How to Create a 2014 Blogging Plan

With barely three days to go before the new year officially starts, coming up with a 2014 blogging plan for use in the incoming year may be unrealistic for many. This will be true if we are talking about major changes that will require extensive physical and technical work to accomplish. Never the less, for a blog that requires major overhaul because of the many changes that occurred in the online world, this is a good time to start as any. Creating that plan and setting in into action at the soonest possible time may just be what the doctor ordered to revitalize an existing blog or jump-start a new one.

Vision and Mission

Those who are employed or are connected with a company one way or the other are very familiar with this. A strategic plan always starts with determining the vision and mission. However, the same thing can be applied with blogs in a much simpler manner.

A vision statement provides what the blogger/blog hopes to achieve in the future. A mission statement on the other hand, should be able to convey what the blog offers at the present time. Clarity as to the vision and mission is not only for the benefit of the audience but more so for the blogger who will be needing reminders every now and then of what he or she is doing in the blogosphere in the first place.

Objectives, Strategies, and Course of Action

All blogs have objectives for being. They may range from attaining purely personal satisfaction in self-publishing to achieving success in the business aspect of blogging. Strategies are the ways and means that will be used to attain objectives. The course of action will take care of long-term tasks for the blog.

While objectives will largely dictate publishing behavior, strategies and action should always be tied up with the vision and mission to preserve coherence in presentation.

For Example:

[box type=”bio”]Vision:

To be the recognized authority blog in the subject of children’s toys manufactured worldwide

Mission:

1. To provide genuine reviews of children’s toys

2. To provide helpful articles related to children’s toys

3. To feature related news that will help consumers decide on what children’s toys to buy

Objective:

1.  To help consumers make wise choices with regards to children’s toy purchases

2. To maximize earning opportunities of the blog through ads, sponsorship, and other forms of related collaboration

Strategies:

1. Create a comprehensive listing of toys per category, manufacturer, age appropriateness, or any thing else that would make consumer searches easier

2. Solicit reviews from actual users or consumers who bought the products

3. Research and feature lesser known facts about children’s toys

Action:

Manage and operate the blog in a manner consistent with the set vision, mission, objectives, and strategies while continuously looking out for ways to improve it and modify it when necessary.[/box]

The above sample is not at all complete and may be modified according to personal preference. A lot of things listed above can be deleted for personal blogs which are not intended to be monetized. Still, it would be wise to be clear of the desired direction for the blog.

One important thing to highlight here is the use of ethical strategies to attain the objective of earning from the blog. There are values and principles involved in blogging that will be put to the test in relation to earning opportunities. It has to be noted as well that earning opportunities  may be connected to audience size and the blog’s ability to convert readers to buyers.

Suggested Steps for Creating a 2014 Blogging Plan

1. Set aside a day or several days, if necessary to look over the blog. Check contents and appearance and assess what you feel about it. It would be helpful if other people can provide their own feedback as well.

2. Determine what needs to be changed, modified, removed, or added.

3. Make a realistic schedule for publishing and promoting posts. Take note however that there are minimal requirements for publishing frequency so as to project an active and current image for the blog. Posts that are spaced too far from each other may not provide considerable benefit to the blog. This may be the perfect time to consider outsourcing content.

4. Create reliable and consistent presence in social media both for the blog and the blogger without being spammy.

5. Study successful blogs and apply applicable strategies to your own blog without being a copycat. Never say no to learning.

My Say

Many would ask if we really need to create a blogging plan given the very spontaneous nature of blogging per se. It is my personal opinion that it is needed just so as to provide a direction to all our blogging efforts. I have been blogging for several years now and I do feel that I would benefit from putting order into what I do.

2013 has been a wonderful blogging year for me. There were so many learning opportunities, only my time was not enough to take advantage of them all. I am currently making my own blogging plan for 2014. I don’t know how much of this I can do by the time the year ends but I’m hoping to accomplish much of it.

Here’s to a Happy New Blogging Year. Cheers!