Three Proven Strategies To Move Forward This Year

Why did you start writing? While the goal may be different for each of us, most of us have a purpose for our writing. But I can get so caught up in the day-to-day tasks of writing, social media, email sequences and the like, that my writing goal gets lost in the process.

We are well into the new year, but this is still an excellent time not only to set goals but to see if what we’re doing is moving us toward those goals. Using data from your website or podcast, social media, expenses and earnings, let’s look at three strategies to move forward this year. 

1. Do more of what’s working.

When I began writing, I heard advice to “throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks.” This means trying multiple tactics to see which work and which don’t. Boy did I throw spaghetti! I started a Facebook page, created a Pinterest account, and discovered I needed Twitter (now X) all while figuring out what, how and when to write on my website.

The problem is we can keep throwing metaphorical spaghetti without narrowing down to what’s working.

In the world of blogging, podcasting, speaking, nonprofits and social media, it’s tempting to feel pressure to do it all. Instead, look at your unique data from your social media, writing and speaking to determine what’s working for you. Then do more of that!

2. Stop doing what’s not working.

This corollary seems obvious, but we don’t often give ourselves permission to stop. In her book Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, Annie Duke writes: “Success does not lie in sticking to things. It lies in picking the right thing to stick to and quitting the rest.”

Is the urgent taking precedence over the important? Does email or social media suck time that could be used to write a book or create a product?

I’ve quit Pinterest. While Pinterest used to bring considerable traffic to my site, the algorithm changed. My time creating pins each week and the expense of a Pinterest assistant were no longer worth it. I’ve stopped almost all Pinterest work to use those resources elsewhere.

3. Niche down.

Oh, how I wish I’d done this sooner, but I had so many things I wanted to write about! Early on, I created content on Bible study, parenting, home-schooling and grief. But readers resonated with the posts on grief because of my story. (That was the spaghetti that stuck!)

You have unique experiences and insights as well. Niching down lets readers know what to expect from you. You’ll be able to offer resources tailored to a particular felt need, serve readers well, and develop an expertise in that area.

The excitement of a new year always renews my energy to create. But before getting lost in the weeds of a long to-do list, let’s pause to see what’s working, what’s not working, and what niche can best serve our readers. 

Cheering you on,

Lisa Appelo

What most helped you move toward your writing goal last year? What do you need to give yourself permission to quit? Share in the comments!