Although I started Mobilist in September 2007,  2008 was when the business really got going. It’s been a big year for me professionally.  When I started Mobilist it was something of an experiment, a bit like.. “why don’t I create something and see if it takes off… I can always get a real job if it doesn’t”.  I was thrilled to discover so much interest in Mobilist’s services and to find that it was indeed the right time & place for a business like Mobilist.  Along the way I’ve met some fantastic, passionate & enthusiastic people and am now working with many of them to build our own businesses and develop the industry as a whole.

Mobilist has focussed predominantly on Mobile SEM and I’m happy to say that we’ve had awesome results generating mobile traffic for Australian clients.  Late in 2008 we saw renewed interest in mobile strategy – many local businesses are finally taking the mobile channel seriously and calling for help to incorporate mobile into their business, marketing & advertising plans.  This is some of my favourite work and I look forward to working with these new clients in 2009.

In 2008 I got involved with Mobile Mondays and it was so satisfying to see the turn-out grow at each monthly event.  In 2009 we will be holding MoMo Melbourne on the 3rd Monday of the month, so as not to clash with the other Australian MoMo events.  I look forward to meeting you there this year!

I have purposefully kept this blog professionally focussed, rather than on my own personal comings & goings, but it’s worth saying that 2008 was a rollercoaster year that has impacted a little on Mobilist’s growth, and particularly on this blog.  Most challenging was my partner’s diagnosis with Hodgkins Lymphoma, and his subsequent treatment with chemotherapy.  I’m sorry to say I neglected Mobilista in recent months as we’ve focussed on Scott’s health and keeping ourselves sane and happy through the process. The good news is that his treatment comes to an end in February and the prognosis is excellent.  

I am excited that in 2009 I will be able to give my attention fully to covering the Australian mobile industry on Mobilista and building Mobilist up to achieve / exceed it’s potential!!

Here are some of my Mobilist New Year resolutions:

- Build a swanky new corporate site and brand identity for Mobilist 

- Introduce Mobilist to mainstream advertisers & businesses who are beginning their mobile journey

- Talk to agencies & advertisers about incorporating mobile earlier in the planning process

- Focus more on mobile SEO as a service to supplement SEM based traffic generation for clients

- Rejuvenate the Mobilista blog with a facelift and a brand new home

- Review http://mobilist.com.au (my mobile site directory) and build a new strategy for 2009 (If you have any thoughts, drop me a line)

- Interview / have coffee with one new person a week who has something to say about the Australian mobile industry

- Work with the MoMo Melbourne team to run 3 Mobile Advertising focussed events in 2009, and invite the best local practicitioners to be involved (contact me if you’re interested)

I’m currently putting together my very own Australian mobile industry ‘Hot Predictions’ for 2009.  If you’d like to input, please drop me an email (emily@mobilist.com.au) and watch this space for the post in the coming week. 

Finally, thank you for reading in 2008.  Even with my limited output, it has been unquestionably rewarding to hear from people who’ve read my blog or articles and have found them useful.  I hope to be able to deliver as much and more in 2009.