I’ve always been big into personal development and believed in the power of goal-setting. Not to mention, there’s really nothing more satisfying than reflecting on your year and realizing you accomplished most of what you set out to do (even if you forgot to look back on your goals a few months in).

I’m no guru and at first go, setting goals can feel both daunting and exhilarating. (I’m an Enneagram Type 3 – The Achiever! ?) BUT what I do know is that, for me, it’s important to think through all the different facets of my life in order to set truly fulfilling goals.

I believe in the merit and value of focusing on one big thing but I also believe it’s the little actions and behaviors that add up to it. It’s not about being perfect or feeling like a failure if you missed something. (Ya know, like publishing your goals a month into the new year…HELLO.)

Rather, it’s about being intentional with your time – each and every day – instead of letting the year pass you by.

So with that big intro, here’s what’s in the works and on the horizon for kvh. creative this year … including a big surprise!

 

 

01.  Complete a full rebrand this spring.

SURPRISE! I know, I know…what!? kvh. creative is only 2 years old and some change – so it’s hardly the amount of time before you might feel the itch to rebrand, but hear me out.

What’s changing? 

The brand name (YUP!), logo + look & feel (colors, typography, design), and refreshed brand imagery.

What’s not changing?

The heart of the business and brand voice (it’s still me, yours truly!) and the service-based model with a focus on brand messaging, copywriting & brand strategy.

So it will basically still be kvh. creative but with a new hair-do, fresh make-up, new duds + kicks; a whole new outlook & confidence.

I am SO excited about partnering with a kick-a** designer and a dynamic duo that offers brand imagery + styling.

This will be the biggest investment I’ve made into my business thus far. You better believe I’ll be sharing all the behind the scenes throughout the process and later rolling out a FULL “why” behind it!

I’m. so. excited, ya’ll.

02.  Complete the 10xFC course.

I’m currently enrolled in the 10x Freelance Copywriter course with Joanna Wiebe of Copy Hackers. I enrolled in this monthly course because, point blank, when it comes to digging deep into conversion copywriting, there is no one better to learn from than Joanna. I mean, she coined the da*n phrase!

What is conversion copywriting, you ask? More on that later, but here’s the quick 101:

Conversion copywriting is writing something with the intent to move the reader to action.

I enrolled in December and plan to continue through at least June and reassess. In addition to this course, I’ll be cycling through some monthly reads and other other industry certifications for refining my craft.

03.  Hit $X in both revenue and $X in savings.

I’m not sharing what that elusive X is publicly, but I have both numbers thoughtfully written down with purpose. I want to hit the savings number by July and the revenue goal by year’s end.

This will entail a continual refinement of my packages and offerings with the rebrand until I hit the perfect sweet spot. One thing you learn as a creative entrepreneur is that there’s a lot of ways of doing something.

Sometimes it’s a matter of trial & error (combined with the data) to get it right.

04.  Buy a nice camera.

This one might seem kind of random since I’m not a photographer. BUT I think there’s some merit to taking ownership of your brand and knowing how to create content for it. I don’t want to always have to rely on professional photography (although I plan to do bi-annual brand shoots) to obtain new assets.

I have my eye on the Canon T6i, which seems like the perfect, no fuss, beginner DSLR at a *reasonable* price.

05.  Consistent content strategy.

This past year I fell way off the blogging and email marketing train at about mid-year. With working a full-time 9-5pm job on the side, I’d say rightfully so.

But I’ve also really seen the impact and benefit it has on my business when I am being consistent with it. I’m able to reach a lot of new prospects and subscribers and make connections with my audience by offering insight and continued value.

The re-brand will help with new & revised content generation across my blog, email marketing, and social media. I’d also like to triple my number of email subscribers.

 

06.  Sell my first digital product.

This one is kind of my BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) – I learned that term while at lululemon!

It seems doable but also completely overwhelming. It’s going to take getting the rebrand and service-based side in order and then seeing what my audience most connects with. Before investing the time, energy, and resources into creating a digital product-based offering, I have some further research and development to do.

It’s also partially why I’m putting so much focus on my email list and growing my Instagram and Facebook presence.

More to come on this one!

 

07.  Continue striving to create a world-class client experience.

One way of defining a ‘brand’ is what people say about it when you’re not in the room.

Scary, right? Well, it shouldn’t be with the right focus on creating a world-class client experience. That’s certainly one of the most important aspects of my brand and one I want to be able to consistently deliver on.

From first inquiry to off-boarding, I’ll be reviewing my process with a fine tooth comb to ensure it’s in tip-top shape and surpassing my client’s expectations.

A huge part of that includes the time and energy I’m able to devote to my business – and of course, stewarding the time I do have well.

As I currently work full-time at a local marketing agency, I’m hoping to be able to invest more time into this business of mine by year’s end while keeping really open communication with the agency to ensure great results on both fronts.

 

08.  Focus on community, connection, and collaboration.

I want to find more ways of creating a community for my audience as well as reaching out to other creative entrepreneurs more. I’ve already enjoyed the experience of reaching out to brand designers and photographers for my rebrand, so it’s something I want to continue doing more.

I’m considering a written interview feature with other creatives I admire. I’m also looking forward to some referral partnerships with graphic designers. All clients will be provided with my recommendations outside of copywriting – more on that with the launch of the rebrand!

Collaboration is a huge component for me when working with clients. My favorite clients have always been ones that are responsive, engaged, and really open with their ideas, passion, and vision for their business. It makes my job that much more enjoyable and fluid.

 

 

08.  Margin / white-space / fulfillment

As an aforementioned Type 3 on the Enneagram, it’s easy for me to chase achievement. And while that’s a big part of who I am, it’s not always the most fulfilling thing.

I want to work from a place of stillness and assurance not striving or comparison.

And I definitely want to avoid burn-out in the face of the big goals I’m setting this year. I don’t want to just say what my priorities are – things like my faith, family, and health / fitness, but for that to actually be reflected in how I life my life.

This one truly feels like an on-going, life goal for me.

 

 

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All in all, I’m ready to do things I’ve never done and really looking forward to having you sit shot-gun with me all along the way! If you’re not already, sign-up to become a kvh. Insider and you’ll be the first to hear updates and catch behind the scenes sneak peeks of the rebrand.

The best is yet to come, friends!

-Kaitlyn