social media followings. I launched my facebook page on new year as well, so far I’m finding it so much harder to build compared to twitter but I also really need to work on my instagram!
    Good luck with you goals! #KCACOLS

  16. January 13, 2017 / 12:06 am

    Great set of goals. Replying to comments is one of the things I always do. Occasionally I’ll miss a few, and I don’t do them on MySunday Photo, just like the comment. My aim for this year is to continue to grow but do less in the way of posting. Hopefully that will free up more of my time to do more on my second blog.

  17. January 14, 2017 / 11:47 am

    You’ve certainly achieved a lot in 2016 and have set yourself some excellent goals for 2017!
    I’ve just upgraded to a new theme (although I really like yours) which I love! I think it give my whole blog a brand new feel!
    #KCACOLS
    Becky Clark recently posted…365 Days – A Year of Maternity LeaveMy Profile

  18. June 3, 2017 / 2:10 pm

    Wow, this is great, good luck achieving your goals. This gave me lots to think about for my own blog. Thanks!