Nearly 2 years ago, I was inspired to start a blog. Knowing practically nothing, I selected a name and URL on a whim. For nearly a month, it sat totally untouched.
I finally got up the nerve to do something with it after a morning at MOPS. I had been the guest speaker that day, and shared my knowledge of couponing strategies with 50 other moms. That afternoon, my first post came to life.
I suddenly realized that after a lifetime of never feeling able to connect with other women, I could do so behind a keyboard. I enjoyed every minute of my new online world and soaked up as much knowledge as I could about blogging.
Much to my astonishment, my blog grew.
It allowed me to combine my passions for writing, saving money, and helping others. It was an answer to prayer. I knew that God had given me a gift, and also a responsibility to my readers.
I am so thankful to all of you who took the time to complete my reader survey. It was tremendously helpful in allowing me determine who my readers are, why you read my blog, and how I can better serve you.
There were many kind comments, and some constructive ones, too. For this I am grateful!
My main goal for 2010 is to blog with purpose.
I have a tendency to get so caught up in a great deal, or twitter, or my over-flowing inbox, that I lose sight of my mission. Yet there it is, right there on my left sidebar in black and white. That mission statement is my purpose.
*Note to self: re-read mission statement every day.
Other goals, in no particular order:
- Schedule computer time to better balance family and blogging. If I am going to keep the Kingdom first, that means my role as wife and mother comes first.
- Engage my readers and respond to comments and emails in a timely manner. I think I have gotten better in this area, but there is always room for improvement!
- Continue to focus on ways to give throughout the year. I also plan to repeat the 30-Day Giving Challenge in November.
- Write more about debt. Many readers mentioned on the survey that paying down debt is a financial goal. I would love to encourage this and share more of my own experience in this area.
- Improve my photography skills and incorporate more of my personal photos into posts (besides just photos of my kids 🙂 ).
- Complete two series that I have yet to finish {blushing}: Blogging Bits & Tips and Coupon Myths: Busted
- Continue to bring you my favorite deals and coupons of interest and occasional freebies.
- Post more vlogs and recipes. I would love to improve my speaking skills through vlogging (videos). I also have finally figured out that I love to cook, and frugal recipes are just plain fun!
- Provide relevant, quality content each day for my readers, including occasional giveaways of products I enjoy.
- Share more of my faith. This may or may not include sharing my testimony. Praying on this one.
- Continue to grow and reach women who are seeking encouragement and ideas for saving money.
One final note. Although I now know, thanks to my survey, that most of my readers are not bloggers, I do have an exciting announcement which may interest approximately 35% of you. 😉
This October, the first ever Relevant Conference will take place- a blogging conference for Christian women. I am honored to be included among the speakers at this event. Not only am I passionate about saving money, I am passionate about blogging, and helping others succeed in this area.
My blog would not be anything without you, my readers. Thank you for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere. I look forward to another year of blogging, learning and sharing with you all!
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5
You can read more blogging goals and link up your own on the Savvy Blogging 2010 Blogging Goals link-up.
I keep wanting to blog for new couponers. I notice it’s hard to get newbies involved because of the time commitment & coupon storage. I was thinking about limiting it to $5 based on coupons in that Sunday’s paper. Do you know of someone already doing the same thing? (limiting deals to coupons on that day’s paper?)
Great $5 deals by the way!
I am enjoying reading others’ blogging goals – what a great list! Look forward to hearing more about the Relevant Conference.
SO looking forward to meeting you at SavvyBlogging!!! Love your blog & appreciate all your hard work b/c I’ve benefited from it!!! Definitely looking forward to your series on Coupon Myths … that sounds great!!! I still have alot of coupon intimidation:)
.-= mandi @ it’s come to this´s last blog ..Blogging goals for 2010 =-.
Thanks for keeping us movitated with the $5 challenges!!
.-= Denise@TogetherWeSave´s last blog ..General Mills Reduces Sugar in Cerals =-.
Thumbs up, chica! You know you were the first blog I ever read, and you are still number one on my list. I’m just glad to call you a friend irl 🙂
.-= Amy @ Amy Loves It!´s last blog ..LeapFrog Tag and Tag Junior on sale at Target! =-.
Congrats on your first speaking engagement!!! I admire the fact that you’ve always blogged with your mission at the forefront of everything. I owe a lot of my success to your encouragement back when I started blogging, so I just wanted to say thanks again!
.-= Tara @ Deal Seeking Mom´s last blog ..Target Deals Week of 1/3/10 =-.
I am so very blessed to be able to call you friend… Your authentic and genuine beliefs and commitments are nothing short of amazing, and your goals for 2010 are evident of this!
I can’t wait to see you continue to rock it this year!
Love ya!!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..There is hope for me yet! =-.
Alyssa, this is a wonderful list of goals! I’m so excited about the 30 Day Challenge again! 🙂
And I think that you are just so sweet and I love the idea of you doing more vlogs!!!
Can’t wait for Blissdom and Relevant 10!
.-= Myra´s last blog ..Menu – Week of January 4th =-.
What a wonderful set of goals you have set yourself Alyssa. I’ve been reading other blogging goals with disappointment because it just seems that money and traffic is their ONLY focus. Glad to see you are not being swayed in that direction……
Looking forward to seeing you grow even more and congratulations on the speaking gig, well deserved.
.-= Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife)´s last blog ..Handmade Chihuahua Spurs for LB =-.
I knew I should be reading your blog just by the name but didn’t get around to visiting until now. Thanks for sharing your heart on all of this. God bless!
.-= Adventure Mom Janna´s last blog ..My New Year’s Resolution is OFF! =-.
Reading your blogging goals makes me excited about my own! The beginning of the year is such a fresh and invigorating start – I hope I can keep up 🙂
.-= Rebecca at Alice´s last blog ..New Week, New Product =-.
Great goals! And I think it’s great that you shared them here because it helps make them clearer for you, solidify your commitment to them and inspire the rest of us bloggers. Thanks!
.-= Kathryn´s last blog ..Blow Off the Blogging Rules =-.
I love your website and how you give Jesus the glory!
I am a MOPS Coordinator and so glad to hear your involvement!
Oh your goals are so specific. I like it! I hope they really help you stay focused this year. God bless!
.-= Amber @ Classic Housewife´s last blog ..31 Day Fitness Challenge – Day 3 =-.
Relavant sounds so interesting and I am hoping to learn more. I am in the process of starting to blog and getting my site up. I also wanted to say thanks for the heads up on the bible in 90 days challenge. So far I have been doing my readings daily and learning how much I have missed having God’s presence in my life. I look forward every morning to my fellowship with him and a daily routine is forming. Thank you and I wish you many blessings on achieving your goals.
I started a blog last year, you and many others were my inspiration, though the reason behind it was friends and family wanting to know how I saved so much money on groceries. I have to say I did not get off to a good start. I was learning a lot from another blogger that was doing a how to series but she did not finish it nor did she respond to my comments or messages therefore I no longer read hers. Though you haven’t finished your series I still read you, lol, and always will you have responded to all my questions and I appreciate that. I will say I am having better luck and with Savvy blogging and feel more encouraged. I myself are setting goals and you posting yours has encouraged me to add more.
Thanx for being you!
Alyssa,
Thank you for posting your blogging goals for 2010. I’m feeling inspired to set some goals for my blog, which I recently started.
I set out to keep my blog neutral, with only posts relating to freebies, coupons and frugal deals. However, after reading your post, I’ve changed my mind and have decided to share more of my faith w/ my readers.
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Alyssa,
These goals are wonderful, and they mean so much more than “making more money” or “increasing readership” which are everyone’s goals but our first and foremost goal SHOULD be honoring God and giving glory to Him. Your blog is so much more than a deal blog, I look to it for inspiration on tough days, a lift on bad days, and smiles any day. I’m grateful that you’re generous enough to share that you were an athiest who converted to Christianity because I know it will inspire so many people who are struggling. I was born Baptist but some days life brings so many challenges that you question a lot. It’s comforting to know that someone out there has taken the steps from not believing to becoming a believer and encourages others to express their faith. Unfortunately I didn’t make it in time to do the Bible in 90 Days challenge, but I’ll be reading right there with you. I have no excuse for my doubts and questions when the answers are all in one book. I just have to pick it up and read. Thank you for being a constant positive source of inspiration in so many lives, including mine, and for putting God and not the alnighty dollar first. So many bloggers claim to be Christians, and probably are, but it feels like they lose sight of Him when they blog.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Giveaway Winners Posted Soon…God Willing =-.
I love reading about other’s goals. I posted mine here too (http://www.beautifulcalling.ca/2009/12/tut-being-intentional-2010-goals-link.html).
I actually visited today from Amy’s blog 🙂
.-= Jenn @ Beautiful Calling´s last blog ..It’s My Birthday: 31 Things About Me! =-.
Great blogging goals and very inspirational post for new bloggers like my self. Even though I’m really new to this I think I might set some blogging goals for myself. Right now I’m writing on a whim with no direction. I’m very excited to see that you’ll be doing the 30-Day giving challenge I look forward to participating this year!
My 2010 Financial and Personal Goals
http://savvymommablog.blogspot.com/2010/02/financial-and-personal-goals-for-2010.html
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Financial and Personal Goals for 2010 =-.