As I woke up this morning to greet the last day of 2007, I started thinking to myself the things I want to change for next year.
2007 was an interesting and successful year for me and for Search Engine Journal, as I grew as a person and Search Engine Journal grew as a search marketing resource. We have an excellent set of contributing writers and authors like Julie Kent and Arnold Zafra, and still have guest spots from the ultra opinionated Carsten Cumbrowski along with deeper looks into SEO from Eric Lander.
Personally, I’ve also expanded my SEO consulting and link building services, bringing on some incredible clients and running successful campaigns. In addition, I’ll also be a partner in three upcoming ventures which have taken a bit of my time as of late, but should be well worth the effort in due time. Over the past year I’ve also relocated to a new city, made some good friends both inside and outside of search and am finally settling down and focusing 8 years of online marketing experience into a planned and proactive future for me, my family and the Search Engine Journal team.
So, thinking about the tradition of laying down New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve been mulling over one or two personal resolutions for 2008, but thought it would be nice to put forth some New Years Resolutions for SEJ in 2008, and mix them up a little.
- Less Noise. Instead of trying to cover all of the search news which comes out daily, perhaps writing more opinion and tutorial will be of greater value to our readers. In October and November I started publishing more link building and SEO tutorials and lists, and these attracted a good deal of positive reader response, bookmarks and interest; so I’m thinking that this is a good sign.
- Try other search engines more often. We cover a good deal of the search engines beyond the Big Four, but personally I do not use them much. I generally use Google and Ask.com for research and Yahoo for local, maps, travel and entertainment. When I’m introduced to a new engine I’ll use it a bit that day, and go through my favorite client keyterms, then cast it off to the side. Perhaps randomizing which search engine is powering my Firefox search box would be a cool way to figure this out.
- Use Spellcheck more often. I blog using w.bloggar which has a horrible Spell Checker which misses a lot of terms. I really need to work on my spelling and not rush some of the posts I’m getting together in the morning.
- Try Yoga and start doing Aikido again. Injuries from lifting, football and car accidents in my younger years, including some major broken bones, have left me a wreck, especially being 6′5 and generally an awkward guy. I used to practice Aikido religiously for about 2 years and was in the best shape of my life at the time so I think I’m going to get into that again, and I think I’ll try yoga. The end result should be enhanced flexibility and strength, less injuries, balanced chi, and a drop in weight. All good.
- Network more online. I love to blog and email, but I do not participate in the forums or social network groups as much as I should, or can. When it comes to forums I find myself posting more in the Baltimore Orioles forums and not in search ones. In the past I tried picking one or two forums and keeping up in the conversations, and back in the day I was all over Sitepoint and other forums, but have not really had the time of late.
- Walk more, drink more water, stretch three times a day and get more massages.
I’ll think of some others later and possibly add them to the comments, but I have to get some other work done before picking up my suit from the tailor and buying some shoe polish.
So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions? Personal or professional, please feel free to share them below.
Comments
15 responses so far ↓
Barry Schwartz on Dec 31, 2007 at 11:53 am
Happy new year!
Searchâ—Š Engines Web on Dec 31, 2007 at 12:47 pm
It would be interesting to allow more user interaction besides comments - perhaps through polls or establishing a social network.
One does NOT have to wait until a symbolic day to change and renew when those changes can be implemented immediately.
There was no 100% guarantee that anyone would make it to see another year - or even tomorrow. Look at how many tragedies occurred this week alone.
Praveen on Dec 31, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Happy New Year :)
Kim Krause Berg (cre8pc) on Dec 31, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I stopped making resolutions because I never keep them, but I’m every year I’m hopeful I’ll finally stick to the ones I ignore every year - like the exercise one :)
Happy New Year Loren!
Pablo Palatnik on Dec 31, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Loren, even though you are akward looking, we still love you, man =). lets hope for a good 2008 filled with lots of links, traffic, and ….?
Happy New Year to all SEJ readers.
Loren Baker, Editor on Dec 31, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Thanks Pablo, have a good New Year in Miami.
Affiliate marketing tips on Jan 1, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Good on you Loren
I don’t really believe in making new year resolutions but i suppose it is a great way of making a plan and setting targets.
Happy new year
CarstenCumbrowski on Jan 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Happy New Year Loren (again :) )!
2007 was quite a ride for me, personally and professionally. The green card that I finally got already in October, completely to me and my lawyers surprise was sure the highlight, followed by the creation of my own company.
Cleaning up of 4-5 years of mess caused by the lack of the legal foundation to do what I wanted to do directly is still on my list for 2008. I also have to get more serious with what I am doing and make decisions what to focus on more and what to drop to free up time. Right now is it crazy and cannot go on like this, because it would not be healthy.
The sometimes a bit harsh tone of mine was certainly in part a result of the turmoil I was in the past few years, although I am as person very straight forward and honest and direct, but in comparison to some other people actually appreciate if people do the same when it is about me and things I do.
Tinu on Jan 1, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I wish you joy and happiness this New Year. I definitely vote for Less Noise, not because I think anything that comes out of the site is noise (perish the thought). I just think tutorials are a great way to drum up business and just a great service all around.
My personal resolution is to submit more articles here! Best of Luck for 2008
Gabriel Gervelis on Jan 1, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Good luck with the new years ress! Here are some of mine.
1) Work on my new blog http://www.seotips.org
2) continue giving the best SEO service that i can offer!
3) get fit (a new gym membership could help me out here).
Good luck to you and happy new year!
Eric Lander, Associate Editor on Jan 1, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Great post Loren, and it’s serving as inspiration for me to get my things in order for ‘08.
I’ve got a lot of resolutions — but they’re all focused around on solid theme. That is, to be more committed. As all SEJ readers have seen here, I bounce back and forth, writing five articles a week, and then five the next month (or less!). That needs to change, along with many other things — so I hope that all SEJ readers can hold me to that!
Happy New Year to all!
Nelson Minica on Jan 2, 2008 at 1:20 am
Great list Loren. Not networking online got me in trouble a few weeks ago when I suddenly had to start looking for JV partners.
To start this year off right, I made a list of my resolutions and turned it into a sale at resolutionsale.com, my first sale ever! So far the sale is going somewhat slow, probably due to the holidays and my difficulty in reaching JV partners, but the sale is converting at 3% and the OTO is converting at 85% so I can only hope that will keep up!
Happy New Year, blessings to all!
Nelson Minica
Fione Tan - eOneNet.com, internet marketing company on Jan 2, 2008 at 4:09 am
Yes, i hope to be able to spend more time to exercise too, and being the lazy me, i think “yoga” is the more laid back option.
I didn’t want to let myself have an option to quit, so i just signed up & paid for a brand new yoga membership for 2 whole years just now! Hopefully the thought of paying 5 digits for this class will make me get off my butt & work out!
Here’s wishing our new year resolutions will turn into actions!
Regards,
Fione Tan
http://www.eOneNet.com
Soulja Boy Dance on Jan 2, 2008 at 9:45 pm
One of my resolutions was to stop spending so much time reading blogs.
Not doing so good :)
brian smith on Jan 2, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Love the idea of less noise. Please don’t just regurgitate press releases. Happy New Year! I wish you an incredible 2008!
-b
Leave a Comment