Well here we are, the last office day of 2013…
By the time December rolls around, it’s often tricky to remember what happened two months ago – never mind 12 months ago. We’ve been doing some reflecting on 2013 this week and wrapping up the year by asking our Remarkables a very simple question:
What was your blogging highlight of 2013?
Here’s what they said…
Carly, Smaggle:
“Most memorable blogging moment was winning the Kidspot Voices of 2013 Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger Award. I was just so excited that I got to hang with Christina and Andrea that I totally forgot it was even an awards ceremony! I’ve never won an award before so it was rather thrilling. The top 5 was also judged by the aditor of Vogue and the prize is a writing contract with vogue.com. For a chick who grew up working in a news agency and wanting to be a writer it’s a pretty rad thing.”
Beth, BabyMac:
“Moving up a tier within The Remarkables Group. I had been sitting on under 10,000 uniques for over a year not knowing how to break through. In July I changed the format of the blog to be more magazine style and informative with recipes – how to, top 5 things much in the style of some of the other popular bloggers in TRG and it paid off! Within a few months I had managed to break through and from then it has been growing. I loved working on the Inglewood Farms campaign as it was the perfect match of client/blogger. Being someone interested in farming AND food and knowing that I had a lot of readers who were too, this was a great insight and learning curve for all of us and I know that people found it extremely useful. It has changed the way that I eat chicken for the rest of my life I’m sure of it!”
Emily, The Beetle Shack:
“Highlight of the blogging year was also the highlight of my personal year. Meeting/ introducing our baby Beetleshack, Elke. and bringing her home to her beautiful bedroom. Having a baby is always a game changer and not easily forgotten!”
Corrie, Retro Mummy:
“For me it was being featured in Sunday life magazine and my blog almost crashed from all the traffic. It was so nice to see myself in the magazine and be proud of my blog and my life.”
Mrs Woog, Woogsworld:
“I have sat here for ages and there are too many! I mean, who gets to do a radio show with Wendy Harmer? That was pretty special. I have loved working with the team at Edelman. They totally get us and what we do. But I would have to say watching the community attached to the blog grow and support each other. Seriously I think I have the best job in the world! All of the above drives me to keep going, write better, push myself and the thoughts of others. Learn and sharing and listening to others tell their stories in the comments. Love it.”
Andrea, Fox in Flats:
“Most memorable moment, winning both blogging awards at the STAR Beauty Journalism Awards in front of the who’s who of the Australian beauty, publishing and PR industries: Best Beauty Blog AND Best Beauty Writer. And the comment from one of the judges that my work had ‘changed the face of beauty writing in Australia.’”
Sarah, A Beach Cottage:
“Travelling around Australia for T-Qual with Tourism Australia and in particular getting to visit Wineglass Bay in Tassie. I got to see a lot of Australia even though it was very busy – I also made lovely connections with other bloggers that will stay with me. “
Nikki, Styling You:
“Having Hachette Australia approach me after the publication of my e-book on the blog and then offer me a book publishing contract. The e-book started as a manifesto for Styling You readers in December 2012, became a blog series January 2013 and then published as an e-book in April. The 176-page colour book will be published in August 2014. It will also be available for Kindle and iPad. It has always been a dream of mine to have a book published. To have a book based on the daily tips and advice I give my readers on Styling You is unbelievably exciting. I still can’t believe it’s happening. My readers have been incredibly supportive of me throughout the writing process and photo shoot.”
Kate, Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily:
“When Whitney Port started following our Pinterest page … I am such a huge fan of hers, and always really admired her style, so to see she (or at least someone who works for her) likes out style as well was a huge compliment.”
Matt, Dad Down Under:
“Going to Queensland with Team Remarkable and popping my helicopter cherry. The entire trip was full of ‘pinch yourself moments’, I felt part of something very special.”
Christina, Hair Romance:
“I’ve had a huge year but I think the biggest highlights have been my latest e-books and the release of my first print book, Buns Braids & Twists. I released my 3rd and 4th e-books in July, 30 Buns in 30 Days and How to Host the Perfect Cocktail Party and then my print book was released in November. It’s amazing to see my work in print and it has been featured in international media including Nylon magazine, Popsugar and Refinery29.”
Lorraine, Not Quite Nigella:
“My Halloween party. It’s like Christmas and my birthday all at once. I start planning it as soon as the previous years is over. Also signing the recipe development deal with Woolworths was a real highlight! And lastly, the release of my book. I had no idea that I ever wanted to write one
and it was such a nerve-wracking moment having my own memoir out
there. But the response has been so overwhelmingly lovely!”
Chantelle, Fat Mum Slim:
“Oh gosh, lots of little moments. Announcing my pregnancy and having my community respond so beautifully was such a highlight, as was going to the Whitsundays and spending time with my fellow Remarkables. And then sharing my pregnancy journey, seeing all the photos shared for photo-a-day, working with brands like Tommee Tippee, Woolworths, Disney and so many others too. I guess the common thread of my highlights is connecting with people, and that will always make me happy. To connect with people from all corners of the world from my laptop, quite often while I’m in bed, is pretty magical.”
Laura, This Island Life:
“Getting flown to an incredible resort on Phuket in Thailand for five days of shooting and writing, while sipping on coconuts surrounded by palm trees. It was in my element – shooting super hot bikinis in an amazing location and creating video content for the first time.”
And from our team here at Remarkable HQ…
Emily, Relationship Executive:
“Winning the B&T Emerging Agency of the Year Award … We showed how 3 girls with a penchant for turquoise can make big things happen. Really big things.”
Rosalie Champagne, Relationship Executive:
“My highlight would be winning Emerging Agency of the Year awards – Lorraine, Emily, the bloggers and I have worked very hard, and love what we do. Walking up the stairs to collect the award was a surreal experience. It’s a great feeling knowing the industry appreciates what we do.”
And from me (Lorraine)…
Well there have been a LOT of highlights this year! Spending four days in the Whitsundays with our Remarkables as guests of Tourism Queensland was incredible – the chance to take relationships offline, and make them all the stronger for it.
Growing our group of Remarkables, and seeing them continue to kick ass in this crazy world we call the internet.
Seeing Emily and Rosalie flourish over the last year – Emily just celebrated one year at The Remarkables Group, how quickly it went.
Getting the chance to get to know our clients even better, and create connections with lots of new ones. Someone told me years ago that sales was about making new friends, and how that has proved true for us!
Winning Emerging Agency of the Year was a magical, surreal and a night I’ll remember forever. The next morning on the sofa while nursing a mother of a hangover (the worst in years), I sent one of my favourite quotes to the team via text: “Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. In fact, it is the only way it ever has.” (Margaret Mead)
Thank you for being part of the journey this year – we wish you a very happy Christmas and a 2014 chock-full of highlights,
Lorraine
Tell us, what were your highlights of 2013?