It a new year filled with new ideas and new goals, my favorite time of year! What are your plans for this year? Maybe your goal is to finally start that blog you have been dreaming about. Or maybe you are ready to kick your current blog into gear and get more eyes and engagement on it. Whatever your blogging goals are, I have brought in my favorite ladies to share their thoughts on blogging in 2017.

I asked them all this question: “What do you think bloggers should be focusing on in 2017?”

The talent, expertise, and wisdom in this post is incredible and I am so grateful for their time! Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, sit down, and dig into all the amazing advice in this post. When you are done, don’t forget to pin it to read again later!

Email is Key

1. Sue Dunlevie, Successful Blogging

In 2017, as well as every year, the most important thing you should focus on is building a targeted email list. Have optin boxes all over your blog (3 to 7 of them!) and collect email addresses. Once you have their email address, nurture those subscribers with several emails before starting to send them your blog posts.

This is THE best way to put offers in front of your audience – thru email.

2. Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, Making Sense of Cents

The number one thing bloggers should focus on in 2017 is their email list. With changing algorithms on social media websites such as Pinterest and Facebook, taking control of your email list is more important than ever. Your email list is all yours and you don’t have to worry about something changing and your readers not getting your emails.

3. Suzi Whitford, Start A Mom Blog

The number one thing bloggers should focus on in 2017 is building an engaged email list. As a full time blogger I spend a large portion of my time growing and nurturing my email list, setting up funnels and providing value to my list. These actions help drive over half of my blog income, gives me content and product ideas, and enable me to build very strong relationships with my readers.

I believe the #1 thing bloggers should focus on is building their email list. Even if you don’t have any product or service to offer, you can still have a highly engaged and loyal following.

4. Elna Cain, Twins Mommy

A big challenge for bloggers is trying to get subscribers to their list. One thing that you should have is a marketing strategy for your blog. This can entail strategies to grow your traffic, which will make growing your email list easier – if you have a great freebie that answers your audience’s problems, though!

5. Monica Froese, Redefining Mom

The number one thing bloggers should focus on in 2017 is email marketing. We’ve all heard that an email list is a must because you own your list versus a social media platform where you have no control. I’m going to take it a step further and say that it’s not only important to have an email list but it’s also important to have an email strategy. How are you collecting email addresses? Are you promising something that you over deliver on? Are you regularly communicating with your email list? Are you providing exceptional value and selling to your email list? The most important thing you can do in 2017 is have an email marketing strategy!

Do you need help creating the perfect freebie opt-in offer or help figuring out what to send after the opt-in offer?

Exceptional Content & Branding

6. Meera Kothand, MeeraKothand.com

Bloggers should focus on branding themselves and their content in 2017. The question they need to think about is: How different are they from the thousands of blogs in their niche and what do they want to be known for? Beyond the visual elements, what about their content and brand experience is different? This is a question that’s more important now than ever because it will set the tone for the types of posts they write, the emails they send and the relationship they cultivate with their readers and email list. Being intentional about their ‘brand footprint’ will help bloggers make a meaningful impact with their audience and create a lasting impression in the online space.

7. Tonia Kendrick, Solopreneur Diaries

The number one thing bloggers should focus on in 2017 is content. We’ve all heard the phrase “content is king,” and it still holds true. But not just any content. High-quality content that helps your readers will keep them coming back for more. Stellar content will also be shared more often, resulting in increased traffic and new readers. How do you create this high-quality content? By focusing on your audience. Think about what would be valuable to them. What do you know that you can share? How can you help them? Also aim to educate, engage, or inspire your audience with each post.

8. Renee Shupe, Chief Redhead & Resident Geek at ReneeShupe.com

My Tip: Be You

It’s taken me years to really come to terms with the idea that the best way for me to market and share my knowledge is staying true to who I am.

It makes my marketing easier, I am able to focus on doing things I truly love and connect with some amazing women bloggers who are doing some pretty awesome things.

Our imperfection and vulnerability is what makes our blogs and our businesses uniquely us, all the while helping our ideal audience find and connect with us because of it.

Social Media

9. McKinzie Beans, Moms Make Cents

You may have heard that blogging is 20% content creation and 80% promotion and it is absolutely true! You of course need to create valuable content for your readers, but if you don’t promote it no one will ever know it is there. I have found the most effective way to promote my posts is through Pinterest. Start by creating two pins per blog post, writing keyword filled pin descriptions and pinning to group boards.

10. Becky Burgess, Splash Owl Media

In 2017, Bloggers should focus on using Facebook and Instagram to grow their following. Facebook still remains the largest social media platform, now ringing in over 2 billion active users per month. While Instagram is second on this list. Thanks to a lot of Facebook changes coming available in 2017, we can expect to be able to connect more with our audiences. Remember to participate in groups, share with people, help and offer encouragement, and be genuine. Having a good social media strategy can help you achieve your goals in 2017.

Build Your Tribe

11. Lena Presley Gott, What Mommy Does

“COMMUNITY – I think sometimes as bloggers, it’s easy to think because we’re working behind a computer screen that we can be off-hands with our audience. The longer I blog, the more I realize it’s all about community. Giving your audience a place to connect on the topic you write about, whether it’s in a private Facebook group or in the comment threads of your Instagram post. Just being there for them when they need help and openly inviting dialogue can do wonders for your business. Your readers will tell you what they want if you give them the chance.”

12. Candis Hidalgo, Smart Mom Blogger

There are so many important components to growing a successful blog: selecting the right niche, getting readers, getting subscribers, making money, writing consistently, marketing, social media, graphics, tech… aaahhh! It’s enough to make your head spin! And honestly? It’s all a waste of time and effort if you’re not doing this one thing:

Helping ONE person.

We overwhelm ourselves with trying to do all.the.things and reach all.the.people, but that’s too much for any one person to take on! In 2017, the number one thing bloggers should focus on – with every piece of content – is deeply helping ONE person solve a problem or reach a goal. Because if you can deeply help one person, then you really can help many. And if you can do that, then I’m willing to bet you’ll see your blog grow leaps and bounds this year.

13. Chantel Arnett, Blogging with a Smile

The number one thing that bloggers should focus on in 2017 is engagement. It’s not enough to have great content. It’s not even enough to have great content and promote it effectively. To be a successful blogger, you must engage with your audience, with influencers in your niche and even with your competition.

14. Kristie McCollum, CEOMom

Now that there’s such a plethora of blogs, the most important thing to focus on is getting visible and building your audience. You can’t just promote your content anymore and expect to build your audience. Building authentic, genuine relationships is going to be the best investment you can make! Connect, collaborate, promote others, create an accountability group, comment on posts- because you want to- and give more than you receive.

15. Darci Lopez, Life Unplanned

Absolutely and without a doubt, the thing for bloggers to focus on in 2017 is relationship building, both with your peers and with your tribe. A great way to do this is to start a Facebook group and an email list that feed off of each other. Be present in both. Be authentic in your interactions and genuine in your intentions.
Blog with Purpose

Do you need help finding your people online and building your tribe?

Blog with Purpose

16. Jill Stanton, ScrewTheNineToFive.com

The biggest thing I think bloggers need to be focusing on for 2017 is to start blogging with a purpose.

What I mean is, you need to get clear on the major interest areas for your audience, start creating content around them and use each post to lead to a specific (and relevant) offer!

Whether that is a quick course, a downloadable, an ebook, a call with you, hell, even a freebie! The key is to use your content to fuel your business!

After all, blogging for the sake of blogging is sooooo 2016.

Wow! I told you these 16 ladies would be sharing awesome advice! My hope is that 2017 is an incredible year for you and for your blog. I hope that the wisdom these ladies shared helps you get focused and positioned to grow your blog like crazy this year!

What piece of information stuck out for you? Would you add anything to this list? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Thank you for taking the time to comment!

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