Your Step-by-Step Plan for Setting Achievable Long-Term Blogging Goals

Are You Ready to Take Your Blog to the Next Level?

Imagine waking up every morning feeling excited and motivated to work on your blog. You have a clear path of where it will lead you in the next few years: attracting and helping thousands of loyal readers, generating a steady stream of income, and establishing yourself as an authority in your niche. You think you’re still dreaming? Wondering if you woke up at all this morning? It’s actually possible to feel this excited. Here’s how…

Setting ambitious yet achievable long-term goals is the key to unlocking your blog’s, and your full potential. But let’s be real, it’s not always easy to know where to start or how to stay on track, right? That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you crush those long-term blogging goals and turn your passion into a thriving online business.

Whether you’re a seasoned blogger looking to take things up a notch or a newbie just starting out, this post has got you covered. We’ll dive into defining your “why,” conducting an honest self-assessment, and setting SMART goals that align with your vision. But that’s not all – we’ll also explore proven strategies for breaking down those big goals into manageable steps, building some habits to maximize success, and drawing inspiration from bloggers who’ve already made it big. I even included a list with examples if you would need a little more help or just to spark ideas. 

So grab a pen and notebook (or open up a Google Doc), and let’s get to work to map out your path to long-term blogging success.

Uncover Your “Why” and Craft a Vision That Ignites You

Before we dive into setting those ambitious goals, we need to get crystal clear on your “why” for blogging. Why did you start this journey in the first place? Is it a creative outlet, a way to share your expertise, or the first step towards building an online business empire?

In the beginning of your blogging days, you might not be very ambitious, but along the way, your “why” can change. Knowing your core purpose is crucial because it will serve as your guiding light, keeping you motivated and on track even when the going gets tough. So take a moment to reflect: What’s your biggest motivation for blogging?

Once you’ve nailed down your “why,” it’s time to envision where you want your blog to be a few years down the line. This is your chance to dream big! Imagine the kind of readership you want to build, the level of influence you want to have in your niche, or the income goals you’re striving for.

For example, let’s say your passion is fitness and healthy living. Your long-term vision could be:

1. Readership: Attract a loyal community of 50,000 engaged readers who see you as their go-to resource for all things wellness.
2. Influence: Become a respected authority in the health and fitness space, with opportunities for speaking gigs, brand partnerships, and even your own product line.
3. Income: Generate a full-time income from your blog through a combination of affiliate marketing, selling your own digital products or services, and a membership.

Don’t be afraid to aim high – after all, these are your long-term goals we’re talking about. Just make sure your vision aligns with your “why” and gets you fired up about the journey ahead.

Once you have a clear purpose and vision in mind, you’ll be better equipped to set goals that truly resonate with you and keep you motivated for the long haul. So go ahead, write down in your notebook why you want to build a blog and blogging business. Start mapping out your blogging dreams.

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Time for a Brutally Honest Reality Check

Now that you’ve got your purpose and vision locked in, it’s time to take an honest look at where your blog currently stands. Think of this as a “reality check”: a chance to assess your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities so you can set goals that are ambitious yet achievable.

Start by gathering data on your blog’s key performance metrics. How much traffic are you getting each month? What’s your average engagement rate on posts? Are you currently generating any income from your blog, and if so, how much?

Platforms like Google Analytics can provide valuable insights into your audience demographics, top traffic sources, and popular content. Don’t be discouraged if the numbers seem small right now. It’s ok, everyone starts somewhere!

Next, conduct a good old SWOT analysis to evaluate your blog’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. For example:

Strengths:

• Unique voice and writing style
• Engaged core audience
• Expertise in your niche

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent posting schedule
• Limited social media presence
• Outdated website design

Opportunities:

• Growing interest in your topic
• Potential for affiliate marketing or sponsored content
• Expanding into video or podcasting

Threats:

• Increasing competition in your niche
• Algorithm changes impacting traffic
• Limited time or resources as a solo blogger

Be brutally honest during this process, because it’ll help you set more realistic goals and identify areas that need improvement.

Finally, take stock of the resources you currently have available, such as time, skills, budget, and any team members or contractors you work with, like a VA. This will give you a better sense of what’s achievable in the short term versus the long term.

Have you written it all down in your notebook or Google Doc? Good, because with a clear picture of your blog’s current situation, you’ll be better equipped to set goals that stretch your capabilities without being completely out of reach. Grab that SWOT analysis, performance data, and resource inventory, because it’s time to start goal-setting!

Set SMART Long-Term Blogging Goals Aligned with Your Vision

With your purpose defined and a clear understanding of your current situation, it’s time to start setting those big, audacious goals! But hold up, we’re not just talking about any old goals here. We want to make sure they’re SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Following the SMART framework will help ensure your goals are clear, realistic, and aligned with your long-term vision. Let’s break it down:

Specific: Instead of a vague goal like “grow my audience,” try something more specific, such as “Increase monthly website sessions to 50,000 by the end of year three.”

Measurable: Quantify your goals with concrete numbers or metrics you can track over time. For example, “Boost my email list to 10,000 subscribers within two years.”

Achievable: While you want to dream big, your goals should also be realistic based on your current resources and situation. If you’re a new blogger, aiming for a million pageviews in year one might be a stretch!

Relevant: Make sure your goals are meaningful and aligned with your “why” and long-term vision for your blog. If your passion is photography, a goal around becoming a social media influencer might not be the best fit.

Time-bound: Give yourself a clear timeline for achieving each goal. This creates a sense of urgency and allows you to track your progress. For example, “Launch my first paid online course within the next 18 months.”

As you set your SMART goals, consider covering key areas like traffic growth, email list building, revenue streams (affiliates, products/services, a membership), authority and influence in your niche, and community engagement.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once, though! Prioritize your top 3-5 long-term goals to start and write them down. Then you can layer in additional targets as you make progress.

Remember, these are your long-term goals we’re talking about, so don’t be afraid to aim high. Just make sure they’re grounded in reality based on your situation analysis.

By the way, if you want to learn more about SMART goals check out my blog post “A Practical Guide for Setting SMART Goals for Blogging Success”

Break Down Goals into Motivating Milestones

Alright, you’ve set your big, hairy, audacious long-term blogging goals. Feels pretty awesome, doesn’t it? But how do you actually get from Point A to Point B without feeling overwhelmed or losing motivation along the way?

The secret is to break those ambitious goals down into bite-sized, motivating milestones. Think of it like a road trip – you wouldn’t just hop in the car and start driving aimlessly, right? You’d map out your route, plan pit stops, and celebrate little wins (like finally leaving your home state!) as you go.

So let’s apply that same principle to your blogging journey. If your long-term goal is to reach 50,000 monthly website sessions within three years, you might set incremental targets like:

• Year 1: Grow to 5,000 monthly sessions
• Year 2: Hit 20,000 monthly sessions
• Year 3: Achieve 50,000 monthly sessions

Then, you can further break those yearly milestones down into quarterly, monthly, or even weekly goals focused on specific tasks and metrics that’ll help you get there.

For example, your year 1 goal of 5,000 monthly sessions could involve:

• Q1: Publish 2 high-quality posts per week, plus optimize 10 old posts for SEO
• Q2: Experiment with 1 new traffic source (e.g. Pinterest, YouTube)
• Q3: Launch email list and grow it to 500 subscribers
• Q4: Start syndication plus guest post on 3 relevant blogs

See how much more manageable that feels? Plus, achieving these smaller milestones provides a sense of progress and motivation to keep pushing towards that big, audacious goal.

Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate those little wins along the way, too! Crossing off items on your milestone checklist deserves a pat on the back and it’ll motivate you to keep at it.

With your long-term targets broken down into smaller steps, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow – and a better chance of actually reaching your final destination.

It’s Time to Get Strategic and Make Those Goals Happen!

Let’s check what we have in our notebook or Google Doc so far, shall we? We wrote down:  

• Our why
• Our blog’s performance data
• A SWOT analysis
• Resources we have
• The bigger SMART goals we created
• Smaller manageable milestones 

Okay, we’ve come a long way, but how exactly are we going to make it all happen? This is where having a rock-solid game plan – one with proven, actionable strategies – becomes an absolute must.

Think of these as the “how” behind your “what”, the specific plans and actions you’ll take to cross those milestones off your list and ultimately crush your big goals. Without a solid strategy, even the best-laid plans can quickly go off the rails.

Create a Content Plan

So where do you start? First, map out a comprehensive content plan that aligns with your goals. If growing your traffic is a priority, you’ll want to focus on creating SEO-optimized posts around high-value keywords in your niche. Or if list building is key, you might incorporate more lead magnets and content upgrades into your strategy.

Choose Your Revenue Streams

Next, determine the most effective revenue streams for your goals and audience. Will you pursue affiliate marketing, your own digital products or services, or set up a membership with recurring revenue? Don’t try to do it all at once, but start with 1 or 2 income sources and nail those first.

Build Authority and Influence

For goals around building authority and influence, tactics like guest posting, attending (or speaking at!) industry events, and nurturing relationships with other influencers can be beneficial. You could even explore starting a podcast to expand your reach.

The key is to get specific with your strategies and map out exactly what you’ll do, when you’ll do it, and what resources (time, money, tools) you’ll need. Treat it like an important work project, complete with deadlines and accountability measures.

And don’t forget to lean on tools and resources that can streamline the process. Email marketing platforms, SEO plugins, social media schedulers – find what works for your goals and workflow.

With robust, tailored strategies in place, you’ll be well on your way to making those big blogging dreams a reality. 

Build Habits for Long-Term Blogging Success 

You’ve got your why and vision for the future nailed down, your goals set, and a solid plan in place. But here’s the hard truth: achieving those ambitious long-term goals is going to take more than just careful planning. You’ll need to adopt some solid habits that’ll have your back and propel you forward on this epic blogging adventure for years to come.

Habits are the unsung heroes of success. They’re the small, sustainable actions you take day in and day out that compound over time to yield massive results. Just ask any successful blogger out there, chances are, their achievements can be traced back to the habits they’ve built.

So what kinds of habits are we talking about here? Let’s start with the obvious one: consistent content creation. Whether that means publishing new posts weekly or batch writing once a month, finding your ideal work rhythm and sticking to it is crucial.

But it’s not just about churning out content – you’ll also need habits around promotion and audience engagement. Maybe you commit to sharing your latest post across all your social channels every Tuesday. Or you make it a point to respond to every comment and email from readers.

Don’t forget about habits for your own growth and well-being, too! Carve out time for learning new skills (SEO, affiliate marketing, etc.), networking with other bloggers, and prioritizing self-care activities that prevent burnout.

To make these habits stick, try piggybacking them onto existing routines (e.g. writing during your morning coffee ritual). Use productivity tools and apps to remove friction and temptation. And be patient – there is an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic, so stick with it!

The path to long-term blogging success is paved with consistent, productive habits. Once you’ve nailed yours down, you’ll be unstoppable! So take some time to reflect on what habits will best support your specific goals, and start incorporating them into your daily or weekly routine.

Bloggers Who Achieved Ambitious Goals

Feeling inspired yet? We’ve covered a ton of ground already. But you know what they say, examples speak louder than words!

That’s why I want to share some real-life case studies of bloggers who took their ambitious goals and turned them into reality. Because at the end of the day, seeing tangible proof that “ordinary” people can accomplish extraordinary things is crazy motivating, right?

Let’s start with Michelle Schroeder-Gardner from Making Sense of Cents. Back in 2011, Michelle was a financial analyst bringing in around $50,000 per year. Her big dream? To grow her personal finance blog into her full-time career. Fast forward to today, and she’s built a multi-million dollar blogging business! To think she started her blog just by sharing her own income and expenses.

How did she get to where she is now? By setting incremental income goals (like earning $1,000 per month from her blog), learning in-demand skills like affiliate marketing, and consistently creating valuable content for her audience. Her story is proof that with the right strategies and unstoppable determination, you really can turn your blogging side-hustle into your main gig.

Or what about Alex and Lauren from Avocadu, who set out to build an online health and wellness brand? Within three years of starting their blog, they’d gained over 500,000 followers across platforms and were generating six figures in revenue annually. Their secret weapons included repurposing content into ebooks and online courses, nurturing an incredibly engaged community, and diversifying their income streams.

And Sadie Smiley from Passive Income Pathways, who climbed her way up from having to sleep in her car with her baby to running a financially healthy business with multiple blogs where she and her husband feed the needy families in Mexico and take care of the street dogs. She is truly an inspiration and I’m so glad to have her as my blogging coach. 

The examples go on and on across every niche imaginable – from travel bloggers like Nomadic Matt to DIY bloggers like Sarah from The Ugly Duckling House.

While their goals and journeys may have changed, they all share one thing in common: they set ambitious visions, broke them down into actionable steps, and remained persistent in the face of obstacles.

So if you’re ever doubting whether your big blogging dreams are achievable, just look to these real-life examples as proof that it IS possible with the right mindset, strategies, and unwavering commitment. You’ve got this!

Long-Term Blogging Goals Examples

Your definition of success may look a bit different than mine or the one of a fellow blogger, one thing is certain: setting ambitious long-term goals is crucial for turning your blog into something truly great.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned veteran, having a clear vision of what you want to achieve years down the road can provide motivation, direction, and a roadmap for growth.

To help spark some ideas, here are 50 potential long-term blogging goals to consider, broken down by experience level:

Examples for First-Time Bloggers:

1. Publish your first blog post
2. Get your first 100 website visitors
3. Grow your email list to 100 subscribers
4. Make your first $100 from the blog
5. Attend your first blogging conference/event
6. Publish 50 blog posts
7. Reach 1,000 monthly website sessions
8. Grow social media following to 1,000
9. Collaborate with your first brand
10. Implement an email marketing strategy

Examples for Bloggers Blogging for 1-2 Years:

1. Reach 10,000 monthly website sessions
2. Grow email list to 5,000 subscribers
3. Generate $1,000 per month in revenue
4. Launch a successful online course/membership
5. Speak at an industry event/conference
6. Publish 200 total blog posts
7. Get featured on major publications
8. Expand into podcasting/video content
9. Hire your first virtual assistant
10. Rebrand your blog for a more professional look

Examples for Seasoned Bloggers (3+ Years):

1. Reach 100,000 monthly website sessions
2. Grow email list to 50,000 subscribers
3. Generate $10,000+ per month in revenue
4. Publish your first book
5. Hire an in-house team of writers/editors
6. Speak at major industry conferences
7. Publish 1,000 total high-quality blog posts
8. Reach $1 million in annual revenue
9. Get featured on major podcasts/shows
10. Turn your blog into a renowned media company

As you notice, this list covers a wide range of ambitious long-term goals across different blogging experience levels. From publishing your first post to building a multi-million dollar media empire. These goals get progressively bigger and more audacious as you keep at it and, as a blogger, gain experience throughout the years.

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My Final Thoughts

We’ve covered a ton of ground on setting ambitious yet achievable long-term blogging goals. 

Let’s recap what you have in your notebook or Google Doc now:

• You why
• Your blog’s performance data
• A SWOT analysis
• All your resources 
• Your long-term SMART goals
• Your smaller milestones
• A strategy to make it happen
• The habits you need for execution

You now have a complete roadmap for turning those blogging dreams into reality.

But here’s the thing – having a solid plan is just the first step. The hard part is staying motivated and taking consistent action, even when the road gets bumpy. That’s why I’ll leave you with this inspiring quote from my blogging coach Sadie Smiley:

“Do what it takes to make it happen.”

So what’s your next move? Get out there and start executing on those long-term blogging goals! Break out the vision board, update your content calendar, or simply revisit your “why” for a motivational boost.

The path ahead won’t be easy, but trust me, seeing your ambitious dreams become reality will be so worth it. You’ve got this!

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