I intended 2016 to be all about “freedom” in reading and “efficiency” in blogging in an effort to feel less overwhelmed with trying to fit blogging into my life as a mom. I accomplished a number of my 2016 goals, including:
- Reading more nonfiction and backlist – mostly through incorporating audiobooks to my reading routine.
- Improving my Pinterest presence – improved from my #4 social media network at about 10% of traffic (as of 12/31/15) to my #1 network at about 64% of traffic (as of 12/19/16), probably my biggest 2016 win.
- Writing more creative features and recommendation lists – continued my Alcohol & Advil feature, created numerous recommendation lists, and expanded my book club recommendations to include Coed Book Club Recommendations and Short Books that Would Spark Lively Discussion.
And, I did feel less overwhelmed by the combination of mothering and blogging. The downside was that I felt like the blog fell into a bit of a rut…it looks and feels much the same as it did at the beginning of the year. Which brings me to next year’s goals…2017 will be about busting out of my blogging rut.
2017 Reading and Blogging Goals
Reading
- Leave More Time for Free Range Reading – I’m pretty sure this will be a perpetual goal of mine. I failed miserably at this during the first half of the year, but recovered in the second half by requesting fewer ARCs.
- Read More Backlist Books – I doubled my backlist books total from last year (from 10 to 20), many of which were on audio. However, only two were five star reads (Tiny Beautiful Things and Mudbound), as compared to five last year. I’d like to actually read more backlist (in addition to listening) in 2017.
- Track Editors and Select Books Based on Them – Last year, I focused on choosing books by imprint, which worked alright, but not great. I’ve recently started tracking the editors of books I love and will attempt to follow their books into 2017. Now I just need to figure out how to track upcoming releases by editor. Suggestions?
- Delay Requesting ARCs from Unknown Authors – My 2016 ARC success rate was a dismal 41%. I cut back my ARC requests in the second half of the year and waited until I’d started to hear some feedback from trusted bloggers before requesting new-to-me authors. My second half reading felt much better.
- Continue Using My Library – I started using my library this year (I know…embarrassing) and it got me to read more backlist (since my library’s new release selection isn’t great) and take risks on books that are out of my comfort zone since there is no review pressure or money wasted.
- Achieve my Goodreads Goal of 90 Books – I blew through my 2016 goal of 75 books (I’m at 92 so far), mostly by adding audiobooks to my reading life. I’m setting the bar higher for 2017.
Blogging
- Test Out a New Idea on the Blog – a 2016 goal that I did not accomplish was to “Find Creative Ways to Monetize My Blog.” I had an idea, but never followed through because of concerns it wouldn’t work. This year, I’m planning to test out a scaled down version of my idea around Mother’s and Father’s Day. If people seem interested in it, I’ll make plans to move forward with the full version. If it fails, then no harm done.
- Write More Creative Features and Recommendation Lists – this was a 2016 goal and will probably remain an annual goal as long as I have this blog. I already have some ideas I’m excited about waiting in the wings, one of which is for Friday Night Lights fans.
- Continue to Improve my Pinterest Presence – build on my 2016 progress by continuing to segment my boards, track analytics, share others’ content, and participate in group boards.
What are your 2017 reading goals?
These are all great goals and I share several of them — write more blog features, read more backlist and increase Pinterest presence. I don’t have a problem using my library, though — in fact, since I work there, it’s a bit of an enabler in my out-of-control TBR list! 😉 Best of luck and I wish you a 2017 filled with wonderful reads!
Thank you! And best of luck on your goals!
Wow! You certainly have everything planned out! Good luck with your goals!
Thank you 🙂 You know how the best laid plans go…haha.
I’m impressed by your forethought and organization. I hope you achieve your goals, and most of all that you find personal satisfaction in your reading and blogging in 2017. We readers certainly appreciate what you offer.
Thank you! And satisfaction with reading and blogging is the #1 thing, right? That’s why we all do this.
These are great goals!! I need to set mine!
Thanks and hope yours go well!
Great goals, Sarah! The library may be helpful tracking down editors, I think.
Great suggestion – thanks!
I’m going to continue with my running book club/book reviews. Even tho I don’t have a lot of participation, those blog posts are growing in popularity. In fact, my most popular blog post from last year was my review of Suzy Favor Hamilton’s book. Who knew? I’ve enjoyed the engagement I’ve had with the authors too. Sometimes it’s a chore to get through the books (one of them was particularly tedious) and it’s hard to give a diplomatic review. But overall, it’s been really rewarding.
The rest of reading is all for pleasure. I’ve enjoyed your reviews, and your taste in books is very similar to mine!
I still want to read Hamilton’s book! What a bonkers story. That might be a good audio pick for me. And it’s so funny which posts take off….I wish I could predict it better. One of my most viewed book reviews is Pat Conroy’s The Lords of Discipline…how random!
I have an idea for you! I’d love to see some how-to posts about creating a Pinterest presence for a book blog. I need all the help I can get.
So, here’s thing. I feel like such an amateur at the tech and social media stuff…who am I to give advice? But, I would in this case except I just followed someone else’s Pinterest “how-to” posts! Here they are:
1) http://www.thesepaperhearts.com/2015/12/can-book-bloggers-successful-pinterest-yes/
2) http://www.asilvertwig.com/increased-pinterest-impressions-by-200-in-30-days/
Awesome. Thanks for the links 🙂
I need to think about what I want to do with my blog as well. So, you get hits on your blog via Pinterest? I’ve kind of backed off most social media – I just can’t keep up with everything.
I didn’t used to, but now I do. I started started using Boardbooster, which repins things for me. Once you get it set up, it’s barely any work at all.
Wow! I’m impressed and a little intimidated! Your forethought is amazing. I love that you’re already planning for things in May and June. I agree with Amanda. It would be great to see some how-to posts (since I always have questions). Your blog is wonderful and I know that I can always count on you as a source for great recommendations. Thanks!
My goal has been to make it through December! Actually, I do have goals for next year, mainly having to do with organization. Keeping track of everything has been a struggle for me and I need to find a better way of doing it.
This made me laugh and shout “Same!” at the same time. Here’s to making it another week-ish, Susie!
December is a tough month to make it through – every year I get completely stressed out!
So, I would write a how-to post, but feel a little silly b/c I basically just followed the instructions in these two posts:
1) http://www.thesepaperhearts.com/2015/12/can-book-bloggers-successful-pinterest-yes/
2) http://www.asilvertwig.com/increased-pinterest-impressions-by-200-in-30-days/
And I owe you an email on tracking…heading over there after I finish responding to comments!
Great goals! My goals for 2017 are the same as 2016 because I am still incredibly busy with my work. So my main goal is to keep reading and keep my Rose City Reader blog active enough to bubble along until I can give it more attention.
Specifically, I’m using my favorite challenges to read through my huge TBR collection. I’m hosting the European Reading Challenge again and am participating in the Mt. TBR, Vintage Mystery, and Foodies Read challenges. And my goal is to put up four blog posts a week. What I’m not doing is reviewing the books I read or accepting (m)any review copies.
BTW, I always admire the graphics you use with your posts. They are always compelling.
Happy holidays and happy reading!
Sometimes things call for just keeping the blog bubbling along..that’s kind of where I was in 2016.
Good for you for participating in all those challenges! I don’t think I’ve managed to participate in a single one the entire time I’ve had this blog…haha! Happy holidays to you as well!
Your level of awareness is wonderful, Sarah; I’m so glad that you’ve enjoyed incorporating audio books into your life, as well. It was tough for me to get started, but I now I really love listening to them. I’m trying to stay true to the reason I started a blog in the first place – an effort to learn about more books and connect with more booklovers, while also sharing some of my running journey – and remember that, for me, it’s not about how others respond to the blog but what I’M getting out if it. I’m just thankful that blogging connected me with you; reading has been so much more fun!
So true that it’s about what you’re getting out of it – it’s the same for me. And the community book-loving friends is one of my favorite things…thrilled it’s connected me with you as well!
I love how your goals are so well thought out. My main one for 2017 is to read more diversely focusing on US authors of color, and books from different regions. I’m hoping for at least 40% of both.
That’s a good one! I’ll be interested to see my diversity stats for this year. I have a feeling I’ve been reading more diversely than in the past, but can’t be sure until I look at my numbers.
Just reading this makes me tired, Sarah. These are great goals and I envy your planning and creative ideas, especially the one regarding editors. I have a friend who knows something about that, I’ll ask her if she knows any way to track. I’m really curious to see if it works and, if so, how it turns out. Kind of ingenious.
Why is the library embarrassing?! I use mine (well, used to before I got so overwhelmed) all the time. I find it’s a great way to test things I want to try out but not with my own pocketbook at risk.
I’m glad you’ve found some success with audiobooks. I use them the same way, I don’t want to say as filler, but to get to things I otherwise think I might miss. I’ve discovered clunkers and gems alike, including the best gem, Hillbilly Elegy, thanks to your recommendation!
Thanks for being a voice I can count on to steer me in the right direction. I look forward to reading about all of the above!
Oh my gosh – I didn’t mean that using the library was embarrassing! I meant the fact that I didn’t start using it until this year is embarrassing! I’m loving the library and wish the new release selection was bigger so I could use it even more.
So glad you liked Hillbilly Elegy and thanks for your kind words about steering you in the right direction. And for your ideas about editor tracking! I’ll keep you posted on that!
I totally read that wrong! I didn’t use the library for decades. Used it when I was a kid and then not again until 2009. You find a booger (and grosser things) in a book and it puts you off previously read items for a while. 🙂
I suppose it’s not an accident and you end up gravitating to people who have writing and insight you trust and relate to. I’m lucky to have you and a few others who I try not to miss. Of course it’s also frustrating knowing we will never all get to everything. You guys are good at helping to weed out, too, and that’s important!
I’d also like to use my library more this year…assuming that the waiting list for books isn’t months-long like it sometimes is!
Good luck growing you Pinterest presence! I started to work on mine seriously a little over a year ago and it’s now my #1 source of traffic (even above organic search). A few weeks ago I signed up for Tailwind and it’s propelled my growth even further in a very short amount of time. I can’t wait to see what next year brings!
A library book I’ve been waiting for for months just came in this morning..and of course I’ve just started reading another hold that came in a few days ago. Always seems to work that way!
And I need to check out Tailwind..haven’t heard of that!!
I love the idea of following specific editors! I don’t have any ideas on how to do that but I’ll look forward to seeing what you come up with. I want to definitely read more backlist and nonfiction in 2017, and I also want to be slightly less, like, bound to new releases. I’m finding that when I go to the library, their New Books shelves are so irresistible that I’m reading way fewer books from my TBR spreadsheet — which is nuts, because those are books that other bloggers have specifically recommended to me!
I’m with you on wanting to loosen the ties to new releases. My library is actually helping me do that b/c their new release selection isn’t great and holds coming in forces me to fit in backlist titles.
Happy Holidays Sarah – You have some great blogging ideas for 2017
Happy holidays to you as well and thank you!
These are goals that I share. My Pinterest is something that I almost completely ignore, and audiobooks are almost never something that I turn to. I have several of them and keep saying that I am going to give them a go again. Yay for more nonfiction and backlist books. One of my favorite things to see on a book blog are books that have an older pub date.
Best of luck reaching your goals.
I totally ignored my Pinterest as well until this year…but it’s actually a very low maintenance social media network that’s generated a ton of traffic for me.
Congrats on increasing your Pinterest presence! That’s definitely one of my goals for next year as well. I saw you have 5 stars to Mudboubd which I’m excited to read – it’s sitting on my shelf. It was actually written by a woman who went to my same college (Wellesley). Does your library allow you to recommend that they purchase new titles they don’t have? The LA public library is typically super fast to respond to my ebook recommendations by purchasing them if they don’t have them.
That’s so cool that Hillary Jordan went to your college!
And my library just recently got the recommendation option on their Overdrive page and I’ve been recommending up a storm! They’ve bought a couple that I’ve requested.
Leaving more time for free range reading is my big one (mostly the same one every year) but I’d really like to make it happen this year. lol
Haha – you and me both!
You have wonderful goals for 2017! I need to write recommendation posts on my site. It is something I never do and I certainly should, I read enough to know what goes with what.
I am going to work on Monitization for my site this year as well. I got some great ideas, I just need to put them out there.
Good luck on all your goals!
You accomplished a lot last year. Congrats. It looks like you’ve set yourself up for success next year. I plan to incorporate more audiobooks this year. I’ll also do a better job of keeping a record of what I’ve read (so I’ll stop buying the same book twice).
Happy New Year!