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Where was your blog this time last year?

I’m going to be heading off for Christmas vacation here soon (the grown-up version, meaning that two-week holidays are a fond school memory, but because Christmas and New Year’s Day are Mondays, I’m taking a week). By the time I return, it will be a whole new year.

I know the New Year’s Resolution is currently a bit out of fashion, but I love the reminder the New Year gives us to reflect on the year past and contemplate the year to come. Darren at ProBlogger is doing a “Reviews and Predictions” Group Writing Project this week, and that fits in nicely with the mood of these last few weeks of December.

So, with that, a request: tell me about your blog this year. Last December, did you have a blog? (Do you have a blog now?) Did you blog on the same topic as you are now? Has your blogging changed your life in any way (small ways are okay!) over the last twelve months?

I’ll tell you mine, and hope you’ll leave a comment and tell me yours.

Last December, blogging was peripheral to my life. I wrote over on frugal underground and a now-defunct cooking blog. I tweaked blogs for my web development clients.

Now, blogging is central to my life. I’m still not fantastic at practicing what I preach (as you’ll clearly see as blog posts here appear in fits and starts), but I have a lot more experience to draw from. 95% of my work these days is based on blog software, and probably 80% is specifically helping people blog. I recently accepted a steady gig blogging regularly for a company (details to come as thing progress).

Going into the new year, I’m really excited to find out what new things people will ask for. My clients are innovative and smart and accomplishing amazing things, and it’s invigorating (and at times frustrating!) to be part of this crazy new online world.

One of the coolest parts of blogging and my job helping others blog is that blogs make things easy that used to be hard. Now people who are passionate about any subject in the world can share that passion, and they don’t have to be tech geeks.

I’m guessing that if you’re reading this blog, you’re probably enthusiastic about the potential—realized or as-yet-unrealized—of blogging. How have you seen that potential in the last year, and what are you doing about it?

Sarah,

As you know, I’m in the very early innings with my new blog. And thanks to you and your great work (and patience), I have a great platform on which to write and hopefully grow my audience.

My 1st post was on Nov. 21st (2006) and I now have 17 posts published.

Needless to say, my blog wasn’t around last December.

I’m excited about 2007 and the path my blog will take in the future.

Thanks again for all your great input along the way so far.

Happy Holidays,

TMT

Comment by TMT on December 19, 2006 at 10:47 pm

[...] Where Was Your Blog This Time Last Year? by Sarah Lewis [...]

Pingback by More Reviews and Predictions - Group Writing Project Day 2 on December 20, 2006 at 6:03 am

I started blogging in March 06 and have learned a lot of things …To read what i have learned do pay my site a lil visit ..

Comment by Madhur Kapoor on December 20, 2006 at 6:52 am

Yeah, my blogging last year this time was non-existent… I enjoy it though and post almost daily. So things have come along way, I have met some tremendous people (both professionally and personally). It has been an experience though….

http://joshmaher.wordpress.com/2006/12/18/2007-prediction-blogs-will-be-replaced/

Comment by Josh Maher on December 20, 2006 at 8:22 am

My blog was nothing last year LOL. It’s definitely grown and changed many things since I started it in May ;). I wrote about it for this project as well, stop on by if you get a chance!

Comment by Mama Duck on December 20, 2006 at 11:06 am

I cant say last year since my blog started and and half mnths back.But yeah its pretty musch true.

We should look back and sir for a while to evaluate our own blog.Asking question to ourself “did i write on my own niche or was i a cowboy and other things”

I also got entry in darrens project.
http://technospot.net/blogs/index.php/2006/12/19/predicting-the-evolution-of-techspot-insideout/

And i am feeding your blog.There wont be another chance to meet so many bloggers

Comment by Ashish Mohta on December 20, 2006 at 4:24 pm

Last year I didn’t even have a blog, and now it’s what I do almost full-time! Crazy, isn’t it?

I’m glad I came across your blog through Problogger; it looks interesting! Hope you win one of those prizes.

Comment by LearningNerd on December 20, 2006 at 8:00 pm

I’m with LearningNerd because I didn’t have a blog this time of year. I was a blogger-in-denial because I had a forum and was producing most of my content that way. I’ve since transformed my site over to a blog and haven’t been back since. I say I’ve had good progress in the eight months that I’ve been blogging.

Great entry.

Comment by Ronalfy on December 20, 2006 at 9:37 pm

My baby blog has just turned one month old today! (Yay!)

I’m very exicted about the future prospects of blogging and the wonderful avenues it opens up for passionate writers.

Currently I’m focusing on salvaging enough money to move to my own hosting and domain name.

Hopefully by this time next year, I’ll have a new (and permanent) little home!

Comment by Jennifer Lynn on December 21, 2006 at 12:38 am

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One year ago I had no idea that blogs exist. Today one of my blogs is very close to celebrating its 100,000 visitor and I’m wiser and more open minded, after reading a lot of good content blogs.

Comment by Simonne on December 22, 2006 at 12:39 am

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