Twelve years of blogging! Could that really be true?
It feels like only yesterday when I attended the 2009 NAPO Conference in Orlando and signed up for a workshop called, “Become a Blogging and Podcasting Genius.’ I had no desire to start a podcast but a blog–yup, that was right up my alley.
I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through the written word. I found writing to be an enjoyable creative outlet–writing about organizing was going to be FUN (and it still is…)!
Who would have thought there would be so much to write about on the topic of organizing?!? It’s twelve years later and I still haven’t run out of ideas. In fact, I keep a list of ideas in a file in one of my favorite productivity apps, Evernote. I’ll be checking my list over the next few weeks to plan out my blog post topics for 2022.
Happy blogiversary to me! As part of my blogiversary celebration, I set goals for my blog for the year ahead and I look back to see if I met the goals I set for myself the previous year. Here’s how I did…
Goals I had set for 2020-2021
Continue to Blog 1x a Month
I got off to a great start! Beginning with October of 2020, I published a blog post consistently every month and lined a guest blogger up for the month of March. Around that time, both of my parents became ill within a few weeks of each other. When a crisis occurs, it’s vital to focus on what’s most important and put non-essential tasks aside until the crisis passes and that’s what I did. They’re doing much better now and I started blogging again over the summer.
I also took time to complete three NAPO Specialist Certificates and a program that certifies me as a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer ( CVPO™ ). The timing was right so I put blogging aside to fulfill the requirements. Now that I’ve completed them all, I can focus more of my time on my blog. I’m looking forward to publishing my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffer post next month!
Consider Using Tailwind
Due to the circumstances of the past year, I barely got to spend any time on Pinterest (insert sad face here). Thus, I didn’t even begin to think about Tailwind. It’s not totally off the table–it’s just not a priority. I’ll keep it on my to-do list and put a reminder in my calendar to learn more about it.
Create Canva Images for Older Posts
Started! I began blogging on the Blogger platform before I even had a WordPress website. WAAAAY back when, blog posts were more about the writing than the photos. Now, I’m starting to add images to some of those ‘vintage’ posts. Years ago, my website designer helped me migrate the old posts over to my new WordPress website. They have good SEO juice–they’re just not pretty enough yet for ‘prime time’ (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook).
Continue to Tweak Content on Older Blog Posts to Make More Evergreen
Every so often, I’ll scroll through my blog posts to see if they need updating. I’ve made some tweaks along the way to ensure their status as ‘evergreen.’ In fact, the last one I tweaked was a roundup post I curated for Halloween.
Create a Second Blog Post Showcasing ‘Ted Talks’ on the Topic of Organizing
I did not get to write it this year, but I have been curating a list of Ted Talks on the topic of organizing that would work nicely for a second similar blog post. My first blog post titled, 3 Thought-Provoking Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized was and still is very popular on Pinterest. It’s on my to-do list to create that second Ted Talk blog post for Winter or Spring of 2022.
Goals I’m setting for 2021-2022
Create a Round-Up Blog Post
I love reading ’round-up’ posts–so many creative and ingenious ideas all in one spot for the reader. I’m considering creating one for my blog in 2022–topic: To Be Decided…
Create Downloadable Printables for My Most Popular Blog Posts
My ‘Ted Talk’ blog post blew up on Pinterest and until a short while ago, it was my most ‘pinned’ post. Then, about nine months ago I started seeing a constant stream of people pinning my ‘Tales of a Town-Wide Garage Sale’ post. It seemed as if half the world wanted to read about my garage sale experience and use my garage sale tips. I get Pinterest notifications on our family iPad and at least a few times a week my son yells out, “Mom! More people pinned your ‘Garage Sale’ post today!”
In an attempt to gather more email addresses for my email list, I thought I’d create a *freebie* downloadable printable for this post. I recently created the printable and now I’m working on figuring out the technology part to make it downloadable and how to collect the email addresses. I hope to report in my next blogiversary post that I was successful!
Invite Guest Bloggers to Share their Posts
In the past, I used to invite guest bloggers to share their knowledge and ideas on my blog–usually around the times of the year when I’d be most busy with my kids (school holidays/summer vacation). I don’t recall why I stopped doing this, but I’d like to get back to it–perhaps having guest bloggers offering tips and advice on topics that are not my specialty. I had a very positive experience hosting a guest blogger in March–I think I’ll try it again this year.
Thanks for joining me on my adventures in blogging–onward to year thirteen!
You’ve had a very full year, Stacey. So many accomplishments and more to look forward to. Congratulations on 12 years of blogging! I haven’t been actively posting for that long – writing, yes. Posting – no. I admire the goals you set for yourself and look forward to reading about your progress.
Thanks, Diane. The goals I set are to help me focus and keep on track–I look back at them a few times a year to remind myself of what I’d like to accomplish. I’m hoping to write a positive progress report next October!
Congratulations on 12 years Stacey! That really is quite an accomplishment. I’ve followed many bloggers over the years who have moved on (which is also okay, but I find I miss them!).
I love your goals for the new year, and just the fact that you set blogging goals.
I spent more time on Pinterest last year than I had in previous years, so I’m refocusing on that a bit. It’s so much fun. 🙂
Thanks so much! I just got back to Pinterest–it actually sends a ton of traffic to my blog. I’ve loved it since the beginning. I think it’s fun, too–I could scroll through it for hours!
Congratulations, Stacey! I am right there with you. I have been writing my Organizing and my small business admin blogs for 10+ years. Wow, when looking back, it’s amazing how much I wrote over the years and how it evolved. Good luck in the future!
Thanks! Congratulations to you, too–and you have two blogs! Isn’t it fascinating to look back at what we wrote a decade ago before social media was a ‘thing?’
Thanks for your good wishes, Lucy. I love Canva–I think once you learn the fundamentals, you’ll see how it can enhance your brand, blog, and social media accounts. Between Canva and YouTube, there are a ton of tutorials you can learn from. Crossing fingers I can get the printable to work! 🙂
Can you hear me clapping, cheering, and shouting out woohoo’s at the top of my lungs? Congratulations on your 12-year Blogiversary! That’s a huge accomplishment. I always enjoy your posts and your writing style. You have great information (practical), and it’s easy to read. By the way, I can’t wait to see your holiday Container Store post. I always love that one, especially!
I’m so impressed with your blog goal-setting and planning. Here’s to you, your blog, your anniversary, your Pinterest activity, and your continuing success.
I hear you all the way across the Hudson! Thanks so much for making me smile with your sweet words (and the yelling and clapping). And, do you remember–you gave me the invite to Pinterest when it first started?!? When you needed an invite to be able to sign up to use the platform? 🙂
I’m chomping at the bit to get to The Container Store. I haven’t set foot in one since before 3/19. Can’t wait for the Stocking Stuffers catalog to come in the mail–it’s like when we were kids and the Toys R Us catalog would come at holiday time!
I started blogging at the same time as you and think I attended the same conference session. Blogging has certainly changed since we started. I’ve been updating old posts like you so that they are relevant today. It makes it easier to consistently post.
Happy 12 years of blogging to you, too! That workshop we took is what helped me get from ‘thinking about blogging’ to taking actionable steps towards making it a reality. I, too marvel at how much blogging has changed since we started!
What a fabulous peek behind the curtain at your blogging HQ, Stacey! I’m stealing — I mean, EMULATING — some of your ideas, like adding graphics to posts from the vault. (Sigh, yes, I remember when blogging was all about the words.) Mazel tov on your dozen years, and I can’t wait to see what comes next, especially your take on TEDTalks! Congrats on all you’ve done, and all you’re going to achieve going forward!
Thanks so much! And please–EMULATE away! Writing these ‘blogiversary posts’ keep me focused. I look back at them throughout the year if I forget what I wanted to do with my blog. And although I love using Canva, I pine for the days when blogs were just about words…
A blog by Professional Organizer Stacey Agin Murray bursting with cool products, 'gotta-tell-a-friend' ideas, and a whole lotta organizing know-how. Learn more...
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About Stacey
When you grow up in a 5’x12′ bedroom, you learn to organize pretty quickly! I chose to take that knowledge and turn it into a business helping people find what they need when they need it. I’m also the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook–a book that offers wedding thank you note-related organizing tips and how-to’s plus 101 unique sample thank you notes (what bride can’t use that?).
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You’ve had a very full year, Stacey. So many accomplishments and more to look forward to. Congratulations on 12 years of blogging! I haven’t been actively posting for that long – writing, yes. Posting – no. I admire the goals you set for yourself and look forward to reading about your progress.
Thanks, Diane. The goals I set are to help me focus and keep on track–I look back at them a few times a year to remind myself of what I’d like to accomplish. I’m hoping to write a positive progress report next October!
Congratulations on 12 years Stacey! That really is quite an accomplishment. I’ve followed many bloggers over the years who have moved on (which is also okay, but I find I miss them!).
I love your goals for the new year, and just the fact that you set blogging goals.
I spent more time on Pinterest last year than I had in previous years, so I’m refocusing on that a bit. It’s so much fun. 🙂
Thanks so much! I just got back to Pinterest–it actually sends a ton of traffic to my blog. I’ve loved it since the beginning. I think it’s fun, too–I could scroll through it for hours!
Congratulations, Stacey! I am right there with you. I have been writing my Organizing and my small business admin blogs for 10+ years. Wow, when looking back, it’s amazing how much I wrote over the years and how it evolved. Good luck in the future!
Thanks! Congratulations to you, too–and you have two blogs! Isn’t it fascinating to look back at what we wrote a decade ago before social media was a ‘thing?’
Congratulations on fitting that all in as well as focusing on your parents’ health. I’m glad they’re doing much better now.
I’m hoping to focus a bit more on visuals in the coming year too. Learning Canva will be a good start for me too.
Looking forward to hearing how the printable works out as a way to encourage people to sign up!
Thanks for your good wishes, Lucy. I love Canva–I think once you learn the fundamentals, you’ll see how it can enhance your brand, blog, and social media accounts. Between Canva and YouTube, there are a ton of tutorials you can learn from. Crossing fingers I can get the printable to work! 🙂
Can you hear me clapping, cheering, and shouting out woohoo’s at the top of my lungs? Congratulations on your 12-year Blogiversary! That’s a huge accomplishment. I always enjoy your posts and your writing style. You have great information (practical), and it’s easy to read. By the way, I can’t wait to see your holiday Container Store post. I always love that one, especially!
I’m so impressed with your blog goal-setting and planning. Here’s to you, your blog, your anniversary, your Pinterest activity, and your continuing success.
I hear you all the way across the Hudson! Thanks so much for making me smile with your sweet words (and the yelling and clapping). And, do you remember–you gave me the invite to Pinterest when it first started?!? When you needed an invite to be able to sign up to use the platform? 🙂
I’m chomping at the bit to get to The Container Store. I haven’t set foot in one since before 3/19. Can’t wait for the Stocking Stuffers catalog to come in the mail–it’s like when we were kids and the Toys R Us catalog would come at holiday time!
I started blogging at the same time as you and think I attended the same conference session. Blogging has certainly changed since we started. I’ve been updating old posts like you so that they are relevant today. It makes it easier to consistently post.
Happy 12 years of blogging to you, too! That workshop we took is what helped me get from ‘thinking about blogging’ to taking actionable steps towards making it a reality. I, too marvel at how much blogging has changed since we started!
What a fabulous peek behind the curtain at your blogging HQ, Stacey! I’m stealing — I mean, EMULATING — some of your ideas, like adding graphics to posts from the vault. (Sigh, yes, I remember when blogging was all about the words.) Mazel tov on your dozen years, and I can’t wait to see what comes next, especially your take on TEDTalks! Congrats on all you’ve done, and all you’re going to achieve going forward!
Thanks so much! And please–EMULATE away! Writing these ‘blogiversary posts’ keep me focused. I look back at them throughout the year if I forget what I wanted to do with my blog. And although I love using Canva, I pine for the days when blogs were just about words…