One year ago, I published my first post. It was short and sweet, like me. I am living proof that you don’t need to know much about blogging to blog. You just need an idea, an inkling to share it, and the ability to find the publish button on your screen. Now that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to learn along the way. Because there is. I find myself gaping at my laptop in confusion at least once a week-on a good week. On the bad weeks, I want to hit the delete blog button. Luckily, I can’t find that button. So Kids Go West lives on; powered by copious amounts of caffeine, lots of love and support, and just a few delusions of grandeur.
In honor of the big birthday, I’m wearing a tiara all day long, and I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at my plan for global domination the blog this year.
- I have a domain name, but I’m not ready to use it. The whole wordpress.com part of my web address is cramping my style. It’s long, and it’s not as professional. I’ve had my domain name all registered for a year now, but I’m not ready to go all website-y. So I may at least map (I think that’s what it’s called) the domain name to my existing blog and just keep the template the way it is for now…
- This is a labor of love. Which is why I’m in no hurry to go all pro yet. I don’t have the time or resources to compete with the big guns, so I’m going sit back and let the posts flow. Wait, that sounded a bit too hippie-dippy. I’m going to let the blog follow it’s own path. Still sounds too hippie-dippy. I’m going to write about what I love, love what I write, and wait for the fame and fortune to roll in. Take that Donald Trump.
- I will share my writing with the world (but not so much). One thing that I’ve been surprised by, as a newcomer, is how much writing bloggers are asked to give away for free, or for very little compensation. My writing is a valuable resource and I don’t take it lightly. I will write to gain experience, to promote something I believe in, or to gain a foothold in the travel blogging community. Or just because I like you. But I won’t let the bigger fish get their hands on free content from me-for their monetary gain-without giving me my fair dues. All that ranting aside, I do plan on writing more guest posts for my blogging friends this year. Let me know if you’d like a guest post from me, just be very, very patient with me. I’ll get it to you, it just may take a while.
- There’s so much to learn. Part of the reason I started to blog, was that I needed a new challenge in my life. I’ve been at my current profession for many years, and I was ready to expand my horizons. I’m learning how to be a more effective writer, a better photographer, and how to market myself as a writer. I didn’t become an expert in my profession in one year, so I don’t expect that will happen as a professional writer either. I’m willing to learn, but still have a long way to go.
- Meeting the bloggers behind the comments. Last June, I met Lorraine from Keeps Me Smiling and it was tres cool to interact with a fellow blogger in sentences longer than 140 characters. I need to find the time to do that more. So I’m all signed up for TBEX ’10 conference in New York and hope to make an appearance during (what I lovingly call) the East Coast Insanity Tour that I’m planning for next summer. I hope to meet more of the masterminds behind the blogs I’ve been reading this year. So if you’d like to set up a coffee date sometime, give me a holla. Except for weirdo stalkers, there will be no coffee dates for you.
I’m blowing out the candle on my cake, and getting ready for another year. I’m also going to open presents, so send me lots of shiny, wrapped boxes. Thanks again for stopping by.
Bridget Smith, the author of 
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