Looking Back On 2008

How have you done on your goals for 2008? I was looking around for the post where I wrote down my goals and I couldn’t find it, so I guess they must just have been in my head — or scattered around several posts. Anyway, my goal list for 2008 looked something like this:

• get a few long term clients

• earn more for my writing

• spend more time with my family

• launch some new services on my blog

• finish my ebooks

I’m pleased to say that I have achieved almost everything. I’ve increased my client list with three long term gigs for two clients. Two of these are online journalism for trade magazines, while the other is a travel blogging gig. It’s always good to have some stability in your income and these clients provide it. At the same time, I have retained several of my old clients who provide work throughout the year. I feel that my client list is balanced, though I won’t stop looking for more clients.

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The increased stability has meant that I can spend more time with my family (much less weekend and midnight work than in 2006 and 2007) without losing out financially. I increased my rates slightly in 2007 and will do the same next year. Cost of living increases are acceptable as long as you don’t price yourself out of the market.

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This year, I added three new features to my blog: a comic strip, though I can’t get the feed to display in reverse order for some reason; a premium channel, with a new course due to come out any day now; and a mentoring service, for those who want a bit more personal attention to develop their careers.

As for the ebooks, well, something had to give. Instead of completing the ones I had, I started another one, which means that 2009 will be the year of the ebook on Get Paid To Write Online. Provided things remain stable, I will finish them all next year. I have a few other ideas for this blog in the coming year, but I’ll keep those under my hat for now. :)