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
Great post, I wish I’d read something like this two years ago instead of jumping in with no idea 🤣 engaging with others is one of the most fun parts of having a blog
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Aw thank you so much for reading Sarah, engaging with others is so much fun! You’re doing a great job x
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Thank you, that’s lovely of you to say 🙂 this will be the year where I have a schedule 🤞😂
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I’m sure you can do it!
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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!
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Thank you so much for sharing Carol! Yes that’s so true x
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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
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Thank you so much, I really hope the tips help Elle- your blog is fantastic and I can’t wait to read more in 2022! Happy New Year xx
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This is great for new bloggers. Taking breaks is important for keeping it fresh.
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Thank you! I agree, I always need small breaks from my blog to keep thinking of ideas 🙂
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So true!!! These are the five important things for all new bloggers to know. Even old bloggers must take note too. Hehehe. Thank you for sharing. Good post.
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Thank you! Yes I think so, we all need this reminder sometimes x
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These are great points! I really want to start writing more sponsored posts this year 🙂
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I’m sure you can achieve your goal Caroline, your blog is great!
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Fab post this will be really helpful for anyone new to bogging! Happy New Year xx
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Thank you so much Nicki!
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I agree very much! There are so much advice about blogging out there, but I think you picked out the most important points!
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Great post! These are all great tips not only for new bloggers but for bloggers that are looking to grow their blog in 2022 as well!
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I hope so! Thank you so much for your kind words x
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Great post, I love that it’s useful to new and aspiring bloggers but also some great inspo and motivation for existing creators. Nice!
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Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! x
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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. 🙂
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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
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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.
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That makes sense, but it’s important to listen to your body and brain and take it from there x
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I wish I had known I didn’t need to be on every social media platform when I started my blog. Lots of time I could’ve used elsewhere….
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Me too! I now just focus on Twitter x
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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
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I am sure you can do that Lauren, I love your blog 🙂 I believe in you, thank you so much for your thoughts- I hope my post was helpful x
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Great tips for new bloggers; I can imagine there will be a lot of new blogs cropping up over the year!
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I think so too, thank you Jenny!
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Some fab tips here, I never realised how important engaging was when I first started out!!
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Me too!
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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.
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Me too, you have to take breaks and decide how your schedule needs to change as life changes x
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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.
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I think so too, it’s the best way to get the word out about your blog posts 🙂 those are great additions, thank you so much x
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I really needed to read this. Take a break is just not in my vocab but it desperately needs to be!
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Aw I’m so glad it helped! Same, but you have to listen to your body and go with what you need. Take care x
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Great tips for beginning bloggers! I’d give the same advice and I love the honesty. It’s a lot of fun, but definitely not easy. X
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Thank you! It’s a bit of both for sure haha x
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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.
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Thank you Charlotte! Me neither I love it a lot x
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Some amazing tips for anyone wanting to start a blog! Blogging is not easy but can be so rewarding! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Thank you so much Lucy 🙂
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Great tips. I really hate my domain name but I’m too far in to change it now, haha!
Corinne x
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Haha I think that’s very common, but there’s nothing wrong with it in my opinion 🙂
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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.
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Yes I think so too, you need to be yourself I completely agree 🙂 that’s fantastic to hear I’m so glad you enjoy running your blogs. Thank you for sharing x
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You’re very welcome. 😊
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Great advice for people wanting to start blogging
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Thank you!
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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.
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Thank you so much 🙂 I think it can be a good idea to take small steps when you start anything new x
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Thanks for the great advice! Our blog launched a few days ago.
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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 🙂
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Thank you so much for the tips!
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Thank you! I’m exactly the same and I’ve been blogging for 4 years, everyone needs advice sometimes 🙂 thank you so much for your kind words x
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Thank you Courtney I hope it helps x
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Great tips! We need to engage a lot with others and be active on social media.
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Yes I think being active on social media has really helped me 🙂
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This is a great post – something I wish I had read when I first started my blog! Lots of great tips and you’re totally right with making it best fit you with a consistent schedule.
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Thank you! Yes I think you need to come up with a consistent schedule that fits around you so that you can keep it up 🙂
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These are such important things to know starting a new blog! I’ve learned so much along the way and this will be super helpful for beginners! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you! That’s so good, thank you for your kind words x
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When I first started my blog, Google plus was still available and I had lots of followers who started reading my blog posts
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That’s great! Thank you for reading x
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Eleanor, this is a great starting point for both new and older bloggers alike. So many of these aspects are still a work-in-progress when you start, we had barely any clue and we were so glad when we started doing all these!
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Thank you so much Simona 🙂 I had no clue what I was doing when I started- and I still feel the same now sometimes!
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Great tips and definitely things for new bloggers to think about 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Thank you so much for sharing your experiences x
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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!
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Thank you! I think scheduling is so helpful, the same to you Aisling x
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This is such great advice! I wish I had read something like this when I first started.
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Aw thank you Heidi x
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I think they can help when you first start out! I hope you didn’t mind me mentioning your blog 🙂 I struggle too, on days when I don’t engage I get less engagement back, for sure
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Love these tips, Eleanor! I’m planning on migrating my blog to wordpress this year and these post was helpful for me! x Penny
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Thank you Penny! I’m so glad, I really recommend WordPress x
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These are all great tips for new bloggers! Wish I was consistent since the beginning with our blog! Hope this new year will bring you a lot Eleanor x
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Thank you! Me too haha but you live and learn x
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These tips are so helpful, I’ve been blogging
about 3 years now and it’s never so easy to come with
the topics. Actually, mine is a travel blog so I’m always full
of ideas..
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I know right it can be so hard! That’s great, I bet travel blog posts are so interesting to write- especially if you’ve been to a lot of places x
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Great post with some excellent, common sense advice. I definitely need to engage more than I do.
Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you!
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Very helpful! I think engagement is the most fun and important bit. Thank you for sharing your tips! 💖
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I agree, I love it x
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Great ideas! Having a good domain name (especially a catchy one that is easy to remember) is essential.
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