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My biggest goal for June is growth. So going forward I am planning on dedicating one post per month to my goals. What they are, measuring them. Checking to see if I measured up and helping to identify areas where I need to work on it.
I’m excited and totally scared shitless all at once. Part of my mission with my blog is using it as a platform to show and help others to take the road less traveled. Doing something you love and having the flexibility you want is achievable. But you have to do the work and there are a bunch of other steps. Blogging is one way to do that. Whatever path you choose for yourself, it will not be easy. In fact, it will be really, really hard. But nothing worth having ever came easy.
There are going to be two sides to these reports. The first part will be about this blog, Living Well Millennial. The other will be about my adventures in freelancing. I love writing. I’m good at graphic designing and blog management. I also have over 7+ years experience in administrative project management as a legal assistant. I run case files in my sleep. So I’m planning on taking those tools and putting them to good use.
My #1 Blogging/Freelancing Goal for 2018: Leave my day job by 12/31
This is my biggest goal and my biggest fear. Can I really do it? I know I can. But my fear of failure is real. This will be the first time I’ve ever tried to do this on my own. Blogging was the first step to pushing myself out of my comfort zone. So I know absolutely that I can do this.
In this blog post series I’m going to share the steps I’m taking, my planning process, what tools I’m using. Also what works and what doesn’t. I hope that this will become a roadmap for others to do the same if they want too. Here is where I’m going to lay out the goals by month. But I’m also going to include my action plans then I’ll recap the next month. But keep in mind that everyone’s path is different. What works for me and my blog may not work for yours. I highly recommend trial and error so you can determine what works best for your blog/business.
RELATED POST: How to Start a Blog: A Beginner’s Guide
June Blogging Goals:
Like I said, this month I’m focusing on traffic. But it’s more than that. I’m going to be training myself to carve out more time so that I can keep up with 2 posts per week and Pinterest. Focus on one thing at a time so that you can put your all into it. May 2018 was content. Now that I’m working on traffic, I’m going to use Pinterest as my main source to drive traffic.
I’m choosing to start with Pinterest because I know how to use it and its sole purpose is to drive people to blog posts. It’s like the search engine for blogs.
I’m also going to go through some learning materials i have. Last year I bought the Genius blogger’s toolkit and it includes some awesome resources for bloggers at a massively discounted price. It only runs once a year so I’ll let you know once it’s out again.
#1 Blog Traffic: 200 pageviews
How I plan to achieve this goal: Pinterest
I already have a paid Tailwind account so I’m going to be starting with it. The first week I’m going to schedule 5-10 pins per day and use the 80/20 rule (80% of my own pins and 20% other’s pins). When using Pinterest, you have to pin other’s content as well as your own.
#2 Design 3 Pinnable Images Per Post
How I plan to achieve this goal: Scheduling it in with my blog posts
My photo editing software of choice is Photoshop. I love all things design and graphic design is one of my favorite hobbies. So incorporating it into blogging has been a lot of fun for me. This June I’m going to be adding it to my things to do for each blog post. Once the post is written and edited, I’ll select the images and include 3 images that will be “pinnable”
What are “pinnable” images? Well, they’re aesthetically pleasing images that are vertical and tall. Most people on Pinterest on their phones so it’s important to make it easier for them to see the images on their device of choice.
#3 Continue to Write 2 Posts Per Week
How I plan to achieve this goal: Plan ahead and sticking to my editorial calendar
Last week I took 30 minutes to sit down and plan my content for the entire month of June. After that I went directly to my Asana content project and entered all the posts and got them set up for my to-dos in the coming weeks. I’m trying to use Asana to my advantage to keep myself on track.
To do this, I’m simply logging in every day to work on my tasks. That has helped a lot with not getting sidetracked. Which I am totally guilty of.
Pro Tip: If you have a hard time concentrating when writing or doing the work you need to do, shut everything down. I mean it. Other bowser tabs, your phone. I literally have to put my phone in another room. Try it and see how productive you become.
#4 Start working through EBA Module 3
How I plan to achieve this goal: Setting aside time every week to work on it
I finally gave myself permission and bit the big bullet. I felt like I needed the push and guide that EBA has provided. I bought EBA this year. I’m working my way through it but like with the other online courses I’ve purchased. I got sidetracked. I finally pulled it together and finished the last module. Since then I am now ready to start moving forward again.
This month I’m going to go through and carve out time each and every week to work on it. I want to be successful in this course. Especially since it was a big investment.
#5 Sent out newsletter 1x per week
How I plan to achieve this goal: Set it up in my editorial calendar
June is going to be the month that I start my email list. I’ve headed over and over from other bloggers that they wish they started their email list sooner. So I’m taking their advice and jumping on the bus early. I went through and schedule newsletters throughout my editorial calendar when I put in my content for the month.
I’m starting out using MailerLite. It’s free for the first 1,000 subscribers and I’ve used it in the past.
June Side Biz Goals
Starting a side hustle has been a little challenging for me. I took Gina Horkey’s 30 Days or Less to VA success and Elna Cain’s Write to $1K course. I loved both of them. They’re value and action step packed. But I let the fear of actually being successful get in the way. What if a client said yes? What then?
I was also terrified of failing. What if I put myself out there and get nothing but rejection. What I do know is that I will never fail nor succeed if I don’t try. So I’m pushing my fear aside this month and getting out there.
I want to be flexible with my time. My dreams include having it all and not having to be on someone else’s time clock.
#1 Pitch 2 potential clients per day
How I plan to achieve this goal: Using job boards and cold pitching
Throughout both of the courses I that I took, I found out about job boards for freelancers. I plan to start there. In the AM before I head to my day job I plan on checking these sites. If there are any potential ones that I’m interested in, I’m going to craft my pitch then send it.
I want to get this done in the morning so that even if I don’t get a lot done, I’ve at least done 2 things to further my business.
#2 Land 1 writing client
How I plan to achieve this goal: By pitching 2 clients per day
One of the services I will be offering is writing. Blog writing, copywriting and editing. As I get more into it, I would like to offer more.
I have always loved writing. As far back I remember I wanted to be a writer. But as I got older, I was pushed into a more traditional career. But now is my chance to drive into something I love to do. And make a living out of it.
I also set myself a personal writing goal starting in June so that I get better as this year goes by.
#3 Land 1 client for design/blog management
How I plan to achieve this goal: By showing my skills through my blog and Pinterest account
Like I plan to do with writing, I plan on searching for Pinterest image design or blog management gigs. I plan on using some of the freelance job boards, but also plan to jump head first into cold pitching.
My ideal clients are bloggers and small startups. I want to help others succeed and what better way than by helping with their time. Bloggers, entrepreneurs, and startups can all use more time. So by giving them more room on their calendars and more time with their families is the best way to serve and help them.
If you’re a blogger or small business in need of my services, check out my freelance website here.
Here is my June Goals and yours as well
So I have my work cut out for me for June. I get sucked into TV shows and movies a lot. I think this is because we didn’t have it growing up so I get obsessed. I’m hoping that with the more work I pile on the less I will binge.
I’ve set some big goals for myself for June. But I know if I push myself I will do the work and get stuff done on both my blog and side biz.
Now I want to hear about your goals for June. Have any big plans for that blog or side hustle? What are you working on that has got you fired up? Leave me a comment and tell me about them.
