My 2017 Blogging Resolutions

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.

It’s 3 weeks into the new year and I’ve only just got around to writing my new years resolutions. I think this shows just how much I need them! This year one of my biggest goals is to focus more on my blogging and really get London City Calling off the ground, so I’ve decided to break this down into the ways I can achieve this.

Stick to Content Calendars

For those of you who don’t know what they are, content calendars are a great way of keeping organised by planning blog posts and social posts in advance and scheduling when and on which channels they will be published.

Content calendars are a useful resource for planning ahead, ensuring consistency and coordinating posts with important dates and events.

I have been creating content calendars for a while now, however, my guilty confession is that I don’t always stick to them.

Due to work and social commitments, as well as other circumstances such as my current broken phone, I end up either in a last minute rush to write something (never a good idea), posting at a time which isn’t appealing to my audience, or just not posting anything at all.

None of these solutions are going to help me build my blog or keep readers engaged, so therefore this year I have decided to commit to sticking to my calendar and planning and scheduling more content in advance.

Do More Collaborations

Towards the end of last year I organised my first collaborative piece with other bloggers, What do London bloggers love most about Winter in the City?, and worked with London based graduate recruitment firm Brighter Box to publish The Best Things to do in London this Christmas & 10 Reasons Why London is a Great Place to be a Graduate.

Collaborating with bloggers and brands is something I really enjoy doing and definitely plan to do more of this year. It’s always great to make new friends in the blogging community, as well gaining extra exposure for my own site. If you’re interested in working with me this year make sure to drop me a message at [email protected] (or head to my contact page).

Attend More Networking Events

I’ve already got off to a good start with this one, having already attended SoMeetUp’s event last Wednesday.

SoMeetUp host regular meetups to bring together social media influencers and brands with similar passions. Last week’s event was called ‘Generation Foodie’ and featured interesting talks from a member of JustEat’s social media team, the founder of Jimini’s, the creator of Vegans of LDN, TV chef Ching He Huang and Instagram fitness guru’s Chessie King and Healthy Chef Steph.

We were also stuffed full of tasty cakes from B8 Bakery (hosts of the Afternoon Tea Bus Tour) and I discovered my summer drink of 2017 – Harry Brompton’s Alcoholic Ice Tea.

Events like this are great for meeting bloggers and influencers with similar interests to yourself, as well as getting yourself known to brands who might want to work with you. I love how much I leave these events having gained – in freebies and knowledge!

I have also just booked my ticket for the Traverse conference at the end of April. This is a global gathering of digital influencers and brands coming together in London for a week of masterclasses, events, tours and parties.

Very excited for this one! Make sure to drop me a message if you’re going to be there too.

Take a Photography Class

I’ve always loved photography, and I like to think I’m not too awful at it.

Anyone who knows me can tell you how annoying I can be to go out with due to my inability to walk more than 5 minutes down the street without stopping for a photo op (what can I say, London’s a beautiful city!).

However up until now these photos have just been spontaneous snaps on my iPhone camera. This is why I am now the proud owner of a Nikkon 3400!

The problem is, I don’t really know how to use a DSLR. I want to learn how to take beautiful night shots of the city lights, and long exposure shots of the buses and black cabs passing down Oxford Street.

This is why I desperately need to take a photography class and learn how to become a pro. Any recommendations?

Do More Things Worth Writing About

I know this one sounds a little vague and obvious, but you can’t be a blogger without having something to blog about.

In my case this is London and all the amazing things there is to see and do in the City.

I believe the best way to avoid struggling to come up with topics to write about (a problem most bloggers come across at one point or another) is to create your own stories by doing and seeing as much as possible. I can’t give trustworthy advice to others when I haven’t tried somewhere myself.

This year I refuse to spend entire weekend’s laying on the sofa, but instead I will make sure I am out exploring cool new places. I will stop going to that one same restaurant at the end of my road, but rather travel about the city trying more new food experiences.

My bank account may take a bashing, and I may have to sacrifice a few Saturday lay-ins, but I started this blog to write about everything I get up to in London and therefore the more I do the better it will become.

I’m always open to suggestions and recommendations so please feel free to drop me a message in the comments!