Welcome to 2017 friends!
If you've been reading for a little while, you might remember that I started doing monthly goal posts back in November… Everything start out fine and dandy the first month – but then something happened while I was writing December's goal post that I carried with me into most of the month of December… I became obsessed with the numbers.
Not proud to say it. I have really prided myself on not really having a game plan with TCM. I have prided myself on hustlin' hard and connecting with each and every one of you via the weekly newsletter, in the comments, or on social. I really looked at 2016 as the year to let my Type A self take a breather, and forget about planning… something you may already know if you caught this post on what I do instead of New Year's resolutions.
I have a daily to-do list and a big picture game plan for TCM and work, but I found myself looking at all the ways I was falling short in those monthly goal posts. I found the negative Nancy voice inside my head getting crazy loud and super betchy… I set goals that are just out of reach normally. I am okay with falling short, but something about looking at it in black and white for all of the interwebs to see just shook a few too many cobwebs off my ol' insecurities.
Plus, I also didn't really see a ton of value in the goal posts. I know some of you guys shared really liking seeing the numbers and stuff because it was inspiring, which is awesome! But I never really shared with you guys HOW I achieved those goals… and the truth is, as much as I share in terms of the blog and business tips on TCM, being a coach/consultant for bloggers and coaches is how I make a living! SO I can really only share so much fo' free, ya feel?
So as quickly as those monthly goal posts started, they are coming to an end even more quickly! Instead, I am listening to y'alls awesome feedback from the reader survey and getting more personal. I am also still keeping those of you in mind who like seeing the numbers. At the start of each month, I am going to do a recap/update on happenings in the blog/biz world; the post will still include some goals – but won't be fully dedicated to them.
Here is the first little 2016 recap for you guys:
TCM 2016 recap:
When I started TCM in March this year, I had a few goals in mind for where I wanted to see myself by the end of 2017…
– I wanted to break 500 on my mailing list… Check! I actually almost doubled this number!
– I wanted to break 15k on Instagram… Check! I actually wanted to share this with you guys on #progress. This in my best nine from 2015 and 2016. In 2015 I averaged 14 likes per photo; in 2016 I averaged 288 likes per photo!
– I wanted to create a media kit… Check!
– I wanted to host my first summit and launch my first course… Check!
– I wanted to earn at least $500 from the blog… Check! I actually did more than quadruple this!
– I wanted to build a community. 30% of you people stopping by TCM are sticking around. I have no idea what return visitor rates are “supposed” to be for blogs, but I have to say I am really proud of this. I know my content is diverse. I look at my blog as well rounded. I try to keep it that way because we're all diverse people. We have different areas of our soul that need to be fired up at different points in time. I knew when I started TCM I was going against every blog/business coaches advice about “niching down”. I've totally felt overwhelmed and like I wanted to bang my head against the wall at times… but I can honestly say that it's been 100000% worth sticking to my guns and keeping the diversity. TCM is about figuring out this whole #adult things, which means our careers and our relationships and just general living stuff every day.
Just look at the 10 posts on TCM for 2016:
- 12 Books Everyone Should Read In Their 20s
- Patience & Stalking: A Millennial Love Story
- 6 Months After Those Weird Period Underwear
- 10 Tips To Email Etiquette
- An Honest Stitch Fix Review
- 5 Fall Date Night Ideas For Any Budget
- How To Spend The Week Between Christmas & New Years
- Overspending? Avoid These Daily Pitfalls
- Life Lessons from Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life
- Bumble BFF: What It’s Really Like
Throw in the fact that every single person (minus one actually) who responded to the reader survey said the blog/biz tips are their favorite posts! So even though none of those made it into top 10, I know you guys are even more diverse than the top 10 would lead me to believe!
Between the top posts and feedback I got in my reader survey… I decided to ditch the “Life Lessons” Fridays though. Instead, Fridays are going to be all about “Loving Lately” — this is going to be a personal post each week. I am going to be sharing the weekly .99 Itunes movie, favorite foods, shows, movies, clothes, whatever I am *you guessed it* loving lately! Basically, if you follow me on Snapchat, it's going to be a little weekly recap of all that you may have missed!
2016 Personal Recap:
If you guys caught this post last week, on what we do instead of New Year's resolutions, you saw that each year Eric and I write a letter to ourselves which basically recaps lessons learned from the previous year and predictions for the coming year. I got about half of my predictions right… but the ones I got right were scarily right (down to how it would rain on my wedding day)!
The blessings I didn't see coming, though…
That I would launch TCM…
That I would become a Forbes contributing writer (or really that I would write anything at all haha)!
That I would make any new friends (let alone the amazing ones that I did) as an adult at this point in my life.
My hopes for TCM in 2017…
I hope that TCM continues to grow. I hope that you guys keep coming back, keep commenting & e-mailing, and introducing yourselves. I hope that I get to meet more readers in person.I hope that my mailing list jumps up to 4k. I hope that I earn at least 5 figures from the blog alone so that by 2018 I can hire someone. I hope I find another awesome intern (RIP my two summer interns who literally helped me SO much in those early days and TCM wouldn't be where it's at without them!)
My word for 2017… organized.
Big things are happening in E and I's life in 2017 and while 2016 was the year of winging it…, 2017 needs to be the year of organization.
I am starting off strong by already planning out the first 3 months of content in my editorial calendar with about 70% of the rest of the year planned out.
I am also going back to planning my Instagram feed out about 30 days in advance *so many of you have asked about my growth on Instagram and pre-planning content was huge for me! The months I had pre-planned content were the months my account grew by at least 2500. Also would you guys be interested if I relaunched my Instagram course this year?*
I am also going to be getting organized around the house and in my office. I have some #adulting posts planned to help you guys get organized too that I hope you will loveeee!
Your blogging milestones are inspiring. I hope to achieve that in 2017!
Awe thank you Alexa! Let me know if you have any specific questions about reaching any of your 2017 goals! I can try to work it into a post!
I love how you talk about setting goals, preplanning, and keeping organized. I hope to do better at all of those in 2017!
Haha yasss! me too! I think we totally got this! I actually created my own planner this year to make sure I am hitting on all the areas I want!
Wow congrats on reaching all those milestones this past year! That instagram growth is amazing! Cheers to an awesome 2017!
Thank you Cara! So excited to see what we do with pitches this year!! Cheers to 2017!
Rachel – congrats on surpassing so many goals! I’d love to check out your instagram course because I just created an account and am struggling 🙂
Awe thank you! Awesome! I am planning on spending the month of January updating and revamping it and relaunching it in February. Let me know any specific questions/concerns you have and I will make sure to include them if they aren’t already!
This post is so inspiring! You have done such big things with TCM throughout the years!
Usually I write goals that seem kind of unreachable, but this year I’m focusing on really narrowing down my goals to something very specific!
Cheers to the new year!
xx, Jamie
Thanks Jamie! TCM actually hasn’t even been alive for even a year yet! I launched it in March 2016! What are some of your goals for the year?
It sounds like you had an amazing year! That’s so incredible how much growth you’ve accomplished in a year! I am really hoping to start growing my social media feeds, focusing on twitter and instagram! I learned in 2016, reaching out to smaller brands is great versus aiming for the largest ones. I also realized my blog doesnt really have a niche
Thank you! Yeah I am going to start with smaller brands this year! I love non-niche blogs and really find them SO refreshing!!
You had such a big year, ma’ dear! So happy for you! Thankful to have connected with you through BPP and so excited for what 2017 has in store! Cheers!
Awe thanks love! Me too!
Y’all are so cute! You had an amazing 2016! I can’t wait to watch you crush your goals for this year! I need to work on my mailing list! You are great motivation.
Lol thanks girl!
So much Instagram growth!! That’s amazing! Cheers to hard work into 2017.
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thanks lady!! Happy New Year!
girl this growth is sosososo impressive! congrats on the mailing list and Instagram, would love to read about how ya did it x
Thank you! I am planning a mailing list post in the coming months!
Congrats on such a wonderful year! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better and seeing what all you have to offer in 2017. Happy New Year!
Thank you Courtney! Happy New Year!
Yay for accomplishing your 2016! Your Instagram course sounds amazing too! Happy New Year!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Thanks Katie!
Girl, you’re killing the IG game. I am so beyond thankful that I found your blog! You’re content is amazing and I’ve found it to be extremely helpful! Here’s to a great 2017!
Awe thanks Alexis! That makes me SO happy! Happy New Year!
Congratulations on completing and exceeding your goals! I hope you have a happy new year! I need to checkout your Instagram course.
with love, Danielle
Thanks Danielle! Here’s the link for it: http://rachel-ritlop.teachable.com/p/the-confused-millennial-s-guide-to-instagram I am working on a revamp of it in Q1!
I loved reading this post! I would love to learn more about pre-planning for Instagram in the new year. Also… if you’re hiring… I’m job searching 😉
Tori
Thanks Tori!! I am hoping to be able to hire and pay someone in 2018! Right now I am just hoping to get some interns back over the summer! But I’ll keep you posted!
I loved seeing the difference between your Instagram in 2015 and 2016! Mine looked similar, I was proud of the growth and how much better the pictures looked. So excited for your and excited to see how TCM changes and grows in 2017!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Thanks Kayla! It’s really fun seeing it on the best nine because it’s actual engagement, not just followers. Congrats on your growth too!
I loved this post, Rachel! You’ve written so many amazing posts this year and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for you 🙂
Awe thank you Jenny! Likewise! super happy Confetti Social is up and running and taking off!
1. I’m heading over to instagram to follow you now! Not because of the giveaway but because you seriously just inspired me so much with this post!
2. I’m so proud and happy for your success! I’ve been following your blog via Bloglovin for some time and I absolutely love your work!
I just realized that I’m totally already following you on Instagram- so I’m subscribing to your blog instead! Seriously, dude, you’re such a motivation for me!
Awe thank you!! This is totally random – did bloglovin stop populating my RSS feed? Or is it still working? Haha I didn’t think anyone followed me on it so when I moved my blog from squarespace to wordpress I didn’t even think to check the RSS Feed!
I’m still seeing a lot of your posts on my bloglovin, I believe! That’s how I initially found you!
Oh that’s so cool! haha I had no idea people actually found me there!
Yeah girl, on the lifestyle explore page!
I just sat on your blog for like 30 minutes straight today. Hahaha no shame.
What an awesome post! I have many of the same goals for myself this year and you make it seem like it’s possible!
Thank you Kaitlyn! It totally works! #heart&hustle
Really enjoyed reading this post! You are obviously talented at what you do and that shows in the fruit of you labor. So excited to see what 2017 has in store for you!
Thanks Elizabeth! Likewise!