Reflecting on My 2016 Blogging Bucket List

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Last January, I shared my 2016 blog goals in a blogging bucket list. It was actually more of a combination between blogging and writing (and this year I will be calling it that when I post it at the end of the month).

I think I did pretty well – I achieved almost all of them.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened:

 

Reflecting on My 2016 Blogging Bucket List

1. Get 500,000 page views on the blog

This one happened around June time, so I mentally amended it to 1 million page views. At the point of writing this post, I have 1,104,685. The silly thing is, I almost made the goal 1 million originally but I never thought I’d get close to it.

2. Have 5,000 Twitter followers

At the point of writing this, I have 5,521 followers – if you’re not one of them, follow me here and help me achieve this year’s goal.

 

3. Have 1,000 Instagram followers

I currently have 1,049 followers. Although I did hit my goal, I’m a little bit disappointed with this one if I’m honest. Towards the end of the year, I kind of let Instagram slip a little – ok, a lot. I just sort of stopped posting there, but it’s definitely on this year’s list, so I will be back. You can help me with this year’s goal by following me here.

4. Post at least one blog post a day (except for holidays)

This one, I think I sort of achieved by default. I didn’t end up posting everyday, but that was because I made the decision to amend my posting schedule slightly. Instead of attempting to post once a day, I decided to only post Monday to Friday. I still consider this one a success because I actively chose to change it rather than just being lazy.

 

5. Take part in several blog and non-blog related challenges

This one was mostly successful but not entirely.

  • A-Z Blogging Challenge – Blog every day in April (except Sundays), each post starting with a letter of the alphabet – I successfully completed this challenge yayy.
  • 50 Book Challenge – Read 50 books in a year – I haven’t entirely finished compiling the list of books I read last year (which will be published next Tuesday) but I’m pretty sure I did this one.
  • Happy Thoughts Challenge – Write down at least one good thing that happens to you each day – I failed miserably at this one and it was over for me by mid-March. I’m not miserable and I do appreciate the little things, but I found it a chore to think of something to write each day, especially when so many of them were the same.
  • 24 hour positivity challenge – Go one full day without any negativity or moaning – I took part in several of these challenges, which were organised by the lovely Becky from Cuddle Fairy. I loved them and it made me see how mind set can totally affect your mood. I think on the whole I was successful at these, although I do remember jamming my thumb on the first one and lapsing into a bit of a sweary rant.
  • NaNoWriMo – Write a 50,000 word first draft of a novel in November – I had no intention of doing this one. And then, on the 30th October at about 3am, something made me sign up. I’m so glad I did. I completed the challenge and the novel is due out February – click here for more details and the cover reveal.

 

6. Finish my first novel and have it published

The Joker, my first novel, was published in August. This was a huge achievement for me. You can have a look here.

 

7. Write a book of short stories and self-publish them

When I set this goal, I had a rough idea that I wanted a book of short horror stories with a twist. Then I did the A-Z Challenge, where my theme was 100 word fiction centring around the dark side of human nature. And I realised that people wanted more. I got a lot of comments asking for longer versions of some of the stories, so Twisted Tales (which you can see here) was born. It has longer versions of the A-Z Challenge posts and some original stories too.

And then Twisted Tales 2 came along. Based on a similar theme, these stories are all originals. They still have the dark side of human nature as the central theme and they all still have a twist. You can have a look here.

 

8. Learn how to self-publish

This one was a steep learning curve to say the least, but I got there. And I learned from the first one. I now have three self published books available and I don’t intend to stop there. To keep up to date with new releases, you can sign up to my newsletter (no spam, just information about new releases) in the side bar, or follow my Amazon author page here.

 

9. Make up a media kit

Done. I’m a bit of a waffler if you haven’t already noticed, so I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to do a one page one.

 

10. Do more work with brands, even if it means getting brave and approaching them

I wouldn’t count this one as a total success, but I wouldn’t call it a total failure either. I did do some brand work, but I only actually approached one brand (I must have done something right though because they agreed to work with me). I recently completed a brands masterclass course ran by the lovely Aby from You Baby Me Mummy and I intend to up my game this year.

 

11. Do at least one guest post for other bloggers per month

This one started out well. January, I wrote for Rambles, Rants and Writing. February I wrote for Online Creators and Jigsaw Parenting. March I did a post for Cuddle Fairy, and April I featured on Absolutely Prabulous with her fab Oops files. Then it sort of stopped. I just struggled to find the time to guest post. It wasn’t so much the writing of the posts, it was more searching out bloggers who were open to guest posts.

I did manage to squeeze in a couple more at the end of the year with Pushing the Moon in September and Naptime Natters in October. I also wrote some articles for the Rambles, Rants and Writings magazine too.

 

12. Look into and hopefully start doing some freelance writing work

I kept putting this one off because I thought I would really struggle to get freelance jobs. Finally, in July, I bit the bullet and started pitching for work. By October, I left my full time job to become a full time writer, so I’m really happy I pushed myself into doing it.

 

13. Accept that sometimes things don’t go to plan and if a post is a couple of hours late going out, the world won’t stop turning

Believe it or not, this was the hardest one for me. I wouldn’t say I’m a control freak, but if I say I’m going to do something, I intend to get it done. My broadband went down for three days due to some error (at their end not mine for once). Yes, I had posts scheduled for two of the days, but that third day was like torture. I kept reminding myself of this goal. And it got easier to accept. And of course the world didn’t stop turning, and I’d be surprised if anyone even noticed.

On the whole, I still need to work on this one – I do still put a ridiculous amount of pressure on myself to get things done, but I genuinely believe that if you commit to something professionally, you should do your best to get it done. And if that means a couple of all-nighters then so be it.

 

14. Finally get around to upgrading my Inlinkz account so I can have thumbnails

I loved this one. It was a perfect, easy little goal to get things kick started.

 

15. Practice editing my fiction

This one was a big one for me. I’ve always been the sort of writer who writes something and that’s it. My idea of editing was basically proof reading. I always worried that editing would somehow take my voice out of the writing and make it sound generic.

I have gotten better at this although there’s still room for improvement. I have no qualms about cutting words (I hate reading something with pages and pages of filler so I wouldn’t subject anyone else to that). Generally speaking though, I still try to change as little as possible because I do still worry that changing too much can make your writing sound generic and I also worry that I will over think the process and end up ruining the whole thing.

I’ll be honest – I’ve seen bloggers talk about editing posts and spending hours on it. Sometimes, I wish I could do that, but I’ve accepted that I probably won’t. On the blog, what you see is what you get – it’s me and it’s real. I proof read but I don’t edit.

 

16. Set up a Facebook page for the blog

I always said Facebook was the one network I would like to keep for personal use. Of course I caved and set up a Facebook page eventually. I didn’t set a target for the number of likes I wanted to get because this one was only a maybe, but at the moment, I have 613 likers which I don’t think is too bad. You can like my page here.

 

Overall, I think it’s been a pretty good year for me. I do wonder if I made some of the goals a little too easy though, and this year I’ll be making them harder.

 

Did you have any goals for 2016? How did you do? Let me know in the comments 🙂

You can find me here: Twitter Facebook Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!

 

89 Comments

  3. bloody hell you are the busiest woman i know! Do you have more hours in your days where you are (I’m on Earth, UK, Wales) …glad to hear you like me don’t edit your blog – i proof read and spell check (and sometimes i choose to keep my own made up words in there despite the grammar police!). .. Just joined in your #anythinggoes Linky for the first time too (my only two writing resolution are (1) to be more interactive – use linkys / hashtags etc and (2) find some better indexing system for the tweeter I follow etc and the linkys and the hashtags… there must be a better way. Anyway, just wanted to say “Hi” x

    Reply

    • Haha, I really wish I did have more hours in the day! Oh I love a good made up word – sometimes the right one just doesn’t exist lol. Thanks for joining in with the linky it’s great to have you. And they are great resolutions x

      Reply

  5. Congratulations Debbie on all of this! Especially the self-publishing and publishing three books! That’s amazing! And congrats on making it with the freelance writing. Not everyone can do it. I know I can’t. You’re an awesome host at #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  8. That’s such a great list of goals and it’s really impressive how much you’ve achieved! I’m in awe of anyone who manages daily posting – I’m a 3 a week-er generally. It took me a long time to take the plunge and set up a blog facebook page too – there’s something scary about outing yourself to all your friends – but I’m so glad I did, as it’s been a really positive move. #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  9. Cathryn - Little Paper Swans

    Well done for achieving so many. I can’t actually remember if I set any goals last year haha!

    #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  13. I’ve been having the best time reading how everyone had got on with their goals for last year and being nosy about what plans for 2017 look like.
    I’m so glad to see you amended your daily blogging goal, we all need a break! #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  14. Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)

    That was quite a list for 2016 – well done for achieving so many of them and going beyond what you’d hoped for in so many of them. Hope 2017 will be just as good a year for you. #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  22. You sound like you’ve been a busy lady! Well done though on all you’ve achieved. I’m a newbie really to blogging, so its great to read goals by more experienced bloggers. I have much to learn but I’m determined! x
    #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  23. Where do you find the hours in the day?! You have achieved so much. To write and publish a novel is amazing but to also post everyday Mon – Fri? Well done. I struggling with one a week! Its my blogs first birthday next month and I am going to set myself some goals as well. Well done #BloggersClubUK

    Reply

  26. Mess and Merlot

    Oh my word you’ve had an AMAZING year!! How on earth do you fit it all in?? You should be so proud of yourself, I hope you are clever lady! Happy New Year and best of luck for another smashing year x #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  27. Wow that is a lot of achievements in a year! I don’t blog everyday so I’m finding its taking me a lot longer to grow my blog and social media. My blogging goals for this year must be SEO and photography goals! 🙂

    #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  30. It’s really really amazing to see how much you have achieved. I hope you read that back and took a second (or a few minutes actually) to take it all in, as it’s huge! 50 books in itself is a huge achievement! Congratulations on writing your first novel and self-publishing 3 books! I’d love to write the 2 e-books I have in mind this year, but I’ve yet to write a single word about either of them this year! Congrats on leaving your job too (I did that last year). I’m excited for you and sure you’ll be looking back at 2017 and see more amazing things having been achieved! #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  31. Wow Debbie just when I thought I had got to the end of your list of achievements there was another one. You have done so well, which is not surprising given all the effort you have put in. Good luck for an even bigger and better year in 2017. #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  33. Marina Ilieva

    Obviously, it has been a great year and no surprise, your posts are so worthwhile. May you have an even greater 2017! Good luck, Debbie! xx #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  35. Mymummymanual

    What an amazing list of goals – I’m not sure I’d achieve one of those- I’ve already spent a year trying to write a novel and losing momentum 😩 …
    I’m certainly going to take inspiration from your list of goals for my 2017 goals 👍🏻
    Your so determined – well done.
    Would be amazing to have a guest post from you on my blog if you’re interested .
    #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  36. It sounds like you had a very productive year – even if the 50,000 book challenge was it, i’d say you achieved success!
    I have a guest series if you’re looking to get back into some? *wink wink nudge nudge* That was one of my 2017 goals to make a success of!
    #bloggerclubUK

    Reply

  37. Wow, you had some really impressive goals! It’s so motivating to see that it’s actually possible to achieve all this and I applaud you for your published book. I mean, that is serious goal smashing right there. A massive well done 🙂 #BloggerClubUk

    Reply

  39. I’m beginning to think you’re a robot Debbie – how do you mange to fit all this is?!? Tell me your secret!
    Well done on all you’ve achieved! As for guest posting – check out my latest blog post. I’d love to have you. Xx
    #bloggerclubuk

    Reply

  43. Right my view count is sounding so pathetic right now LOL Debbie! That is amazing stuff – huge congrats to you!!!!! You accomplished so much last year from writing a novel to blogging & social media, I’m in awe! Facebook is a hard one to grow, 600 something is a great number for having just started it!! #BloggerClubUK

    Reply

  44. I don’t know if you can hear it, but I’m clapping for you! Such awesome achievements! As a new blogger, you are an inspiration. Congrats on being published, being able to work for yourself, and having a great blog. Gold star, girl!

    Reply

  47. Rochelle

    I love this!!!! I feel so inspired reading what you’ve achieved. You’ve accomplished so much. Good for you!!! Hope this year is just as good 🙂 #AnythingGoes

    Reply

  50. Pen

    Wow, you had an outstanding year – well done. I am sure your blog will go from strength to strength in 2017. Well done on the book too!

    Pen x

    Reply

  51. What an inspiring post that has given me great ideas for my own ‘to do list’ as I start my new blog. I’d love to hear more about no. 12 as I hope to do this when I return to work later this year

    Reply

    • Good luck with the blog! I started out freelancing through Upwork and I still get work through there now too. It’s a good starting place as your protected, just know your worth and don’t be talked into working cheaper than you should!

      Reply

  52. Susie at This Is Me Now

    You’ve achieved so much! So fantastic you’ve been able to stop your old job and freelance now. I am in awe of you! #BloggerClubUk

    Reply

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