Six Months In – A Look Back & A Look Ahead

When I started this blog back in August, I had NO idea what to expect.

I didn’t even have a “launch party” because I had no one to launch my website too! I simply announced it to my Facebook friends and hoped they would visit.

I wondered if I could come up with valuable information to share. I wondered if anyone would read the words I wrote. I wondered if I would run out of things to say {although Dave would tell you this isn’t possible!}. I wondered if I would want to quit, if I would like blogging, if I could make any money, if I would “make friends” with other bloggers, I wondered if all my time and effort would amount to anything.

If you are a blogger, I’m sure you can relate!.

Well, I can happily say that my first six months of blogging have not been a complete waste!

Yes, there have been plenty of frustrating moments. Yes, there have been times when I asked myself if the whole “blog thing” was really for me. There was even a brief moment when I wanted to throw in the towel and quit!  But there have been SO many other times when I’ve thought, “wow, I love blogging — why did it take me so long to start!”

So I’m planning to stick with it!

And just for fun, here’s a little recap of the past 6 months, and a look ahead to a few of my goals.

Over the last 6 months…

• I’ve gotten to know hundreds of other amazing bloggers — there are so many wonderful women out there.

• I’ve received thousands of emails and comments from loyal readers {this is the best part so please, keep them coming!!}

• I’ve learned a lot about blogging and social media — A LOT!

• I’ve failed more times than I care to remember.

• I’ve partnered with companies like Ultimate Christmas Storage, Well Kept Life, Mimi’s Babies, Stack Mates, and more to offer 11 great giveaways.

• I’ve partnered with several other amazing bloggers who submitted a guest post for my site. You can read them all here.

• I’ve worked with great advertisers like Tastefully Simple, Ultimate Christmas Storage, Tie That Binds Weddings, and others.

• I’ve been featured on a host of other amazing blogs — THANKS 🙂

• I’ve expanded my organizing business to offer new services and as a result, have gained new clients…yay for new clients!

• I’ve acquired over 675 Facebook followers, over 650 Twitter followers, and over 600 subscribers! Thanks to all of you who have decided to follow along over the past 6 months.

• I’ve watched in amazement as my website stats have grown to over 65,000 page views per month. {which I know isn’t alot compare to many blogs — but I have to start somewhere right?}

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These are just a few of the many highlights from the past 6 months — there is no way for me to accurately sum up everything.

I know I could have done more. I could have created a fancier site, written more guest posts, hosted more giveaways, found more advertiser, participated in more affiliate programs, gotten more involved in Twitter and Facebook…but I didn’t. And you know what, life will go on — and now I just have THAT much more to works towards in the next 6 months!

The Next 6 Months — and beyond:

• I’m excited to offer new giveaways from NeatReceipts, About One, Prarieland Herbs, and more — stay tuned for more details!

• I’m so happy to be working with Mandi from Life…YourWay as the new Site Editor.

• I hope to attend at least 2 blogging conferences this year — and get sponsored!

• I want to triple ALL my stats {Facebook followers, Twitter followers, subscribers, and general blogging stats}

• I want to continue posting at least 6 posts per week

• I want to learn as much as I can about different affiliate programs and other ways of monetizing my blog

• I want to double the number of clients and speaking engagements I book

• I’d like to try my hand at an e-book {we’ll see about this one!}

• I will hopefully continue to help and inspire others to “create their best life” through simple, organized living!

I have so many ideas floating around my head…way too many to mention in this post, but I’m definitely excited to see which ones come to fruition!

So Thanks…

…to every reader, every subscriber, every commenter, every blogger who has taken time to promote me, and every client who has allowed me to come into their home!

These last 6 months have been great. I can’t wait for the next 6.