Understanding the Importance of Goals
Setting goals is crucial for any business or project to achieve success. Without clear goals, it’s easy to spend time on activities that don’t move you closer to your overall vision. Blogging is no different. As a WordPress blogger, you’ll want your efforts to result in real growth and impact over time. Setting SMART goals can help you stay focused on progress.
What are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym that represents the key aspects of an effective goal:
Specific – Your goals should be clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Vague goals like “get more traffic” won’t propel you forward effectively.
Measurable – You need goals that can be quantified so you know if you’re making progress. Opt for metrics like “increase monthly visitors by 20%” rather than immeasurable goals.
Attainable – Your goals should stretch you without being unrealistic. Consider your skills, resources and time frame to ensure your goals are within your reach.
Relevant – Goals must align with your overall blog purpose and vision. Irrelevant goals won’t motivate you in the long run.
Time-Bound – A deadline adds urgency and helps you prioritize. Without specific timing, goals can easily be put off indefinitely.
Applying SMART Goals to Your Blog
With the SMART framework in mind, here are some goal examples you could set for your WordPress blog:
Traffic Goals
- Increase monthly visitors by 15% within 6 months.
- Get 100 new subscribers to my email list by December.
Content Goals
- Publish 2 high-quality blog posts per week for the next 3 months.
- Rank my “Best Camera under $500” post in the top 3 search results for that keyword by July.
Engagement Goals
- Increase average time on site by 20% in the next quarter.
- Get at least 10 shares/social interactions per post within 1 month.
Monetization Goals
- Earn $500 through affiliate sales by the end of Q3.
- Sell 5 copies of my eBook by May.
The key is making your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Review them regularly to stay on track.
Tracking Progress & Adjusting Goals
To keep your goals effective, you’ll need a way to track progress over time. Google Analytics can show metrics like traffic, engagement and conversions. For social proof, track shares/likes with Buzzsumo or similar tools.
Review results monthly or quarterly. If progress is slow, adjust tactics before resetting the goal. If progress is rapid, you may want to increase the target. Celebrate wins to stay motivated.
Be willing to abandon goals that aren’t working and replace them with more relevant targets. Your blog needs to evolve, so your goals should too. Continuous tracking and adjustment will keep you moving forward.
Common Blogging Goal Mistakes to Avoid
While goals provide focus, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Unrealistic expectations – Don’t set a goal you can’t reasonably hit in the given timeframe. Stay ambitious but grounded.
Overlooking limitations – Assess your resources and capacity realistically before committing to a goal.
Lack of a plan – Goals must be supported by specific, documented strategies to achieve them.
All or nothing thinking – Partial progress is still progress. Celebrate wins vs. punishing near-misses.
Ignoring results – Tracking and adjusting goals based on learnings is key to long-term success.
By avoiding these mistakes and maintaining SMART goals, you’ll keep your WordPress blog progressing steadily toward your long-term vision. Regular assessment keeps the goals serving your needs.
FAQs About Setting Blog Goals
Q: What if I’m just starting out and don’t have metrics to base goals on?
A: When first beginning, set process-based goals like “publish 2 posts/week” instead of outcome goals. As you collect data, transition to more measurable goals focused on growth.
Q: How often should I review and potentially adjust my goals?
A: Most experts recommend reviewing goals quarterly or every 3-6 months. This ensures they stay relevant as your blog and strategy evolves over time.
Q: How do I set goals for non-quantifiable results like brand awareness?
A: For softer goals, focus on milestones like “get featured in 3 high authority blogs/podcasts within a year.” Track qualitative progress via surveys, traffic sources, social shares etc.
Q: What if outside factors prevent me from meeting a goal?
A: Note any external limitations, then thoughtfully decide if the goal should be modified, replaced or temporarily suspended versus punishing yourself. Learning is more important than perfection.
Q: How many goals should I set at once?
A: Most experts recommend setting 3-5 priority goals that work together toward your overall vision. Too many goals can diffuse focus. Revisit and potentially replace goals regularly as pieces fall into place.
Setting the right goals is a crucial part of any successful blogging journey. With practice and regular review, SMART goals can keep you moving purposefully toward your desired outcomes. Stay focused but flexible as your blog and needs evolve over time.
