Reflecting on 2023: My Year in Review and Looking Ahead to 2024
As 2023 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with both achievements and learning curves. It was a year marked by significant effort and growth, particularly with my online ventures, including my website ProfitsUnraveled.com and its associated YouTube channel.
Launching New Platforms
The year began with the launch of ProfitsUnraveled.com on January 1st, a significant undertaking that saw the publication of 18 to 20 articles in its first month.
This project, along with the development of an unrelated faceless YouTube channel (please let me know if you want to hear more about that in another post), consumed much of my time and energy in the first half of the year – resources that I could have dedicated to my Zazzle store.
Despite some initial hesitation and a struggle to find direction, these platforms have started to become integral parts of my online presence, offering potential new streams of income.
Travel and Family Time
April was a highlight, as I traveled to Argentina with my partner, Evan. The trip was a wonderful experience, exposing me to the rich history and architecture of Buenos Aires as well as the amazing wine and food, (mmmm empanadas). I loved every minute of it and I can’t say enough good things about my visit.
This excursion was a much-needed break amidst a year of intense focus on work and business development.
Summer was spent reconnecting with family in Vancouver for my sister’s wedding in June and July. And a trip to Halifax with my other sister in August.
Balancing Business Ventures
Once my travels were over by mid August, I redirected my focus to the Profits Unraveled YouTube channel, challenging myself to improve in video production, on-camera presence, and staying consistent with uploading new videos.
I still have a long way to go, but I can see significant improvement since getting the ball rolling only a few short months ago.
My dedication to ProfitsUnraveled.com has remained consistent, with weekly articles and emails. A feat that required significant discipline!
My efforts with the faceless YouTube channel were intermittent throughout the year, as I struggled to find enjoyment in the process, though I plan to revisit it in the coming year with a fresh outlook. I’d like to get it monetized and making a steady, though small, monthly income.
Successes with Zazzle
A major focus this year was on a particular product type on Zazzle, which proved lucrative during the holiday season and shows promise for the spring as I believe spring time will be it’s seasonal peal.
I also ventured into creating a few niche shops on Zazzle. These shops, although it’s still to early to know for sure, show potential for growth and sales.
Analyzing and Strategizing
An important aspect of this year was delving into analytics and sales data to understand what worked and what didn’t.
I discovered that some products, like magnets, were not as profitable as I thought and not a good use of my time to create. That’s not to say you shouldn’t create magnets either, I just found I was creating lots of them because they were easy to create and they haven’t been selling at all. Whoops!
On another note, I realized that a product I had stopped putting effort into designing for was actually more lucrative than I initially thought. So long as I stick to a certain design style.
I had created hundreds of throw pillows back in 2019, but only sold a handful, but when I looked back at the sales data it was clear that all the sales were for a very particular design style that was only on a few pillows. So interesting!
We Took a Big L This Year Too
Evan and I have been facing a significant challenge with our own website. Despite pouring our hearts and countless hours into it, we’ve hit a point where things just aren’t progressing as we hoped, in fact, things are getting worse. It’s a tough realization, especially when you’re deeply attached to a project you’ve worked so hard on.
We’re beginning to accept that it might be time to let it go and consider it a valuable learning experience.
The journey with our website taught us lessons about creating income streams and delivering value. This experience, though not successful in the conventional sense, was enriching and brought us closer together. We’ve gained insights and skills that are invaluable and will undoubtedly aid us in our future endeavors.
Sometimes, the hardest decision is knowing when to step back and reassess. Letting go doesn’t mean failure; it signifies growth and the ability to take learned lessons forward. As we contemplate closing this chapter, we’re reminded that every experience, especially the challenging ones, is a stepping stone to greater understanding and future success.
Looking Ahead to 2024
As I look forward to 2024, I’m excited about a new project that I am hoping to unveil by the end of January.
My journey this year has taught me the importance of data-driven decisions and the value of diverse income streams. While there’s still much to refine and learn, I am eager to see what the new year brings!
Conclusion
2023 was a year of exploration, growth, and self-discovery. As I continue to evolve and expand my online presence, I remain committed to sharing my journey and insights with you. Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being part of my 2023 journey!