blogging

WHAT IS A NICHE AND DO I REALLY NEED ONE

If you’re new to the blogging world and have been doing a little research, you may have heard the word niche before. I have had several clients ask, what the heck is a niche and do I really need one. Since I have explained this several times, I thought this would be a great blog to write about and help everyone that may be confused about this entire “niche” ordeal.

WHAT IS A NICHE

A niche is a a speciality industry or particular type of blog that holds the interest of a certain group of individuals. If you didn’t have a niche, then you may discuss things like travel, cooking, interior decorating, and painting.

That really doesn’t make it easy for your audience to remember you due to your multiple topics. However if you, for example, are into hiking, you may search for blogs or information on different hiking techniques, equipment, or places to purchase hiking gear. You may be able to find everything that you’re looking for in one blog’s site if that site has a hiking niche. 

The same thing applies to you reading this blog. My niche is for bloggers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and all those in between that want to be successful with their start-ups and monetize their blogs. This is exactly why blogging niche’s are popular. Everything someone is looking for is in one area.  

DO I REALLY NEED ONE

Of course you do, my friend. There are a few reasons you want to find your niche including:

1. Identifying yourself as an expert in the area

Peg Fitzpatrick found her niche with social media and even went as far as co-authoring a book titled the Art of Social Media. By doing this, she had coined herself an expert in social media.

2. Grow your following quicker

As the examples show you above, finding your niche makes it easy for your target market to find and follow you which grows your following way faster than without it. Kimra Luna does an excellent job with defining her niche of webinars and making her following grow exponentially.

3. Easier to transfer followers to customers

Charlene Johnson has a great blog about fitness which makes it easier for her to transition her readers into customers with her knowledge of fitness and earn money. 

When you are discussing topics that your audience is interest in, then it’s super easy to offer them products or services that you know they will love instead of guessing if they would like it. Make sense right?!

In my opinion, your niche is really what you make of it. It’s truly your own thing so it’s not about fitting into a box but more so about find your own box and making it your own.

Just like in business, there may be thousands of people doing what you do but none will ever do it like you. This is the same principle. Take these steps in determining what your niche will be. 

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW

The easiest way to identify your niche is by writing on a topic you already know. Write about your passion or something that you have major experience in. Ask yourself:

  1. What can I talk about for hours on end?
  2. What something you can create multiple ideas about?
  3. What do people come to you for advice about?
  4. What are some books of interest that I would love to read?

After answering these questions, do you see a pattern or theme from your answers. Is there a certain thread that continuously was repeated? This is much like find your passion.

When you are passionate about something, you are less likely to run out of idea and more likely to create great discussion and give good information about the topic. Talking about what you know instead of what you think people want to know, will be way easier to turn your passion into a profit to earn money.

FIND THE HOLES

When I started my business, research what people were doing and found that a lot of blogs told you want to do but not exactly how to do. Most people, like me, need more direction than just talking about what is needed and that’s what I prided myself on offering.

I also am able to intertwine my behavior knowledge from my master’s degree to help my clients actually see results than leaving them to do it alone. I would recommend you do the same thing.

The number one advice to starting a business is finding the holes in your industry of interest and the same holds true for your blog. Think about what is missing in your industry and fill the void.

If you’re not sure what is actually missing then do some research. Locate 10-15 blogs that are in your industry or area of interest and find the holes. Ask yourself, what will people want or need that these blogs or business aren’t offering. To boost it up even more, tie in your previous knowledge to show that you can offer more than your potential competitor.

Related: 5 reasons to start now

MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERT

Though you know about this topic there are still things you can continue to learn to increase your knowledge. Read books, join discussion groups, take courses or whatever you need to do to learn more.

The world is continuously changing therefore you always want to stay update on what’s news. You also want to be able to answer as many questions as your potential customers may have about your niche.  

IDEAS FOR NICHES

There are multiple niches that are out there and this list can help you identify some that may spark your interest or give you ideas of combining two to make a unique niche. Review some ideas to help get your rolling in the right direction.

  1. Blogging for Dummies
  2. Fashion for Women
  3. Earn Money Online
  4. Traveling on a Budget
  5. Monetize Your Blog
  6. Budgets for College Students
  7. Blogging Jobs
  8. First Time Homeowners
  9. Decorating on a Dime
  10. How to Make A Blog

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON BLOG NICHES? HAVE YOU IMPLEMENTED SOME OF THE STRATEGIES LISTED ABOVE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.