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My year in review

We are finally at the end of 2017. I learned some lessons about blogging that I want to share. I also want to share some things I did new this year and what I will be doing next year. First, let’s talk about my word and phrase for the year

Phrase of the year: Don’t Settle for Safe – It’s based on Sarah Jakes book that I finished reading a few weeks ago. The book highlighted a lot of what I have done wrong these past few years and confirmed some extra things for me. I won’t be settling for safe anymore. With that being said……I was safely hiding behind my blog all year not separating my business and my blog. Well, that is over! Please go over to my new website www.sweetgrassroots.com and join my newsletter.

Word of the year: Simplicity. I am going back to the old school of doing things and simplifying my life a little more. No more doing extra things that makes no sense, I will no longer try to do what the millennials are doing, and I will no longer do the new fad. I am going back to word of mouth, getting off of social media more, and focusing on people.

Now let’s highlight some things I did differently this year….

  • I stopped posting M-F. If you haven’t noticed I stopped posting every single day and instead opted to only post on a consistent basis on Mon., Wed., and Frid. Quality content 3 days a week
  • I showed my face more. If you haven’t noticed you see way more pictures of me than you ever did. I am an introvert and I like to remain behind the scenes but I thought this year I would come out from under the rock just a tad bit so you can at least put a face with the person who’s doing the talking
  • Bring my conversations back. Every Wed I do a conversation and highlight links. I like my conversations because they give you a look into my life and I can showcase the funny side of me and what I go through. I use to do these on my first blog back in 2010 (Saywhatuwanna) and People missed it. I listened to my audience and brought it back
  • Links. The links have driven a lot of traffic my way. Every Wed when I put links from other sites around the web…I noticed that I get way more traffic
  • Got off of twitter. Twitter was my number one traffic source but it has gone down and no longer authentic. I think people are still on there when it comes to tv shows or certain hashtags but honestly, it doesn’t serve it’s purpose for me anymore so I got off.
  • Post more of my blog posts on FB. I love posting others and try to do a mixture of both but I find that posting my own content wins. Here is a tip….I also tag businesses in my FB post I know FB has this thing where you have to talk about it being sponsored or not and sometimes my posts aren’t sponsored but I still want to tag that business in the hopes that they will share my posts on their page and drive some traffic my way
  • Get on video. I do a Whump Day Wed every Wed on my Facebook fan page so I can really talk to people. It’s been fun and I hope to start doing this more in the New Year
  • Get a handle on what I am blogging about. So the blog is It’s Really Kita….it’s really about my life and the things I love. You will get a mixture of travel, food, parenting, and life as a widow. This blog is for me and I can’t be niched down. It’s about what I love and it serves as a mini diary for that. I will not niche my blog down per say but you know you will get me in every single post

Now let me answer a few questions for you that I have received from others

What goals did you achieve and what goals are you working on?

I wanted to make a certain amount a month and I did not reach that goal but we are still eating and we have a roof over our head. I didn’t set any real goals other than that for 2017. For 2018 I am not setting any goals money wise. I am okay with what I make. I will be trying to save money and networking more.

Did your priorities change? 

This year I focused so much on my career and working that I didn’t focus enough time on my kids. As a result, my son is failing one of his classes. For 2018 I will be putting my business to the side which means less money but my kids come first. I can’t let my son fall by the wayside at all and I will be on him more. My priority for 2018 is to focus on my kids and their needs more which means something has to be put down and that will have to be the business. No worries I am not out of business I just won’t’ be taking on a lot of clients.

What were your biggest challenges?

Finding people to do simple things. I need a photographer for me and it’s hard to find someone that’s not busy with their own lives and kids. I don’t want to pay someone $300+  bucks to take some photos on my camera. I have had to let my kids take pictures and set up that tripod. Another challenge is video. Getting on it constantly was challenging but I did it.

What was your biggest fear that you faced?

Getting in front of the camera. If you haven’t noticed I was in front of the camera more this year than any year ever. I will say that I hate being in front of the camera because I am not a camera person. I also don’t like my weight. I am fat as hell and the camera shows it. I also pose in a weird way that makes me look bad but I got in front of the camera more in 2017 than ever. You won’t see much of me in 2018 as I shy behind the camera more but you will still see me on video from time to time.

What were your biggest surprises this year?

Learning that this blog world is like high school and that you have your clicks that you just won’t be invited to hang with. Basically, you can’t sit at the table with some bloggers even the ones who you think you know. I was surprised because I have never been intertwined with the blog world before I always kept to myself. I will be going back to that in 2018.

My mama use to say, Let people run their mouth, you run your business. I ran my mouth more in 2017 and didn’t run my business. I regret that because I noticed other people running their business and making moves and you didn’t know it until they said it. Boom….that will be me in 2018.

I hope 2017 was a good year for you. I hope that you were grateful for at least 5 things this year. This was not a bad year just one filled with many lessons.

Make sure you all check out Bernetta’s One Big Lesson she learned this year!

19 Comments

  • Lou
    December 28, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    Yeah, this year was a year for me to settle back and attend to my family. My goal with blogging has always been to be able to spend more time with my family more, because I was always working my outside job and missing important moments.

    Not anymore. I busted my butt all these years and finally content with where I’m at in my life. Will I get comfortable, no, but I’m not going to be hopping from here to there. I’m not all about that young 20 y/o lifestyle either. I’ll be doing what’s best for me, and what made me enjoy blogging in the first place.

    And thank you Kita for being a good blogging friend. So many bloggers out here are messy, and you’re a true, genuine friend. Cheers to us both for 2018! 🥂

    Reply
  • Bernetta
    December 28, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Great post Kita! You got some great lessons out of 2017 and that’s what life is about. We are on a journey and it’s all about learning along the way. Here’s to 2018!

    Reply
  • Arnitris
    December 29, 2017 at 1:47 am

    So excited to witness your evolution, Kita! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  • Chantae
    December 29, 2017 at 1:54 am

    This was great! I’m a new blogger and I learned so much in this one article. Thx!

    Btw, you’re not “fat”, but you are beautiful!

    Reply
  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    January 15, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    I love this post. One of my favorite things to find in a blog is real personal things. I think the hallmark of a great blog is real, true emotion.

    Reply
  • valmg @ Mom Knows It All
    January 15, 2018 at 10:19 pm

    It sounds like you’ve put a good amount of thought into what you’ve been doing and what you want to do. Best of luck reaching your goals for the new year.

    Reply
  • Tonia @TheChattyMomma
    January 15, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    Limiting content is key for some. Mon, Wed, and Fri is just the right amount not to wear yourself out and to keep content fresh.

    Reply
  • Kelly Stilwell
    January 15, 2018 at 11:54 pm

    This is a great way to start the new year for your blog. Congrats on all you’ve accomplished!

    Reply
  • Sara Welch
    January 16, 2018 at 1:44 am

    I really am happy to see how your year went. My this year be better!

    Reply
  • Rachel Ferrucci
    January 16, 2018 at 1:59 am

    Good for you for doing what needs to be done! I too made changes with my blog and I’m going toward a more specific niche. I still love Twitter and I’m feeling good about this year

    Reply
  • Joyce Brewer
    January 16, 2018 at 2:00 am

    I noticed your Facebook lives more and more of your blog posts are appearing in my news feed. I hope this is a better school year for your son.

    Reply
  • Theresa
    January 16, 2018 at 2:03 am

    I like that you found what’s really working for you and your audience. I also implemented a lot of these changes to my blog and personal life and it seems to be working for me too. Best of luck moving forward with your goals in the New Year!

    Reply
  • Rosey
    January 16, 2018 at 2:34 am

    Sorry to hear your son failed a class, but it’s awesome that you are putting aside what you need to, in order for him to get back where he belongs. I think all of us have gone through the same, at one point in time with our blogs. Loved your blog last year, and looking forward to more in this new one. 🙂

    Reply
  • Amanda West
    January 16, 2018 at 3:06 am

    I’m new to your blog, but really love what it’s about! Love all of your goals, live video is so scary for me eek. Maybe one day I will get over that and jump in there. I’m looking forward to more from you

    Reply
  • Veronica Solomon
    January 16, 2018 at 3:23 am

    I love doing reviews every January. It helps me look back to look forward. Wishing you a great 2018

    Reply
  • Claudia Krusch
    January 16, 2018 at 3:35 am

    It’s a great way to start a year! Sharing your goals and dreams! Hope you have the best year ever!

    Reply
  • Pam
    January 16, 2018 at 4:16 am

    It can be hard to find a balance between work and family. Sounds like you’ve got some great goals for the year.

    Reply
  • Our Family World
    January 16, 2018 at 6:22 am

    I am happy that you had a great 2017 and that it gave you some valuable life lessons. I am an introvert too, and I don’t often post photos of myself in my blog. I think I should work on that one in 2018. Thanks for sharing your story. I had a nice time reading through it.

    Reply
  • Toni | Boulder Locavore
    January 16, 2018 at 6:46 am

    I love this post! It’s great that you learn from everything happening in your life. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply

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