We’re nearing the end of 2018 and it’s a time to start thinking about the New Year ahead. I published my first blog on the 16thDecember 2017, which means I’ve been blogging for just over a year, but didn’t start taking it seriously until August. I work full-time, study for my Masters part-time, go the gym four times a week and try to juggle a social life on top of my blog, I’ve not been as active as I’ve wanted on my blog which is the first thing I want to change in the New Year. I thought I’d write a blog about my goals for 2019, so I can look back at the end of the year and see how far (or not far) I’ve come.
Take Better Photos
I’ve just got myself an Olympus PEN E-PL8, which I’ve been eyeing up for a while! I used to study photography at college, so I have an old camera but it’s hefty and is quite old now, therefore, I wanted to upgrade to something lighter and a camera that had built in Wi-Fi so I could easily send my photos over to my phone.
My images aren’t bad, but they can definitely improve and I can’t wait to take my camera away on a few trips this year and see my Instagram feed looking better quality.
Take More Photos
I’ve got the camera, now I have no excuse! I love taking photos but I don’t actively go on shoots which is what I want to change. It’s hard when I don’t have anyone regular to go out on shoots with, but I’m going to try and get my family and friends out to shoot wherever possible. I also have a tripod which I will take out if no one is free. I’ve got tonnes of ideas saved on my Instagram and Pinterest, it’s just getting the time and the weather to take them.
Master the Flatlay
Scrolling through Instagram, I admire so many flatlays! I’ve tried and failed at them, but in 2019 I want to try more with them. I’ve purchased a few backgrounds, some fake flowers and rose petals and I’m looking forward to trying my hand at them! The light in my room isn’t great and with the darker days still on us, I’m limited to doing photos on the weekend when there’s plenty of light.
Blog More
My life is pretty hectic, I’m always busy doing something and this year my blog has taken a bit of a backseat but I don’t want that anymore. My aim is to post at least once a week, ideally twice a week, or more if I can. I asked for planner for Christmas so I can schedule which posts I want published when and know when I need to take photos. I’ve got tonnes of ideas for blog posts, again, it’s just having the time to sit down and put my thoughts into words!
Engage with More Bloggers
The blogging community is so big and everyone so far has been lovely. I’ve met a few lovely bloggers on Instagram, and we continue to support each other which is lovely. I try to like and comment on a lot of the posts I see when I’m scrolling on Instagram to support everyone. I want to do even more next year, I try to comment on other bloggers posts when I can, as there’s nothing like receiving a comment on something you’ve worked hard on.
I want to do more of it next year, supporting everyone as blogging is hard and is very competitive!
Attend Blogging Events
Living in Devon this is quite hard as there’s nothing this far South West, I basically spend a quarter of my time in Bristol where there are loads of events, but it’s hard to hear about them. I’m actually attending two things already in 2019, Make An Impact: The Six Habits of Successful Influencers book tour, which is a workshop in Bath and a travel writers festival – The Holiday & Travel Show.
I want to get out more, meet new people and learn more about this incredible industry!
Write More About Travel
The reason I started this blog was because I want to go and travel the world, pack up and not return to the UK for at least a year. I wanted to start something where my friends and family can keep up with my adventures. I decided to start my part-time Masters this year which is going to take two years, so by the time I leave to travel the world with my backpack, I’ll be 26 and therefore my blog has taken a slight detour.
I only went abroad once this year to Malta where I went to Lost & Found so I’ve not wrote a lot about international travel yet, however, I’ve already booked to go to Paris in April, planning on going to Italy in May, potentially going to Ibiza in the summer, planning on cycling round Amsterdam in September and maybe somewhere in the winter months too. So, I’m going to be able to write a lot more about travel next year, hooray!
With doing all of this, I’d hope to get more subscribers to my newsletter, more blog views and some more social followers! What are your blogging goals for 2019? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me!
