If Starting a Blog is Your New Year’s Resolution: Read this Post

As the New Year rolls around, many people may have ambitious goals about what they want to achieve in 2022.

If you want to get a bit more serious about your blog this New Year or you’re looking to create a brand new site, there are a few ways you can stick to your plans and have a fun New Year with your new hobby!

In this post, I’ve put together a few pieces of advice if you want to start a blog in the New Year, helping you make the most of your new blog.

1. Choose a good domain name

It goes without saying, but you need to try and choose a good domain name. I’m no blogging expert, but as someone who has been blogging for 4+ years, I’ve seen a lot of domain names!

You need to try and choose a name that isn’t too specific, and one that will last in case you keep blogging for lots of years to come.

For example, you might choose a domain name to do with pregnancy to blog about your pregnancy journey, but once you’re a parent blogger this domain name is a little misleading.

Finding an open blog name is key.

This isn’t the case for everyone, but choosing a good domain name is a great way to start off your blog on the right foot.

One of my favourite blog names is The Doubting Thomas as it isn’t too specific, but it draws you over to the blog!

2. Be consistent

If you want to start a blog this New Year, you need to be consistent!

Consistency really is key, and it will mean different things for different people. It can mean posting once a week, or logging on to engage with other bloggers everyday.

Don’t push yourself to post everyday or even every week. Just put a posting schedule in place that works for you- and stick to it.

Lots of people don’t get instant “success” with their blog or social media platforms, and so they give up. However, I’ll let you in on a secret: no-one gets instant “success” with their blog.

Whether success means making money, gaining followers or getting people to read your posts- it all takes time!

3. Take a break

If you blog to build an online career, or you want to blog as a hobby- it’s not going to be fun all the time.

Take regular breaks from your blog to give yourself time to relax and come up with great blog posts ideas. Don’t forget that this should be enjoyable- so you need to take a step back from it if it becomes a chore.

If you start to get bored with your blog, take a break- but never delete your site completely.

I took long blogging breaks when I was at University, but then I returned to it in 2020 and started to grow my readership again.

If I’d just deleted my blog, I wouldn’t have had the chance to return to one of my favourite hobbies.

4. Take it a step at a time

If you’re starting a blog this New Year, take it one step at a time. It’s very common to see people start off by joining every social media platform or posting everyday of the week.

There’s nothing wrong with this, but take it one step at a time so you don’t get too overwhelmed from the start.

Try to start by creating your blog, engaging with other bloggers and creating one social media platform. For example, I created a free site with WordPress and I joined Twitter too.

This meant I had two places to connect with others, and to write my content.

From there, I have created a Pinterest and Instagram account- but I barely post on those channels!

You could also choose a free site option in case you don’t continue with your blog- you can always upgrade later on.

5. Engage, engage, engage

When you post that first blog post, it can be a terrifying feeling.

If you’re reviewing your favourite book or writing something a bit more personal, it is scary to put your thoughts out to the internet.

But the blogging community is such an open and supportive place, so don’t be afraid to engage with others about their work, and encourage them to read you blog posts too.

Don’t post in a vacuum: engage with everyone you can, whenever you can. Read posts that genuinely interest you, and ones that are similar to your posts.

You can find bloggers on social media or via the internet. Finding other small bloggers means you can both share the ups and downs of the blogging journey together, too.

Are you going to start a blog in the New Year? Do you have any blogging goals for 2022? What is your best piece of blogging advice?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

93 thoughts

  1. I think my biggest tip is “Consistency.” Consistent content creation, posting, social media promotion, engagement. Consistency + Time = Growth. Whatever schedule you select, simply be consistent!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. As always, you’ve shared some great tips on here lovely, thank you so much. Even though I’ve been blogging a while, I found this really helpful and will defiantly be doing these things myself. Happy new year! I hope 2022 brings you all your hopes and dreams Xo

    Elle – ellegracedeveson.com

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Consistency really does help in reaching our blogging goals, and so true that it is different for everyone. What’s important is to find that optimal schedule that a person can commit to without burning out. But if things do get too much, it’s also super important to take a break like you mentioned! It’s okay to take a break and rest. And then later on, come back to blogging when ready. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes I think it can mean different things to different people! I completely agree- there’s no point burning yourself out, especially if your blog is a hobby! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas too, I’m sure your words will help other bloggers 🙂 x

      Like

  4. Consistency is my downfall. My ADHD brain is always full of so much randomness. I will think I’ve found a good flow and then BAM! Life smacks me with something and it takes weeks to sort myself back out again.

    Like

  5. This is such a great post I can relate to because this year I want to take my blog to the next level. I want 2022 to be that year. I have just made a big investment for my blog and I want to make 2022 a year I take my blog more seriously. These are some really great suggestions to help you take your blog more seriously. Thank you for sharing.
    Happy new year.
    Lauren – http://www.bournemouthgirl.com

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Such a great post. I totally agree consistency is key, but over time I’ve adjusted my blogging schedule to suit my workload.

    I also try and take regular breaks from social media. It’s important.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Great post! Engaging in the community is super important especially for new bloggers. I’d also add that doing research ahead of time and planning is a good part of taking the blog more seriously too.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Great tips and advice. Blogging is definitely not easy and can be a lot of work but I can’t see my life without it. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Great tips. Engagement is probably the most difficult to achieve… That being said, make sure you be yourself when you write. Don’t try and be someone else. It doesn’t work! I love my two blogs. They keep me busy, focused and sharing. My goal this year would be to increase my readership….here’s hoping! Thanks for the great post.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. This is great advice for anyone considering starting a blog this year Eleanor. I especially like your advice to take it one step at a time. It’s hard not to go full throttle sometimes but I definitely need to take a step back at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! I followed your Twitter account I’m looking forward to seeing more- I would recommend participating in comment threads (run by accounts such as TRJ for bloggers, the grumpy olive, the cosy bloggers club) as they will get your posts out to more readers 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. These are very helpful tips!!! I find that scheduling posts are so helpful when it comes to wanting to take a break but still keeping a piece of mind!
    I hope you have a great, successful 2022!

    Liked by 1 person

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