BLOG RESOLUTIONS FOR 2016

I decided this year I wouldn't make any resolutions in my personal life, apart from have more fun and look after myself more. But I didn't want to make a list and fail at it, so I put that dreaded #NewYearNewMe bullshit aside and chose to concentrate on some blog goals. Actually, more of a plan of how my little piece of the Internet is going to grow over the next twelve months. 

Last year was an amazing year for Apartment Number 4, it really was. I won my first blog award, I worked with some brilliant brands, I got my name out there within the interiors blogging community and made some fab virtual friends. I even made it onto the HIBS100 list at number 55, which was something I've wanted to do all year. It was even the year I registered as self-employed so I could start earning a little pocket money on the side. 

This year I want to concentrate on five things in particular which I think could really help my blog grow. This time next year Rodney, this time next year...

Photography

I've worked hard on my photography over the last twelve months but I really want this year to be the year I learn how to use my camera properly. I use auto on my Nikon D3200 a lot of the time, and even though the images come out great - especially with my 50mm lens, I bet there are so many things I could achieve if I turned it onto manual. I'm also looking at investing in some different lenses, maybe a 35mm - or if I come into some money, perhaps buying the Canon 70D (which is around £900). I would also like to create some better flatlays and have been pinning loads of inspiration recently over on my Pinterest page. In terms of blogging influences, Kate La Vie creates some beautiful imagery, but I think Media Marmalade is killing it with her photography and image styling right now.

Community Spirit

I'm really going to try harder to integrate myself within the blogging community. Sometimes I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines looking in, whilst everyone chats on Twitter like they've been friends for a lifetime. One thing which I started to do on and off last year was get involved in Twitter chats, and I'm going to try and make an effort to try harder to catch them this year. I not only found a host of great blogs to read, but I discovered so many bloggers feeling the same way I do about things. It's so easy to get caught up in your own blog, how many readers you're getting, where the next blog post is coming from, that you forget there are other bloggers out there, struggling with the same things as you are. 

Branding

I've recently redesigned my logo and I'm really pleased with it. So much so that I'm finally going to invest in some business cards. Big step people, big step. I also want to create a branding concept for Apartment Number 4, and what I mean by that is develop a real style to this blog and everything that goes with it, so when someone looks at a picture or reads something, they can tell it's my style and my blog. Bright Bazaar, Wish Wish Wish and DesignLoveFest have amazing branding, running throughout everything they do. I'd like to get this done before March, so I can head into the new spring season knowing exactly what my mission is, what my brand looks like and have a cohesive message running throughout. Can you tell I want to get serious right now?

Youtube

I know, I know. I keep writing about trying my hand at Youtube, but I've still not got around to actually doing anything about it yet. I'm purposely putting it off, if I'm being completely honest. I don't want to do some half-arsed attempted and then regret making anything live so I've decided to start with some filming without me in front of the camera, perhaps a room tour or a haul, but with music over and some great editing perhaps. I'm definitely excited to give it a go as I'm obsessed with Youtube channels right now and I know that this is the way online content is moving, I just need to decide what I'm going to do first and buy the equipment to do it.

Content

Currently I post quite sporadically, sometimes five times a week, other times once a week. I'd like to post on a more regular schedule, as I love logging on to my favourite blogs and seeing new content daily. This takes a hell of a lot of work though, and with a full time job to manage as well, it would mean writing every evening and photographing every weekend when the sun is out. So I've decided that go with four times a week. Monday, Wednesday Friday and Sunday - I think a schedule of these three days is a good place to start. Welcome to Friday's post people.

Have you got any blog goals you want to achieve this year? And if you're not a blogger, I still love to know if there's anything you want to work towards during 2016.