My Goals For StandOutBlogger in 2009
If you have read my last post: SMART Goal Setting For 2009, where I look at SMART as an anagram that provides you with the keys to creating goals that will motivate you, then you may have also noticed the comment left by BE Folks:
This is first post i read regarding new year’s resolution and goals. hope u have set up your goals already. wish you successes!!!
Well to be completely honest – No I hadn’t!
But over the last couple of days, I have taken the time to think about where I see SOB heading over the next 12 months and what I want to acheive. So I have decided to list them here for a couple of reason:
- So You Know What To Expect
I don’t treat my visitors as customers that I just try and flog any product to in the hope of snagging myself a commission. I value the relationships I have built through this blog and I’d prefer to think of you all as part of the StandOutBlogger family!So, since you are now part of the family, I wanted to let you know where we are heading so you can know what to expect over the coming 12 months -and hopefully if you havn’t already, it will encourage you to subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of it! Because it will be exciting!!!
- To Keep Me Accountable
I could easily write up some goals and keep them to myself, but where is the accountability? I have found when I have done this I will get to the end of the period of time, not be anywhere near meeting my goals and when somebody would ask me how my goals went, I’d reply, ‘Yea good, I think I hit most of them’. (Just being honest)Putting my goals out in the open, where you all can see – and check back on when I post my results at the end of next year, will make sure there is no, ‘Yea good, I think I hit most of them’. Instead I will have to give exact answers.
- To Keep Me Motivated
Some people don’t seem to get motivated by written goals, but this is usually because they are not written in the right way. If you stick to the SMART goal setting formula you are sure to come away with goals that will keep you pumped all year long!I am the type of person that gets sidetracked really (i mean REALLY) easily, and I lose drive for a project just as quick – so staying motivated is always one of my biggest challenges, but I am sure these goals will have me excited :D (You will be too when you read them!)
StandOutBlogger Goals For 2009
I have categorise my goals into 4 categories:
- Statistics
This will be were I set goals for all the typical ways bloggers seem to measure themselves by. Including RSS, Technorati, Alexa and unique visitors. - Product
This will look at goals I set that are ways to piggyback off the blogs success. So I will look at StandOutBlogger Underground and product creation. - Profit
While I havn’t really focused on making money from SOB in the last 6 months (I still have though), I think it’s about time I get a little bit more serious about it. I will not only set a monetary figure, but also be creating goals on the methods I will use to make that money.
So I’ll stop stalling and get straight into my goals for 2009…
Statistic Goals
- RSS Subscribers (Current 718) Goal: 2,500
- Alexa (Current 110,050) Goal: 60,000
- Technorati (18,103) Goal: 10,000
- Unique Visitors (Between 280-380/day) Goal: 1,000
I will increase my statistics to the goals I have set above by the end of 2009 by the following techniques:
- Creating At Least 3 Quality Posts Per Week
- Continually Adding To The Feeds In My Feed Reader When I Find Blogs That I Enjoy Reading – And Commenting Each Of Their New Posts That I Believe I Can Add Value Too.
- Focus on SEO, and building search engine traffic by having SE friendly titles, and keyword density.
- Providing a unique voice that visitors cannot find elsewhere.
I Aim To Build My Statistics To Meet The Above Goals For The Purpose Of:
- Increasing my influence and reach by expanding my my daily reader base.
- Build my credibility as a blogger
- Creating a community of bloggers that are focused on developing blogs that ‘Stand Out’ from the crowd.
- Create a strong platform to launch exclusive products for bloggers.
Product Goals
- StandOutBlogger Underground
StandOutBlogger Underground is the email newsletter for this blog. This is linked quite closely to my new Information Product, as I will be creating the info product and sending it piece by piece (as I create it) to SOB Underground Subscribers. I am aiming to have 500 Underground Subscribers by the end of 2009 – I currently have 41.I will gain new readers using the following methods:
- My Aweber Lightbox Popup
- Promoting Underground and It’s Benefits In My Posts
- Providing Fantastic Incentives To New Subscribers
- Blog Redesign
You blog design needs to do so much more than just look pretty, it needs to be a converting, selling and SEO machine. While this design has served very well, there are a lot of features that I would love to see included as well make it more efficient.I will redesign SOB by the end of July 2009, to increase conversion and monetization, while making it easier for visitors to find and read information.
- Information Product
I am currently in the process of starting the creation of my first comprehensive information product. This product will be a course on ‘How To Successfully Launch A Blog’. If you are a member of SOB Underground, you would have already started to receive initial drafts of it.As part of this information product I will be launching a brand new blog from scratch and journalling the strategies and results – so subscribe to SOB Underground to get this product for free.
I will have this product ready to launch in the second half of 2009!
Profit Goals
- Private Ad Sales And Paid Reviews
I will be making over $500 a month from both private ad sales and paid reviews by the end of 2009. This will be achieved by:- Having increased statistic = higher valued adspace
- Actively marketing my free adspots and paid reviews on my blog
- Contacting potential advertisers inviting them to advertise on SOB
- Frequently use Sponsored Reviews to find potential paid reviews.
- Affiliate Sales
Including affliate income from both the SOB blog and SOB Underground, I will be making over $300 a month from affiliate sales, using a range of affiliate programs such as:- More Niche (Free $20 for each new affiliate signup)
- Pepperjam Network – Sign Up for Pepperjam Network and Get a $10 Sign On Bonus
- Clickbank
- PayDotCom
- Elegant Themes (17 Amazing Premium Wordpress Themes For Only $19.95)
- New Blog Income
I will create a new blog that will have a monthly income of $500 by the end of 2009, using list building, affiliate marketing and Google adsense for monetization. - Information Product Sales
The above mentioned blog launch information product will be making over $1000 in sales a month by the end of 2009.- This income will include affiliate commissions.
- Total Income Goal by End 2009
I will be making a minimum of $2,300 a month from blogging and blogging related products by the end of 2009, using the methods listed above.
I have a whole lot of stuff install for StandOutBlogger in 2009, so make sure you subscribe, and become active – and let’s grow our blogs together this coming year!
If you have posted about your goals for 2009, I’d love for you to leave a link to them in the comments below!
That looks like a big project for the year 2009. But it is always good to have a certain goal to look forward to so that we are clear of our direction. Good luck in the upcoming year.
Wei Liang
Wei Liang | Earn Money Onlines last blog post..Lesson 21: Blog Carnival
Nice set of goals you got there Tom. Well you have achieved so much since you launch your blog so I am sure you will do just as good in year 2009. Keep up the good work!
Salwas last blog post..Blog Marketing Scams and What You Should Be Aware of
Oh man! I shouldn’t have left Aweber when I left I deleted about 300 people I had the same as you now you are beating me sevenfold lol.
Germzs last blog post..Recession? Not for me – How to make hundreds freelancing
Yup, very nice set of the goals for new year! I wish you to get even more :)
Bash Boshs last blog post..The Importance of Backlinks
Tom now i see you have already sowed seeds for your goals!! good reasonable thinking of yours.
Thanks for the encouragement guys!
Germz – I did the same a while ago, I had a GetRespose account with a fair few signups and let it go – and had to build from scratch.
Now that’s what I call a goal list. You’ve definitely got me motivated.
Meji – I am glad I could provide some motivation. Now I just have to start ‘doing’. 2009 is going to be a fun and challenging year.
Well, thanks to this post, my goal now is to get some goals set and posted by the 1st of the year, I’m not so sure I’ll get it done though simply because I haven’t had much time to dedicate to the site lately.
You have some pretty challenging goals there, best of luck in achieving all of them. Also, I was subscribed to the newsletter, but haven’t received anything since the 8th, have you not been publishing or did I get unsubscribed somehow?
Nicks last blog post..Violent Video Games and Violent Behavior – Correlation: Not Cause and Effect
Hey nick – I am glad I challenged you to create some goals! No you are still subscribed. I have just been busy getting things organised and havn’t sent anything out recently.
I really should start making some goals for 2009. Well, I kind of already have a list for my goals in general on my blog…but I think I can do better.
Very extensive list you wrote up Tom. Excellent read, thanks a bunch!
Alex | Kolakube.coms last blog post..Faux Columns: A more flexible approach
Ok, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something :)
Nicks last blog post..Violent Video Games and Violent Behavior – Correlation: Not Cause and Effect
Excellent list, and I must say all seem quite attainable with some work. :)
Still workin’ on my list. ;)
Dennis Edells last blog post..What Criteria Factors Into Your Link Love/Round-Up Posts?
Hi Tom!
Setting up objectives is the first step to achievement (which reminds me… I haven’t done so yet hehe).
Seeing your current stats, I believe that you’ll be able to achieve most of your goals for 2009. Perseverance and patience is all you’ll need for that :)
Go for it, man!
Ikki at Blogging Blogs last blog post..Blog Promotion for Dummies
Whoa! You have some big plans in mind :)
Hope you have a rocking ‘09.
Good Luck!
PS. Thanks for commenting on my blog.
Farrhad As last blog post..Coolest Gadgets of the Year
[...] owner of StandOutBlogger, said that listing your goals helps a lot [...]
Those are some nice goals. Good luck on completing them.
KushMoneys last blog post..16th Place In Freeroll On Pitbull Poker
Dennis – Make sure you list it on your blog when you are done, so we can all have a read!
Ikki – Thanks for the encouragement. Patience is something I need to focus on.
Farrhad – No problem. Thanks for returning the favour! :D
KushMoney – Thanks. I look forward to working towards them.
@Tom
I know this is irrelevant, felt its better to put it in as a comment than mailing you.
Would you invest your time submitting your feed to feed directories? Does it help?
Farrhad As last blog post..Time Management
Farrhad – I did this when I first started my blog, I found a list of about 50 RSS directories and submitted my feed to them. It gained me about 30 new subscribers – but I’m not sure how much it has really done in the long term.
But I think for about an hours work it can’t hurt :D
@Tom
Oh! Thanks :)
I am just going to pay someone 10 bucks on DP and get it done.
Farrhad As last blog post..Coolest Gadgets of the Year
Tom,
The thing I LOVE about your goals is they are all realistic. I mean to create an income stream of $2,300/month over the course of a year is not out of this world, but it is very possible.
A lot of people, including myself, fall into the trap of setting goals too high and never being motivated by them because a few weeks into the project, they seem impossible to reach.
The one thing I don’t like about your goals is they are TOO FEASIBLE. LOL! I know this sounds like a real contradiction, but maybe they should be just a little bit more ambitious. I like to think goals like this spark a little fire, emotion, concern, and genius in people to make them stretch and reach to do and be more.
Either way, as you set down this goal and notice that you are closing in your income goal before the new year, I hope that you consider expanding them a bit and shooting for the starts.
Good luck and I wish nothing but the best in 2009 and beyond!
Freddie Taylors last blog post..IME#1: Conclusion to How to Create an eBook with Help
Freddie – I can totally Understand what you mean. But $2,300 a month at the moment is 10 times what I am currently making so I consider that as something that is out of my range – at the moment!
I know it is something that if I work at I can reach, and if I work hard I can reach early. And when I do reach it early – I will admit that I should have set some ‘less feasable’ and set myself some harder ones!
Thanks for the time you took to share your thoughts, and I have you have a fantastic Christmas!
Hey Tom!! Just wanted to stop by and say hello, and thanks for visiting and subscribing to my blog!! I very much enjoyed your goals for 2009 post here, and I’m sure you will be able to do it considering how far you have come in only 8 months!! Bravo!!
Look forward to hearing from you again soon, and you best believe you will be seeing me around on your blog as well! :)
Taris Janitenss last blog post..Merry Christmas to my Readers!! :)
Taris – Thanks for the encouragement! I look forward to seeing how both our blogs grow this coming year!
Lots to learn from these goals , thanks for sharing.
ZK@Internet Marketing Blogs last blog post..14 Thoughts Leaders on Social Media in 2009
ZK – hope you have got your goals all ready for the new year!
Hi Tom,
I like your blog! Will bookmark and come back to your site.
Vanilla
http://blog.vanilla-fantasy.com
Hi vanilla! Thankyou so much!
nice to see your resolution,
this year i have improved alot because of you visiting Your Blog and learning How to Blog was amazing till now,hope i will learn some amazing stuff soon
Make Money Onlines last blog post..Make Money Online by reselling website templates
That’s a very complete goal list, I have added my “general” goals for 2009 to my blog as well, but kept some of the specific to myself :)
2009 should be the year that bloggers will pop out everywhere, but will all the content be duplicated everywhere too?
-Mike
Make Money Online – Thanks, keep an eye out for my posts in 09! I’m sure you will love them.
Wesley – I noticed your goals! Looking forward to seeing you achieve them.
Mike – I have noticed a lot of bloggers stop blogging in 08, and I think the same will happen in 09. Lot’s will start and lots will stop – only the committed will stay.
In regards to duplicate content, I think there will always be people copying each others stuff – but there will be a lot of new and unique content from those willing to spend the time creating it.
[...] you read ‘My Goals For StandOutBlogger In 2009‘ post, you would have noticed that one of my goals was: I will redesign SOB by the end of [...]
This is a perfect list of your Goals. Hope you’ll get achieved your goals before December-2009. ALL THE BEST!!!
Dollar Dudes last blog post..Selling E-books – A Perfect Way To Make Money Online?
It’s really crazy to think that we can grow our blogs to such a great level!!! Who woulda thought!! :)
Taris Janitenss last blog post..Humor Week Continues! FUNNY PICTURES!
Dollar Dude – Thank you for the encouragement!
Taris – I know! It has required a total change of mindset for me, to think that I have something to share that that many people would really want to listen too.
Good luck with your project for the upcoming year. I’m only getting half of what you’re doing in 08, but i just started out so my goal for 2009 is to basically do your numbers =]
Pheak Tols last blog post..Have You Been Banned or Penalized by Google?
Those are some ambitious numbers but with the detailed plan you’ve outlined, its do-able. Now that you’ve published it, we’ll be here to push you to reach those goals :)
Ahmeds last blog post..I’m Not a Racist But I Want Illegals Out
Hey Tom,
that’s a comprehensive plan! As they say, once you have a plan, you only have to follow it ;)
good luck on your goals! :D
Muhammad Siyabs last blog post..6 Free WordPress Themes – Friday Themes #2
That is a huge difference. I wish you all the best. My only target is to reach four figure income from blogging. Keeping up with at least one post a day is my ultimate goal for 2009.
Nice goals Tom! Except one thing you shouldn’t worry about too much (and I stopped focusing on it) are the Alexa, Technorati, etc stats. The reason is the fact that it will always fluctuate, plus, those numbers are inaccurate to begin with.
Plus, if you REALLY wanted to, you could just game the system like a lot of other people. :D
Jay
Jays last blog post..What Are Your 2009 Goals?
[...] “My Internet Goals for 2009″ at Improvingtheweb.com – Nice new blog btw Wesley! My Goals for Standoutblogger in 2009 at Standoutblogger.com – Damn Tom, your blog has really grown! And to think, you was going to sell it! New Years and Some [...]
Thanks guys!
Jay – I think the same about stats, but to a lot of bloggers they create a form of credibility, which is why I want to improve them. But I’m definately not going to start gaming the system :P
Now I see thats quite reachable! I wish you all the best Tom and may we gain new heights in 2009.
Ben Peis last blog post..Looking Back 2008 And Welcoming 2009
Ben – Thanks! I look forward to growing and seeing your blog grow also!
Those are really great goals!
I’d planned on having audacious goals for my own blog in 2009, but I’m also taking on the task of writing my first fiction novel in 6 months, and all this after working my full-time job. I’m going to have to exercise some serious time management skills!
Best of luck to you in 2009!
Diana – UStandOut.coms last blog post..Brand Your Site With a FavIcon
I know you’ll really stand out soon among the rest. You are very motivated and focused. Good work.
Bryan Karls last blog post..5 Widgets A Blog Must Have On The Sidebar
Excellent post. I enjoy the content on your website, and I think you will do very well this year. Make sure to exchange lists with other bloggers in order to maximize email marketing capabilities.
Good luck!
SThompss last blog post..Creating Wealth From Birth – Right Through to Adult Life
Diana – Wow, a novel! I considered writing one of these, but always got sidetracked. Best of luck!
Bryan – thanks! But I need to become a lot more focused.
SThomps – thank you for the compliment, and the tip!
Tom – Stop lying, you know you’re going to game the system lol… Just like how you inflated your RSS Feed subscribers lol just playing!
But damn, I wish I got on that list you were on that got on the frontpage of Digg!
Jay
Jays last blog post..Last Day to Enter to Win a Flip Mino HD, iPod Nano and More!
Jay – haha! That was definately one of these ‘right place, right time’ moments! Hopefully I can capitalise on the boost it gave me to take my blog to a whole new level this year!
Your goals are ambitious, best of luck! Alexa rankings get tough to improve as you get higher but hopefully the added visitors will help bring that up.
What a goal :D
I find it weird though that you have so many subscribers but not that many traffic/ranks yet.. kinda the opposite of what I got :(
Michael Aulias last blog post..Windows 7 + WMP 12 == Bad!
Pretty good goals. And a very nice subscriber count already. Yeh, your post-by-post SEO and good content should help you to achieve those goals by the end of the year. Good luck.
Shirleys last blog post..Perhaps You Shouldn’t Blog!
Good luck to you! :)
Some nice goals you have there. Good luck for 2009 I hope it is fab for you.
Warm regards
Michelle
michelles last blog post..Your Thoughts On Twitter
[...] varies due to the nature of the post as well as how long it takes for me to post my next blog. My goals for 2009 post has been my most comented post ever with [...]