** Disclaimer: I am not an expert, just someone trying to become better at blogging by writing about it.
Do you have a plan for your blog?
Just like a business, your blog has consumed all of your past time. Yet you tirelessly keep keeping on, because you love what you do.
Also just like a business, your blog needs a plan. I'm not talking about a formal write up like business plans from management classes. I'm talking about a simple, immediate plan that includes precise and attainable goals of what, when, how and for how long.
A couple of months ago, I decided to take blogging more seriously, and created a plan. My plan had only two goals:
Goal 1: Increase page views from 100 to 400 visitors per day.
How? Exposure through commenting on other blogs, and connecting via GFC or Bloglovin.
How much? Each day, comment for two hours and add five connections.
For how long? Two months.
The result? I now average 450 visitors daily. :O)
Goal 2: Post at least three times per week.
How? Create "weekly series" and set up a day of the week to post on each series.
For example, "Hump Day Hunks" happens every Wednesday. So I have a guaranteed post on that day.
How much? Three times a week.
Sunday night -- "Weekends in Seattle."
Wednesday -- "Hump Day Hunks."
Friday -- "Friday Girl Crush."
For how long? As long as the blog exists.
The result? I now post anywhere between five to ten times a week. (Okay. I went overboard.)
Including the results above, I also started getting more sponsored posts, sponsors, companies asking for product reviews, and best of all, new followers of my own.
As you can see, having a plan gives you goals to strive for, and keeps you both entertained and challenged. Plus, the sweet success of achieving something -- small or large -- feels so fulfilling.
Good job!! Congrats on reaching all your goals!
ReplyDeleteAwesome goals and results, darling!
ReplyDeleteAs a blogger, I just try to be consistent: post (pretty much) every day and always respond to comments :)
xoxox,
CC
this has got my mind ticking ! im thinking of goals xx
ReplyDeleteWell done on reaching your goals! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't say I have any plans. I've just started out though. I plan to post something pretty much everyday and have been consistent with this so far. You've got me thinking though. Maybe I will make some goals. But not just yet, it's a bit too early.
wow! that's a good goal you have in there! i'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Ideas!
ReplyDeleteWww.allthingsbeautymake-upandshopping.blogspot.com
Great job! I don't make any plans... my blog is a mish mish of organic thought processes. Probably not the best for a "blogging career" but that's just me. hahha
ReplyDeletexx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
This is really cool! I try and post everyday and always try to comment on blogs and join new blogs x
ReplyDeleteGreat job on all of your success! Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDelete-Lisa
thelovelymemoir.blogspot.com
such a good idea to formalise and quantify it! :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://mycherrylane.blogspot.com/
Great tip! I dont have a "goal" for my blog because i do this purely for fun, but I think you have quite a following and it always feels nice to achieve something! ^_^
ReplyDeleteHi girl, thanks you so much. your the only one who often comment to me and I bless to have you as a new friend here.. I have little bit organize my blog and I still curious about anythings with it...TC...
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful and inspiring for a beginner like me! good work, and thank you for the post!!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm so impressed that you have a business type plan for your blog and your dedication to it. Such an inspiration. Reap your rewards, you definitely earned them!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post.. really informative. Thanks for the great tips.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.beautymakeupaddict.blogspot.com
its a very helpful post~~~having a plan is always a good thing as long as you follow through with it~~~I use to blog more often, but i think ive gotten lazy, and running out of ideas at time...but mostly just lazy...now i resort back to blog once a week..haha thats pretty bad..but u did an amazing job~~~so congratz on reaching your goal~~~
ReplyDeleteJessy
threenothing.blogspot.com
Thats actually really helpful! At the moment I'm a newbie and just trying to get lots of material up and get my blog promoted! I am going to eventually slip into a routine with one weekly blog thats a feature like yours (love humpday hunks!) and hopefully one or two other blogs and spend the other nights doing an hour of networking like you said! Thankyou! xxx
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! Such great advice :)
ReplyDeleteHaha i like it !!! Great post !!
ReplyDeleteFollow each other ??
xoxoxo
www.liensfashion.blogspot.com
Great advice!
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteThe Plan-thing is so gorgeous, you can be very proud of you (btw: like the new layout!)
http://kiwipferdchen.de.vu
Very great and informative information doll and congrats on reaching your goal.
ReplyDeleteMy plan for my blog is just to post a lot more frequent and adding more videos.!
<3 Marina
Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle
It's great to have a plan, and better to stick to it. Congratulations on achieving all your goals!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking to increase readership as well. What is Bloglovin?
Thank you for tips and for also visiting my site! I definitely appreciate it. :)
Kim
www.aprettythought.com
Thanks for the ideas because sometimes I get so lost and blocked as to what I'm going to post next.
ReplyDeleteI always come back to see your blog because it's interesting and informative.
Jae
http://stilettolife1.blogspot.com
I like your plan, wish I could commit to commenting two hours a day, sometimes it's hard because i get stuck in a loop of the same blogs or blogs in other languages, haha. I'd like to get my blog views up as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice!! I appreciate hearing how other bloggers get more traffic. It's something I've been thinking about!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! <3
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Bonnie
Great job on reaching your goals! I think I'm still working out all the kinks on mine, maybe setting goals would help.
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com
Awesome! You're so dedicated to your blog! I usually go to phases when I'm super inspired to blog but there are also times when I don't even log in on blogger, lol.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea. I am going to have to try to have a plan like this.
ReplyDeleteallthingssgirly.blogspot.com
ohmygosh. that was dedication! i started blogging for fun and to let people know about my book that i had written over the summer. what inspired me- the whole journey.
ReplyDelete;-) tara
Honey, this is brilliant!!! You're totally right, every blog needs a plan...it all starts out as endless daydreaming but in the end, soooo much time has been spent on it, it only makes sense to write down these goals! Genius...I will DEF start a plan this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips and all the blog love...You're a star!
xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!
Haute Khuuture.com
I think these are great goals. Sometimes I don't feel like putting that much into my blog for a hobby... But I am really starting to see the rewards. You're a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is doing incredibly well! I cannot believe you are up to 809 followers... I was hoping to use my blog as a portfolio to aid my career transition. We'll see it where it takes me.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely awesome!!! Thanks for sharing babe!
ReplyDeleteLHEY
www.mommylhey.com
I definitely had to restrategize for my blog at the beginning of 2012. The amount of time I can now spend blogging versus when I started has decreased a lot, but I still want to fit in more quality content than ever... The refocus has actually helped a lot. Setting goals really does apply to everything in life, including blogging!
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
I love this post! Thank you so much for sharing your insight :) I am officially following your blog here and on bloglovin', I would love it if you could check mine out and follow me back!
ReplyDeleteXX Kathryn
http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/
Great post! I just started blogging and your post has definitely helped :) thank you!
ReplyDeleteGREAT advice. I have been thinking about doing the same thing basically... so it's good to know it works. It's easier to strive for goals you know are attainable. :) xx R
ReplyDeleteLet me say this: great post!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any plan for my blog, I just do what I like and have fun.
This post have inspired me to make some resolutions and plan!
I haven't prepared yet for work on goal 1
I find goal a great idea. I've alredy created two "monthly series" (one about make-up and cosmetics, other about my life in Asia)
Thanks to you, I'm gonna creat "weekly series"
This was a great post - congratulations on your success! Sounds like I should make some plans of my own, thanks for your inspiration!:)
ReplyDeletethis is very helpful! i try some of this, but i have no so much free time per day ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com/
Awesome tips!! thanks for sharing! i've only been blogging just over a month now, and am so happy with the amount of traffic i've recieved!
ReplyDeletekeep up the great posts!
-> BARBIE-BOMBSHELL.BLOGSPOT.COM
OMG! congrats! and thanks for sharing this! finally got an idea what to do with my blog as well! keep it up! xx
ReplyDelete♥ The Niknok Style
Good for you! What awesome results :)
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a plan per say but I've been trying to make an effort to post more regularly, so far so good
Great tips hun! These helped so much! I'm trying to get more exposure onto my blog too and you had some awesome tips :D
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tip! I'm definitely going to try this. :) NEED more discipline though. Lol!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips..useful for a newbie like me :)..will try to follow this
ReplyDeleteGreat plan! You deserve sucess! Kisses <3<3
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get questions like "how did you get to have so many followers?". I think the answer is simple and it is related to your lovely post: commitment ! The more you dedicate yourself to blogging and engaging good relationships with other bloggers, the more you get rewarded. As a working woman with a house of her own and other hobbies, I sometimes struggle to keep that commitment but I blog for passion so it is never a sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your results and best wishes for more success, you deserve it! Kisses
www.fashionandcookies.com
this is very helpful! and i'm glad you were able to keep your goals and they were successful :D
ReplyDeleteWow, congrats on reaching your blog goals, and your blog seems to be doing very well! Good for you :) It definitely helps to have a plan and stick to it.
ReplyDeleteLovely post about blogging. I just love blogging, and I post as often as feel like I have something I want to say or show :) If people like it, I'm happy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your tips and congrats! :D :D I think i nedd more discipline...
ReplyDeletexoxo. ❤
laetitiasweeneyrose.wordpress.com
wow i think i tried this but it was very very tedious and i can only keep up with visiting some blogs that i memorize in my mind hehe your blog is one of them! Your comments you leave me are memorable and i guess since its holidays i'll keep trying to expose my blog more? haha
ReplyDeleteim hosting a giveaway atm if youre interested please check it out
ox
www.candypop-lamour.blogspot.com
well done, you;'re so disciplined. Me, on the other hand is getting a little lazy sometimes. No wonder your blog is growing so quickly. I don't have a big plan, just blogging for fun and also friendship. It's very time consuming to blog, and sometimes I just can't do it. Keep it up! I'm sure your blog is going to be really big soon!
ReplyDeletemongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
A BIG congrats to you! I thought I was the only one who obsessed over their blog. I've been brainstorming plans for my blog -- have a blog routine I follow each day, and that's helped me stay on track. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post as I really appreciate diaglogue about blog goals and hopes. I personally just try to be consistent in my posting and always comment back to those who comment on my blog. I don't know that I have any goals related to pageviews or follower #s...rather I do have goals for building real relationships with other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I love how you've kept focused on your goals and surpassed what guidelines you set! That is awesome.
XO - Marion
PS - I so adore your weekends in Seattle posts. It makes me wish I was back in the NW with each photo!
I can really relate to this! Your Fabulous!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Alexa
https://stilettosandjuadevivre.blogspot.com
Appreciated :)
ReplyDeleteWanna follow each other with GFC and Facebook ?
♡ StylishByNature.com
That is great! I applaud you, girlie!!! When I first started mine, I had no expectations, but now nearly 8 months into it, I do have more goals and such. I like the idea of putting it in writing though!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great! Now im thinking about my blog plan lol Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteXOXOJOANNIE
ANURBAN-EXPLORER.BLOGSPOT.COM
That is really nice :D
ReplyDeleteI should do that :p
I already have 2 "plans": favorite shop of the month and favorite photo's of the month :p
hehe :)
The rest of the time I post about things I do and about things I like ^^
ps: Thank you for all your sweet comments, I really appreciate it :)
xxxx
Thank you!! Your plan is inspiring and yet very practical, appreciate it! Thx for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThese are some great tips. I already do number one so now i have to follow up with number 2!
ReplyDelete~Sherine
Check out my blog, comment, and follow if you like!
Confessions Of A City Girl
Hi,
ReplyDeleteGreat tips - I'm going to have to make a plan to achieve more views.
Question - Exactly how does bloglovin' work?
(I discovered your blog through Keiko Lynn and I'm glad I did). This part speaks wonders: "keeps you both entertained and challenged. Plus, the sweet success of achieving something -- small or large -- feels so fulfilling."
ReplyDeleteMy goals/achievements, for those you mentioned, are pretty much the same. For instance, I now have a 'weekly series,' like you.
I too have learned from ProBlogger as it seems you have. Only in the past two months or so, however, have I really been reaching out via comments. I've also connected via bloglovin. Perhaps like any blogger, I'm just happy to connect with like minded people. =)
I'm really going to take your advice. This is definitely a good blogging tip, and I'm glad you posted about it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
vonnie <3
ohsovonnie.blogspot.com
Oh, I just started my blog and I've been looking for ways to increase the exposure! Thank you so much for the tips!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Good on you for achieving the goals you had for yourself :D I hope you manage to reach more of your goals in the future. As for me? My plan is just to improve my blog.I'll be lying if I said I'm not affected by my blog having few followers.Like others I hope I'll gain more followers in the future because I turly think my blog although it's not the best out there, is certainly very helpful for other girls.I have product reviews and the odd beauty articles. I just hope I'll be able to achieve my goals like you have done. In the meantime I'll just wait.
ReplyDeleteI believe in the saying that ''good things come to those who waits'' and also ''nothing worth doing is ever easy''
Wow, you've done really well. Love the idea of a blog plan, I'm planning a bit of a rehash of my blog soon and think I might create a plan of my own.:)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very helpful post. I'm just starting out and this has got me thinking. Thanks for the tips! <3 I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteLove what you've laid out... I'm going to incorporate as much as I can to my blog and hope it brings me similar success! Thanks!
ReplyDeletewestendwardrobe.blogspot.com