My youngest boy will take his first steps any day now. He’s been watching his older brother (and his mum and dad) run around the house for 12 months now and you can just see in his eyes the desire to be up and doing it too. This week he’s started pushing around the block trolley (right) and is practicing his standing up without the aide of anything to pull him up.
It’s not been a fast process and by no means do I expect to see him running around the house soon but he’s almost ready for his first steps.
Many bloggers start blogs these days with the dream of millions of readers and making large amounts of money.
While it is possible to build blogs that are widely read and profitable and there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big – the reality is that it takes time and a lot of work to build these kinds of blogs.
New bloggers would do well to spend more time thinking about their ‘first steps’ than just the big picture dreams and goals that they have..
Yesterday while chatting with a brand new bloggers who had some very lofty goals for this blogging I reflected back to him that I felt that in addition to the big dreams he had that I wondered if he might also benefit from having some realistic goals for the short term.
Here’s a list of 9 first step type goals that I suggested to him that might be a good place to start:
- Publish 10 Posts
- Getting your first comment from someone you don’t know
- Get your first link from another blog
- Build your readership up to more than 20 readers a day
- Hit a level of 20 RSS subscribers
- Getting your blog indexed in Google
- Get your blog earning $1 a week (update: only if making money from your blog is one of your goals – it’s not for everyone
- First guest post on another blog
- Having someone (not you or your mum) tweet about your blog
Note: Others goals might include goals more to do with setting up your blog including those related to design, platforms, setting up metrics/stats etc.
To someone who has been blogging for a while these kinds of goals might seem rather small and insignificant – but for a new blogger they’d be where I would start.
For new bloggers these goals might also seem a little insignificant also (in fact the blogger I was talking to told me I was thinking too small and dismissed my idea) – however I’d argue that to get to your big dreams there is a lot of steps in between – many of which might not be glamorous or as fun to think about. However sometimes it’s helpful to visualize the very next steps that you need to take in order to move towards your goals.
Tangent: I once had opportunity to meet a guy who had travelled the world climbing some of the highest mountains. When I said to him that it must be an exciting thing to do he told me that there are moments of exhilaration and excitement but that the reality is that much of what he does when climbing a mountain is pretty boring. It’s one foot in front of another type activity through foothills, carrying a heavy pack and not feeling like you’re making much progress. Of course once you make it to the top or conquer challenges along the path you have moments of excitement but it all starts with setting out from base camp and with the goal of getting to a point where the climb starts in earnest.
Once you’ve achieved these first goals start to increase them. You might want to double the numbers for the next step (although for different bloggers the numbers will no doubt be different) – then double them again and so forth.
What other ‘first step’ goals would you suggest to a new blogger just starting out? If you’re a new blogger what are your first goals?
Aww first Darren.. I must say you got some lovely kids. May they have an amazing healthy life..
Now to the post. Well I recently put the link to subscription to my blog via email “via feedburner” well really wish I had done it before.. As for earning from my blog, have two sponsors but am looking for something big so am on track and hopefully will soon :)
Cheers
Wow.. It is good to know your goals..
I also want to setup my goal
Great blog post as usual, I’ve done all these steps apart from number 9. which I’m defo going to start trying as I keep hearing good traffic returns from it. Also great patience is needed running the blog don’t expect anything to happen overnight
Darren this is a very useful post.
Can you please settle a question for me:
Frequency:
How frequently should you post for a business blog thats just starting out?
Does the frequency change acc to the topic i.e. should sports blogs be more frequent X per day vs business?
What is the X number thats healthy?
Thank you in advance
Anita
I like step number 9 – a LOT of bloggers really underestimate the power of Twitter
I think an important step for a blogger is to get his first quality post out there and really feel accomplished by it. If you post a blog entry and don’t feel like you actually put some time and energy into it, it’s probably not well put together or not well edited. I could be completely wrong, since everyone is different, but for me that is the case.
Yesterday was an example of when I felt like I did something. I post on a few topics that were almost a month old, but were related and haven’t been linked up yet. Things that I’m sure some people are aware of or have thought of, but I haven’t seen anything about these topics being linked up on the internet yet.
Another step would be, just enjoy the blogging community. Interacting with other sites is not only a way to get traffic, but a way to have fun and just have a great conversation with readers of another blog. Learn what turns blog readers on, and what turns them off.
-Torbjørn
Hi Darren, what would reccomend as the blog platform to use for a beginner, Google Blogs or WordPress
R.Jim
As a “newbie” I don’t find the list obvious at all and really appreciate it! I have certainly done #1, and I’ve done #9 – it’s all the ones in the middle I’ve missed!
Thanks, Darren.
what a great illustration…i absolutely agree…that’s what i’m thinking about since one year ago…having alot of readers in my blog…but poor me…it’s still just a dream
Great post! Although we have been blogging for almost a year, we still feel like newbies. There is so much to learn and you provide such helpful information.
Thanks.
As someone who is, in a way, a veteran and new blogger, I agree with these 100%. I am just starting a new project, but thankfully have all the lessons of the old to help make it easier this time. But, my mom is always the first to post. Every single day. And she just joined Twitter. Madness.
Thanks for this! Cute pics – made my day.
This is a very nice guide for newbies, have emailed it to my bro.
Another good goal might be to use some form of social media to promote at least 1 post or 1 thing about your blog, once a week.
Great analogy with the kids. Cute, but busy, I’ll bet.
I’ve followed much of your advice in building my blog and I’ve achieved everything on the list (more actually) except the money part. I’m on a free wordpress site and wondering what you and others suggest I do to move to a platform that allows ads. What traffic levels do you have to be at to justify the expense and hassle. I love blogging and have been growing slowly but steadily. But I’m spending so much time on it, in addition to work for paying clients. I need to make more money. Teens to feed. Thanks
Nice. The steps look relevant and every new bloggers should be capable of it.
Starting a new legacy or even small small steps is very important because that is the point that lead you the path to success.
Thank you for the tips Darren. I am a newbie blogger that have a big dream. You give ideas and courage to move on. Thank and more power to you…
Sincerely,
Felix Albutra – SighNetDollars.blogspot.com
Thanks for this post. Very helpful and things that I will think about as I try to find ways of making my personal blog more fun and effective.
I have a silly question though if anyone can help. What does it mean to guest post?
any takers?
thanks in advance
Stephanie
http://www.twitter.com/missgraham
Darren,
I’m not a BLOGGER; but I own a niche website (eResumes4Vips.com). Over a year ago, I had LOFTY dreams; pie-n-da-sky. Nothing wrong with that. Quickly learned that webbing/blogging/creating is damn hard work. Fast fwd, now have +800 unique daily visitors plus some OK 3-figure money revenue. Your advice is SOO Right-On, Mi Amigo… — eResumes4Vips
The first few months of a new blog is more crucial to handle. That needs more hard work. But the fact here is, you have to continue that work afterwards. I think most of the newbies stop’s blogging over a period of time.
I have read lot from this site that blogging needs patience and hard work. Lets hope for the good !
-Ven
My first steps were very slow since I don’t have idea yet on what to do but eventually it become faster as time goes on..
Hi Darren,
Building a solid foundation is very much essential in the early days of blogging. For this it may be advisable to write and post some pillar articles. Patient and intelligent blogging are the keys, for growing the blog ….so that later on , it will rewards you the fruits.
I have started serious blogging some 48 days before on May 26 2009. And today Its good to see some 1400 unique visitors with some 1800 pages view per day. I request your to post a article for those who are already getting some 1800 pages view per day, focusing on the points that could help to double the traffic within the next 30 days…
Good list, especially about the 10 posts. Thanks for posting it. Noah Lieske
I tweaked my free template somehow, but I suck at all things HTMl/Java and so on. I want a 3 column on the layout I have, to make this all look way nicer, but I dont know how too :/
I was looking into a custom made template ( from one he already had, but tweaking a 3rd column to it and add some buttons) but he wanted $60 and said he need to have total power of my blog and he will have to take it down for 3 days.
I refused, but if anyone on here knows about a good designer with reasonable prices, please leave a reply on my blog with your work/ link and pricing.
“6. Getting your blog indexed in Google”, this quite most first target to aim at after setting up the blog because its the main aim of achieving better traffic to the blog.
Nice post!
Nice tips and a newbie. I not newbie but i really miss some thing which i learn from here.
Nice tips for a newbie. I not newbie but i really miss some thing which i learn from here.
I love ProBlogger and read it all the time, but this is one of my all-time favorite posts. Sometimes a simple checklist of basic things is so helpful. I have just started a new blog and there are so many possibilities that it can become overwhelming.
It was a coincidence, but on the day I read this, I got tweeted up by a P.R. person for one of the companies I write about. It was a huge confirmation and the traffic was nice as well.
After I knock off these checklist items, I’ll be moving into the 31 Days to Building a Better Blog.
This is excellent advice. I’m a new blogger, and the first things I did were:
1. Study the bloggers I like and participate in their blogs
2. Set myself a schedule of publishing 3x a week
3. Settle in for the long haul.
I did the happy dance when I finally got a comment from someone who wasn’t related to me. It took nearly a month!
Great post, and very focused—which is what I need. I set out with two goals in mind: to write a mommyblog with a unique spin (parenting a toddler while caring for elderly parents) and to make a few bucks here or there doing something I enjoyed. I’m just into my second month of doing this, so I know the latter goal will take a while to achieve since I’m still trying to get up to speed with all the lingo! I can say that I was the amazed by the rush I got when I saw the face of my first Google follower show up on my homepage, quickly followed by my second follower. I think what I struggle with the most, though (as someone who is a parent AND has a regular full-time job), is finding the time both to write and to read (and comment) on other people’s blogs that I enjoy. And I find more of those every day. I wish I could give up sleeping!
What a refreshing post. It helps put things in perspective. I recently launched Green Energy Reporter and have been trying to define some realistic targets that compiled together will create an following. I’ve met some of your goals and others I’m still trying to reach. Next step print your 9 first steps a and post it by my computer!
Great simple list for beginners. Its important not to try and reach for the high branches without taking a step up the ladder. I have been blogging for years and I am still working on accomplishing beginning “steps”
Some good pointers here. I would add to that list by suggesting you get your blog “out there” by posting some meaningful comments on forums & blogs which share the same audience as yours. Also, email some other bloggers which are also just starting out for networking purposes.
Wesley Craig Green
The Geek Entrepreneur
Those are for sure baby steps.
Great stuff – thanks so much. The two most striking observations I have as a COMPLETE newbie to the blogosphere are watching the times that the comments are posted. A whole lotta people are proving my fear that there aren’t enough hours in the day for this – so they are posting between midnight and 5 am. Scary. I can’t do that. On the otherhand, the presence of posts way into the future (12 hours into the future) just goes to show how international it can be. Scary, too.Or, maybe all the post midnight ones are West Coast, Hawaii and the far east?
What adorable kids Darren! I love the PJs.
What a fantastic post. I can relate since I have a one-and-a-half-year-old.
I am hitting my second month on my blog and need keep things in perspective. Thanks for helping me with that! Baby steps indeed.
One of my goals is a high ranking with google!
What I would add is working on a new post concept or working on the post itself so that you have 5 new posts(or posting ideas) “in the bank,” ready, or almost ready to go.
And yes, Darren, cute kids! ;o)
I think that this kind of “baby step” planning is an important part of accomplishing anything big.
I’ve learned from Todd above that I need to get my chocolate cake (yum!) and from you to then to plan my blog more carefully – what direction, feeling, purpose…that kinda thing.
Yeah, I’m sure the chocolate will help.
:-)
Love the pics, you have two gourgeos boys.
Being realistic is the key – you don’t want to set the targets too high (100,000 RSS subscribers within a month for example), as it’ll only demoralise you when you don’t get to that level. Setting realistic targets makes it much more fun – getting 10 subscribers isn’t easy, and still a real challenge, but achievable – and, once you’re there, it’s time to get 50, and so on.
I must admit, I watch web server logs in real time, and nothing beats the feeling that someone is on your site, reading what you’ve created.
Baby steps is what it takes with everything in the beginning. Good stuff mate.
These might be ‘steps’ and they could certainly be called ‘milestones’ ‘but they are not goals. Goals always have a strategic and tactical plan behind them, otherwise they’re just wishes. Where is the follow up post that tells bloggers, “OK, campers, here’s how we go about getting a comment from someone we don’t know.” I’m not criticising the post, just wondering.
Thanks.
This is a great post, Darren – even as a person who has been blogging for a while now, I find it helpful to go back and review the basics from time to time to make sure that I’m really doing all I can to take my blog where I want it. I particularly like the conversation you had with the climber – that is so true in so many things we do, really. We just forget about the ‘work’ part of things.
I can’t believe your little one is already a year! Wow – they both look adorable!! :D
Another great post to guide others to success, thanks.
Thanks for this post, it affectionate puts into angle what the ‘big guns’ of blogging attending at as those aboriginal babyish steps. I’m blessed to address that I accept accomplished all of those listed milestones except for the bedfellow post.
Hello this is my first comment but i read your post every day, i started my blog around 8 months back. I wanted to tell a detailed story about what happened and what mistakes i made.
1. Gradually increased my post from 2 per day to 9 per day over MoM.
2. Added Adsense in the second month
3. Providing readers the latest news
4. Subscribers increased – Providing Subscription Options via email/rss
5. Received comments
6. Linking other sites with the same set of category blogs
7. Exchanged mails to other bloggers about the latest happenings
8. Blog Google Page Rank Increased
9. Placing Top posts in the left bar to increase more page views
10. People engaged with my site
11. Increase in pageviews from 3/visitor to 5/visitor
12. Place Google Custom Search for Increase earnings
13. Placing many plugin to engage with my readers
14. Replying to reader’s comments to continue the discussion
These are the things that i am able to remember right now. Anyway I will add if some other thing strikes my mind.
You are doing a great work.
Kamal.
I just need the 8th goal that is guess post an article on my blog.
I was wondering if there is some one who can contribute my site but it seems to be unchangeable
Great post. Never seen your kids before, cute. Future pro bloggers :).
Great tips. Especially to someone at my stage. My next step is wating for the blog landing page to be completed! A work in progress. I have pre-written blogs as practice and/or inclusion once launched.
Being a realistic optomist (to me that would define setting lofty goals yet not being disappointed if I do not quite achieve them) I can already see this is going to be rewarding. I have been spending hours thinking about many of the steps you listed and now can include more of them.
The photo of your sons bring back fond memories as I was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home primary care providing Dad for our two sons.
Thanks for sharing both the photo and its effective relationship to the steps.
Steven J Snelling
I think you are right. Personally if I focus to much on the long term I will get frustrated at the time which it takes to get their. It is very important to live in the now rather than thinking how big your blog will hopefully be one day it is better to try and get a little notice then build upon that. Anyway thanks for the post.
Kris,