Looking Ahead to 2009 – Blogging Resolutions
The beginning of a new year has always literally been a new year in my life. The new year, a new semester in school (glad that’s over) and the fact that my birthday falls on the 3rd of the year makes it a new year in my life. This year I’m turning thirty. Yikes! Time flies. I do not feel thirty. I also started this blog in November of last year but feel I didn’t start getting any readers until a few months later. So I feel like it’s a new year for my blog too.
I just posted my reading goals and challenges for 2009, but what about my blogging goals? In addition to doing what I’m already doing, I have a lot of things I’d like to accomplish this next year. But one of my main goals is to just relax! So I’m just going to take it nice and slow this year, and not stress if something gets left behind.
- For starters, I have become very remiss in leaving comments on other great book blogs. Part of this is because I’m overwhelmed with my Google Reader, how many blogs I’m subscribed to and the time that it takes to leave comments. But how could I not make this my number one goal of the new year? I love comments on my blog, so it goes without saying that other people do too. So I’m going to get my Google Reader organized and under control. If I see a post where I have something to contribute, I will leave a comment but not feel obligated to leave a comment on all posts. And I won’t feel guilty if I hit mark all as read. Basically, I want to become more active in this community. I’d like to double the number of comments that I leave.
- I’d like to become more active within a couple of other circles of book bloggers, mainly the kidlit bloggers and the book bloggers that live in Utah. In fact, I’m hosting a IRL party for the Utah book bloggers so we can meet. So excited about this!
- Revive the Book Bloggers Book Review Database. I haven’t touched it for the past six months and would like to work on it (most likely when I’m watching movies I don’t like with my husband). I’ll be adding a Google search box which will search all book blogs I have listed.
- Become semi-active (I say semi-active!) in two or three forums that I basically disappeared from.
- Implement a couple of new features on my blog. I’d like to start a series of “Meet the Commenter” where I highlight a different commenter on my blog either each week or semi-monthly. I’m going to bring back my book lists for book recommendations on different genocides. I started it but never finished it. Also, bring back my posts in which I highlight fun search words that brought people to my blog. I’m also going to start a new feature where I do some type of video of me talking. I’m not sure how often. Monthly, perhaps.
- I have decided that I can not keep up with my monthly blogroll post. It is much to time consuming and takes a lot of work. Which actually makes me really happy, because if nobody commented, than I wouldn’t have anything to do. I’d rather enjoy the comments. I realize that I do not maintain a blogroll on this blog. To make up for taking the axe to the monthly blogroll post, I will instead at the end of each month do a short highlight on perhaps five blogs that stopped by here within that month. This is in addition to the “meet the commenter” series. I think this will be better anyways, as you’ll learn something more in depth about the blogger/reader.
- I’d like to review a book soon after I finish it. I don’t like it when I get behind 10 or 12 books.
- Start a “blogging” notebook to keep myself organized. Basically, list the review copies I have in the house, when they will be published, dates for tours, author interviews, etc. Also, keep track of my tags, etc.
- I’d like to be fairly active in sharing blogging tips and discussions in the group Blogging Tips that I created over at Book Blogs Ning. I’d love for this to be a resource for all of us and I feel like it’s something I would enjoy being a part of. Kind of like giving back. I want to be as helpful as I can as well as learn from you.
- I would like a major redesign on this site. It’s been on my to-do list forever. I’m hoping that this is something that I can do fairly soon. I’d like to work on the www.mawbooks.com site as well. It’s been needing major help for a while. I can see exactly what I want this blog to look like in my head, now only if I can find somebody to do it for me.
- Also, Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness is doing a Blog Improvement project that I think I will follow along unofficially. Why not?!
- Brainstorm some new ideas to breathe some new life into my blog. Anything you’d like to see?
- Try to turn the computer off when I’m with my kids and my husband comes home from work. Try to blog more during the morning, nap times, and after the kids go to bed. This was my biggest challenge in 2009. This will probably mean that I’ll read less and blog a little less often. But I’m a mom and a wife first. I need to remember that.
So yeah. Crazy, huh?!
What do you enjoy seeing on this blog? Anything you could do without (my feelings are not easily hurt)? Anything you’d like to see?
Thanks for continuing to come back time and time again and here’s to a better commenting year – that would me visiting you! And here’s hopping my husband will roll his eyes at me a whole lot less this year!
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Yearly Recap
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Happy New Year! I feel like Frosty the Snowman since I am going around and saying the same thing in everyone’s blog.
Good luck with your 2009 goals. I am still formulating some of my own but I think I will definitely be joining the blog improvement project and I would definitely like to comment more. There are so many great blogs that I like to visit.
on January 1st, 2009 at 7:49 pmGreat goals! I have to keep a calendar and notebook to avoid missing tours/posting dates.
By blogroll post, do you mean the post where you list those who have visited? I always thought that had to be awfully time-consuming. It’s not necessary; we’ll still come back to haunt you.
Trust me, 30 is golden. Enjoy being young!!!
on January 1st, 2009 at 7:59 pmHappy New Year, Natasha, and happy early birthday too! I hope your 30th year is filled with lots of good times, love, and most importantly, books.
I also need to work on commenting more on other blogs. I always want to, but then I realize I’m three quarters of the way through my Google Reader and haven’t commented once… like EVERY time I go through it. This is one of my blogging resolutions, to be a better commenter and not such a lurker.
on January 1st, 2009 at 8:17 pmHappy New Year! That’s a lot of goals, and I hope that you’ll be able to meet them all. With regards to keeping track of ARCs, I keep a calendar through Google that I’ve found to be very useful for keeping track of ARCs. I can view the calendar by the week or by the month.
on January 1st, 2009 at 8:31 pmHappy New Year–and happy almost-birthday as well. I turned thirty in November. It just sort of sneaks up on you, doesn’t it?
Becky
on January 1st, 2009 at 8:42 pm(Just wondering if the comment above referring to dark art scripts means they are using the Dark Arts? Or do i read too much fantasy?)
Natasha, Your goals are wonderful and I think I can see why your husband rolls his eyes as you must be just so busy.
I joined the blog improvement project and have been looking around at your blog. I like the subdued colour scheme. I LOVE the pics of you and your husband, complementing the colours very well. Your huge plus is content. It’s well set-out, easy to skim (love bullet points), lots of useful links and useful content. The widgets and ads are not distracting EXCEPT…I don’t like the bottom left one, telling me I’ve won something. It is just a prejudice of mine , soured as i am by Nigerian lottery wins, but also…it’s not as tasteful as the rest of the blog. You said you wanted honesty, so i hope that is helpful.
on January 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pmWow! Until now I hadn’t even thought about my book blogging resolutions. There have been times, though, where I’ve gotten too caught up in being in front of the computer and that’s something that I need to change for 2009 (unfortunately). I love new beginnings, so I’m really excited for the new year.
I have my google reader organized into different categories–my favorites, friends and family, other blogs and then the ones that I skim through for interesting stuff. It really helps in prioritizing where I want to be commenting. I also need to realize that I can’t comment everywhere all the time.
Happy birthday!!
on January 1st, 2009 at 9:05 pmI love your list. I’m sure you’ll do great with them all! I’ve been thinking of a blogging goal list too… but haven’t had time to organize them and blog about them yet. Sheesh it’s been crazy around here. Anyway, hopefully I can get going again soon on all the things I want to say.
on January 1st, 2009 at 11:20 pmYour goals sound great! I too wonder how the people who do the visitors this month manage because ti seems like a very time consuming thing to do (although I did scan through to see if I had visited or not). I try to comment regularly, but sometimes there are just too many blogs out there, including hundreds I am sure that I don’t even read.
on January 1st, 2009 at 11:36 pmYou have some great goals set for yourself.
Reviewing books and writing comments on blogs is an excellent way to spend the time while you are watching movies/TV your husband is watching that you really could care less about. Currently…let me see…oh ‘Best UFC Knockouts of 2008′ Although I am interrupted by a “Jenn did you see that? As he rewinds the DVR”….but I still get a lot done.
Good Luck with your goals…both reading and blogging!
on January 1st, 2009 at 11:49 pmBy the way…I panicked this year when I turned 30…well actually I guess that was last year now…but it really isn’t that bad I promise!
I still don’t feel 30 and how you feel is what’s important. I think my kids keep me feeling young…or maybe that’s just tired…hmmm
Anyways, Happy Early Birthday!
on January 1st, 2009 at 11:53 pmHappy New Year and Happy Early Birthday! I love your idea of turning off the computer when your family comes home. I just joined Book Blogs, so I’ll check out your blogging tips. I learned about Google Reader through one of your posts, and it has made all the difference. I look forward to reading your blog in 2009, even if you post less!
on January 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 amGood luck and Happy Birthday!
I have become a bad commenter too. I read the blogs but fail to comment. I can’t wait to see the new look!
on January 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 amHappy New Year a day late, and Happy Birthday a day ahead of time
!
Getting a handle on Google Reader is a goal of mine this year too. I love the community aspects of blogging – reading, commenting, replying to comments, link love – but blog-reading is cutting into book-reading time more than I want it to (and both are restricted by family time, work time, and “life” time!).
I just joined your Blogging Tips group on Ning, and your mention of the Utah book bloggers’ group made me look to see if California book bloggers have one too – and we do, so I’ve also joined that!
Good luck with all of your resolutions!
on January 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 amHappy Birthday!! I joined Kim’s Improvement Challenge as well, my blog hasn’t been changed since I’ve had it lol. Happy New Year!
on January 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pmThe first and last ones there are on my list too- be a more thoughtful and more frequent commentor and turn off the computer more. Or rather, not waste time on the computer- if I have something specific to do that’s fine, with time built in for commenting.
on January 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 pmI really enjoy the more random posts. The recipes, and the ones where you talk to us. (loved the chrissie mouse one). also, who doesn’t enjoy giveaways? i’d be crazy if i said i didn’t like that. and i really enjoy it when i see that you’ve read and liked one of my favorite books. not that you can control that.
so yeah. =]
on January 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 pmNicole – Happy new year! I’m curious about the blog improvement project. I haven’t signed up (because I’m trying to create less stress in my life!) but I’m going to check in to see what the topic is.
Nancy – I do mean that post. Glad to know you’d come back without it!
Heather – Thank you! I know what you mean about being a lurker. I, too, always see what’s in my reader and mean to come back and leave comments. I need to just do it then, so I’m not always haunted by those unleft comments!
Katherine – I do use Google Calender for my personal calender. But I find I always print out the next three months and put it on the fridge. I need something tangible to look at. I had a calender for 2008 but I didn’t have it with my notebook. Supposedly, my husband bought me some kind of notebook for my birthday. So let’s see if it will work out!
Becky – I know! Where did the last ten years go? I know thirty is not old, but it does not feel like I’m hitting it. 30 sounds so grown up.
Book Chook – Thank you so much for your thoughts! I was surprised about the last ad that you mentioned because I had only seen book covers in that space. I was going to go back to the advertiser and see what was going on. And then today I saw an ad there that I was so embarrassed to have! I have never seen it before. It was there for about a minute and then it switched to book covers. Sneaky. I could not believe it! And your comment confirmed that it’s not the first time. I’ve since taken it down until I can look into it more. The advertiser was highly recommended too. So, I appreciate your feedback.
Trish – I have my Google Reader split into folders too. About 6-8 of them but I think I need to narrow them down some more. Actually, you are the one that I want to be like. You seem to be everywhere in leaving comments. I’m always amazed.
Suey – Thanks! And you’ll help me achieve one of those goals this next Friday at our IRL party! Yay!!!
Marg – The monthly blogroll thing did sound like a great idea until I had so many people visiting that I was overwhelmed with the post. And really, who am I to complain? I love the comments. But it did take way to much time. So I’m simply not going to worry about it anymore.
Jenn M. – Ever since I got my laptop that’s what I’ve enjoyed doing. Sitting on the couch watching TV series on DVD’s with my husband but still getting something done. Thanks for the birthday wishes! Both my kids are still young, so I definitely do not feel old. I’m not panicking. I just can’t believe I’ll never be in my twenties again.
Charley – I’m glad that you feel Google Reader has helped. I don’t know what I would do without it!
Chris – I can’t wait to see the new look either! It might take a good 6-8 weeks to roll it out though. I just hope what I see in my head can be done.
Florinda – That’s what I’ve enjoyed about blogging as well, is the sense of community. I hope I won’t be such a lurker this year.
Kristina – Mine hasn’t changed much either. A few small changes here or there mostly to navigation.
Lisa – Seems like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Leave more comments but turn off computer more. I can tell my husband thinks I’ve got it on to much. When he begins to give me that look, this year I’m not going to try to ignore him.
Abbi – I’d love to do more random posts this year as long as they still relate to books somehow. That’s one of my main goals for blogging is to not have non-bookish posts but yet share enough about me that it still feels very personal. I’m glad you like the recipes and the giveaways. I think I gave away more than 150 books last year. Crazy stuff. Let’s hope that I’ll be able to continue that.
on January 3rd, 2009 at 1:22 amWow, that looks like a lot of work. I’d outsource some of it.
Seriously, though, I hope you don’t set so many goals for yourself that blogging and keeping up with social “web” commitments becomes a chore rather than something you enjoy.
Good luck, and happy New Year!
on January 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 am*nods* It is so easy for one’s RSS reader to get out of hand.
on January 3rd, 2009 at 2:52 amLOL–I haven’t been very good lately. I took about a two week break from blogging and had to make a lot of posts “read.” I only subscribe to about 50-60 blogs, though–so that allows me to go around more frequently, just not to a wide range of blogs. There are so many bloggers out there!!
on January 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 amI also resolve to comment more – starting now
And I need to get my TBR pile under control – stat.
on January 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 pmYou are very ambitious and put me to shame! I look forward to seeing what you come up with this year. Happy Birthday, and New Year!
on January 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pmThese sound like some great goals. I know how difficult it is to read and blog when you are a mother to young ones. Dishes or reading? Quite the choice…hope you have a great new year!
on January 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 pmThat’s a lot of great blogging goals. I don’t have nearly so many. Happy new year!
on January 4th, 2009 at 7:37 amI totally know what you mean about being overwhelmed by my Google Reader! I have over 100 subscriptions and lately I’ve been trying to give myself 1 day a week that I go around and leave comments. So far, it’s working, but we’ll see.
Happy Blogging in 2009! I look forward to all the great things you post here.
on January 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pmNatasha –
Thank you for the encouraging comment! While I have no aspirations of attaining 30,000 hits a month (CONGRATULATIONS!!), your comment has encouraged me to try my hand at book reviews. I am somewhat intimidated to put my lackluster writing out on the web for all to read, but I do agree that if I provide the link for purchase on my website, I am somewhat contributing to the economy of the book publishing community. This will help me feel less guilty about purchasing my books at those 2nd hand bookstores
Happy belated birthday!!
on January 4th, 2009 at 12:30 pmHappy New Year, Natasha! Wow, you have so many challenging reading and blogging goals for this year. I wish you all the very best for your goals. Also, I wish you good food, good conversation, good music, good movies, and good times in 2009!
on January 5th, 2009 at 10:25 amGreat goals and I’m cheering you on to many satisfactory and successful accomplishments! I think you do AMAZING work here.
on January 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pmWow! Lots of fun goals and good luck and Happy Birthday!
on January 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pmI’m glad the keyword posts are returning!
on January 6th, 2009 at 11:25 amWith so many great book blogs out there, it’s difficult to keep up and comment as often as we’d like to. Great goals! Good luck in 2009!
Lezlie
on January 7th, 2009 at 7:49 amI left you an award on my blog Natasha!
on January 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pmNatasha, you are my hero. How do you do it all?
on January 7th, 2009 at 3:10 pmI hope you’ll accept a happy belated birthday wish. We’re just about a month apart…weird, huh?
on January 9th, 2009 at 11:59 pm