Goals for 2018

When I started blogging in 2008, I never imagined Confessions of a Northern Belle would become anything more than just an online diary for planning my wedding. As the years passed and my life changed, I realized I wanted my blog to be something more. What if I could create a place for people to seek advice, recipes, pregnancy stories, and more? Confessions of a Northern Belle slowly became more than a hobby and is now what I consider a job… a paying job. I feel so blessed and so proud of all the hard work I have put into it and the blessings I’ve received. Wanna read about my top blog moments of 2017?

The only way to keep my blog growing is to nourish it … so I’ve come up with a plan for a better Confessions of a Northern Belle in 2018. Here are a few personal goals that might just inspire my fellow bloggers.

1. Find my voice – use it loud and proud.

After attending the CT Bloggers Holiday Soiree, it dawned on me that I’ve been struggling to find my voice. There are times I look at my IG and wonder if I am reflecting my blog appropriately – so let’s make it all cohesive. Confessions of a Northern Belle is a Mommy/Lifestyle blog, focusing on the lifestyle of a mommy because, duh, that’s me. As for the content – I love fashion, cooking, motherhood, writing reviews of products, and oversharing about my life. I’m gonna shout all that from the rooftops, loud and proud.

2. Engage my audience with useful and relevant content.

Instead of trying to spit out a blog post every single day, I’m only going to post 4-5 times a week. I used to feel so much pressure to have a new post daily, but sometimes the content was neither useful nor relevant. Engaging my audience is what keeps readers coming back and pinning/sharing my posts, so that’s what I want to do.

3. Reach out to brands who align with my brand.

In the past, I would work with any brand just for fun and not because they align with my brand. Instead of wasting my time promoting items I don’t or won’t use, I will focus on organic collaborations – like BOGS (which I swear are the best winter boot I’ve ever worn). The best way for me to create posts YOU want to read is to be honest and write about what I love.

4. Know my worth.

Another takeaway from the CT Bloggers event was that it’s important for influencers to know their worth. I’ve spent so much of my personal time writing posts and taking photos for brands that don’t reciprocate the love. I end up feeling used and frustrated. If you’re a blogger or influencer, remember that every min

ute you spend writing, taking photos, posting on social media is WORK. It literally did not dawn on me until 2017 how much I ignore my family when I’m in blogland, so make sure you’re being compensated and appreciated for the time you spend away from all that’s around you.

5. Be a BADASS.

Okay so my sister gave me this book months ago and I’ve barely read it despite knowing that it will change my life. Yes it’s a ‘self-help book’ but from the few chapters I’ve read it has inspired me to create a life I love by believing in myself.

I’m hoping in one year I’m doing a happy dance over the way Confessions of a Northern Belle has blossomed. For those of you who have been here since the start, I hope you stay. If you’re new around here, I hope you stay too. Here’s to bigger and better things!

And because I want you to succeed in the new year too, I’m giving away my favorite planner to one lucky reader!

The giveaway begins today and ends Thursday, January 4th at 9am. One lucky reader will win a custom Plum Paper Planner worth $30 from ME (in other words, this isn’t a sponsored giveaway). It’s easy to enter and win! Good luck =0)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photography by Elizabeth Grant.