So, you’ve decided that you want to start a blog, but for this venture to be a success, you’ll need more than just pure determination – you’ll need to find your niche.
The internet is so vast, and the modern blogosphere so varied, that the best way to achieve success and secure an audience is to identify your USP, or unique selling point.
This could be almost anything, but it should be something that you are both passionate and knowledgeable about. The more specific, the better!
1. Write What You Know
Authors are often told that they should ‘write what they know’, and the same applies to blogging. Maria Konnikova, successful author and pro poker player, started off creating blog content about her own interests in literature and psychology.
After writing two best-selling books on these subjects, she decided to move on to the exploration of chance. This led her to a surprise career in poker, due to her aptitude for the game, and she now blogs about her journey on the tournament circuit as she completes her third book, The Biggest Bluff.
She is living proof that you truly never know where your writing might take you, but that immersing yourself in a subject always pays off. Whether your passion lies in fashion, sport, business or food, make sure that you are following your natural area of interest with your blog. This will mean that you find it easier to create content and to enjoy what you’re doing.
If your blog will be linked to an existing business then, of course, your topic will be somewhat limited. However, this should, if anything, make the blogging process easier – after all, what could be more interesting than your own business project?
2. Do Market Research
Inspiration and market research plays a big part in the success of any blog. It’s important to be aware of your competition and any trends currently happening in your area, but it’s also essential to take inspiration from those who are already enjoying the fruits of their hard work.
Identifying those bloggers who have already achieved what you are aiming for helps you to formulate goals for yourself, whilst ensuring that you retain your own individuality. Below we look at three female bloggers who are currently acting as an incentive to be bold, brave and ambitious.
3. Learn From The Best
Audrey Leighton Rogers
Audrey is an established fashion blogger who has recently launched her bespoke vintage clothing and accessory business, Audrey Leighton Vintage. Her hardworking ethos in all areas of her life is beyond inspiring, and her dedication to her unique and impeccable style is admirable.
Scarlett Curtis
Scarlett, previously known as Teen Granny, has shed her previous blogging incarnation of a baking, knitting stay-at-home teen to embrace the new feminist movement online. She has just published her first book, Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and Other Lies), a collection of writings from 52 female authors, and hosts a corresponding podcast.
Chidera Eggerue
Chidera, known by her online moniker The Slumflower, is a published author, podcast host, and award-winning blogger. What started out as a fashion blog has transformed into a call to arms for all women (and indeed all people) to embrace themselves and each other exactly as they are.
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4. Diversify And Focus
These two words may seem like a contradiction when placed alongside each other, but both are important if you want to have a successful blog. When deciding on your niche, it is important to narrow down your area of interest to a very specific focus that is not already being covered by somebody else.
However, as your blog develops, you will want to diversify within this narrow window in order to continue growing your audience and creating relevant content. If you started off with written weekly blog posts, diversifying could mean pursuing more image-based posts, moving into vlogging or recording a podcast with a friend.
5. Think Longevity
It is essential that you pick a blogging subject with the potential for longevity. If you are blogging only about a passing fad, then you will find that the subject dries up very quickly. Instead, you want to pick something with enough durability that it will remain relevant for years to come.
When it first began, blogging was seen as nothing more than a flash in the pan that ‘would never catch on’. However, here we are several decades later and it is still one of the most thriving areas on the internet. The key to longevity is adaptability and flexibility so always be prepared for some change along the way.
This post should have given you some idea about how to choose your blog’s niche, but the rest is up to you. Only you can know what lights that spark inside of you and pushes you to share it with the world. Write down your ideas, give several a try but be prepared that most of them won’t work out.
When you find The One, you’ll know.
Alice Barnes currently works as a freelance writer and academic librarian in the UK. She ran her own quietly successful blog for several years before making the move into freelance writing, but hopes to return to blogging soon.
Asha Hab says
Thank you so much for this niche post, I needed it.