Writing down my goals for the blog is just a way to give myself some direction for the content I create here, and a little motivation to push myself further as a blogger :) It's not that I didn't think about it and wasn't working towards it the past few months. Even as I wrote my Reflections for Blog Goals 2013, I knew what I wanted to do this year as it had been on my mind for quite a while. However, so many things been happening {well, turning 30 was one of them!} that I just didn't get to doing it until now.
1. Take Better Photographs
I believe people are naturally attracted to blogs with great content, not necessarily those with a lot of pictures. Blog posts with pictures generally seem more engaging as a picture says a thousand words, but it is not necessary to have pictures with every entry. It all depends on that post’s topic, and the picture should be relevant and enhance what’s being told.
However being a visual person, I tend to use images with all my posts and these are usually taken by myself... most of the time, just with my iPhone haha. The quality and colour of iPhone photos are pretty good for a non-tech person like myself, but I'd really like to improve my photography skills and "take better photos".
What do I mean? Well, I mean not just point-and-shoot but also experiment with the different angles, light, colours etc. I want my photos to be more interesting, and not "flat". I want to understand what people mean when they say "rule of thirds" or "aperture" and learn how to use sun-flares to create stunning images. Some steps I'd take / have taken are to:
- Get a camera that I'd want to use often
- Actually read the camera manual {!!}
- Learn from the pros e.g. courses, chats over coffee, research online, follow their work
- Start a photography project
2. Take More Videos
I'm really a fish out of water with this one. I started my YouTube channel in 2011 {please subscribe if you haven't} just to upload some home videos and used it a bit more since last year to upload my shopping hauls {much easier than listing everything in a blog post haha}.
I'd like to take more videos to capture the motions and sounds of our lives. I realise that Lil Pumpkin's voice and movements are constantly evolving, and pictures are not able to capture the whole story. Some things she does.. some words she uses.. are so adorable and I want to capture them for memories' sake.
Also, even though I'm not that comfortable in front of the camera yet, I think vlogging helps to bring me closer to my blogging community, making my written words more relatable {at least that's how I feel sometimes when I see bloggers who vlog}. It's like you already know what I actually look and sound like, before meeting me in person. You get to hear from the "real me" :)
I won't make a video for every post I do, but I think adding one every now and then makes for more engaging blog content. Especially for my review, travel, tutorial and family activities posts. I recognise I need {lots of!!} help in video-taking and video-editing e.g. how to splice? how to create stop-motion videos?, and will need to work hard on it. Any recommendations or help is appreciated!
Pretty basic goals, ya? :) I still feel I'm at the "foundation" stage of my blog years and want to get these technical skills right before moving on to some "bigger plans".
By the way, do you like my post pic? Took it one rainy day.. just a simple reminder that despite all the gloom, there will always be a rainbow at the end of the day. Likewise, my blogging journey may have it's down days, but there will always be a happy rainbow at my feet to keep me going :)
What are your blog goals for 2014?
Do you set weekly, monthly or yearly blog goals?
7 comments:
Those are good goals to have. I would also like to take better photos, but I need a better camera first :)
Great goals. My photography is shameful. Fortunately I have a husband who is handy with Photoshopping so I can sometimes include novel photos. I've never had good responses to my videos on my blog I must say. Sometimes I think people can't be bothered to watch them.
I do like that photo!
I'm going to start a busy work phase, my aim for my blog is just to keep it going.
So I have achieved some of my goals, logo, bit more professional look. Now I have to just get more efficient with brands etc! 4 weeks and counting lovely x
I've made it a goal to have more recipes. So far I haven't done too bad.
Reading this, and I realise I haven't done a good old vlog for ages!! Must do one.
I also would like to take better pics. Mine are shocking I think!
Great goals, Ai! Although, I do think you take pretty awesome pictures. I still think we should do a vlog together. Interested? :)
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