Considering this is the shortest month of the year, it has been my busiest so far since I started blogging.

I have a feeling that no other month this year will be quite so busy in such a short space of time.

However, the month hasn’t come without its ‘epic fails’. I think it’s important to be completely transparent when it comes to both successes and failures, but I’ll start with the negatives so that I can end on a positive note.

Epic fail Number 1

Being someone who likes to help others, I thought it would be a good idea to start a Facebook group for bloggers and vloggers in my borough (Bromley in Kent) and its surrounding area.

The idea being that if I get an adequate number join up, I’d start to host meetings every few months to encourage the group to support each other and share their experiences.

So I launched the Facebook Group and even started a Twitter account. Although I’ve had a few people follow on Twitter, the take up on the Facebook Group has been relatively small – at the time of writing I’ve got just six members (and I don’t think all of them are from the south east).

We’ve all got to start somewhere, and although this was never going to be a huge group, there has got to be more than six bloggers and vloggers in the largest of the London boroughs.

To be fair, I know that I need to promote this much more – let’s see if I manage to get the numbers up for March. If I can make 20 members I’ll be happy and I’ll also start looking to arrange a meet-up to brainstorm ideas and help support each other. It would be nice to offer training as well at some stage as this is what I really enjoy doing.

Epic fail Number 2

Yippeeeeeeee! It’s finally finished! Yes, after months of research I’ve finally completed ‘101 Travel Hacks by Industry Insiders!’ It’s my very first ebook and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

BUT! (and you knew there was a ‘but’ coming) I have yet to design the cover and I have yet to offer it as an opt-in on my newsletter.

I think the next two stages will be easy compared to gathering all the information and designing it!

Favourite Posts

There are loads of great bloggers out there sharing ideas, advice and inspiration with their readers, so I decided to add a new section to the site called In The Blog Seat.

It highlights blogs that I’ve personally enjoyed and which have plenty to offer. First up this month is Gina Caro from Gypsy Soul, who offers a A Bohemian Lifestyle & Natural Living Blog.

On the home front, I covered the interior décor themes at Wilko and NEXT that’ll be in store for summer, and I also enjoyed putting together 4 Amazing Gardening Hacks that really work – some of them you really wouldn’t have thought of!

In terms of travel, my post on factors affecting travel offers a great insight into the power of social media, while my ‘21 Budget Airline Fares Compared’ seemed to go down a treat.

But my favourite post has to be my #SnappedUp Linky that I launched with my lovely friend Carol from Family Makes. There’s a good reason behind starting the linky but I have a feeling it’s going to be successful – especially as we’re offering a monthly prize giveaway! Read on for the details…

Vlogging Diary

I’m really proud of my daughter Nadja (AKA Girlwrighter). She has made a real effort to get into editing and uploading videos so I treated her to a personalised hat and t-shirt for her channel, Girlwrighter.

Here’s a picture of her donning her new attire – and if you watch her new videos, she said she’ll be wearing them…

On my own channel I enjoyed making the ArcelorMittal Orbit video where the Wright clan enjoyed a ride on the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide. I was surprised to get a lot of comments from people on the site saying how brave I was – but honestly, it’s not as scary as it looks!

Another adventure was my trip to Destinations – the holiday and travel show at Olympic in London, where I went in search of explorer Levison Wood.

In The Charts

You may remember my January Blogging Report where I highlighted where I sit on the HIBS100 site. Last month I was in 255th place and I’m pleased to report that I’ve moved up eight places to take the 247th spot! At this rate it will take me just under 31 months (two years and six months) to get to the top spot! Oh the joy…. Looks like I’m heading in the right direction though.

Collaborations

In terms of hooking up with companies to work on collaborations it has been a busy month. First up I was approached about a trip to Japan (I couldn’t go) and I had the opportunity to pitch for a trip to Morocco.

I am now an official writer for MeetOtherMums – and I’ve got the t-shirt to prove it. I also made a quick video wearing the MeetOtherMums.com t-shirt.

I’m also chuffed to bits to tell you that I am now officially a Britmums Round-Up Editor! The round-up is called Shopping Hauls (hey – I love to shop…even if it is just window shopping when I’m skint) and it covers shopping hauls across all categories – food shopping, beauty, fashion, interiors etc…

So if you’ve bagged yourself a bargain or two, then let me know about it (tweet me @LaurettaCWright) I’ll be featuring the best buys in the monthly round-up!

To encourage others to share their best purchases, I’ve also launched a new linky (#Snapped Up) with Family Makes which I mentioned earlier. So if you’ve blogged on your recent bargains (or vlogged about it) then do consider linking up. The best bit is that someone from the linky will win a ticket to the Traverse annual conference in April, which is not to be missed!

And speaking of Traverse, I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been signed up as one of their conference speakers. I’ll be running a session (along with Tania O’Donnell) on how bloggers can successfully pitch to editors.

Both Tania and I are editors with more than 30 years’ experience between us (god, that makes me sounds old!), and we’ll be offering a great session with practical advice that attendees can start implementing straight away.

To celebrate the announcement, I’m offering 20% off tickets to the Traverse conference; if you’re a blogger or vlogger do consider attending – you won’t regret it and you’ll pick up some great tips on how you can take your blog to the next level. Use the code HAH20 to receive your special discount!

Other news

I was really chuffed to be featured as an expert on Icelolly.com – ‘Ask The Experts: Destinations to Fall In Love With – Part 1’. It’s really interesting to see what other people have written too.

I joined the NEXT Blogger Network and was featured on the site.

Finally, I took part in a BritMums Twitter chat and won a pamper hamper from @Supersavvyme for my #Letsgetreal comments. I haven’t won anything in a while so it was a lovely surprise.

The Blogging Month At A Glance

What was great? Getting signed up as a Traverse speaker! And becoming BritMums’ Round-up Editor.
What wasn’t? The two epic fails obvs.
Goals for March: Finally finish my ebook (cover and all!) and aim to attract a total of 20 members for my Facebook group, Bromley Bloggers and Vloggers.