This is December, guys! Can you believe it? This year really flew by. For us bloggers, online marketers and entrepreneurs it’s time to evaluate what we’ve done so far, and what we want to accomplish next years with our online business.
For me 2012 was definitely a turning point and I kind of made a 180° degree twist to my online business. Until July of last year I was still very much involved with affiliate marketing, while I was already working as a freelance writer. However, my blogs were kind of neglected because I was mainly focusing on selling my affiliate products using those blogs as selling platforms rather than targeting faithful readers by building relationships, especially with other bloggers.
As a matter of fact, I had no connection with other bloggers until July of 2011.
5 Blogs Gone 3 Remaining
Toward the second half of 2011 I decided to totally rethink my blogging strategies, and that meant making the choice of getting rid of 5 of my 7 blogs. The choice was easy, I had to keep my writing/online marketing blog which is the very blog you are on right now (my Freelance Writing platform).
Then, of course I had to keep my personal development blog which is the platform where I promote my knowledge in this area, giving weekly personal development advice. And of course, there’s my traveling blog where I like to write about home, travels, recipes and other related topics.
In 2012 My Blog Traffic Triple
My writing blog went from around a dozen comments per post in the second part of 2011 to over 30 – 40 on a regular basis and over 60 to 100 in some cases. I would say that’s an increase!
Then, second comes my personal development, which is still way under estimated if you ask me with only about 20 comments per post. To tell you the truth, I know what I should be doing to increase the traffic of this blog, but haven’t got around it yet. This is one of my goals for 2012.
My travel and food blog’s got noticed as I received guest post invitations and guest post request which hopefully will help to increase my traffic for this one which gets under 20 comments in most posts.
So to sum it all up, am I happy with my blogs interaction’s yet? No. Heck no! I want way better than this! But I’m doing better, and I shall be content for this at least!
Earlier this Year came New Looks and New Header
In January of this year I decided that I had to adopt a more professional look for all my blogs, so I purchased a thesis theme that I installed on all three of them. In February I decided to purchase a custom made header for this blog while I changed its name from Persuasive Article Marketing to my “own band name” as you can see.
By the way, the guy who created my header, Steve B, is very good at what he’s doing and very easy to work with. I’ll recommend him anytime. He did the header of this blog, my personal development blog, my coaching business widget and the cover of my free eBook right here. If you want a talented guy who can understand what you want right away, he’s the guy. I met Steve through my blogger friend Barry Well who had told me good things about his work and the way he dealt with him. If you want to contact Steve though my own affiliate link you can do so right here.
This is what my blog looked like less than a year ago!
Overview of my 2012 Posts
I have gone through all me 2012 posts and made a list of my most read posts; the posts that I think didn’t get the traffic they deserved; the interviews I’ve conducted on all three blogs, and my guest posts on other blogs. You can see them all bellow!
My Most Read Posts!
- How Can Freelance Writer Get Clients And Keep Them
- Five Golden Rules To Leave Blog Comments That Will Benefit You And Your Site
- 5 Different Channels To Create Excellent Content
- What You Need To Know About Google Penguin Updates (guest post)
- How to Fight Distractions When Working Online
- How To Write Like An Except With Sylviane (guest post)
- Passing Along The Sisterhood Of The Worlds Bloggers Award
- Disable Comments? Now What?
- Automating Content Creation – Good Or Bad? (guest post)
- Squidoo or Hubpages – Which One Is Worth Your Time?
- How To Use GIF Images Effectively With Article Marketing (guest post)
- 5 Reasons Why People Will Stop Commenting On Your Blog
- Blogging = Writing? Oh Curd What Now! (guest post)
The Posts I Think didn’t Get the Attention they Deserved
- How To Turn A Browser Into A Reader – Part One
- How To Turn A Browser Into A Reader – Part Two
- How To Turn A Browser Into A Reader – Part Three
- The Three Main Components Of A Converting Sales Page
- Five Blogging Lessons I Learned From A Mother Bird
Interview Posts
- Barry Wells From Barry-Wells.com (The interview/discussion on YouTube)
- Carol Lynn Rivera from WebSearchSocial.com
- Adrienne Smith from AdrienneSmith.net
- Donna Merrill from DonnaMerrillTrib.com
- Melody Fletcher from DeliberateReceiving.com
- Annie Andre from AnnieAndre.com Practical Adventure-ology
- Oliver Tausend from AskOliverTausend.com
- My Own Internet Radio Interview
My Guest Posts on other Blogs for 2012
- What are the two Main Writing Motivators of the online marketer?
- How important is it to you to build a blogging community?
- Four Vital Steps To Build Your Blog From Ground Zero
- What Are The Three Main Channels To Make Money Online
- Making True Connections Online Could Make a Difference in your Life
- 3 Reasons Why You Have Been Using The Law Of Attraction The Wrong Way And How To Fix It
- Five Mistakes That Make Your Article Marketing Campaign Fail
- Making The Right Decisions When It Comes To Blogging
- The Three Fears That Will Prevent You From Succeeding
- Taking Responsibility For Your Lack Of Success And Where You Need To Start
So, what about you, tell us about your blogging/marketing story for this year 2012 and your plans for next year!
Hi Sylviane,
You’ve certainly had a busy year what with changing your blogs and even deleting some of them.
I admire the way that you have switched your focus to blogging and building relationships with like minded people. Your readers have increased along with the comments you receive and that’s excellent news and forms the proof of the pudding when it comes to blogging.
You’ve written some fantastic posts this year and I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve read, many of which have helped me out 😉
Interviews: WOW girl look at you go. I remember our interview, and all the trials and errors that went with it, when you said that I was your first interview. Look at you now, how many this year? Eight, congratulations Sylviane
I’m really pleased that you’ve had such a great year and wish you all the very best for 2013 🙂
As for myself, it’s been the hardest year since I started online. Due to my health I took a few days off in May hoping the rest would solve my issue, days turned into weeks which have now turned into months. Next year I’m hoping that my operation comes through quickly so as to allow me to crack on with the plans I haven’t been able to complete this year.
Onwards and upwards Sylviane
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2013 bring you all you deserve 🙂
Barry
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Hi Barry,
Thanks for coming by. Yes, indeed, you would be the first to know about all the issues I ran into trying to record this interview of yours. LOL, that was crapy on my end, wasn’t it? … That’s why I oppted for something different after that.
I know, Barry that it was a tough year for you, but you still did a lot, though, before your health problems started, like coming up with a great product.
I really hope that next years will be much, much better for you and wish you a merry Christmas too, but hope to run into you before that 🙂
Hi Sylviane,
Nice to hear about your achievements this year 🙂 Busy year and you should have mentioned about your videos too.
The best series I enjoyed here is ~ “How To Turn A Browser Into A Reader”. There is no doubt about that and I feel sorry when I see it’s not got attention it deserves. May be they are getting much more traffic though it’s lack of comments, which is true sometimes for less commented posts even statically.
Hope more of your expectations will come true in next year 🙂
Cheers…
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Hi Mayura,
Thanks for coming.
I hope I didn’t sound too negative or anything like that. I didn’t mean too, but I wanted to be honest, and while posting the posts that did get lots of attention, I also wanted to mentioned the ones that didn’t so much. But I know that you’re right about statistics and thanks you’ve mentoned it.
This was a nice wrapup! I really like the idea of telling people what you’ve done over the year and how you’ve grown your business. Gives me an idea for my own post… 🙂
Sometimes just the little things will make a big difference, like a nice header or a better layout.
But you can’t beat the great content, and you know how to provide that! I remember the “turn a browser into a reader” series. That had a lot of good advice so I’m surprised they didn’t gt as much attention. Sometimes it just depends on the day of the week or time of the year. I have the same thing where I think a post is going to be really useful and it doesn’t do a whole lot! So its a really good idea to bring them back out for people who missed them.
Good for you, for doing so much this year! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned for 2013!
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Hi Carol,
What? You mean I’ve given YOU an idea to write about? The world is really coming to an end! 🙂
Yes, while I’m kinda able to tell what post is going to bring in traffic, once in a while I’m wrong, but that only proves that it’s impossible to plan 100% on how something will be received by the public. We can only estimate.
Nice and attractive layout is very important, but as you’re saying content is first and foremost, of course. It’s always a pleasure for me to hear compliments about my content from you, as you know I love your style. You could go anywhere with your writing and be publish with no problem, I’m sure.
Thanks for coming, Carol and I’m so glad I’ve given you a post idea. That’s what blog reading is so good.
Nice to read about change in your blogging. your blog looks better from before. The way you have presented the post about your work in 2012 is really awesome. I will be checking out your post links which you have mentioned in this post.
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Hi Atish, and thanks so much for the compliment.
You know when you write a blog post every week you need to come up with different ideas to make it more interesting to the reader, and I thought that the end fo the year called for this type of content. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your feedbacks and hope you’ll enjoy some of the other posts 🙂
You’ve come a long way baby! Oh yeah Sylviane, things have really picked up for you this year.
Don’t be so hard on yourself with your other two blogs. My goodness… You work full-time offline, you also write for other people plus you have three blogs of your own and you also find time to visit others and comment. Girl, you rock! I think that’s truly amazing what you’ve accomplished.
I love that you shared the individuals posts and let us know how 2012 went for you. I have no doubt that 2013 will be even better.
So here is to another great year!
~Adrienne
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Hi Adrienne,
You’re so kind. It’s true that I do all that you are mentioning here, and that’s a darn lot, in all humility. That’s why I don’t buy BS excuses very well, ya know!
Well, yes, I wish my other blogs and even this one did better, but I won’t complain. I am grateful for the noticeable improvement.
Thanks so much for all your compliments, Adrienne!
Ah great Michael,
And I just saw you added your signature. I like that! I enjoyed the post and then as I was getting ready to comment I had to go all the way back up and then down again and couldn’t know for sure you were the writer, that’s why I said that 🙂
That’s great that your blog is doing well. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Sylviane I listen to people who offer good advice. I never noticed this theme did not list the author.
Thanks for the advice.
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Hi Sylviane!
It is so wonderful when you can look back and list those things that you have accomplished. You have come such a long way in such a short time.
As a professional writer, you turn any subject into a masterpiece. It is not only your writing skills, but your heart and soul that you put into it.
I am so proud that you are my friend.
Donna
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Hi Donna,
Well, I’m so proud you’re my friend too, and so lucky to have such friends like you and the other gals you and me know 🙂 A bunch of talented people, indeed, and by the way, I’m not including myself.
My writing business is indeed increasing and very soon some updates on that will show on this blog, but 2013 will be a huge push on my coaching business. This is my goal #1 for 2013!
Thanks for your visit, Donna 🙂
Hi Sylviane
While reading I was feeling that probably I could also write my accomplishments may be in Dec 2013. This year has been really fruitful for you and hope that next year will be better than the current.
keep up the good work.
Thanks
Sapna
Hi Sapna,
Nice to see you here. Have seen you around before I was thinking of checking you out, actually.
Yes, I think that’s a good idea to write about an overview of 2012 and goals that we may have for 2013. The post gave the idea to a few people.
Hi Sylviane
Thanks for giving me an opportunity.
Sapna
Yes, that would be a great thing to do, Sapna, and it will force you to move up, which is always a good thing, isn’t it?
Hey there, I just found you via BizSugar and I’m glad I did. I love what you did with these lists, it makes me want to explore around and understand why you chose the ones you did. Very cool 🙂
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Hi Kelly and welcome here!
Wow, I love when people tell me how they found me. So BizSugar does work uh?
I love building relationships, so I will come visit you as well!
Sylviane –
I like your new look and I loved this post! I personally am flip-flopping with my blogging efforts and have been putting too many carts before the proverbial horses however, I am slowly beginning to see the light! This is mainly due to my recent hook-up with some very special people in the blogging community of which you are one. I only wish that I had come across you and the several others that I now follow…several years ago! Thanks for the boost.
Les Wallack
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Hello Les,
Well, I’m so glad to hear that!
The same thing happened to me, Les! It’s when I started following some successful bloggers who had tons of valuable advice for other bloggers that I started to see things differently. Then, I started to change things little by little until the finishing product was totally different than when I first started.
Nice to see you here and I will come visit you as well 😉
Great work Sylviane,
I stumbled upon your blog via Adrienne Smith’s blog and i must confess that your blog is amazing, i love what i see here.
Prior to your post, i can see that you’ve really done well in 2012 and its not easy at all. Its always good to sit down and analyze what we are doing some times. Just as you said, you started seeing some significant result when you decided to change what you were doing wrong. Its really commendable.
Henry Ford defined Insanity as DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULT.
I’ve learnt so many things from your post and i know i also have lots transformations to make on my blog next year.
Thanks for sharing, i will come back
Hi Theodore,
Thank you so much for your nice compliment and I am so thrilled that you like my blog. You’ve just made my day.
I love that Henry Ford quote which is so, so true. Isn’t it? When something is not working, well we need to change it and do something else.
Thanks for coming 🙂
One more thing Sylviane,
I just check the site that customized your header, but what i want to know is this…..
How long did it took him to finish yours?
I might need his service next year
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Hi Theodore,
Wow, I think I should have add that info, shouldn’t have. Steve is extremely fast, it took him no more than 24 hrs. to do the job. Is really super fast.
Great work here Sylviane,
I personally do this every year with the mind of deciding on what to do more in the coming year. I must say, my blog did greatly this year 2012 however, there were a few problems that had to do with webhosting. This affected the site for some days as it was down for that period of time. Despite that I was able to achieve about 60% of my target for the year. Right now I’m working on making 2013 a more fruitful year ever!
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Congratulations, Chadrack!
I know what you mean, things do happen, you know. Sites go down and stuff, but this is the name of the game.
Few months ago because of implement a piece of html coding I’ve seen this blog disappeared and it was darn scary, that’s why I’d advise anyone to have a good customer service hosting, they fix the problem and I could breath again!
Thanks for coming and I will come by you very soon!
Hmm, scary indeed but like I’ve learned from these experiences, they just somehow make us more knowledgeable about these things! I’ve picked up different lessons from my experiences that I now know that without their cropping up I wouldn’t have had such knowledge. It’s ironical but it’s the truth all the same.
Thanks for the reply.
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Hi Sylviane,
I was attracted to your title as a freelance writer and I decided to come and visit your blog and I am so glad I did. That was an amazing post Sylviane and I have to congratulate you for all the achievements you made in 2012. You should be proud of yourself. You really do a lot as Adrienne said. I don’t know how you do it but you are doing really great and you need to be commended for all this. I hope that the coming year 2013 will even be better for you.
As for me, I am a new (baby) blogger and I just started a month ago. I don’t have any achievements yet except that I started, and I look up to all of you guys to learn from you. I will make sure to come always to read your blogs and learn from you.
Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Be Blessed,
Neamat
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Hi Neamat and welcome here,
You are so nice, and I appreciate you compliments very much.
I am a darn busy woman, indeed, and sometimes I’m asking myself the same question, I don’t know how I do it all, and just by seeing a what December looks like for me “work wise” I feel that 2013 is going to be worse, in a good way!
It will be my pleasure to visit your new blog and support you there.
Thanks for coming 🙂
It seems that you’ve won some reputation among your readers and you can see that through the number of comments and traffic on your website. Congrats, is not an easy task!
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