Starting a blog is an exciting journey, but without a clear defined purpose and direction, you can easily start to feel frazzled. Take the time to think through these foundational questions so that your blog is set up for success from the start.
1. What is my “why”?
The reason you do what you do.
Some common themes are:
- Love
- Success
- Legacy
- Security
- Financial independence
- Travel/new experiences
- Meaningful relationships
- Personal ambitions
- Helping others
Identifying the main thing(s) that keep you rooted and motivated will help you when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Write your theme(s) on a sticky note and post it on your mirror or someplace you look at daily to serve as a reminder to why you’re starting this blog.
2. What am I passionate about?
By identifying your interests, you’ll create a blog that resonates with your authentic self, making it more engaging for readers.
Ask yourself:
What topics am I interested in?
Start by identifying activities you genuinely enjoy.
Consider what you are naturally drawn to both in your free time and at work.
What can you talk about for hours? Or if money wasn’t a concern what would you do?
Often, your passion lies in areas where your skills, interests, and values intersect.
These topic(s) are what we refer to as your “niche” in the blogging world.
What knowledge or expertise do I have that I want to share?
Consider the skills and experiences you’ve gained along your journey.
Think about the unique insights or tips that would be valuable to your audience because of your specific set of circumstances or your unique perspective.
There are countless blogs on this topic, but why will people choose yours?
Because you bring a unique perspective and voice that only you can offer.
Don’t doubt yourself.
What if I have multiple passions? Can I blog about them all?
Having multiple passions is common.
You don’t have to choose just one, although choosing one is better for SEO.
But you can always find ways to integrate them or prioritize which passions to focus on at different times.
Consider which passion aligns best with your values and long-term goals, or see if any of your passions can complement each other.
Can passion change over time? If so, how does that affect my blog?
Yes, passions can change as you grow and evolve.
Life experiences, new opportunities, or shifts in values can influence what you are passionate about.
It’s natural for your interests to shift as you develop new skills, encounter different challenges, or gain new perspectives.
Your blog will grow and pivot with you so don’t worry about starting something now and losing interest in it later on.
How can I turn my passion into a career?
Look for gaps or areas where your passion solves a problem that is hard to find the answer to online.
Turning your passion into a career involves identifying ways to monetize it, which I’ve outlined for you below but don’t jump ahead quite yet, I’m just showing you that there are loads of monetization opportunities.
- Ad Revenue
- Affiliate Marketing
- Email List Monetization
- Digital Products
- Brand Partnerships
- Coaching/Consulting Services
- Membership/Subscription Models
3. Who is my target audience?
Knowing your audience is key to crafting relevant and compelling content.
Start by asking:
- Who do I want to reach? Or who will benefit the most from my content?
- What are their demographics (age, gender, profession, location, etc.)?
- What challenges or needs do they have that my blog can address?
- What motivates my audience to seek out content like mine?
Creating a reader persona can help visualize your audience. Consider their preferences, habits, and pain points.
This understanding will help you tailor your content to meet their expectations.
Don’t get stuck on this step though, sometimes your blog may surprise you and attract people that you would have never expected, so think about it, write down what you think your potential ideals are, and move on.
4. Who are my competitors?
A better question to ask is actually, “Who is in my community”?
Because blogging can be quite social, so look up similar blogs that you look up to that you’d like to collaborate with down the line by searching for your niche + your topic(s) in Google.
Look for:
- What topics they cover
- Their tone and style
- How they engage with their audience
This research can provide insights into what works in your niche and help you carve out your unique space.
Avoid trying to replicate others; instead, identify gaps or areas where you can offer a different perspective.
5. What is my mission statement?
Once you’ve defined your purpose and audience, create a concise mission statement that encapsulates your blog’s focus.
Your mission statement should answer:
- What is the main topic of my blog?
- Who is my target audience?
- What value will my readers gain?
For example, my mission statement might be: “This blog empowers female entrepreneurs by providing actionable tips on blogging, digital marketing, and business strategies.” A clear mission statement serves as a guiding light for your content creation.
The goal of this exercise is to help you boil down the essence of your blog into one tag line or statement.
Fill in these blanks: I help [who] do [what].
Here are some example tag lines to get your creative juices flowing:
- I help outdoor creators discover new gear they can take on their adventures.
- I help parents find resources and support for homeschooling their children.
- I help health and wellness enthusiasts discover evidence-based practices for a healthier lifestyle.
Conclusion
By understanding your purpose, defining your passion(s), identifying your target audience, and crafting a clear mission statement, you’ll create a solid foundation for your blog.
Or in other words, now that your “why”, niche, peeps, and tagline are good to go, it’s time to choose a name AND claim your domain for your blog!
Next lesson: How To Choose The Perfect Blog Name