Uncategorized

January 1, 2021

Mrs. G

New Year, New Goals: My 2021 Blogging/Social Media Goals

Hello 2021!

I woke up this morning with a grateful heart feeling overful thankful for making it through the year 2020. What a year it was on SO many levels! I’m thankful me and my family are all healthy, safe and provided for. That’s all that truly matters to me when you put everything else in perspective.

As I’ve mentioned in previous years, I’ve never been a big New Year’s Resolution person, but rather a goals oriented person. Whenever I set out out to achieve a specific goal, I try not to put too much pressure on myself if don’t hit it. I’ve learned to give myself grace and revisit your visions, habits, and goals at any point during the year if I choose to. We are ever-evolving and we’re allowed to fail, make mistates, make a mess and start all over again.

This year I am BOLDLY sharing a few of my blogging and social media goals. I enjoy using the New Year as an excuse to start fresh with a new boost of energy and motivation. I’m setting several goalsfor myself this year for work, my personal life and my personal development and I’m really excited to see where the year takes me!

Here are a few of my blogging goals for 2021 as they currently stand (in no particular order):

Grow my blog traffic to 50,000+ unique visitors a month (Blog Traffic/Followers)
Upgrade my blog layout (Content Creation/Organization)
Increase my podcast downloads to 50,000+ Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast (Podcast Goals)
Gain 6 podcast sponsorships/brand partners for my podcast Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast (Podcast Goals)
Be Recognized as Podcast of the Year or win an award for my podcast Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast (Podcast Goals)
Interview Kadir Nelson on my podcast Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast (Podcast Goals)
Grow my e-mail subscriber list to 20,000+ subscribers
Write blog posts at least 3-4 times per week (Content Creation/Organization)
Increase my Instagram followers to 500,000+ (Blog Traffic/Followers)
Incorporate more lifestyle, family and travel content into my blog and social posts (Content Creation/Organization)
Revive/Refresh my newsletter and publish content more consistently for my subscribers (Content Creation/Organization)
Be a guest on at least 4 podcasts (one podcast per quarter)
Provide more FREE and PAID content to my audience (printables, worksheets, etc.)
Participate in 2 – 3 PAID/sponsored post/brand collaborations per month (Blog Monetization)
Sign up for and participate in three additional affiliate programs (Blog Monetization)
Create an organized master content list filled with content ideas for blog and social posts (Content Creation/Organization)
Focus more on Pinterest to increase and drive more traffic to my blog
Increase my Pinterest followers to 5,000+ (Blog Traffic/Followers)
Increase my Facebook followers to 10,000+ (Blog Traffic/Followers)
Increase my Twitter followers to 8,000+ (Blog Traffic/Followers)
Track ALL of my income and expenses so I’ll have a clear picture of how much my blog/social income was this year.

I already have all of these goals (and more) written down in my 2021 planner from Cultivate What Matters, but sharing them somehow makes me feel even more committed to them. Note: The goals listed here are just general goals I jotted down, but in my planner each goal is a S.M.A.R.T. goal with timelines/deadlines against each one.

If you have a blog or are thinking of starting one this year, I hope this post inspires you to set some goals for yourself. Write down your goals somewhere where you’ll see them regularly, for example on your blog notebook or on a memo board in your office. Seeing goals regularly and thinking about them often, will help you stay on top of them. Cheers to a fantastic and productive 2021!

Your turn: Do you write all of your goals down at the start of a new year and reflect on them throughout the year? Feel free to share in the comments.

The Ultimate List of Literary Podcasts for Book Lovers of All Ages

Are you a book lover looking for a new literary podcast to listen to?

I love listening to podcasts instead of watching tv or mindlessly surfing social media. I usually listen to podcasts while folding laundry, commuting or when I’m washing dishes.

I think podcasts have so much to offer people of all ages. The ones I like to listen to have exciting stories, interesting facts, and lively sound effects. That’s basically everything you need for an entertaining listening experience. The best part? There are podcasts for every member of your family to enjoy!

Below I’ve rounded up some of my current favorite literary podcasts for kids, tweens/teens, young adults and adults. I hope you’ll find at least one podcast that resonates with you or other members of your family. Happy listening!

Oh, and just in case you never listened to a podcast and don’t know how to do it, I’ve included some of the most popular options for listening:

Kids

All the Wonders
Weekly interviews with Authors, Illustrators, Award Winners, Up-And-Comers, and Everyone In Between

Book Club for Kids
The place where young readers meet to talk about books. The show includes a celebrity reader and an interview with the author.

Books Between
A Podcast to help connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love.

Circle Round

Circle Round is a storytelling podcast for kids ages 3 to 10. The show features folktales from around the world with an eye towards inclusivity. Stories are 10 to 20 minute diverse episodes that delve into topics such as kindness, persistence and generosity.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
Based on the popular book, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, the global best-selling book series written by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, inspiring millions of girls and women around the world to dream bigger, aim higher and fight harder.

Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast with Charnaie Gordon
A podcast dedicated to celebrating diverse and inclusive books for kids and adults. In addition to interviewing kid lit and adult writers and illustrators on occasion, you’ll be updated on the latest bookish headlines and hear 30-second book reviews. This podcast is especially good for parents, caregivers, homeschoolers, librarians, and educators who have the desire to diversify their bookshelves.

Little Stories for Tiny People

A podcast featuring original kids’ stories and poems that will delight the tiny people in your life.

Lu and Bean Read
Join Lu, Bean and friends as they hear stories read by children’s picture books authors and interview the authors about their books. Writer and blogger Tracy Babler and daughters Lu and Bean share their favorite children’s books and stories.

Picturebooking
A podcast that showcases the authors and illustrators of some of your favorite children’s books.

Stories Podcast

The perfect kids podcast for imaginative families. Whether you’re driving with your children or just want to limit your kids’ screen time, Stories Podcast delivers entertainment that kids and parents alike will love.

Storynory
A podcast offering a mixture of original stories, fairy tales, poems and myths from around the world.

Story Pirates
Story Pirates is a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater.

Story Time
Story Time is a free fortnightly audiobook podcast for children ages 2-13. Each story is usually less than 20 minutes long, just long enough to keep toddlers, preschoolers, and little ones engaged.

Talking About Books for Kids
A podcast that explores diverse books for kids and teens through conversations with authors and those that love reading children’s literature.

The Yarn
A narrative adventure. The Yarn takes listeners behind the scenes of children’s literature, and lets them look at all the threads that must be weaved together to create a book.

Adults / Young Adults

All the Books! Podcast
A weekly book podcast of recommendations and discussions about the most interesting and exciting new book releases.

Am Writing
In conversations between us and guests like David Sedaris, best-selling romance author Sarina Bowen, Jennifer Weiner, Alan Alda, Anna Quinlan, Cal Newport and many, many more, the podcast gives you all we can about getting started and keeping going in all aspects of the writing business.

Black Chick Lit
A podcast that talks books by and about black women.

Black & Read
A book club podcast hosted by Terry Brown. Each week Terry and his guest will discuss a piece of literature from the unique perspectives of a person of color.

Books and Boba
A book club dedicated to books written by authors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

Currently Reading Podcast
A podcast dedicated to the love of books and reading. Two bookish friends discuss what’s on their nightstands, in their earbuds, and on their Kindles right now, in addition to books they’ve loved forever, and a variety of other readerly topics.

The Guardian Books Podcast
A weekly look at the world of books, poetry and great writing presented by Claire Armitstead, Richard Lea, & Sian Cain

Hey YA
A literary podcast for book lovers who enjoy YA (young adult) books.

Kidlit Women Podcast
A podcast of interviews and essays focusing on women’s and gender issues, including non-binary and gender fluidity, in the children’s literature community and all its intersectionality.

Levar Burton Reads
In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow, Roots, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story.

Lit Up
A literary podcast that beyond the book and ask the writers and thinkers what they’re reading and what they are thinking, and the truth about who they really are.

Literary Disco
A podcast where writers talk about reading.

Minorities in Publishing

The brain child of publishing professional Jenn Baker, MiP is a podcastdiscussing diversity (or lack thereof) in the book publishing industry with other professionals working in-house as well as authors and those in the literary scene.

The Bookstore Podcast
A podcast for book news, reviews, and discussion hosted by two former booksellers.

The Stacks
Host Traci Thomas chats with a wide array of guests from film and television stars to community leaders, publishing professionals, and best-selling authors.

Read Aloud Revival

A podcast to equip and inspire adults to make meaningful and lasting connections with children through stories.

Reading Women Podcast
A podcast discussing books by or about women.

What Should I Read Next?
Hosted by Anne Bogel, of the popular blog Modern Mrs Darcy, this podcast features interviews with readers about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they’re reading now. Then, Anne she makes recommendations about what to read next.

Your turn: What are your favorite literary podcasts to listen to? Feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear your suggestions!

8 Black Women Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

I know I may be a little late to the game, but I didn’t really get into podcasts until about two years ago. It all started one day when I was sick at home with a cold, and a friend suggested I listen to the Serial podcast to pass the time. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into Serial, but I did find several other amazing podcasts and once I got started, I couldn’t stop.

Now I’m a podcast junkie! I usually have one playing when I’m working out, folding laundry, or in the car (when I’m not listening to kids songs). Don’t get me wrong, I do love music, but sometimes it’s nice to have something else stimulating to listen to that makes me think. I have several favorite podcasts that I listen to religiously, but today in honor of the upcoming Black History month, I decided to share a few of my personal favorite Black podcasts hosted by African-American women.

Check out my top 8 Black women podcast picks below…

If you want to feel empowered, inspired and motivated, listen to these podcasts:

Happy Black Woman Podcast with Rosetta Thurman

The Happy Black Woman Podcast is the only show that is designed to empower black women to transform their lives through personal development and entrepreneurship. Each episode provides inspiration and motivation to create a life of happiness, success, and freedom! This podcast is for black women who want to change their lives, build a successful location-independent business doing what they love so that they can quit their job and finally have the freedom to travel the world!

Myleik Teele’s Podcast

I’ve mentioned Myleik Teele a few times before on this blog. I truly admire her and love her “tell it like it is” attitude. She uses just the right words and tone of voice without sounding too “preachy” or “bossy”. In her podcast, she discusses everything from how get out of a slump to offering practical (and realistic relationship advice) to sharing how she started earning over six figures working for herself over the last few years.

Also, be sure to check out my personal one-on-one interview with Myleik! Click here!

If you are looking for a more spiritual experience or need some renewed faith, listen to this podcast:

Chrystal Evans Hurst

I adore Chrystal Evans Hurst! She is so down-to-earth, authentic and transparent about her life. She discusses a variety of topics including: faith, family, food, fitness, and fun.

If you need to get your money & finances in order, listen to this podcast:

Think & Grow Chick Podcast

Courtney Sanders is the real deal! In her podcast, she talks about some of the bad financial decisions she made in the past and getting herself out of debt. Today, her community reaches over 20,000 women every month through her women’s empowerment business that provides training, coaching, and workshops to ambitious women like you!

If you’re looking for activities and fresh ideas to do with your kids at home, listen to this podcast.

Raising Playful Tots

Hosted by Melitsa Avila, Raising Playful Tots is the place for making the most with the time you have with your child but you don’t know what activities to do, need some new ideas and you feel like you’re wanting to create a simple playful home full of your values. P.S. I am totally crushing on Melitsa’s British accent!

If you are into fitness, nutrition and clean-eating, listen to this podcast.

Brown Vegan

As a vegan coach, Monique Koch teaches you how to get started on a healthy and compassionate vegan life. Although I’m not a vegan, I enjoy listening to Monique’s tips and advice.

If you want to know the latest news in pop culture, listen to this podcast.

Black Girls Are Talking

Black Girls Talking is a podcast 4 black women (Alesia, Fatima, Aurelia, and Ramou) discuss pop culture, Beyonce, & the pursuit of the perfect body oil. The conversations are blunt, open and engaging.

If you want a good laugh, listen to this podcast.

Another Round

In this podcast, Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton cover everything from race, gender and pop culture to squirrels, mangoes, and bad jokes, all in one boozy podcast.

Listening to podcasts really does make the time fly by. Also, I learn so many new things with every episode so it’s a win-win!

Your turn: What are your favorite podcasts to listen to? Feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear your suggestions!

New Year, New Goals: My 2021 Blogging/Social Media Goals

The Ultimate List of Literary Podcasts for Book Lovers of All Ages

Kids

Adults / Young Adults

8 Black Women Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

If you want to feel empowered, inspired and motivated, listen to these podcasts:

If you are looking for a more spiritual experience or need some renewed faith, listen to this podcast:

If you need to get your money & finances in order, listen to this podcast:

If you’re looking for activities and fresh ideas to do with your kids at home, listen to this podcast.

If you are into fitness, nutrition and clean-eating, listen to this podcast.

If you want to know the latest news in pop culture, listen to this podcast.

If you want a good laugh, listen to this podcast.

Quick Links

Categories

Kids

Adults / Young Adults

If you want to feel empowered, inspired and motivated, listen to these podcasts:

If you are looking for a more spiritual experience or need some renewed faith, listen to this podcast:

If you need to get your money & finances in order, listen to this podcast:

If you’re looking for activities and fresh ideas to do with your kids at home, listen to this podcast.

If you are into fitness, nutrition and clean-eating, listen to this podcast.

If you want to know the latest news in pop culture, listen to this podcast.

If you want a good laugh, listen to this podcast.

DON’T MISS OUT!

Quick Links

Follow Along

Categories