Last month I ran a challenge for over 250 bloggers. We assessed our year and made killer plans to ensure we all kick-butt in 2017. I shared my goals last week, but I also wanted to reflect on 2016 for my blog. I think it’s important to learn from the things that didn’t go as planned, let the lessons we learned sink in, but also to give ourselves a pat on the back. Often we work in isolation and we need to be our own cheerleader; giving ourselves credit for the things we achieve. So here goes, my 2016 highs, lows and aha moments.
Highs
- Went to Monaco/Cannes with Bridgestone
- Outstanding contribution award at MADS
- One of only 15 bloggers to be invited to a Parisian Blogging conference
- Diversified my income streams to include courses and coaching
- Launching and running two free challenges which each had over 250 bloggers involved
- Launched my first ecourse and sold over 50 during the initial launch
- Launched pre-sales for my second course with great sales so far
- Made it to number 6 of Tots100 (9 now!)
- Increased my DA to 50
- Doing my first Facebook live and totally falling in love with it
- Twitter followers: 2016 goals was to go from 14,400 to 20k. I have ended 2016 on 21,463
- Instagram followers: 2016 goals was to go from 4141 to 10,000. I have ended 2016 on 11,400
- Pinterest followers: 2016 goals was to go from 2,500 to 5,000. I have ended 2016 at 5036
- Started to work as BritMums Social Media Manager
- Being booked for my first speaking engagement (Blog Camp), then being asked to speak at BlogFest too
- Signing my 6 biggest contracts with brands
- Going to Germany with Pampers
Lows
- Too many late nights
- Not enough time to focus on the parts of my business that I love the most
- Too easily distracted
- Facebook likes: 2016 goal was to reach 8k likes (5074 at the end of 2015) – I only reached 6629
A-ha moments
- Don’t trade time for money. You will always lose out
- Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Go to the place your competitors won’t go
- I wrote about lots of my other a-ha moments here
So there’s my 2016 in a nutshell. I have probably missed off something notable, but I had to write this from memory. This year I am keeping track of all of these things as I go through the year; will make reflection much easier!
Comments 21
Wow what some great highs you’ve had. If you haven’t already could you do a post on how you have managed to get so many followers on Instagram/Twitter etc?
Wow Aby, you’ve achieved so much! I’m sure 2017 will be equally as rewarding for you 🙂 Happy new year xx
wow you have done so well, your stats are quite simply amazing.
Talk about goal-smashing! Well done, what a year! An inspirational mumtrepreneur for sure! Is it just me or is Facebook a massive pain in the ass? I am finding mine impossible to grow. #thelinkylist
What an incredible year you and your blog have had – it’s great that your hard work pays off 🙂 #thelistlinky
Wow, your social media following grew a lot. You achieved so much! I find it hard to increase my Facebook likes, too. #TheList
I envy your highs. Don’t think i ever get to a point where you are at. I don’t have that much time on my hand with a full time job as well.
Sounds like you’ve had an amazing year and that your career in blogging is really taking flight now. Well done Aby xx #TheListLinky
What a year, you handwork really does pay off – those stats are impressive. Good luck with the new ventures of online courses, I am sure you’ll smash it. #thelist
What an amazing year you have had! You work so hard & it truely pays off!
You’re an inspiration! xx
Wow I think the highs definitely out weigh the lows – what a great year! #thelistlinky
2016 was an amazing year for you and your blog, it’s not surprising really considering how hard you work and you’re always so happy to help us other bloggers out too! I I hope you keep going from strength to strength in 2017 xx #thelist
Wow, great list. You are such an inspiration!Thanks for all your tips and advice! #thelinkylist
Wow these are some fantastic achievements! #thelist
I think my lows is late nights and getting distracted too! But you have achieved amazing results and have every reason to be so proud my darling xx #Thelist
What a great year you have had! I so admire your hard work. I wish I can be you! xx #TheListLinky
What a year for, I don’t know how you juggle it all. I agree with the late nights, so easily done X #thelist
Wow, you certainly packed a whole lot into 2016. Hopefully 2017 will be even better for you x
#TheListLinky
You have such a fantastic 2016. Thank you so much for all you do for the blogging community. #TheListLinky
So many highs! What a great year. Thank you for all of the inspiration and hard work! x
#TheListLinky
Wow Aby some amazing highs!! I am in awe. I must pop over and read you a-ha’s thanks for hosting #thelist xx