Five Blogging Goals for 2014

I don't know that I've ever been consistent enough at blogging that it would have mattered to set goals.  After having had a good deal of success the last 6 months at both success and writing things which I didn't hate, this year seems like the year to set some goals.  Goals may not be the best term.  Perhaps it would be better to call them directions.

GOAL #1 - Stay Consistent

The problem I run into as a blogger is that my schedule is so wildly inconsistent.  I lead five or six different trips each year. In particular, over the summer I'm gone or absurdly busy four weeks over the summer.  That's an entire month in less than a three month period of time.

It's a bit of a snow ball effect:

• I can't write when I'm on a trip
• I don't want to write when I return exhausted
• I lose motivation to write when I've lost all momentum

So this year I want to find a solution to this problem.  The obvious answer is to write and schedule material before going on trips.  This is easier said than done.

GOAL #2 - Be Social

I'm pretty good about being social on social media when it comes to Facebook.  Besides Facebook, not so much.  Heading into 2014 I want to do a much better job of commenting on other blogs as well as other forms of social media and Pinterest.

Speaking of Pinterest...

GOAL #3 - Figure Out How to Use Pinterest

I only joined Pinterest because I blog.  I kind of enjoy it and I kind of don't get it at all.  As simple as it sounds, I want to figure out how to use and enjoy Pinterest.

GOAL #4 - Start Podcasting or Vlogging

I've been meaning to do this for months.  I have all the technology I need to record video or audio, and I speak for a living.  I write as a hobby, but I put together content and say it for a living. So am I not taking advantage of one of my primary skill sets?  

I don't know what the best way to do this will be, but I'd like to experiment with both podcasting and video blogs.  

GOAL #5 - Expand My Readers Beyond My Facebook Friends

At the moment my readership seems far too tied to me reposting my blog links on my personal Facebook page.  I don't mind doing so, but it's a clear indicator of how limited my readership is at this time.  

Some of this is that up until the last six months I've never been consistent enough to build momentum. Really all of my momentum has come over the last three months since I've had some better practices (after talking with my sister).

FINAL THOUGHTS

I've been pretty excited about what's been happening with my blog the last several months. In some form or fashion I've been blogging for about ten years, but it's only been recently that I feel like I've found a voice which I like.  I'm excited to see what the new year will bring.