Blogging Targets: Accurately Forecasting Traffic & Income Growth

For newbie bloggers, it’s good to have benchmarks to aim towards. The tricky part is figuring out what those targets should be.

As tempting as it is to set yourself aggressive short-term traffic and income goals, it’s also a surefire way to psych yourself out. Instead, approach blogging as the tortoise, not the hare.

In the words of self-described dot com mogul,   John Chow  , when talking about his first steps into internet marketing: “I knew I would need to wait from six to 12 months before my sites would start generating any significant income (if not longer…).”

We Heart Calculators

Here’s the thing about forecasting traffic and income growth: it involves math, and plenty of it. Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But there are loads of folks who think they can base their benchmarks on nothing but a finger in the air.

Make friends with your calculator; it’s about to become a powerful ally. Take your current monthly traffic and income, and calculate a 10-20 percent increase month-on-month for 12 months.

You may be thinking “20 per cent? Pffff, Chump change!” However, if you’re currently earning $50/month from your blog, and you increase that by 20 per cent month-on-month for an entire year, by year’s end you’ll be pocketing a cool $371/month.

Just by maintaining that growth, in another year’s time you’ll be pulling in $3,312/month. A year on from that you’ll be making $29,530/month.

The word you’re looking for is “Booyah!”

Are We There Yet?

Some of those just starting out might even think that 20 per cent sounds like a lofty goal. The reality is some months you’ll double and even triple that, while others your numbers will fall through the floor. In the tricky months, the key is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep plugging away.

As your blog becomes more established and you close in on the three-year mark, you may find that your growth slows. Don’t panic! It’s a natural evolution. When this occurs, you may find yourself shifting focus from month-on-month increases to quarter-on-quarter or even year-on-year.

It’s also worth remembering that millions of unique page views aren’t needed to turn a tidy profit—although of course it would be nice. As big-wig blogger   Yaro Starak   says: “For example, my proofreading business was able to generate a salary level income—sometimes as much as $15,000 in one month during peak season—from barely 100 unique visitors a day to the website.”

And always keep in mind that sustained growth is your ultimate long-term goal, not a never-ending white-knuckle ride.