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.
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 a digital blog planner and it was a godsend.
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.
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.
