Let me guess. If you’re a blogger, your goals for 2020 are: to be more organized with your blog, create more consistent content, increase your following and page views, work with more brands or something of that nature? I’ve been blogging for 7 years next year, I’ve read enough “blogging goals for the New Year” posts to know what bloggers are striving for year after year.

Photo by STIL on Unsplash

And the best time to get your blog ready for the new year is now. You don’t want to get to January and be scrambling for blog post ideas and rushing to get last minute content out that isn’t your best work because you didn’t plan and prepare.

However I’d just like to add before we continue that if that’s your preferred method for blogging and it works for you, banging. But this post probably isn’t for you.

And I know you don’t need an entire new year to change things but I feel like a new year can certainly bring out the best in us. Heck, we’re going to be in an entirely new DECADE. If that doesn’t inspired you to get the roaring 20’s off to a good start, I don’t know what will.

So, you’re ready to take your blog to the NEXT LEVEL in 2020 but need a bit of a helping hand in laying the foundations? I got your back, baby. Here’s how to get your blog 2020 ready:

Set realistic goals

Yeah, I know, I’d love to have a 6 figure brand collaboration with Disney too but is that likely to happen this year? No. I cannot stress the importance of setting realistic goals enough. Dream big, yes. But dream realistically too. Use the SMART goals method to help: are your goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and can they be achieved within a realistic time frame?

When I come to set myself weekly, monthly or even yearly blogging goals, I always think of the different aspects of blogging to help break it down. Looking at the big picture can often seem overwhelming. How many followers would you like to gain this year? Which brands would you like to work with? Do you want to go self hosted?

Get clear on your vision

You’ve set your realistic goals which is fab. But you don’t just want to sit there until new year doing nothing with them. This is the part when I find manifestation comes in really handy and PLEASE BARE WITH ME before you click off this post rolling your eyes.

If you’re interested in how I use manifestation, I use all the techniques from Alyse Parker’s video here. But basically I like to envision my blog, my business and my life throughout the year and use manifestation techniques to solidify my vision. Which helps me get clear on what I really want.

Make a plan

You’ve set your goals and know exactly what you want now what? You sit back and wait for it to happen? Hell no. You make a PLAN SISTA. How are you going to hit those goals? HOW are you going to gain 5 thousands followers next year? Are you going to do the same things you’ve always done? (Answer: no).

Having goals is great but they’re just useless sentences if you don’t plan on acting upon them. If you goal is to work with brands for example, the things in your plan should include: getting your own domain, creating a media kit, learning how to pitch, setting your rates, signing up for outreach platforms, etc. etc.

Schedule blog content for January (and beyond)

This one is huge for me cos y’all know how much of a schedule fiend I am. I love, love, love having blog posts planned and scheduled in advance. It helps me plan out my months of content, get a good range of different types of posts AND it takes a whole lotta stress off your shoulders when you enter a new month (or year) and know everything’s ready to go.

Having a calendar, planner or spreadsheet to keep track of everything REALLY helps with this. Throughout 2019, I used this digital blog planner from Tea Party Beauty. It’s been a godsend. Obviously this isn’t helpful now we’re heading into 2020 but I’m hoping she’ll do another one for this year too.

Change anything you’re not happy with

If there’s anything you’re not happy with in regards to your blog, NOW is the time to change it. You don’t want to be heading into a new year with your goals, your plan, your content scheduled only to click on your blog and think “ugh”. All of that aside, being happy with how your blog looks and your content can do wonders to motivation.

Not happy with your blog banner? I’d recommend Type Gal Studio, who created my new one last year. Change up your theme if you’re not 100% with it. Not happy with your photography? Experiment with new presets and ways to take photos. Photography was a big one for me this year.

Get the boring stuff sorted

Ugh, I’m talking taxes, making sure you’re registered as self employed if you need to be, fixing your broken links, clearing out your emails – you know. All those things we HATE but know we have to do. They’re not doing to do themselves.

Do that thing you’ve been putting off starting

And finally, now is the time to DO THAT THING you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t got around to – for whatever reason. This might mean starting up a mailing list, creating an eBook of your area of expertise, investing in a blogging course or purchasing a new piece of equipment.

I know how easy it is to put these big, daunting things off. They seem too overwhelming and too difficult. But if it’s something that’s going to help you with your blog and help you progress further, they’re always well worth doing.

What have you been doing to get your blog ready for the new year? Are you excited to start any new projects in 2020? And what are your blogging goals for the next 12 months?

87 Comments

  1. It is good to get a reminder of what we need to do to grow a blog. I always set goals etc and then I forget about them or just ignore them. It is all a learning curve!

  2. I’m actually spending the next few days editing my blog and the things that I’m not happy with! I love the rest of the suggestions x

  3. What a great post, this is definitely me right now sitting here working to get sorted for 2020! I’m definitely looking to schedule more posts this new year, thank you for sharing this! xx

    My Lovelier Days

  4. Thank you for the tips! My blog has been pretty dry all month of December because life happened, but I’m excited to start planning content for 2020!

  5. I’m as unprepared as ever lol I hate being that way as with everything else in life I’m such a planner. My blog though? Nope, I’m a last minute gal. I want to make some changes in 2020 but I’m just not sure what those are ..yet. 🙂

    Sarah 🌺 || Boxnip || Latest Post

  6. It’ll be 2 years next year since I came back to blogging and I really want to start working on some goals! I’ve started loving the idea of envisioning what I want so this is brilliant! Thank you!

    Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

  7. I’ve been blogging off and on for ten years and can absolutely agree with this post! I just did a complete re-brand with my blog and really need to make it a priority this coming year. Thank you for all of the great recommendations!

  8. Setting realistic goals is so important! I tried to be sensible about mine last year but still hadn’t really been blogging long enough to fully know what sensible looked like. But I’ve managed about two thirds of them so I guess I didn’t do too badly. I started planning my Veganuary 2020 content with my leftover ideas from Jan this year so for once I’m VERY prepared. Pinterest growth is my main blogging goal for next year so far but I haven’t sat down to do my full list yet! x

    Sophie

  9. I’m really excited for 2020! I always try to set goals that are challenging, but still realistic. I got back into blogging properly this year, so next year I mostly want to grow my following, work on my photography and post more beauty content. Can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

  10. I am so pumped for 2020!
    I have spent the last month creating content, I have a years worth almost completely planned but with plenty of room for additional bits as and when.

    My blog is going to be taking big steps next year, and just know that you have inspired that Jenny.

    It’s all that BANGING content x x

    1. That’s incredible, I’m so proud! I can’t wait to see your blog grow and grow. I’ve seen it thrive so much this year (in fact, I always make a point to check your page views when I go on your blog and I love seeing them go up and up!) so I know next year will be incredible for you x

  11. Thank you for sharing these tips – I want to really get things going with my blog in 2020, particularly in terms of working with brands so this has given me some inspiration on how to get organised with it all. I’m eager to get started! x

  12. As SOON as exams are done and term papers turned in, and the 19th of December is behind me (someone please tell me why my uni decided to go all the way up to Christmas???), I have so many plans to work on my blog and get it tidied. I want to work on the SEO of all my old blog posts that got transferred when I moved to WordPress & went self-hosted. That’s going to take ages, but I’m gonna make it happen! Definitely need to start planning & shooting content for January & beyond. I love your tips!! I’m gonna have to refer back to this post when I lose motivation 🙂

  13. I say I’m going to do most of this every year and then bam is January! I definitely need a day between Xmas & New year to get some bits sorted out xx

  14. Having had a break from blogging and now just getting back into it, it’s fair to say that I’m feeling pretty inspired for next year. I’m doing okay on the planning and getting content sorted at the moment, but in terms of setting realistic goals, I’m definitely struggling on that one. Urgh, I need to really sit down and work on links as I know there is stuff that needs to be linked that I haven’t done yet and I keep putting it off. This is such a motivational post – definitely what I needed to read to keep myself focused on where I want to go, thanks!

  15. These are some great advice to start the New year. My blog is still so new there is t much to change but I already got a plan for the first months of 2020 and I hope to have some cool content to share and grow with

  16. I love that these tips are doable and I can actually imagine myself using them and it being attainable – manifestation is so real! I have lots of posts scheduled for January so I’m excited to see how the next year goes blogging wise. I also want to engage with more bloggers next year and take part in more tours etc. I’m so excited to see what next year holds for your blog Jenny – looking forward to reading more of your content and advice xx

  17. I am not sure of a goal for my blog. I would like to do sponsor posts but they mostly want a self hosted blog for that. I will most likely just wait and see what happens

  18. I really need to start scheduling more posts in advance. I haven’t been on the top of my game towards the end of this year so it’s important I’m all prepped for Jan! I started this recently! This is a great post with some fab advice & I’ll definitely be taking the advice into 2020

  19. I subscribed to Alyse Parker’s emails a while ago because I really like her content and videos! I’ll definitely check out the link you posted. As for 2020, I don’t have anything scheduled yet, and idk how I’m going to balance blogging with school (full time). This will be my biggest challenge for the new year, and pre-scheduling posts is really smart. I literally take it week by week and often get stressed out. And I didn’t plan for this unforeseen food poisoning/flu I’m currently dealing with. 😭😭

  20. Yessss Jenny!!! You’ve just given me the kick up the arse I NEED for 2020! As I just turned 30 the 2020s are going to be a huge decade for me and I’m determined to make them bigger and better than my 20s were. You’ve got me sat here making plans and getting everything sorted and for the first time in ages I’m genuinely EXCITED. Thank you thank you thank you! xxx

  21. This is an awesome list! I felt fulfilled throughout the period I was reading it. I’ve been away from my blog for nearly five months now, but I feel like I’ve finally found the zeal to resume blogging again. I plan to do this month.

    Ever since I made this decision last week, I’ve been working on my blog, writing blog posts ahead of time, and tweaking things here and there in preparation for the new year. In fact, I’ve been doing basically everything you listed. So it feels good to know that I’m right on track.

  22. Ah what a motivational post 🙂 I am definitely looking to work on my blog more and hopefully consider self-hosting 🙂 I totally agree that it’s also important to work on the boring bits as well every now and then 🙂 Great post!

    Laura / https://www.laustworld.com/

  23. This is definitely gonna help me out!! I’ve always set goals but they’ve been unrealistic and so I’ve never achieved them!! Maybe this year I’ll hit the goals and do well!!

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