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October 16 Content Chat Recap: Goal Setting for Bloggers

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Debra Eckerling ContentChat
It can be tough to stick with blogging, even though we know the business results it can generate. That’s why this week Debra Eckerling‏ (@WriteOnOnline) joined #ContentChat to talk about setting and achieving your blogging goals.

Q1: What is your primary goal for your blog?

If you don’t have set goals for your blog, you can’t measure success. So what goals are you pursuing?

First, be a resource.

Blog to demonstrate your expertise.

Blog as a creative outlet.

Blog to support issues you’re passionate about supporting.

Blog to increase brand awareness.

Q2: What’s the biggest obstacle to meeting blogging goals?

Even when we have goals in place, it can be difficult to meet them. Here’s what keep sus from knocking our blogging goals out of the park.

Keyword analysis paralysis.

Finding the right balance between evergreen content and trending topics.

Setting blogging goals that aren’t specific enough to know you’ve actually achieved them.

Identifying and keeping a consistent publishing schedule.

Making time to create high-value content.

Q3: What’s the first step to take to set up your blog for success?

OK, you’ve set your SMART blogging goals. Now what?

Map your topics and create an editorial plan and calendar.

Start journaling and track your content brainstorming ideas.

Consider taking your initial blog development offline.

Define your content strategy.

Use keyword research tools to find topics your ideal customers are searching for.

Q4: How can we improve the goals we are setting for our blogs, to make them more attainable?

It’s a great first step to set goals for your blog. But if you set goals that are impossible to attain, you’ll burn yourself out. Here’s how to set smarter goals.

Make sure your goals are realistic.

Ensure your blogging goals are aligned with your content mission.

Define goals that can be measured by well-defined KPIs.

Q5: What are some specific writing routines or schedules that have worked to keep your blogging on track?

Blogging can easily fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Here are the #ContentChat attendees’ tips for sticking to a routine that supports your blogging goals.

Make—and keep—a time commitment for your blogging.

Batch your blogging tasks.

Use a project management tool to keep your blogging content on track.

Use an app that forces you to focus.

Q6: Where does an editorial calendar fit into all this?

How can an editorial calendar help you meet your goals?

Use an editorial calendar to hold yourself accountable and prioritize your resources.

Calendars are helpful, but you need to leave room to deviate.

An editorial calendar helps you maintain consistency.

Q7: What is your #1 tip for improved blogging time management?

Here’s how our #ContentChat attendees better manage their blogging time:

Q8: What are some tools and resources to help bloggers with goal setting and time management?

Looking for a great tool to better manage your blogging? Check out the tools our #ContentChat attendees are using.

About Erika Heald

Erika Heald is a content marketing expert and executive ghostwriter. As founder and lead consultant at Erika Heald Marketing Consulting, she helps organizations define and document content marketing strategies that drive business growth. Erika led and grew high-performance content marketing teams at Highwire PR, Anaplan, and Achievers. You can also find her on her blog erikasglutenfreekitchen.com or hosting the weekly #ContentChat Twitter chat on Mondays at 12 noon Pacific.

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