[ad#content2]I set 5 goals back at the beginning of 2008, and it’s time to have a peak at how I got on with them. Some I’ve managed to achieve, and others which I’ve been completely unsuccessful in. The 5 goals I set are as follows.
1. Make over $1000 from this blog Failed
Well, I achieved nowhere near my target figure. However, with the $50 this blog did earn, I was able to cover startup costs. It’s clear where I went wrong with this goal – I didn’t put enough work into writing good, quality content. Even worse than that, I didn’t even update regularly for the second half of the year. As a result, visitor numbers dwindled, and I made no money.
2. 100 unique visitors per week Achieved
I managed to achieve this goal, with a little room to spare. I wanted this blog to receive 100 unique visitors per week, and if I do the maths (11,789 unique visitors divided by 52.177457) I calculate that, on average, this blog was visited by 225 absolute unique visitors per week.
This goal was a little to easy in the first place, however. If I was to achieve my first goal of earning over $1000, I was going to have to have way more visitors. As my blog made $50 averaging 225 unique visitors per week, I’d say that I would have needed around 5000 unique visitors to make $1000.
3. Connect with others Failed
My third goal was to network, and I believe that I made a little headway with that goal. For a start, this blog is now connected with three other blogs (see the footer). Nevertheless, I don’t think I’ve achieved this goal, and will have to step-up my efforts in 2009.
4. Develop a cash cow Failed
Although technically this was another failure, I did make a little headway. I’ve identified a niche, and have started to work on a site which is already well ranked on Google. If I add more content and monetise it correctly, it should turn into a nice cash cow.
5. Become a better programmer Achieved
I definitely made significant progress with this goal.
I started out with the intention of this goal with Ruby. But about mid-way through the year, I switched to my old programming friend PHP. The switch was a smart move. My programming skills, as well as the way in which I tackle problems, have improved considerably. I bought a few intermediate books, and even started to get to grips with frameworks, and how they work.
My goals for 2009
Although my goal record for 2008 was a little rough (I achieved only 2), I do want to set a few goals for 2009.
1. Update this blog on a regular basis
This is essentially a get back into blogging goal, as in the second half of ‘08, I bowed out. I want to pick a format, update regularly, and hopefully make this blog a success.
2. Further develop that cash cow
I’d like to finish of developing the site I’ve started building. I then want to monetise it, and see if I can make it grow even further. I’m also looking to identify a few more potential cash cows.
3. Become a better programmer
This goal is exactly like the goal I set last year. I want to improve my problem solving skills, and I want to become a better PHP developer.I’ve already joined a PHP-based project on SourceForge, so hopefully I’ll do well with this goal.
I’m sure 2009 will be an interesting year, just as 2008 has been. I wish everyone all of the best in 2009, and work hard at the goals you’ve set for yourself.
My review of 2008
[ad#content2]I set 5 goals back at the beginning of 2008, and it’s time to have a peak at how I got on with them. Some I’ve managed to achieve, and others which I’ve been completely unsuccessful in. The 5 goals I set are as follows.
1. Make over $1000 from this blog Failed
Well, I achieved nowhere near my target figure. However, with the $50 this blog did earn, I was able to cover startup costs. It’s clear where I went wrong with this goal – I didn’t put enough work into writing good, quality content. Even worse than that, I didn’t even update regularly for the second half of the year. As a result, visitor numbers dwindled, and I made no money.
2. 100 unique visitors per week Achieved
I managed to achieve this goal, with a little room to spare. I wanted this blog to receive 100 unique visitors per week, and if I do the maths (11,789 unique visitors divided by 52.177457) I calculate that, on average, this blog was visited by 225 absolute unique visitors per week.
This goal was a little to easy in the first place, however. If I was to achieve my first goal of earning over $1000, I was going to have to have way more visitors. As my blog made $50 averaging 225 unique visitors per week, I’d say that I would have needed around 5000 unique visitors to make $1000.
3. Connect with others Failed
My third goal was to network, and I believe that I made a little headway with that goal. For a start, this blog is now connected with three other blogs (see the footer). Nevertheless, I don’t think I’ve achieved this goal, and will have to step-up my efforts in 2009.
4. Develop a cash cow Failed
Although technically this was another failure, I did make a little headway. I’ve identified a niche, and have started to work on a site which is already well ranked on Google. If I add more content and monetise it correctly, it should turn into a nice cash cow.
5. Become a better programmer Achieved
I definitely made significant progress with this goal.
I started out with the intention of this goal with Ruby. But about mid-way through the year, I switched to my old programming friend PHP. The switch was a smart move. My programming skills, as well as the way in which I tackle problems, have improved considerably. I bought a few intermediate books, and even started to get to grips with frameworks, and how they work.
My goals for 2009
Although my goal record for 2008 was a little rough (I achieved only 2), I do want to set a few goals for 2009.
1. Update this blog on a regular basis
This is essentially a get back into blogging goal, as in the second half of ‘08, I bowed out. I want to pick a format, update regularly, and hopefully make this blog a success.
2. Further develop that cash cow
I’d like to finish of developing the site I’ve started building. I then want to monetise it, and see if I can make it grow even further. I’m also looking to identify a few more potential cash cows.
3. Become a better programmer
This goal is exactly like the goal I set last year. I want to improve my problem solving skills, and I want to become a better PHP developer.I’ve already joined a PHP-based project on SourceForge, so hopefully I’ll do well with this goal.
I’m sure 2009 will be an interesting year, just as 2008 has been. I wish everyone all of the best in 2009, and work hard at the goals you’ve set for yourself.