Bloggers’ top New Year’s resolutions

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By Emily Matthews

Given that 2012 might possibly be the end of the world, you want your blog to be out of this world. While the top dogs once looked down on bloggers, according to “The Atlantic,” 21 of the top 50 blogs are now run by the big brands: ABC, CNN, and the New York Times, to name a few. With these blogging resolutions, 2012 will mark a fantastic year for your blog.

Networking

It’s still all about who you know, but now, with a slight caveat; you do not actually have to know them in person. Research and follow your niche’s thought leaders and learn from them. Connecting and building relationships is becoming increasingly popular. If you feel that spark, invite them to lunch or plan a meet up. Also, budding and seasoned bloggers can all benefit from guest blogging for networking and traffic benefits.

Content

Google’s Panda’s algorithm hit bloggers and content mills hard. This served as a good reminder of the importance of keeping your content green and fresh. One of the best assets of your blog is yourself. Are you keeping yourself up-to-date and fresh? Setting Google Alerts and following similar niche blogs are common blogging practices. Yet, to be an industry authority, you might consider some alternative routes. For instance, you can subscribe to your sector’s trade publications. Or, you can go to a library and check out a book on your subject. Continuing your education whether it is a course, a university extension program or a master’s degree will add to your credibility and give you an upper hand over the competition.

Consistency

It happens to the best of bloggers sometimes. You’re too busy, too tired or too lazy to write that post. There is no real harm in putting it off a day or two. This common blogging pitfall can be a real detriment to your blog and business. Hubspot’s 2011 State of Inbound Marketing found a direct correlation between how often a blogger blogs and the number of customer acquisitions. The more you blog, the more customers, leads and referrals your blog will generate.

Marketing Strategy

As blogging becomes more professional everyday, any blog can benefit from marketing strategy. There are many tools and resources that can help bloggers develop their strategy. Bloggers should know who their target audience is, more information about their subscribers, their goals and how they plan to execute them. Your blog needs a clear focus and measurable steps that will help you reach your goals for 2012.

Social Media

All bloggers should start and continue building their social media presence and brand. Bloggers should continue to engage their subscribers and build their community. Part of this resolution is that bloggers take advantage of the opportunities on social media for new leads, producing better content, learning more about their subscribers, and getting more business. While being relevant is important for social media, it is also an opportunity to let your personality shine through and remind, old and new, subscribers why you are awesome.

With 2012 here already, what are your blogging resolutions?

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About SuzanStMaur
Business, marketing and nonfiction writer, 20+ times published author, Owner and Coach at “HowToWriteBetter.net”
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