2018, I’ve got big plans for you. Not only will I turn 30 and achieve a lifelong dream to visit Petra, 2018 will also be the year that this little blog of mine becomes more than just a hobby. I’ve always had good intentions – I think I’m okay at taking photos, and I get by in most posts without a spelling mistake (you’re going to find one now, aren’t you?!) but I’ve never really known how to make it more than just my little online outlet. Setting some blogging goals from 2018 seems like a great way to start!

I’ll be forever in debt to Monica of The Travel Hack and Claire & Laura of Twins That Travel for inspiring this post. As part of a competition entry to win a spot at the Bloggers’ Retreat, the girls have encouraged us to think about what we want to achieve with our blogs in 2018. And through writing this post, I’ve already got a much better idea of what to do.

So, here goes…

My 2018 Blogging Goals

#1 Stop The Instagram Obsession

Most bloggers have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. The mysterious shadowban and other updates have forced us to find new ways to ‘beat the algorithm’ that it’s just not fun anymore. It’s intensely frustrating to see your follower count yo-yo, to receive copy/pasted comments of “Great feed, keep it up!” and to witness reams of people playing follow/unfollow when you’ve put your heart and soul into the photos you post and the captions you write.

That’s why my first blogging goal of 2018 is to stop the Instagram obsession. I’m not going to worry if I’ve forgotten to post one day, or fret over how many little red hearts I get. But that certainly doesn’t mean I want to stop Instagram entirely. Instead, I want to use it for what it’s there for – to share my love of travel and photography with people who are genuinely interested in it, and to follow others who do the same. Take THAT algorithm!

#2 Experiment with video

There’s no denying the power of video. In fact, there’s a statistic that says video will account for 80% of internet traffic by 2020. You can’t ignore that! Not only are videos a great way to inspire and share information, but they’re also incredibly engaging. I regularly stop scrolling through my social media news feeds to watch other people’s videos, yet, I never make my own.

2018 is the year that all changes! I want to save up to buy a decent video camera and take footage throughout my trips. I will teach myself to edit (ignore the fact I’ve already got a degree in video production) and put together vlogs and highlight reels to give my audience another way to engage with my content. Just call me Mrs Spielberg.

#3 Be Brave

I am a massive wimp. There, I said it.

And here’s the evidence.

It took me about five goes to leap up on to that fallen down tree (it was slippery!), I’m too scared of flying to go anywhere without my husband, and I’m so afraid of being turned down by brands that I don’t even try collaborating with them. I make a great adventure blogger, don’t I?!

Which brings me to my third blogging goal: to be brave. In 2018, I am going to hike up scary mountains to practise for Machu Picchu. I will ride in a hot air balloon even though the idea of it terrifies me, and, most importantly for my blogging career, I want to perfect my pitch and learn how to approach brands I want to work with. Even if I’m scared of the outcome, I will be brave and do it anyway. What have I got to lose?

#4 Find My Voice

My blog is pretty unremarkable, really. I write posts about where to eat, what to see and when to visit places in an attempt to be relevant and evergreen. But anyone could do that. And quite frankly, they do.

In 2018, I want to find my voice by learning what makes me unique, writing about things you don’t see every day and developing my own tone of voice. I want my followers to get to know me personally, just as I want to engage on a deeper level with each and every one of you. I’d love for someone to read one of my posts and immediately know I wrote it. Even if it’s just my mum, I know I’ll have achieved my goal.

#5 Get Out More

My fifth blogging goal of 2018 could be interpreted in many different ways, but ‘get out more’ to me means going beyond the internet to engage with my followers and fellow bloggers.  I’ve always found other bloggers to be so supportive, but I’m still the one standing in the corner of blogging events with a glass of wine feeling like I don’t belong.

Not this year, 2018! To achieve my goal, I will RSVP ‘Yes!’ to future blogging events, regardless of the guest list. I will introduce myself to people I’ve never been brave enough to before, and I will make a concerted effort to meet more bloggers who support each other on our journeys. Attending the Bloggers’ Retreat would be a great way to start!

#6 Blog From My Backyard

With the growing popularity of slow and responsible travel, I’d expect to see ‘blog from my backyard’ on quite a few of my fellow bloggers’ 2018 blogging goals lists. But the truth is, I’d be stupid not to have it on mine.

Living in the UK, I’m spoilt for choice with some fascinating cities, stunning countryside and world-class heritage sites all within a few hours’ drive from my house. Instead of eschewing trips that don’t require a plane ticket, my goal is to share more from the UK and inspire my followers to explore this beautiful country of mine.

As you’ll see from this post – I’ve already started! All the photos were taken in Windsor Great Park, which I only recently discovered is exactly 30 minutes away from my house! Expect more like this throughout 2018 🙂

That’s enough from me. I’d love to hear your goals for 2018 – blogging or otherwise! What will you be most proud of achieving this time next year? Tell me in the comments!