Have you recently started blogging? Or maybe you have been blogging for a while? If your answer is yes, you have probably heard of the word, “Niche”. For many bloggers, that five letter word is the bane of their blogging existence.
There are two types of blogging styles, the Lifestyle blog and the Niche blog.
The Lifestyle blogger writes about anything. Their audience is there because they love the blogger’s personality. Readers do come and go, and monetization opportunities can be more difficult.
The Niche blogger writes about a specific area. They have an audience because the blogger solves a problem for them. Readership is steady, and readers often turn into customers.
There is nothing wrong with either blogging style, both are quite popular. However, if your blogging plans include profiting from your writing efforts, then you might be better with choosing a niche blog.
Here Are 5 Steps To Define Your Niche:
1. Discover Your Passion
“Passion is king! Only when you breathe it in, can the transformation begin.” ~ M. A. Tohami
Think for a moment about something that energizes you. Something, that when you put your heart and soul into, it ignites a fire and spurs you into action. That’s passion.
When you are passionate about something it’s hard not to talk about it. You want to share it with everyone around you. It doesn't come and go, it stays with you for the long haul.
Questions to ask:
- What resonates with me?
- What do I love to talk about?
- What do I love to write about?
- What catches my attention?
Feeling passion for your niche is important. Your passion will show in your writing, in your efforts and your authenticity will shine through.
2. Pinpoint Your Skills
Skills are an accumulation of your talents, attributes and knowledge. When they all come together they form your skill set.
While educational experience plays an important role in identifying your skills, don’t forget to take into consideration your life experiences. Some of the best chefs in the world never had any formal training.
Questions to ask:
- What am I good at?
- What do I know a lot about?
- What do friends/family come to me for advice on?
When you write about what you know, you already have a knowledge base to start with. You will feel more comfortable writing about what is familiar, than if you have to learn a new skill set.
3. Identify Your Audience
Identifying who you are writing for is a key aspect of defining your niche. Without a target audience, it can be easy to get side tracked with your writing.
Create one person who you are writing for. Ask yourself:
- What are they passionate about?
- How old are they?
- Where do they live?
- What do they need?
When you have a targeted audience, you have an audience that you understand. You will know who you are writing for. And your audience will come to know what to expect from you.
4. Solve A Problem
“Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” ~ Henri Kaiser
People often look to the internet to solve a problem. It might be something as simple as, “Quick supper ideas.” Or more complex such as, “How do I increase traffic on my blog using Pinterest?”
Niche blogs help to solve problems. From food blogs to parenting blogs, they all provide solutions to life’s problems.
When choosing your niche, ask yourself:
- How can I help?
- Is it a common problem?
- Do I have a solution?
- Could I potentially make money?
By providing helpful and informative information to your readers, you will gain credibility in your niche. This, in turn, will lead to social proof and potentially open up your blog to affiliated marketing.
5. Establish Your Goals
Setting goals with your blog will help you to stay focused and lead to greater productivity. You want to be able to set goals that are achievable, yet aggressive. Goals that will assist you further along with your blogging experience.
When setting goals, ask yourself:
- What do I hope to achieve?
- What do I want to provide?
- Where do I want my blog to be in 3 months, 6 months, or a year?
Be as specific as you can. It's a good plan to revisit your goals every month to make sure you are still on task.
Review your goals and look at what you are having success with. Write down what is working for you, and why you think it is working. Also take note of what isn't working for you. You may need to adjust your goals so your blog can move forward.
Benefits Of Niche Blogging
The benefits of niche blogging far outweigh the process of deciding on a niche. Blogging in an area that you are passionate about will assist you in staying on track, bringing in a loyal audience and allow your self-confidence to bloom.
Niche blogs provide a greater opportunity to monetize your blog. Create credibility for yourself, which could possibly turn your blog into a business.
To Sum It Up
As a blogger, defining your niche might be the most difficult task you face. However, it is the most important one.
Discover your passion, pinpoint your skills, identify your audience, solve a problem, establish your goals, and reap the benefits.
When you are a niche blogger, the joy never ends.
Have you defined your niche yet? If you have, what process worked for you? Have you noticed any changes after you defined your niche?
Recommended Reading:
- Ten Things Every Successful Entrepreneur Knows that the Rest of the World Doesn't
- Ultimate Guide to Remarkable Content
- ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
I have read a lot of blogs that talks more on how to start off your blog, but I find this post a more comprehensive. Niche blogging gives me the idea of how it is beneficial to pursue the type of blog I want to do.
Thanks for sharing this Carrie! =D
Yes lance I completely agree with you even I also think the same as niche blog are more productive as compared to generic blogs which covers lots of topic and you can target a specific group of audience with niche blogs which can convert well
Cheers
Rohit Singh
Hi Lance! Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found this post to be more comprehensive than the usual ‘start your blog’ post. The two go hand in hand quite well.
Really nice article and well explained.
I want to apply this to my blog also, thank you so much for sharing such a useful information.
Hello Hiren! It’s great that you found this post useful. I hope you’ll be able to apply some of these tips to your blog.
Wonderful tips – too many people today try to start their online business without thinkingof their passion or even their competentce – just choosing the topic that seems popular – nad this is the reqason of so many failures – defining the right niche is crucial to the success and its better to thing twice but choose wisely
I agree, Victoria. When I was struggling to find my own niche, I focused more on competence, than passion. It was no wonder I couldn’t get my feet off the ground! Once I took into account my passion and my competence, everything fell into place.
Great post Carrie Anne. I think that too many bloggers are wary of committing to a niche, but it is something that you do need to establish if you are going to maximize your success as a blogger.
Thank you for your thoughts, Kostas. You’re right that many bloggers are afraid to commit to a niche. And yet, once they do I believe they have far more success.
I think having a defined niche is so much better. Because you know who they are and what problems they have you know how to help them. Not to mention it helps you avoid the impossible task of trying to please everyone.
~Lea
Those are really good points, Lea. Thank you for your comment!
Thanks for the tips. One of my biggest problems with blogging is definitely defining goals.
You’re welcome, Derron. When it comes to defining your goals, perhaps start out with a few small ones. Once you gain confidence by achieving those goals, then you can create some more long term ones.
Hi Carrie-Anne,
Excellent post! The niche is so very important and it is tough for many entrepreneurs to narrow down. Passion is definitely a huge factor. If you don’t have the passion it will show in the lack luster blog posts. You have to be passionate with your niche to really help others.
Thanks for sharing this!
Lillian
Hello Lillian!
I agree, passion is so important. Without passion, blogging can feel like a mundane task.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi Carrie-Anne,
It is my own personal experience that niche blogging beats the lifestyle pattern if monetization is the aim. This is particularly true if you are addressing an audience that is hungry for information or are concerned about a niche that readers would pay any amount for.
Your brilliantly written post resonated well and grounded my beliefs in the niche way further. Do have a very great day!
Always,
Terungwa
Hi Terungwa!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
You’re right that niche blogging definitely makes monetization easier. It opens up the door for so many possibilities.
I’m glad you enjoyed my post!
Niche blogging is definitely the most difficult of the two types discussed. but if done right can certainly lead to a profitable outcome. Thanks for the helpful tips.
Hi Jon,
Once I settled on my niche, I actually found it easier to write. Being able to curate content by looking exclusively for a few keywords that are in my niche has been very helpful.
I’m happy that you found the post helpful.
Even after all these years I would always choose niche blog over lifestyle. I really respect work of lifestyle bloggers but it’s not something I could do the way I would like!
I’m with you on this one! I have a high respect for Lifestyle bloggers. I feel that it is much more difficult than niche blogging.
I’m with you on this one! I have a high respect for Lifestyle bloggers.
Hey Carrie-Anne,
Finding and identifying your niche is often difficult for a lot of bloggers, they tend to want to be everything to everyone. I can’t tell you how many people have come to me wanting to starting a ‘questions blog’, ‘shopping’ blog, health blog or other really generic topics.
A tight niche will have less visitors but you’re a lot more likely to identify their problem or give them the information they’re looking for, and that’s really your goal. Bloggers starting out often think about finding a niche that gets the most traffic, but traffic is not necessarily how to find success on the web. It’s about finding the right traffic and providing them the information and help they’re looking for.
For anyone starting out these are definitely the steps to help bloggers define an appropriate niche.
Blessings,
Liz
Hi Liz,
I find having a tight niche opens a blogger up to having a more loyal audience. You don’t have to go wide, but you should go deep. (a tip my friend, Thomas E. Hanna taught me)
You’re right in that a blogger shouldn’t always think of where the traffic is. If done correctly, you can find a target audience any where.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I really appreciate you taking the time.
Sounds like my mission going to completed since as newbie I need to be aware of so many aspects if I want to be good blogger. Good stuff Carrie. What will be the most prominent steps I need to adopt if I want to grab the attention of international visitors to my blog?. Any suggestions please.
Hi there Lisa!
Finding international visitors isn’t as difficult as you might think.
I would choose one or two social media platforms to focus your attention on. Build your audience on those platforms by engaging with other people in your niche.
I prefer Google Plus and Twitter for my social platforms.
Participate in communities, Twitter chats, and follow influencers in your niche.
When you create relationships on social platforms, you build your community.
If you need more help, send me an email or contact me on Google Plus.
Dear Carrie,
Micro niche is now trending and hot topics in blogging industry. I read some blogs about micro niches and used few advanced tools also. But I was confused. I will start new micro niche with your guidance. Thank you for this excellent and useful article.
Regards
Satish Kumar Ithamsetty
Hi Satish! I’m glad you found the article useful! What types of tools have you used for your blog?
Defining a niche before blogging from the core of heart is the key to success and I’m happy that I found this blog and such an informative article to help me informed about this topic in detail.
Thanks for your comment, Robinsh! And I’m happy that you have found the article useful!
Hello Carie,
An awesome article I must say. But I have seen many multiniche blogs doing well too. Whats is the reason for their success?
And its not that a blog is always started by an expert who is good at something. Many bloggers now experts did not know how to blog initially. I am saying this because I am passionate about social media and okay I know something more on that than a common man or a blogger on other niche. So if i start a blog on social media will that be successful?
That’s a great question, Swadhin!
Multi-niche bloggers can have great success. A lot of it depends on how they blog. Some multi-niche bloggers grow their audience because they have a superb personality. Their audience is there for that personality.
Another reason multi-niche blogs can do well is if they pick several niches that relate closely to one another. For example, a mom blogger can tie food related posts into her blog. Or a real estate agent could blog about house decor.
There are a number of different ways to put a spin onto what you blog about.
As for having a successful social media blog, I think it depends on how much time/work you invest into it. You don’t need to be an ‘expert’, but you should be very comfortable in the field that you choose to blog about.
awesome content as always! i think proper niche selection is must for every blogger. i saw many multi niche blogs are doing well but the thing is a multi niche blog cannot make an authority in a particular field and if you want readers to come back on your blog a particular niche is must.
Thanks for your comment, Gaurav! I believe it takes a special kind of multi niche blogger to have a high level of success. And success is a personal thing. What is successful to one person, may not be to another.
Boon for beginners, one of the greatest problem solved. Thanks a lot for your helping post. 🙂
You’re welcome, Harsh! Thank you for your comment!
Hi Carrie-Anne,
fantastic points!
Being passionate about what you do is very important to keep working during the future with the same strength for years.
Understanding your audience and solving their problems/needs is the way to build a solid base of fans, which let you later create and sell effective products.
Thanks for sharing!
Have a great week.
Thanks for your comment, Erik! You hit the nail on the head!
Solid tips Carrie-Anne.
I would add that if you’re getting into blogging to make money, then one of the most crucial steps is to research the niche to see if there is indeed money to be made. Also to clearly understand your monetisation strategy.
I’ve heard a few sad stories about people pursuing niches because they loved to write about certain topics, only to realise a year or so down the line that their niche was either hugely saturated/dominated, or their income strategy didn’t match their audience.
– Stuart
Hi Stuart,
You make a valid point. Researching all aspects, including the money side of things, is really important.
Thanks so much for commenting.
I want to apply this to my blog also, thank you so much for sharing such a useful information.
You’re welcome, Marco!
I read more than 1000 blogs and some is my favorite blogs and after reading this blog this blog is in my favorite list and really want to thank you for this type of blog especially some of your point like Discover your passion and Establish your goal.
This is a wonderful blog, isn’t it? I’m very fortunate to be guest posting for Basic Blog Tips.
Thank you so much for your comment, Dinesh! I really appreciate you taking the time.
Hi Carrie-Anne,
Following your passion makes branding a breeze. Go with what you love and you won’t work, to brand….you’ll brand yourself out of joyful action, and you’ll define your niche with less effort. I picked travel blogging plus sharing my blogging tips as a power 1-2 punch to carve out my niche. I feel passionate about both topics so I went with them, and Blogging from Paradise was born. Piece of cake when you get clear on what you love, and realize that it makes a super prospering niche to work. Awesome tips.
Ryan
Hi Ryan!
Thank you for sharing your story! It’s amazing how quickly something can come together when there is passion behind it.
Finding your niche is very important for SEO. Thanks for the awesome article.
You’re welcome, Dewald. Thank you for reading it!
Hi Carrie-Anne,
Excellent post. I think everyone have to find a Niche, but Passion is more important. Thanks for the helpful tips.
My pleasure, Dmitrij. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Thanks for the article, some really useful tips. I think what’s also important is for bloggers to understand that there will be people out there who will want to read their content, as long as it’s engaging – there’s a niche for everything!
Exactly, Tom! Engaging, quality content is very important when blogging. Especially with so many blogs to choose from.
Do what you love and love what you do. that is passion. For me passion is the most important factor to choose my nice.
Beside passion, i’m also consider about the market size of the niche. Big market size will give you more opportunity to develop your products and services.
thanks Carrie Anne for share this tips
Sounds like you’re on the right track, Werry! Thank you very much for reading my article.
You are right! To build authority we must select a proper niche! Multi niche are good but when we talk about authority, we have to select a particular Niche. Found useful information. Thnx.
Absolutely, Jigar! It’s impossible to be an authority in every thing.
I’m glad you found this article useful. Thank you for reading it.
Hi .. First i want to say thanks for providing this article. I have one query, is it possible to get a High DA and PA for 4 month old blog. if it is will you share me some tips, because i need to implement on my blog.
Hi Narendhiran,
My suggestion to is contact a company that specializes in SEO. They should be able to assist you in making sure you are maximizing your website’s SEO potential.
Thank you for your comment!
From last month i started to collect top 50 micro niche domain for my site.
Now i am preparing my strategy for implementation and execution.
Thanks for this informative post.
Cheers….
My pleasure, Gaurav!
Hi Carrie-Anne I am so glad I found you blog. Niche Blogging is exactly the area of marketing I am learning and trying to improve. I started out about 6 months ago online marketing, and quickly became drawn to blogging as a way to build KLT (know/like/trust) relationships with people as a basis for my business. I am also very keen to give massive value and huge over-delivery on all the products whether they are free or paid. So I will be following your blog as part of this learning. Thanks you for your great content
Hi Richard!
It sounds like you have a great plan of action!
Blogging is a great way of building trust with your community. Especially if you are helping them out by offering great tips/tricks/advice.
Best of luck with your new blog and if you need any help, please drop me a line!
Carrie~Anne
I think that finding a real passion and making sure you know who you are talking to are the two biggest things to consider. If you can’t find the motivation to write, you won’t succeed. If you don’t know who you are talking to, you won’t convert! 🙂
Great points, Martin! Passion and defining your audience are super important for bloggers to pay attention to!
Thanks so much for your comment!
Hey Carrie-Anne,
incredible focuses!
Being enthusiastic about what you do is imperative to continue working amid the future with the same quality for a considerable length of time.
Understanding your gathering of people and tackling their issues/needs is the best approach to manufacture a robust base of fans, which let you later make and offer compelling items.
Much obliged concerning offering!
Have an incredible week.
I think knowing what you love is the key for jumping into a niche. Also focus on how can you build a better community around the niche.
Most beginners make a blunder by launching a niche site that’s focused on every topic under the sun. If you want to succeed, it doesn’t cut! You need to clearly define your niche then work on your goals! Great share.
Hi Anil,
Surprisingly, having too many topics can make a blogger’s life so much more difficult. It’s tougher to define your audience, and it’s easy to get distracted by topics that might not be successful.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Carrie-Anne