There’s so much talk about that one thing you have to do for blog success. In the grand scheme of things, blogging is still a relatively new job, as far as career paths go, and there’s not any one formula. (And I say this as someone who works on several blogs, all different, each day.) It’s also not a problem at all if you just blog as a hobby or creative outlet. It’s pretty cool that people have a platform to do that, and potentially be heard, in my opinion! But this post is for the people who want to get more serious with their blogs in 2016. I wrote this with lifestyle blogs in mind because that’s where a lot of our readers fall, but it can definitely be applied to other blog niches. Now that I’ve set you up, here are blog habits that can create success across the board, no matter how you choose to go about managing your website!
1. Plan posts in advance
Planning is what makes your blog go from side gig to serious, and it doesn’t have to be daunting. We don’t always have our calendar planned for an entire month, but instead are constantly updating the next few weeks, so that we’re never sitting at the computer asking, “what to write…”. It forces you to blog with intention and will reflect in the posts. It helps if you plan both a) brainstorm/creative sessions and b) your actual post schedule. For example, I sit down once a week and just write out all my ideas. Then later I plug them into our calendar to get them on the schedule. That way nothing gets lost.
2. Start networking
I’ve blogged for, I don’t know, 6 or 7 years now (whoa.), but it truly wasn’t until THIS year that I started networking. It actually wasn’t even until I moved to LA two years ago that I figured out that being a blogger was a topic of conversation. I realized that when I started talking about my blog, I automatically gained more confidence about this thing I do that isn’t the most popular career choice, and I also found more likeminded people. Now I can’t go anywhere without saying, “That reminds me of this thing we do on The Blog Market…” etc, and it’s really helped spread the word!
3. Blog like you mean it
Think of every post like a complete piece of writing (or photography or art). That way you won’t be tempted to half-commit to posts, and you’ll make sure they’re as complete as can be before publishing. That not only means editing and proofreading posts, and going through a drafting process, but that you have a purpose + clear focus for each post. It’ll make a world of difference in the quality of content you offer to readers.
4. Create community
We’ve talked about how creating a community with your blog is helpful in your growth, and now’s the time to get in a real habit of it. Here are three ways to do it: 1) Reply to comments whenever possible! 2) Spread the love – if you want to feature someone’s work – let ‘em know – 9/10 they’re absolutely thrilled. And if you want to work with someone, pitch an idea! Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ve got an instant contact, and 3) Give your content a unique voice. Don’t just write in a tone you see other bloggers writing in, but be open and honest – people respond the most to authenticity.
5. Post on social media
I post so much social for other projects that when it comes to my personal blog, I’m lucky to tweet about it 50% of the time. It’s crazy because I know how amazing the impact of social media can be, but it’s still SO hard to get in the habit. But once you do, whether scheduling or just popping in each day to post updates, it’s hard to not think of it as just another component of a blog post. Start now and you’ll have worked it into your routine come January!
6. Regular site maintenance
I’m the worst at making sure everything on my site is current. Right now I have at least one sidebar ad to update, an outdated About Me section, and a link to a portfolio I seriously need to revamp. This will be toughest for me but it’s so important to being a successful blogger, maintaining your website. These are often easy things like quick blog tweaks or design fixes that we just never seem to get around to.
7. Conduct market research
One thing a lot of bloggers don’t do is conduct research. Any business, no matter what it is, must research the market. If you want your blog to be a source of income or just be a really great example of your work online, you want to stay constantly in the know. That means doing all of the above – networking, connecting, reading – and more. It means researching trends, figuring out what’s sticking with readers, and taking a look at your own analytics. You might not have any direct competition as a blogger, but you run the risk of being forgotten if you’re not really on top of it!
Have you started writing down your 2016 blog goals? Let us know what types of posts would help!
Sophie says
This was a really helpful blog post for me. I’m trying hard to get the hang of networking at the moment, commenting on blogs, social media, talking to other bloggers etc. Hopefully it’ll pay off!
Angela says
I definitely think it will if you stay committed! We’re working on it too. :)
STYLEQUEEN101 says
Hi! Yesss that’s actually the same as me, I’ll always read something really great and then forget to comment on it😬😬 So I’m really trying to rember to always comment on the articles I like and networking more☺️ Thanks for the great post by the way as well!!💯👌
Lucija says
Love this post!
I’m actually going to save it, and re-read it later in the month when it’s time for NY’s resolutions with my new planner and ready to kick ass in 2016! :)
Lucija
http://coffeeandlux.com
Cara says
I’ve only started getting into serious blogging for the past month and I’m so glad I’ve stumbled upon this post! One of my main goals for 2016 is to expand my blogging network and create a community that shares ideas and thoughts and a common passion for literature and arts. Thank you for this. :)
ALyson says
This was great insight !! some of it i am already doing. Also got some new ideas to plug in this year- for my 2016 goals. !!
Pagan says
Thanks so much for this post! I’m just starting out and there’s just so much to keep in mind, it’s super helpful to see things laid out for me to look back on and go ‘oh yeah, I gotta do that too’.
I also found the ‘7 WAYS TO CREATE COMMUNITY WITH YOUR BLOG’ super helpful. You have heaps of good content!