10 Goals to Set for Your Blog
Although I believe that we should be ambitious and goal-oriented at any point in the year, the beginning of the year is always one of the best times to reflect on where we are right now as well as where we want to be. And the same thing goes for our blogs. This weekend, take a little bit of time to look back on how much your blog has grown/changed/developed over 2014. And then take a little time to think about where you want it to go. While you’re doing so, make some goals–and to offer a bit of help, here are 10 goals to set for your blog.
1. Create an editorial calendar.
If you want to be a serious blogger, this is something that you need to start yesterday. Your content suffers more than you probably know if you’re flying by the seat of your pants each time you put together a blog post. Your posts should offer quality content that helps your readers in some way and that’s something that takes some planning. You don’t have to get fancy–I just use the monthly calendar in my planner–but make sure that you’re planning out your blog posts ahead of time and understanding how much time each one is going to need.
2. Take quality pictures.
Blogging is not just about writing. It’s about writing + photography + design. That whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” thing doesn’t apply to blogging. Readers judge and they judge hard. Work hard on your photos because readers also want to see a visually appealing blog. Even if you’re not a photographer–because trust me, I am not a photographer–you should still either hire someone to take photos for you or find some awesome stock photos.
3. Amp up your social media.
If you want your blog to succeed, you need to have a strong online presence everywhere. This means that you need to take control of all possible social media outlets–Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and more if you so choose. Post your blog posts daily but also post other interesting content–Instagram photos, funny memes, fun facts–so that there is always something for your reader to engage with.
4. Make a new friend.
Blogging isn’t a solo job. It’s all about networking, connecting, and collaborating. There is no competition–we all support each other. If you find a blog that you really love, make an effort to connect with the owner and make a new blogging friend. This will open doors to new opportunities, new ideas, and new successes.
5. Create a backlog of posts.
Life gets in the way sometimes, but you don’t want your blog to suffer because of it. One day when you have some extra time, draft a few blog posts to keep on hand for the days when you really just can’t write something. You need to look at your blog like a job. Just because you’re extra stressed or extra busy doesn’t mean that your work can fall to the wayside. But luckily, you can keep some drafted posts to help lighten your load once in awhile.
6. Create your blog’s mission statement.
What is your blog all about? For example, Chloe Social is all about helping bloggers + small business owners learn how to DIY their own social media marketing. Sit down and decide what exactly are the kinds of posts you want on your blog. And better yet, decide what are the kinds of posts that you don’t want on your blog. Write a mission statement that aligns with your blog’s purpose and goals.
7. Understand your analytics.
What are those words, numbers, and line graphs anyways? That’s a good question. And as a serious blogger, it’s one that you should know the answer to. Dedicate some time this year to learning and understanding your blog’s analytics and what they all mean.
8. Monetize your blog.
If it’s already bringing in some income, make it your goal to bring in even more. Blogging is one of those rare hobbies that will actually make you some money, so why not use that to your advantage? You need to make sure that you’re not only blogging for the money, though–because it will show and your readership will suffer.
9. Create a new column/series.
Readers eat this shit up. We love a good series–make it about how to get our finances in order, how to grow our blogs, how to stay organized in life, whatever you want. If you give out bit by bit in a column/series on your blog, it helps to get readers to keep coming back because we want to read the next helpful bit.
10. Have some fuh-reaking fun!
If you don’t love blogging then you shouldn’t be doing it. Blogging is something that you will only succeed at if you are 100% passionate about it. If there’s something that you don’t love about your blog, then change it so that you do. For example, I just recently switched my blog over to WordPress and got a new theme and it pretty much feels like I have a brand new blog. Sometimes I just like to sit and look at my blog. I can’t wait until I can write another post. I love to sit and hit preview ten million times until I’m sure that it’s perfect. Maybe all you need is a good design or platform change to really reignite your fire for blogging.
I wish you and your blog all the best in 2015! It is important to always have goals for things that you want to achieve in life, whether it’s in your life, your career, or your blog. If you want to work on the latter, these 10 goals to set for your blog will help you to accomplish so much.
22 Comments
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Chloe
Good luck! :) Happy new year!
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Yvonne
Thanks for the post! Recently, I have just been so stuck in terms of blogging. Your post is just so straight forward and gives me an idea of what I should do. Felt encouraged just reading it. Thanks!
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Chloe
Good luck! I know what you mean by feeling stuck. It really helps to write out exactly what you want from your blog!
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Chloe
I totally feel you there! I'm looking at these graphs like okay...so what? Haha
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rhiannon {paperclips and peonies}
Amazing advice/goals/motivation! Totally using this to kick me into my best blogging gear this 2015.
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Chloe
Thanks! Good luck with all of your goals this year! :)
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Matija
Hi there, Chloe, again. Love to read your blog. Agree specially on last one - to be passioned about the stuff you intent to write. I have been blogging now on local joinery Slovenian market for three years. The reason: I simply love to communicate with people regarding furniture and design. So, for me is blogging truly not an obstacle. I made on average 300 posts per year. All of them long around 800 to 1000 words and never feeling like I am repeating myself or I didn't have anything to say anymore. Also, there was not a lot days, when I asked myself what to write. If one has a plan and a passion, nothing is difficult. Regards, Matija, Slovenia
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Chloe
That is so great! It's definitely important to love what you write about, or else you'll hate yourself the entire time you're writing!
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Ahmad Sofi
I think the thing that is most difficult to deal with is the focus . it makes me sometimes confused myself . Thanks for the article
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Merineiti
Thank you!!! I really need to do this... my blog is in such beginner's state and scattered, it needs more focus,
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Ahsan
I have a question, I have created 4 blog sections, one of the is about ypung entrepreneur of the world. I am having problems to find people to provide there life story and it's not for about 200 to 500 words. any suggestion how can I motivate them to give me there life story for success. I had a few story but that is it.
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Chloe
Getting involved and engaged with the types of people you're trying to target on social media is a great way to go about that. Once you really gain a genuine connection, people love to give you advice or success stories!
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getting my ex back
What's Going down i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I've found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I'm hoping to contribute & assist other users like its aided me. Good job.
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Leslie
I think these are great motivators. I'm going to put in motion my blog calender on Sunday when i'm off work with nothing to do. I have a note on my phone where I keep all of my posts I've scheduled and to be scheduled but I like it in a notebook that I can flip through. I think this post is great! Happy new year!