7 Powerful Steps to Crush Your Writing Goals This Year!

As a writer or author, the start of a new year is the perfect time to set intentions, outline your plans, and create a roadmap for success.

Whether you’re working on your first book, promoting your latest release, or looking to build your author brand, having clear, actionable goals will help you stay focused and motivated.

Here are some practical tips to help you set and achieve your writing and marketing goals for the year ahead.

Step 1: Reflect on the Past Year

Before you dive into planning, take a moment to reflect on the previous year. Consider:

Wins: What milestones or achievements are you proud of? Perhaps you completed a manuscript, grew your email list, or received positive reviews.
Challenges: What didn’t go as planned? Were there areas where you struggled, such as meeting deadlines or connecting with readers?
Lessons Learned: What did you learn from your successes and setbacks? Use these insights to guide your goals for the new year.

Step 2: Define Your Big Picture Goals

Think about your overarching vision as a writer. Ask yourself:

What do I want to achieve this year?
Where do I see my writing career in 1, 3, or 5 years?

Some examples of big-picture goals might include:

Finishing a novel or starting a new series.
Self-publishing a book or securing a traditional publishing deal.
Growing your author platform by a specific percentage.
Increasing book sales or launching a new marketing campaign.

Step 3: Break It Down Into SMART Goals

To make your goals achievable, break them into SMART goals:

Specific: Be clear about what you want to accomplish.
Measurable: Include metrics to track your progress.
Achievable: Set realistic and attainable objectives.
Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your long-term vision.
Time-Bound: Set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.

Example: Instead of saying, “I want to sell more books,” set a SMART goal like, “I will sell 500 copies of my book by June 30th by running targeted Amazon ads and hosting a virtual book launch.”

Step 4: Create an Actionable Plan

Once you have your SMART goals, outline the steps to achieve them. For example:

Goal: Grow your email list by 1,000 subscribers by June.
- Step 1: Offer a free short story or exclusive content as a lead magnet.
- Step 2: Promote the lead magnet on social media and your website.
- Step 3: Collaborate with other authors to cross-promote each other’s newsletters.

Break your plan into monthly and weekly tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Step 5: Use Tools to Stay Organized

Stay on top of your goals with productivity tools. Here are some writer-friendly options:

Trello or Asana: For tracking tasks and deadlines.
Scrivener: For organizing your writing projects.
Google Calendar: For scheduling writing sessions and promotional activities.
Evernote: For jotting down ideas and keeping notes handy.

Step 6: Track Your Progress

Regularly check in with your goals to see how you’re progressing. Consider setting aside time at the end of each month to evaluate:

What did I accomplish this month?
What challenges did I face, and how can I overcome them?
What’s next on my action plan?

Celebrate small wins along the way to keep your momentum going.

Step 7: Stay Flexible

Life happens, and goals may need to be adjusted. If you encounter obstacles, don’t be afraid to revise your plan. The key is to stay adaptable and focused on the bigger picture.

Inspiration from Successful Authors

Many successful authors credit goal-setting as a crucial part of their journey. For example:

Joanna Penn, author and founder of The Creative Penn, emphasizes the importance of setting both financial and creative goals. She’s a proponent of tracking progress and revisiting goals regularly to ensure they stay relevant.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, suggests focusing on systems rather than just goals. For writers, this could mean developing a daily writing habit instead of solely aiming to finish a book.

Goal-setting is a powerful tool for turning your dreams into actionable steps. As you embark on a new year, take the time to reflect, plan, and set yourself up for success. Remember, progress is more important than perfection. Each step you take brings you closer to achieving your vision as a writer or author.

What are your writing goals for the new year? Share them in the comments below or connect with us in our Member Community on Facebook.