i wanted to touch back to a recent post of mine “i have a dream!” i outlined what my goals are to move MY DREAM forward and thought you might like to know what exactly i’m doing to meet these goals.
- i will get published once a month somewhere else besides my own blog.
starting in january – i have been published at least once a month. check out my stories on my PRESS page.
- i will diversify where i write so i show that i can adapt to different styles.
writing for different sites such as Huffington Post Travel (more traditional press), The Daily Meal (all things food & drink) & Travel Sex Life (niche travel) have been a great start.
- i will build a real website to be more professional.
well, you’re looking at it! hopefully you find it a little new & improved!!!
- i will call myself a travel writer because if i can’t who can?
i now proudly carry around my business cards and tell others that i’m a travel writer. so far, everyone takes me seriously including myself!
- i will go to conferences to learn more about the trade.
i’ve already attended a marketing conference about how to influence & engage clients/customers, which in my case, is my readership & potential brands i may soon work with.
i will also be attending TBEX in mid-june, which is the world’s largest travel blogging conference.
- i will network with people that are influencers in the space.
TBEX is an awesome opportunity to meet other travel bloggers, social media influencers and PR & travel brand professionals.
in addition, i have traveled to two tweet-ups to meet other travel writers and attended two networking events in NYC for the travel space. i’d say nothing beats meeting up face-to-face and having some good old-fashioned networking time.
- i will take on challenges that will put me outside my comfort zone.
i think it’s fair to say going to these conferences, networking events & meetings has put me a little out of my comfort zone. it’s not easy when you are new in a career & meeting people for the first time.
other challenges i’m taking on: mentioned in my previous post – doing a Habitat for Humanity build for the first time in a country (& continent) i’ve never been is definitely a comfort-zone challenge!
going to Europe for a month with my travel partner in crime Leah, of Leah’s Travels, will also be a great challenge. while i’m ridiculously excited about this amazing opportunity, it will take a lot of coordination to be gone for a month on both ends. Leah & i have tons of planning to do in the next many months. we want to make the most of our month in Europe, again networking with brands & seeking out opportunities for ourselves as well as representing Go with Oh & the other brands we work with in the best way possible.
the REWARD?! i can see my dream being realized.
- i HAVE been published once a month in diversified areas.
- i DID launch a new website.
- i DO call myself a travel writer and do others consider me just that.
- i HAVE & WILL continue to go to conferences & networking opportunities so that i meet people, learn & grow my brand.
- i AM & WILL take on challenges that put me outside my comfort zone.
almost six months into 2012 and i have some amazing successes and huge things to look forward to that i never even imagined happening in this year. all i can say is WOW – my goals were worth setting and pursuing! i can’t believe i’m this far down the path to reaching MY DREAM! i hope you stay tuned to see what happens next…i know i can’t wait.
thanks to all for your continued support – it means more than you know!!
keep dreaming & keep traveling! XO – lola