My 2014 Blogging Goals

Since starting my blog in September, I've been through a roller coaster of emotions about exactly what I'm doing here. Some weeks I love taking a break from my other responsibilities to write up a post, while others it feels pointless and overwhelming. But, at the heart of it, I know blogging is a creative outlet that I want to maintain and grow with. I love to write, swatch, and and create nail art designs, and all too often I let life's craziness get in the way of that. So, to keep my eye on the prize, I'm setting some goals for 2014!

Maintain a regular posting schedule.

I care a lot about cultivating a successful career and maintaining my 4.0 GPA in grad school, and those two things will *always* be my priority over my nails. However, I make time to do my nails a few times a week regardless of what else I have going on, I'm just not consistent with blogging about what I'm up to. I'm going to start with setting the goal of at least one swatch and one nail art post per week.

Become more active in the blogging community.
I follow a lot of blogs, love reading them, and love how much I've learned from branching out from just posting and following nail giants on Instagram. However, I'm not the best about commenting and letting my appreciation be heard. I don't want to set an "x number of comments per week" goal because that just seems insincere. Instead, I'm going to make it a goal to check my dashboard daily, and to comment on any post that truly excites or impresses me.

Physically revamp and upgrade my blog's layout and features.

When I first started my blog, I spent a lot of time scratching my head and cursing at my computer because I couldn't get my blog to look the way I wanted to. When I finally found a layout that was marginally close to my original vision, I called it quits. Over the next few months, I plan on really improving the visual aspect of my blog, and making it more appealing and user friendly.

Master my new camera.

This one isn't so much a goal as a necessity. :) I impulsively bought myself a fancy new digital camera (for blogging and for life happenings!) and I want to use it effectively and correctly. 

Feature at least six indie makers with swatches and an indie maker spotlight.

So far I have had the great pleasure of featuring four talented and fascinating indie makers, and those posts were by far the most fun to prepare. I hope to keep this as a regular feature of my blog. And to any indie makers reading this that would be interested, definitely contact me! I have previously featured Michelle of Laquerlicious, Jacquelynn of Mermaid Lacquer, Rachel of Cinema Swatch Lacquers, and Bee of Nail Honey.

Host a challenge and a contest.

Just because it sounds fun! Keep your eyes peeled for announcements about this!

What are your goals, blogging or otherwise, for 2014?