I recently entered my eighteenth (!!) year as a Professional Organizer and this year marks eleven years of blogging. Happy blogiversary to me!
I love to write. I love to organize. So starting a blog about organizing was not such a far-fetched idea. In fact, it was a match made in blogging heaven! Back in 2009, I took a workshop at the NAPO Conference in Orlando which gave me the know-how and the push I needed to jumpstart my blogging career. I started out using the Blogger platform and in 2014, decided to merge the blog with my website which was going through a logo and platform redesign. As much as I enjoy it, it still boggles my mind that I’ve been doing it for eleven years.
As part of celebrating my blogiversary, I set goals for the year ahead and look back to see if I’ve met the goals I set for myself the previous year. I recently read my first blogiversary post–my goals were a bit different then. I was barely using social media and my blog was where I ‘posted’ all information. Creating blog categories and helpful content were my top priorities. Pinterest was barely out of it’s infancy. Canva had not even been launched yet! Blogging has certainly evolved since then. I’ve worked hard to keep up with writing and the tools that make my blog beautiful and in front of more eyes than I ever could have imagined.
Here’s how I did…
Goals for 10/2019-10/2020
Blog 1x a month
I thought for sure I’d be able to make this happen but sometimes life has other ideas for your time and brain space. I came pretty close, though blogging in October and November of 2019 and March, May-October 2020 consecutively.
Tweak and Update Existing Posts
Did it! I created Canva-generated images for many posts that previously had no images and added a new ‘connect with me on social media’ footer to the end of my blog posts (look below!)
Consider using Tailwind Scheduler for Pinterest
I chose to take this task off my plate for 2019-2020. I am still considering it’s usefulness and the monetary commitment but since much of my blog traffic comes from Pinterest, I’ll be keeping it on the back burner until I have the time and brain power to look at the pros and cons for adding it to my marketing plan.
Create new and relevant content
Did it! In 2019, I created my annual Anniversary Post and Container Store Stocking Stuffer Review Post and in 2020 focused my blog posts on helping readers during the time of Coronavirus. I had always considered writing a blog post on getting organized for meal planning and decided that 2020 was the year to do so. I felt it’s relevance was so timely, I wrote five consecutive posts on the topic.
My Most Popular Blog Post on Pinterest: Garage Sale and Ted Talks
My post, 3 Thought-Provoking Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized has gotten tens of thousands of impressions on Pinterest. In an interesting twist, a blog post I published over seven years ago about participating in my neighborhood’s town-wide garage sale has rocketed to similar fame and fortune on Pinterest. I guess people across the globe have been purging their homes during the pandemic and are looking for tips on hosting a garage sale. It’s November and it’s still getting pinned like crazy!
And guess what happened this year?
I was presented with the ‘Best Organizing Blog’ Award by Sacred Space Organizing. I felt honored to be recognized for my body of work and I’m thrilled to be in such talented company. To check out the list, click here.
Goals for 10/2020-10/2021
Continue to Blog 1x a month
With 2021 just around the corner, I’ve started thinking about what I’d like to blog about. Even after eleven years of blogging, I haven’t covered every topic related to organizing. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to my blog (enter your email address above the picture of me on the top right of this page).
Consider using Tailwind
I’m going to save this goal for the second half of 2021. I need some time to research it’s ease of use, it’s usefulness to Organized Artistry, and whether it is worth the cost. If anyone has any experience with Tailwind, I’d love to hear about it.
Create Canva images for older blog posts
I have many older blog posts (including the one about my neighborhood’s town-wide garage sale) that still don’t have Pinterest-worthy Canva photos on them. I’ll be revisiting old blog posts that still have relevance and make them Pinterest-ready and Pinterest-worthy for new readers.
Continue to tweak content on older blog posts to make more evergreen
When I started blogging eleven years ago, some of my blog posts were short announcements of events or quick tips. I’m writing blog posts more in long-form now and saving the events and announcements for Organized Artistry’s Facebook Page. If I find making certain blog posts evergreen to be a challenge, I’ll consider eliminating the posts or refreshing them for a new audience.
Create a second blog post showcasing ‘Ted Talks’ on the topic of organizing
The ‘Ted Talk’ blog post I mentioned above blew the roof off of Pinterest. It is definitely my most popular post with a ton of traffic. Not Kardashian Instagram type of traffic but an incredible amount of traffic for my less-famous organizing blog. Everything I’ve read about blogging says that if you have a popular blog post and people are showing interest in that topic, write something very similar. Keep your eyes open in 2021 for Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized–Part 2.
Eleven years have gone by quickly–I’m looking forward to writing for the next eleven. Thanks for joining me on my journey as a blogger!
Stacey is a Professional Organizer, Virtual Organizer, and Author in Bergen County, New Jersey specializing in home organizing, time, and paper management. She is the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook: Let Systems and 101 Modern Sample Thank You Notes Take You From Overwhelmed to Organized.
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Congratulations – 11 year! Wow, that is a lot of writing. I love your blog, and look forward to what you will be offering in the new year. It is kind of fun to look back and see which post was most successful and how well you achieved your goals. I especially love that you talked about intentionally taking one item off of your list. We should always be listening to our inner voice and doing what feels right!
Thanks so much, Seana! I use this post not only to celebrate, but for accountability as well. It’s a place to write my vision for the coming year and I can refer to it when I need to be reminded of my goals. And yes–listening to our inner voice has certainly helped!
Congratulations, Stacey! That is one heck of a milestone. I personally love reading your blogs and always find something of note to take away. About Tailwind, I use it for scheduling on Pinterest. I find it helpful. See what you think.
Thanks, Diane! It’s helpful to know that you find Tailwind to be beneficial. I’m definitely going to put it on my to-do list for 2021.
MONGO Congratulations, Stacey! These are two huge milestones- 18 years as a Professional Organizer and 11 years as a Blogger. You started blogging early on. I love the way you write and how you communicate your messages with humor, directness, and light-heartedness. Your warmth and common sense comes through. Thank you for giving us an inside view of your blogging goals this past year and going forward. I love how strategic and forgiving you are.
I’ve heard of Tailwind, but don’t know much about it. What advantages do you think it will give you?
Wishing you all the best of success and traffic as you continue to blog and organize! Congratulations again!
Thank you for your MONGO wishes and your thoughtful words. I can’t believe I’ve been organizing and blogging for so long!
I’ve read that Tailwind will help save time when it comes to pinning on Pinterest. But, since I took it off my plate this past year, I don’t remember much of the benefits to using it. I’ll be revisiting Tailwind in 2021 when I hopefully have a little more space in my brain to process the information. I’ll definitely write about in my 12th anniversary blog post!
Congratulations, Stacey! Here’s to many more years to come.
Thanks so much, Sabrina! I hope to never run out of words to help others get and stay organized!
Congratulations, Stacey! You’re a blogging pioneer.
I love how you set a plan and goals for yourself and then measured your progress.
Wishing you more enjoyment blogging, organizing and inspiring your followers.
Thanks for your kind words and wishes, Ronni. These anniversary posts keep me on course to help me meet my blogging goals. Onward to year twelve!