I’m actually pretty proud that I have my 2016 blogging goals ready by the first week in January. In past years, it’s a bit closer to February when I finally nail them down.
I guess the fact that I promised them last week when I wrote about how to create 2016 blogging goals is spurring me on (in spite of my procrastination gene). As I’ve been sharing my tips, such as doing a year-end review of your blog, I have been working along with you, so I’m ready.
2016 Blogging Goals
I want to be quite specific with my blogging goals this year. I can look back over the last several years, ever since I started publishing my yearly goals, and I find they are quite similar. I want more readers, I want to earn more money, I want to take better pictures, etc.
Well, yes, even after reaching many of those goals in the past, I still want all that those same things. But I feel that if I’m not specific in what my 2016 blogging goals are, I may as well just republish last year’s post!
So this year I will be much more exact. And I will start off with the example I used last week. At the time I wrote it, it was just that, an example. But, in keeping with my intention to be specific, I decided it works just fine.
Goal #1: Increase my blogging income by 50%
I detailed my plan for increasing my revenue here, but basically, I plan to do this by joining a new media program, improving my affiliate advertising skills, and by taking on more sponsored posts. I also plan to create a “product” (see below).
Goal #2: Double my pageviews
I actually almost wrote “triple,” but chickened out at the last moment. Last year I did double my readership. My goal is to do that again. I did it last year by really improving my social media skills, but I think that there is room for more improvement, especially with Pinterest. Adding my blogging tips series last year really helped, so they will continue, but I also feel the need to get back to my blogging roots (see goal #3).
Goal #3: Get back to blogging about fitness and running
Fitness and running are what I know and love. That is what many of my readers come here to read. Because I don’t want to blog more frequently, my plan is to cut back to posting vegan recipes once a month. That will give me the opportunity to talk more about running, create workouts and running plans. And frankly, it will relieve me of the stress of trying to come up with an original recipe every week. My cooking is just not all that interesting.
Goal #4: Write an Ebook
This has been in the back of my mind. I know that creating a product is a great way to expand, and the idea of an ebook is very appealing. I’ve got a lot of planning to do, though, including picking a topic. Of the four things I write about the most, fitness, running, plant-based food, and blogging, I’m not sure which I should choose. What do you think?
Goal #5: Enjoy life away from the computer
Blogging is not only time-consuming, one can also become quite obsessive about all the details involved: writing the post, taking and editing pictures, sharing to social media, reading and commenting on other blogs. Or maybe that’s just me.
One can become so wrapped up in the act of blogging that it’s easy to forget that part of what makes one’s blog interesting is the life that you live and write about. Sitting for hours in front of the computer sharing posts on Facebook and Pinterest is just not blog-worthy.
Therefore, in spite of all of my growth goals, I plan to take the time to live and enjoy my life away from the computer, even if it takes a toll on my other goals. Setting my life with my husband and family as my priority, and remembering that as the year goes on, will lead to much more long-term happiness and success than getting a few extra pageviews in 2016.
Did you create blogging goals for 2016? What is your primary goal? What should I write about for my ebook?
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Sunday Blog Hop with Jenn
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Bonnie, the Pin Junkie
Tip Tuesday with Debbie in Shape
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Sarah, and Angelena Marie
Wednesday Wisdom with Nanna’s Wisdom
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen
Let’s Get Real with Karen.
Friday Fitness with Jill
Number five sister 🙂
Ive found here that THAT is the key to my having so very much more to blog about as well.
Something you know a lot about as your offline life is so interesting.
<3
I so agree. My life would be pretty boring if all I did was stay home and talk to my computer.
I’ve yet to write down my blogging goals. I really need to do that! I love my space on the internet but I’ve always just let it do it’s thing. Maybe it’s time to give it some direction? I think you should write an ebook combine all of your loves. Why not?
Or else write three ebooks! 😉
ooh an ebook sounds exciting! I could do a lot better with my affiliate links without seeming forced. I am not completely comfy with it so that is one of my goals as well. I have zero ads on my site and still wrestling with this.
While I hate “ugly” ads, (and video. And ads within the context of a post) I try to choose a few ads for my sidebar that are at least somewhat attractive. Of course I don’t make very much money in advertising so you may not want to follow my advice. 😄
I hope I can double my traffic, that’s a lofty goal but definitely possible with the right strategies.
I believe it is possible. The drawback is the time the strategies take to implement. I really need to learn how to work smarter not harder.
Well, I’m going to be selfish here and say your eBook should be about blogging. You have great tips Debbie and I’m sure many bloggers would be lining up to buy it.
Awww, thank you Megan. I love writing about it too.
Number 5 is a fantastic goal!
I wrote an ebook full of recipes this year, and it barely sold because people can find recipes so easily on Pinterest. I would love to read an ebook on blogging – everything in blogging is so new that it is hard to find good resources on blogging, especially all in one place. And you always have the best tips – I think half the pins on my blogging Pinterest board are from you!
Thank you. That’s good information to know. I think I’d prefer to do a blogging topic. A recipe ebook full of new recipes would probably take me the whole year!
Great post Debbie! AS for the ebook, I think the running & the plant based food are perfect for you or combine since many sometimes still think we can’t be fit on a plant based diet.
YES to #5!
They would make a good combination. Training successfully on a plant based diet.
These are so great! And I feel you on the last one. I started my blog in August last year after moving to a new city where I knew basically no one. My bf and I were long distance and even though I fell in LOVE with blogging, it also took over my life since I didn’t have much else going on. Now it’s kinda my lifeline as my BF and I broke up and I’m trying to stay busy and preoccupied. I honestly don’t know how people keep up this blogging business in a world where loved ones are around! I’ll definitely have to work on better balance once that point comes along for me.
Good luck in your new city. Remember to get out and live your life so you can connect with other people. Because blogging really can take over if you’re not careful.
I like that your goals are specific. I also know that I want to keep a life balance and not spend so much time on my blog that it becomes a chore or a burden. I have several goals for this year- I want to get published on more large sites. I have been fairly successful without too much effort so I am going to really work on that this year. #PitStop
Thank you. I think one reason that blogging becomes so consuming is that we start because we love it. Then maybe we find we can make money. So then there is even more purpose behind our writing. Then, we want to grow our blogs. There is always another reason to keep putting more and more time into it.
They seem wise and achievable goals Debbie. You did well last year and I am sure you will reach your goals this year. It seems wise to write them down, something I have not done as yet although they are in my head, it is not the same somehow.
All the best for 2016
Kathleen
The Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thanks Kathleen. One of the benefits of writing them down is that you can pinpoint exactly what you want to do, get specific, then create a plan for success. Otherwise they are just ideas rolling around in your head.
It is almost scary for me to write my goals down! I think your’s look quite achievable. I think your e-book should run along the same vein as this post…how to have a growing blog and a life at the same time! #bloggerspitstop
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Great idea! I do like the idea of a blogging ebook. Of course it would be helpful if I could myself actually balance my blogging and real life. 😉
I appreciate how you’ve written your goals for 2016, Debbie. Makes me want to rethink mine, to an extent. One of my biggest goals for 2016 is to spend more time with family and less online. Sometimes easier said than done, especially when you trying to monetize your site. However, family time is the most important thing to me. Life is too short to take them for granted, ya know?
Good luck in the new year with your Goals! You can do it!
B
Thanks Brenda. I kept thinking of this goal ad I spent time with my grandchildren yesterday. It was hard, but I managed to avoid most blogging distraction. Except Instagram. 😉
Always good to set specific goals for yourself rather than generic ones, it seems like you accomplish them more. I also am aspiring to your last goal about spending time away from the computer. I find it hard to manage, but it needs to happen so I can enjoy my life too!
I think goal #5 resonates with everyone because they realize how difficult it is, but how important it is too.
Good luck, Debbie!
Thank you Paula!
Hi Debbie, this is the first time that I landed on your blog, and by what people have commented, it will not be the last time! I agree that life should be enjoyed despite of … blogging, working,,,everything that keeps us busy.
Thank you, Amanda and welcome! I am certainly glad to have you as a new reader. You’ll be happy to know that I spent most of the weekend working on goal #5. I spent a full day with my grandchildren and managed to mostly keep away from social media and the blog (well, except for Instagram 🙂 ).
Hi Debbie,
Great post! I’m brand new to the blogging world and I love the advice from someone who knows what works!
Thanks!
I love how specific your goals are and how positive you are about growth. I also think you have the balance right too because if you don’t take time away from the computer for your family then it’s really all for nothing. Great post (and I love your blogging tips btw)
These are great goals Debbie. As a blogger newbie, I love to see what others are striving to achieve in their business. Blessings to you and your blog this year. I would love for you to join my linkup party that runs all week http://faithfilledparenting.com/2016/01/faith-filled-parenting-linkup-party-7/
Hi Debbie! Nice to see you setting attainable goals for yourself. I really need to sit down and set a few as well. I especially like that you’ll be purposefully stepping away from the computer. It’s so easy (for me) to get sucked in!
These are really good goals for the new year! I wish to accomplish them all! If you are motivated and determined to move forward with your blog, I don’t see what can stop you! I also would like to start a blog this year and I hope that I will succeed with it. Me and my family are planning a cross-country move and this is going to change our lives a lot. Then I’ll not have a job and will be able to spend all the time for my future blog! Thanks for sharing!
When it comes to planning, choose a plan step that wouldnt require so much effort. Its really helpful. Thanks for sharing this post! I got the first tip from a guy named – Moustafa Hamwi – the passion guy.