5 Blogging Goals for 2016

Twenty fifteen is nothing short of awesome for Sweet Memoirs. We were chosen as Top 10 Finalist for Best Lifestyle Blog at the Singapore Blog Awards and we couldn't be any happier for being recognized for all the hard work that we do here. For most readers, blogging looks effortless and enjoyable but to be brutally honest, blogging requires brawn and brain. It can be physically draining and mentally exhausting.

We bloggers spend so much time capturing/editing photos for our blog posts and writing our heart out or opinion is another constant challenge we face all the time. There are better days when our thoughts just flow naturally without cracking our coconuts but on bad days, we suffer from writer's block and blogging fatigue. I only started blogging seriously in 2010, the year Sweet Memoirs was founded, but I have learned so much in the span of 5+ years.

I will try to do a separate post for all the blogging lessons I learned along my journey but for now, please allow me to list down my goals this year which will serve as my guide/compass to where I wish to bring Sweet Memoirs henceforth.

1) Be productive

credit: www.productivityplanner.com

In my quest to be more productive this year, I bought a Productivity Planner using a fraction of my blog earnings. I was never into using fancy organizers/planners as the ones I get for free every year always end up underused if not unused at all. Since I have tons of backlogs from last year (if only you can see the amount of blogging materials that remain buried in my archive), I thought the Productivity Planner will be of big help to keep me up on my toes. Well, it is working great so far!

2) Build a good portfolio
I was invited to be part of the Zalora Community last year but due to my limited time, I am unable to commit. It would have been a great opportunity to build a good portfolio online! Anyway, I will do my best to adjust my writing style based on how the readers wish to read my blog entries. Most times, I just write my heart out and never really follow any rule. This year, I wish to blog a systematic hotel/resort (local and international) reviews since my family frequently stays in hotels and resorts. It will be in line with my goal to build a good portfolio so that Sweet Memoirs will be able to do sponsored reviews of hotels and resorts in the near future.

3) Screen paid opportunities
There was a period in my blogging career where my posts have gone haywire because I became too greedy with paid opportunities. This year, I declined my first paid post offer because I don't wish their topic to be read here at Sweet Memoirs. I will continue screening my paid posts and only agree to blog those that are in line with my blog theme.

4) Comment on other blogs and respond to reader's comments
I have been meaning to do this but it requires so much time and effort. Wish me luck as I try to spare some time once a week to comment on other blogs to build my online presence and reply reader's comments to connect with them.

5) Screen media invites
I started doing this last year and would like to continue doing so. I will only attend media invites that I feel like going and politely decline those that doesn't sound interesting to me or my kids. It is so much easier to write about things that spark joy.

Do you have specific blogging goals this year too? Share them in the comments below and let's talk about it!

About the author: Cherry is a full-time working mom who moonlights as a blogger and content provider during her me-time. She is often commended for her unique writing style that is said to be authentic, inspiring and entertaining all at the same time. You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram for real time updates or click here to know more about her.