This week’s theme at Naked Girl in a Dress has been to focus on the start of the New Year. So far this week I have discussed my plans to begin 2012 without setting unrealistic goals, but instead to simply be mindful of three words. In addition to thinking about these things over winter break, I also contemplated the blog.
A few questions I asked myself:
- What changes did I feel needed to be made?
- Did I want to expand, adding more pages to the site?
- Was I happy with the growth rate of the community I have been building here these last few years?
- How can I better connect outside of the blog?
These questions and more have led to a lot of exciting ideas I have for Naked Girl in a Dress in 2012. A lot more than I can implement in the first five days of the New Year.
Here are the immediate changes:
- The About page needed to be updated, which I have already completed.
- Thursdays were not typically days I published, but it is now going to be my community day. My life has been enriched by so many wonderful writers I have met as a result of blogging. Thursdays will be a day to shine a light on these talented, warm, funny friends each week. I will either be writing a review of a blog I love to read (Blogs to Bookmark) or I will have a guest writer (Naked Girl Has Guests) publish here.
- The Sprocket Ink badge and link is missing from the sidebar. It was fun to have an outlet to write snarky political pieces, but with the New Year brings a new focus. I would have left the link up so you could still find my writing over there, but it is policy for the co-owners of the blog to scrub posts of the author’s name once they leave. So, the link would no longer help you find my writing.
- While something was removed from the sidebar, another item was added; it’s an Amazon slideshow. I plan to have it scrolling through books I am reading, music I am listening to, and things I am doing with the kids (games/toys).
When I received a Google+ invite last July, I wondered if I really wanted to devote more time than I already do to social media. But it’s Google. So I dipped my toe in this new social media water the latter half of last year. Impressed with the results with what effort I made, I have decided to jump in head first in 2012. Please circle me if you are on Google+; I would love to connect there as well. If you want a jumpstart to your Google+ experience, I recommend Chris Brogan’s book
(affiliate link). I am currently devouring it on my Kindle.
More pages will be added here to expand the site. I will share more as each page is ready to be added.
Next Thursday will be the first guest writer. I won’t reveal who will be writing, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. This is only his third month of blogging, but someone to expect great things from in 2012. I am honored to have him write for me next week.
Overall I am excited for the changes here and the chance to connect with you more in 2012. Thank you for being the best and most loyal readers. I hope you enjoy the changes here in the coming weeks.
Happy New Year!
Comments
11 responses to “Exciting Changes to Naked Girl in the New Year”
Lots of exciting things happening at Naked Girl indeed! I’m looking forward to seeing the changes and coming along for the ride in 2012!
I would be sad if you weren’t here for the ride! I am sure you will be a part of Community Day on Thursdays in 2012! It is just in the infancy planning stage right now.
Happy New Year!
Can’t wait to see how things work out for you!
I was Google +’ing for a little bit, but soon gave it up (right about the time I switched from Blogger to WP). Never thought of it as a way for writers to hook up, maybe because I’ve been too busy.
Perhaps I should give it another look.
Good luck, Kelly!
Thanks Eric! I don’t find it as a writer hangout, but everything I +1 and share on my Google+ page moves up significantly in Google ranking, which Chris discusses in his book. Just post over there and see what happens.
YEA!!!! I love seeing you with all this good stuff going on. Thank you for the info on Google + too…I will revisit it..I’ll see you there. :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR Kel!!!
xo
Happy New Year to you, my friend! Looking forward to more great interactions with you. :)
Hi Kelly, I love the emphasis of your blog, exactly the kind of thing I’m looking to read & I’d even say there’s some alignment with my blog. Was interested to hear about your positive results with Google +, it’s absolutely something I haven’t got the hang of yet & didn’t know if I’d bother. I can just about keep up with Twitter! But maybe I’ll look into it hearing your experience :-) Look forward to reading more from you.
Andrea
Though I am usually against advertising on writing sites except for shamelessly plugging my own stuff, I kind of dig the amazon slideshow. Getting any play from it?
It’s too early to tell Amy. I will let you know though. I don’t love that it moves, drawing attention away.
These are great goals for 2012 and while I’m new to your blog, I’m so excited to see how you grow this year!
One of my blogging goals for 2012 is guest posting- I haven’t done any yet and I want to start writing and accepting guest posts. Wish me luck!
I’m also planning to start a second women-focused blog writing about confidence, body image & style. I want this to be a collaborative blog, with regular contributions from other bloggers.
I’d LOVE to work with you in 2012 so let me know where your interest lay!
Chrysta
Chrysta,
It looks like we have some similar goals in the new year, both guest posting and also a collaborative blog. I have another blog I want to start after the collaborative one, but that might need to be a 2013 goal. We will see.
Yes, we should work together in 2012. Our messages align nicely. I am going to email you to start the conversation.
I look forward to working with you in 2012!