State of the Blog Address: Twenty-Something Travel is 6 Months Old!

I know I can hardly believe it either. Part of me feels like I just sat down to start writing about my experiences, my hopes and my unsolicited advice. Another, bigger part of me can’t believe that I’ve only been doing this for half a year. Taking up blogging felt so natural and right. It’s pulled me out of my self-indulgent, unguided reverie and forced my to do things like “set goals for myself” and “plan ahead.” I’ve learned a lot in the past 6 months about blogging and, as clichéd as it sounds, about myself.

Twenty-Something Travel hasn’t done so badly for itself in the past 6 months. From starting at zero, this little website now has:

• Over 100 posts

• 1000+ followers on Twitter

• Over 150 RSS subscribers

• 115 Facebook fans and counting

I say this not to boast but because I am genuinely in awe that people are so interested in what I have to say. Most rewarding of all has been the countless number of cool people I’ve met while working on this project. Some of them I’ve been lucky enough to meet in person, others I hope to meet soon.  If you are reading this than I mean you. Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to read my words, thank you to those who comment and share your thoughts, thank you all for your support.

Of course there is still much to be done! I’ve said it before, but I think 2010 is going to be a really exciting and pivotal year for both the blog and I.  Here’s what is on the agenda:

• More Focus- I work really hard on this blog already. Anyone who knows me in real life will tell you that. Still, in 2010, especially the first half, I want to focus even harder on building this blog; attracting new traffic, and continuing to bring you great content

• Monetization– I’ve been doing all of this for free because I love it, but the time has come to start selling out. Over the next few months you will notice some ads beginning to appear on the site. I don’t want them to be intrusive or offensive, but I would like to start seeing a return on all that I’ve invested in this project.

• The Big Trip– Most exciting of all is that 2010 is the year I will begin my RTW trip! This means more posts about my progress as we lead up to my September departure and then many more exciting on the road posts. I suspect this may change the dynamic of the blog somewhat, but I’m still working out the logistics.

I really love doing this and I hope other people find the experiences I’ve poured onto the page helpful in inspiring and organizing their own travels. That is the main focus of this blog and I hope to continue with that.  If you have suggestions, compliments or complaints, I’m always available at Steph@Twenty-SomethingTravel.com.

I thought I’d end this post with a list of some of MY favorite posts from the past 6 months. If you missed them the first time around please have a look:

• It’s All a Crapshoot Really– These personal posts are always the hardest to write but tend to do really well. So here are my insecurities served up on a plate!

• I Still Love London– Because I do! And always will.

• How NOT to Decide How You Want to Travel, Or Why I’ve Never Been to Paris-This one was a bit contentious but I stick with my opinion (by the way Paris is not on my RTW itinerary, so this should hold true for a couple more years at least.).

• Twitaoke (or, When Travel Geeks Collide)– A trip and event that would never have come about if it weren’t for this blog. Here’s to more of this in 2010.

• Go Now: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Travel– This is one of the first articles I wrote and probably the most popular thing on the blog. Every time I repost it on Twitter it seems to go viral.  It definitely seems to strike a nerve with people and as it’s essentially the thesis for this blog it makes me think I’m on the ri