New Year, New You Blog Series

01/01/2012 By 17 Comments

Can you believe it’s already 2012?! The past year has flown by at warp speed and we’re at the beginning of a new one.

This is the time of year when people generally make resolutions (and promptly break them). For the past several years, I have adamantly refused to make a “resolution” because they are fragile and easily broken. They do nothing more than make me feel like a failure when I don’t follow through. Well, this year I’m forcing myself to step up and quit being a crybaby. I need goals.

Quantifiable goals.

No more of this “I want to be healthier” junk that doesn’t provide any point of reference for success or failure. If there’s one thing I’ve learned working in project management and marketing, it’s that a test means nothing if you can’t measure its results.

So, I am taking this opportunity to properly outline my 2012 New Years Resolutions, along with measurable goals and a solid action plan.

2012 New Years Resolutions

  • I resolve to lose 20 pounds this year.
  • I resolve to read the entire Bible this year.
  • I resolve to generate at least $5,000 revenue on this blog.

2012 Action Plan

  • In order to lose 20 pounds this year, I am going to kick start my weight loss by taking part in the Special K Challenge. I will then follow up the Special K Challenge with an overhaul to the types and quantities of food I eat. No more gratuitous snacking. No more eating 4 slices of pizza for dinner. It’s time to make a change and get my weight under control. I will also be adding exercise to my life. I am not going to join a gym or anchor myself to a workout routine for five out of every seven days. I can’t  live my life like that. I want this to be a permanent change and making drastic promises to do something I hate so much as exercising is a recipe for disaster. As a matter of fact, Andie Mitchell from Can You Stay for Dinner? is my new hero after reading through her blog. She lost 135 pounds (through exercise and diet) but has not been a caged bird after that. She doesn’t exercise everyday and simply makes healthy and smart food choices to maintain her weight. I’m following the Andie Mitchell plan on this one, folks.
  • Reading the Bible in one year really isn’t that hard if you put a bit of time into each day. There are a ton of great Bible reading plans on the YouVersion iPhone app and one of them just happens to be the (in)famous One Year Bible plan. I’ve tried it before and failed miserably, but this time I’m really going to put my head into it. After all, it is the greatest story ever told, why would I not what to read that?
  • Generating revenue on the blog is not that difficult if I just put my mind to it. This year, I’m really putting my mind to it. And when I say I want to generate $5,000 in revenue I’m not talking about product retail values. I want to generate actual pay-the-bills cash. I know I can do it, so I’m not all that worried about this particular resolution, but it’s still an important one to set in stone to keep me motivated. If I break it down, I’m saying I want to make $416 per month. Considering I’m already pretty close to that, I’d say this is one I can definitely make happen. I will do this through sponsored posts, advertisements, blog sponsorships and all sorts of other goodies.

1, 2, 3…BREAK!

Alright, you know my goals. I’ve given you my action plan. Now it’s time to make it happen! In the coming year, you will be seeing more reviews and posts from me about health, wellness and products to help you on your journey to a NEW YOU!

What are your 2012 New Years Resolutions? How do you plan to make them a reality?

 

Filed Under: Blog Announcements Tagged With: , , , , , 17 Comments

Bloggers, stop paying companies for the “privilege” of hosting a giveaway

08/23/2011 By 17 Comments

Bloggers, I need to talk to you for a minute about an email I received today. This email was from a company who was seeking bloggers to take part a giveaway of theirs. Great, right? It’s always nice to get an email from a company that recognizes the hard work you’ve put into your blog and actively seeks you out to work on a review or giveaway together because they know you would give their brand and/or product exposure.

This email, however, was different….

We have put together several packages so there is something for everybody who wishes to participate as a sponsor.

Wait, what? That line threw me off a bit, but I kept reading.

Package prices are listed below and payable via Paypal to…

This company actually wants us (bloggers) to pay them for the “privilege” of hosting a giveaway with them. I have a news flash for you…

Bloggers should never pay to host a giveaway for a company.

Quite frankly, this is foolishness to me. That any blogger would pay a company to host a giveaway promoting the company’s name or product is complete bollocks and is simply backwards. The company is getting a heck of a bargain by often providing product in lieu of cash payment in exchange for the blogger’s time and access to their circle of influence.

This particular company, however, is seeking to take advantage of beginning bloggers who are eager to start a relationship with a company and don’t know yet how the PR/Advertising game is played in the world of blogging (I hope that’s the only type of blogger that would fall for this, anyway).

I urge you – all of you – do not PAY a company to host a giveaway (I am not talking about those giveaways where many bloggers join together to buy something like an iPad and do a joint giveaway that benefits all involved – those are totally worth it in most cases). Have some respect for the still-up-and-coming blogging profession and let these companies know that your time is worth more than that and that they need to come to the table with a mutually beneficial pitch.

Have you gotten a pitch like this? What was (would be) your response?

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , , , 17 Comments

I’m going to Bloggy Boot Camp! (#BloggyBootCamp)

04/12/2011 By 8 Comments

Blogging Resources for Women
That’s right, folks. I have officially purchased my ticket for Bloggy Boot Camp in Atlanta! It’s not until October, but let me tell you – I am so excited!! It’s going to be one full day jam-packed with tips, tricks and ideas for blogging from some of the best in the business. Basically, it’s a mini-conference for bloggers. They’ve limited it to only 125 tickets, so I know I won’t get lost in a sea of faces and it’s got assigned seating that rotates so my inner hermit can’t stop me from getting to know the other amazing ladies that are going to be there.

Did I mention I’m excited?

Will you be at Bloggy Boot Camp in any city? Have you ever been? I want to hear about your experience!

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , , , 8 Comments
« Older Posts