New Year's Resolutions: Content Challenge #1

 Today is February 1. According to an article in the New York Post in 2020, most Americans abandon their New Year's resolutions by February 1. The Post article goes on to say that 68% of those polled admitted to quitting well before February 1st, and 1 in 7 admit that they "never actually believe they'll see their resolution through in the first place." 

I wish I could say that I don't understand someone whose resolutions vanish into thin air by February 1, but I do. My single, long-term resolution for 2022 isn't dead and buried, but it's inching closer to the grave day by day. I empathize.

New Year's Resolutions and Content Marketing?

How does this relate to content marketing and a content challenge? 

​I didn't start the year with an official resolve to improve my content writing skills. I should have. As a freelance content marketer and copywriter, I need to improve my skills consistently. I realized my error while taking my morning walk two days ago and decided it was time to remedy that mistake. 

I knew I needed a specific content marketing goal. However, in light of my shaky start with my only New Year's resolution, I hesitated. When I thought of Julie Powell, of Julie and Julia fame, I began brainstorming about year-long writing projects. Then reason kicked in, and I remembered responsibilities with clients, Airbnb guests, and our real estate company. I couldn't realistically expect to tackle anything nearly as ambitious as cooking my way through the 524 recipes in Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days and writing daily blog posts about the experience. I needed to start with baby steps.

That's where this post comes in. Starting today, I am committing to writing and posting meaningful content each day through March 2. That's 30 posts in 30 days. For me, that's a lofty goal. Throughout the 30 days, I intend to improve my skills, increase my fluency, and cultivate a sense of appreciation. Post topics will vary significantly and may address professional development, personal enrichment, family fun, or community involvement. 
​
Posts will not include: 

• Political statements. I have political opinions. You do, too. We won't air any of them here. 
• "Bashing" speech of any sort. There's a glut of that posted each day.
• CTAs (Calls to Action) for you to purchase a product or pay a subscription fee, etc. I will end with a CTA, but it will be motivational and FREE--something designed for all of us. (Details are at the bottom of the post.) 

To complete this task, I'll need accountability. That's where you come in, dear reader. You'll help me complete this "Content Challenge" if you 1) follow the CTA at the end of each post, 2) let me know you've done so, and 3) explain what happened when you did.

That's the gist of the Content Challenge. ​

A CTA with an Unusual Name

Here is today's Call-to-Action, which I'm calling a YACHT: "You Accept the CHallenge, Too." 
YACHT # 1: Find your 30-day challenge to tackle.

• Identify an area that would benefit from 30 days of concentrated effort from you. Is it a personal budget, a course you need to complete, a commitment to be on time for EVERY engagement, or something entirely different?
• Develop a strategy. Think through the steps you need to take to be successful.
• Start! Mary Poppins said, "Well begun is half done." I'm not sure I agree completely, but I am confident that starting is the most significant step. So . . . just start.

I'll see you tomorrow. I welcome your comments.