I go through phases where I think about the blog all the time (just ask Jennifer… or Josh). I make lists and notes and have expectations and dreams and I spend weeks implementing new strategies and deciding the best way to do certain things. On the complete flipside are the times when I completely ignore all of the important things like SEO and promotion and growth and fly by the seat of my pants. Otherwise known as: summer. I made a huge to-do list this week and I’m trying to get back into a routine of spending time working on the blog every morning. While I was working on said list, I kept running across things that I wanted to share or ask you guys and what better way to do that, than a themed Five on Friday blog post?
1 | The Taz + Belly Book Shop
Did you see the new page I unveiled over the weekend? Probably not, since I didn’t make a big deal of it here or on my Instagram account, but I decided that it was time to get all of those shoppable links in one place. As we start new books, I’ll add links to this page and they will always appear with the newest book(s) on top. I’m not sure if I’ll wipe the slate clean for next year or if I’ll archive this post and start a page for 2018, but thankfully, I have four whole months to figure that out. I’m planning to link this in the sidebar or navbar at some point, but it will remain in the bio of my bookstagram at all times.
Speaking of bookstagrams, did you see? I go back and forth about what to share on Instagram, because engagement just isn’t that great anymore. I really want to be able to share book reviews more frequently and since the girls both love to read, too, I want to share more of what we’re reading as a family. Enter our new companion Instagram account. I’ll be sharing books as we complete them, and hope to be over there much more frequently in the coming days. I’ll still offer end of the month recaps and Collaboreads posts here on the blog, and I’ll post favorites on our main Instagram account, too.
2 | OOTD Flatlays
Remember that time we really tried to make Wardrobe Wednesday a thing? I did love doing it, since it encouraged me to be more thoughtful in my outfit planning, but it was harder than I thought it would be. Every time I mentioned giving it up, I got tons of comments about how you loved it, but the reader survey told another story. WW posts tanked on Instagram and I rarely got any comments on those posts here. It was a bit discouraging since it was something I really wanted to share, but I value your opinion so much and I want you to enjoy the content as much as I do.
The thing is, I do like sharing outfits and a few recent posts got great reception on Instagram, so I thought I’d give it another run. I shared a few ootd flat lays this week and have so much fun putting them together. I think I’ll try sharing three or four a week and see how it goes. I’d love to know what you think of these kinds of outfit posts. I love that I can photograph them ahead of time (pinky promise, I actually wore these outfits to work + play) and that my face doesn’t have to be in them!
3 | Taz + Belly Daily
Speaking of Facebook Groups, did you know we have one?! I’m kind of the worst at Facebook and the stupid business algorithm makes it so difficult for you to see anything I’m posting over there, so I rarely even worry about sharing things in that space. I’ve heard from so many other bloggers that Facebook Groups work so much better and I thought it would be fun to give it a try! I’ll be sharing blog posts (new and old!), news articles about the safer skincare movement, Beautycounter special offers, and all manner of other things. I’d love for you to join us there — the discussion will begin on September 1st!
4 | Blog Refresh
Hey, web developer friend, if you’re reading this then you know I’m getting ready to send you an email! It’s been a little over eighteen months since our move to WordPress and I finally feel like I’m in control of all aspects of the blog. I know how to do things and I how I want things to function and I can see what I want to tweak and refresh. I’ve been spending time thinking about how I want things to look and if there is anything I can do to make it more functional for you. I’m not planning anything major — I love this blog design so much and only want to make a few minor adjustments. I’d like to update my logo a bit, rearrange the sidebar and make a few changes to the posting format. Easy peasy. If there is something you hate about how things function now, I’d love to know!
5 | Blogger Q+A
One of my favorite things to read on other blogs (it ranks right up there with day in the life posts) are reader Q+As. I’ve toyed around with the idea of offering a Q+A series before, but I’m genuinely afraid that you won’t ask me any questions?! I’m not sure if I’d like to do a single post, a series of posts, or a regular feature, but I’d love to infuse the blog with some new content and I’d love to hear your ideas. Are there any topics you’d like to see me blog about? Any questions you wish I would answer? Leave a comment below or use the contact button to send me a question or topic via email. If I don’t get enough of a response, we’ll just pretend this conversation never happened. Cool?
