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To help find the best niche to blog about we are always told:
“Blog about something you are passionate about”
“Blog about something you are knowledgeable about”
“Blog about something that helps people overcome their problems/concerns”
And all that is true…
…do that and you have your best niche.
If you are interested, passionate and knowledgeable about the niche you blog about, then it will be much easier for you to write the content for your blog. It will also be much easier to understand your visitors’ wants and desires. It will be the best niche you can go for.
I started off my first blog on the subject of “Manager skills”
For the first 29 years of my career, I worked for large corporate companies and worked my way to Senior Management managing 1000’s of staff.
I loved the theory and practice of good business management … Leading and developing staff, public speaking, delegating, managing projects … I could talk and write about it all day!
So the best niche for my first blog was an obvious one – ‘Management’. I had so many subjects and topics to write about. I had the experience. I had the passion.
Then as my blogging and on-line business experience grew…I started this blog and I’ve covered all sort of topics that ‘touch’ blogging including SEO, list building, creating and launching products, copywriting, outsourcing, building relationships…all the things needed to make a successful on-line business. That became my best niche.
So where am I going with this?
A few weeks ago, Daniel Scocco of www.dailyblogtips.com wrote a blog post entitled, “You Don’t Want To Be A Jack Of All Trades”. In the post, Daniel talked about focussing your energy into one thing. He said ‘Painters only paint’, ‘Great programmers only code’ and the post got me thinking.
Should I be focussing on one area of blogging rather than being generic?
What is my best niche?
Another recent experience also got me thinking.
Yesterday, my wife had an operation on her eyes to help improve her sight. The operation was performed at the London Moorfield’s Eye Hospital.
As you can tell from its name, it is a hospital that specializes in ‘eyes’.
Now what about this…the person who performed the operation ONLY specializes on the front of the eye.
He wasn’t an eye specialist…he was a ‘front of the eye’ specialist. He didn’t deal with the back of the eye…that was someone else’s role.
He has spent all his working life dedicated and focussed on the workings of the ‘front of the eye’.
How focussed a niche is that?
Pretty focussed I would say.
Is he in demand?
Absolutely – he performs private operations every day and makes a small fortune. Good luck to him…he is very knowledgeable and very hard working.
So what do you think?
Should I stay generic and talk about proven blogging tips in general or should I delve a bit deeper and focus on ‘Blogging for newbies’ or ‘building blogging relationships’ or ‘Blogging SEO’? What do you think the best niche would be?
Help me decide and complete the confidential poll below and/or share your views in the comments. Thanks.
[poll id="2"]
60 Comments
March 10th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Twitter: FamousBloggers
If you want my opinion, I would vote for more than one of those choices on your poll, but I see it’s good to focus on blogging tips for newbies!
Hesham @ FamousBloggers´s last blog ..Top 10 SEO and Marketing Tips from MMO Social Network
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Hesham,
Would voting on more than one mean ‘generic’?
And why is it good to focus on blogging tips for newbies?
Thanks.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
For me at least I like regular blogging advice, even if it doesn’t pertain to me entirely I still might get something out of it.
David Stillwagon´s last blog ..Meniere’s disease and doctor visits
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks David.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Twitter: creative_ace
Interesting poll. I’ve been struggling with that myself on my blog. My biggest problem is I want to educate those in my field or people considering writing, but then I want to use it to attract clients who want to pay me to write for them.
As for your choices in this poll, they all pretty much go hand in hand don’t they? I’m not sure how you could break it down into one specialty. Seems like a lot of people who focus on blogging blogs are a blend of everything you listed. How do you chunk that? I’m a big fan of chunking and I do it quite well and effectively for my Online Help systems.
Maybe you should have a hub and then spin off (modularize) the other specialties.
CJ @ Page Landing´s last blog ..CreativeAce Grand Opening – Online Store
[Reply]
Josiah from Tumblr Themes Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 12:07 am
Twitter: josiahstaggs
I see where your going with that. Making modules or some how separating or defining certain aspects of your blog in a manor that feels more than just a “category” would work.
My opinion is that this niche(blogging) is in itself a specialty, it’s already drilled down enough. Gong further than that may cut-off everyone else who is not interested in “SEO” for example.
Josiah@Tumblr Themes´s last blog ..Photo Gallery
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Josiah – what you say is what I am thinking inside but I wanted to get peoples views – so thanks for sharing yours.
Andrew
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
CJ,
Re: Maybe you should have a hub and then spin off (modularize) the other specialties.
If I understand your correctly – that could create a lot more work and I would be better off staying generic.
Andrew
[Reply]
CJ from Page Landing Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Twitter: creative_ace
Andrew — It might be more work, but then again…
I’ve been brainstorming with a friend and I’m not sure it would be more work. At least not for me or maybe the way I’m thinking about it. So I have the hub, then I duplicate it via FTP so all the plugins and other theme elements are there.
I personally don’t like to blog on one subject everyday (maybe it’s ADD, I don’t know). But, if I had a hub, I’d have 2 more blogs under the hub. So, I would only be posting new blog content for one of the blogs every 3 days. Search engines are happy cause they have time to find quality content and I’m happy cause I’m not writing about the same subject matter every day and it’s low maintenance because I’m only creating new content. Which is the same content I would have been doing anyway, just posting on 1 blog versus 3.
Setup correctly, the theme files would all point up to the hub files so 1 change would change all the sub pages.
Hmmm…the more I explain here the more I’m thinking this may be the way for me to go.
Thanks for poll. Timely as ever.
CJ @ Page Landing´s last blog ..CreativeAce Grand Opening – Online Store
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Hey Andrew,
All blogging ( no matter what niche ), should include the utilization of many different tools, resources, techniques and practices. Covering, or specializing in all of these would be of multiple benefits – both for you and your readers. Newbies and veterans, alike, could experience progressive learning and self-education. Plus, it could translate into a higher number of return visitors, for you ( a very good thing, for any blogsite owner ).
Conducting a survey or questionaire, by the way, is a very good way to not only keep your readers happy – but to also spur a renewed interest in many stale or new readers. Andrew, your interest in keeping us readers interested continues to be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
William
William Botelho@work from home´s last blog ..Marketing Your Work From Home Business And Opportunities Online
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
William,
I like what you say…”include the utilization of many different tools, resources, techniques and practices” – I like to think I have but wanted to hear from some visitors on their thoughts.
Thanks – great and helpful comment.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 12:35 am
Twitter: cks1988
Hi Andrew! Thanks for inviting me for this niche change poll. I will choose the blogging SEO for you to write as that is what i need now. However, i think this niche is a small niche and you need a lot of idea to develop it. It is better to blog in giving the general tips for blogging. Anyway, i will always support you.
Kok Siong @ Cancer Research´s last blog ..Anti-angiogenic Therapy to Treat Cancer
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Kok,
Thanks for sharing your views and supporting me!
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:09 am
Twitter: myblog2day
I think blogging tips is very common on the blogosphere and rarely we can come out something interesting and unique, and it’s difficult to get someone who knows blogging to read your tips. So in my opinion, writing about blogging tips for newbie would be good as you target newbie, I’m sure newbie would be willing to read your blogging tips as they are newbie and want to learn from beginning.
Just my 2 cent Andrew.
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Lee.
I appreciate you coming across and reading/commenting.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:32 am
Twitter: whatisthebible
I think that nothing is wrong with your niche. It is normal to be hesitant at times when you see the overwhelming potential of the internet. Stay true to your course, and focus hard untiil you feel you have agiven it your all, win or fail. The worst thing you can do is sit there and think about what you are doing so often that you don’t get much accomplished. For awhile I had more than 20 blogs I ran, and I was putting about 5% of my energy into each one. Now I only have one that I will do for the next few months, and if it works great, if not at least I know I gave it 100% and a chance to work. Keep it up andrew. I have noticed your comments at Grok and you always have alot of insight. Have a blessed day!
What is the Bible´s last blog ..I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Keith.
I appreciate your comments.
20 blogs? Wow that much have been hard work.
Good luck with your current one.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:43 am
Hi Andrew,
Good day to you. From point of view, I will rather select more than one option but only one allowed, and goes to ‘Blogging for newbies’. And why choosing the only one answer? Not because I’m myself a newbie, but the concept of blogging this particular group will reflect a lot of things…
One of the famous Internet Marketer use to mention this phrase during his stage presentation, “There are 1.5 billion people around the globe surfing the net nowadays. Regardless of their race, culture, religion, and country, the net is the place which connects us all. Leverage it and find them…!”
Wow…that is the true fact… Hmm, I have lots of hard work, perhaps be smarter from now on… Cheers and may GOD bless…
Terrence´s last blog ..Construction Life Could Be Fun
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Terrance,
Great quote!
What other option would have your picked?
Andrew
[Reply]
Terrence Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Hi Andrew,
I would have picked:
1) Blogging SEO
- It is never-ending battle for this kind of topic, furthermore it is one of the most popular discussed topic lately (plus burst of products)
2) Blogging Content
- I still remember your utmost ‘50 Things About You’ dear friend and it did engage me from inside….
Thanks and it is an honor to give an opinion again…
Terrence´s last blog ..Construction Life Could Be Fun
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks Terrance – for coming back and adding some more words – really appreciate it.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:55 am
Twitter: frugallivingtip
Hi Andrew,
Like many of your other commenters I would have chosen more than one answer. I chose ‘newbies’ in the end as I have found your support, advice and general information really helpful whilst starting out. Although I’ve been blogging for a while I am still a newbie with a lot to learn.
However, I have a number of blogs across different niches each calling for different knowledge, skills etc. I like to be busy and as a woman I really enjoy multi-tasking!;-D
You could easily create subdomains for the different areas if you wished.
BTW a very cheeky question: Are you going to be doing any specials on your web building services any time soon?
My chickens are much happier now the weather is drier. They are not partial to rain, snow, hail, sleet or mud!
Blessings,
Amanda
Amanda´s last blog ..Proof-reading & Editing: My First Assignment
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Hello Amanda – great to hear your chickens are much happier!
Which other choice would you have picked?
Shall we do a special at Easter? What do you think?
Andrew
[Reply]
Amanda Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Twitter: frugallivingtip
Hi Andrew
I’d have picked generic as my next choice because I find all your posts, articles etc useful even though I may not be at that stage yet. I shan’t be a newbie forever!
A special at Easter would be wonderful. A blog makeover would be far better for my figure and health than an Easter Egg! Plus I love the Flexx theme I won in your contest and think that’s the way to go on my private tuition and education site (plus I’m fed up trying to sort it myself;-D)
Blessings,
Amanda
Amanda´s last blog ..Proof-reading & Editing: My First Assignment
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks for coming back, Amanda.
Look out for a special!
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 2:58 am
Twitter: simplenfun
I opt for Blogging for newbies, cause I’m still a beginner.
Noel´s last blog ..How to Tune Acoustic Guitar
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Noel,
Thanks for casting your vote.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 6:45 am
This is the most common advice that Blogging experts give to newbies. Blog about the subject which you know and have passion. Still there are many bloggers who just start a blog on any random topic and think about making money online.
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Steve
I must admit in my early days I started blogs in topics that I thought were going to be ‘hot’ and not made a cent!
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 8:09 am
I think this blog should focus on blogging for newbies.
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Shan.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Twitter: SandrinaD
. Some of the bloggers try out blogging without any blogging knowledge so they simply give up because of that, even if they have potential and knowledge but they simply can not reach audience.
Newbies because I am thinking of starting my own blog, I have almost no knowledge about blogging but I am very eager to learn. And it would be nice to have somewhere to learn from
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Sandrina
I don’t know the correct figures but something like 90% of all blogs are stopped within 3 months because the person THINKS the money will come rolling in with little effort. It won’t – blogging and making a blog income is serious hard work.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Twitter: danalingga
I choose blogging SEO because i think you can fulfill my needs in that area.
Dana @ Blogging Update´s last blog ..Theme and Designs in Start A Proper Blog Like A Pro
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks for voting, Dana.
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Twitter: happymakernoco
Hi Andrew,
I vote for the Generic. the reason for this is that you are good with all of them. Things just seem to pop into your mind and you can talk about it easily. With the Generic you help everybody.
Hope that makes some sense to you.
Debie
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Debbie – kind words yet again!
Andrew
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Twitter: blogtechguy
There are lots of blogging sites for newbies, so I think focusing on a certain aspect would help. I went for Relationships but also thought about SEO as traffic seems to be the #1 concern for my clients.
Joel @ Blog Solutions´s last blog ..Updated Ultimate Guide To Online Video
[Reply]
Andrew Rondeau Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Joel.
All these responses and now I have to make a decision!
Andrew
[Reply]
March 12th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I think specialization is great but only to a certain extent. If you specialize too much, you could potentially pass up some audience, while if you spread yourself over too many topics, you lose authority on each of them.
Sam´s last blog ..Furnace Humidifier
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Sam,
…and that’s why it is such a difficult decision to make!
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How You Can Win $6921 In Prizes When Two Social Media Business Players Get Together
[Reply]
March 14th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Twitter: whatisthebible
Looks like you are getting a lot of good feedback Andrew, just what you were looking for. Have you made a decision yet going forward?
What is the Bible´s last blog ..Servant Of The Gospel
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Keith,
Not yet…a few more days…let’s see what happens.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How You Can Win $6921 In Prizes When Two Social Media Business Players Get Together
[Reply]
March 14th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Twitter: GrowMap
Hi Andrew,
What every blogger wants to know is how to make a large six figure income. Most blogs that write about that subject either:
a) Don’t actually know how to do that
OR
b) Probably make their income from selling how-to-make-money information to others
There would definitely be a huge interest in whatever you are willing to share about what monetization methods are working for you.
The other area I would love to see you write about is blogging relationships and specifically blog outreach and collaborative blogging intended to increase our effectiveness. I have some ideas to share with you specific to those subjects.
My apologies for not getting back with you yet. My high speed Internet access has been failing (but is hopefully now fixed) and I have a high priority customer project that I must complete first. I’ll be in touch soon.
P.S. If you are going to use this anti-spam plugin you may want to either give us a warning or have your blog save the comment.
What happens now is you get a “your comment seems spammy message” and lose everything and have to write it over. Usually I don’t and I suspect most commentators wouldn’t either.
Gail @ KeywordLuv´s last blog ..Why Marketing is NOT Evil
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Gail,
Thanks for letting me know about the anti-spam plugin (and for commenting twice!).
Relationship building key to making an income I agree – hence why one of the poll options.
Looking forward to talking soon..when you are free.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How You Can Win $6921 In Prizes When Two Social Media Business Players Get Together
[Reply]
March 15th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Twitter: temi
I believe niche blogging confines you too much! Most popular bloggers do NOT fall within a narrow niche yet they CONSISTENTLY recommend that their readers find a niche if they would like to blog.
Really if you are choosing too small of a niche, you could become paralyzed, trying to figure out what to write about.
For this blog i suggest ‘Blogging Content’, as more tips are there for the newbies and old stuff
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Biodun. Your comments help.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How You Can Win $6921 In Prizes When Two Social Media Business Players Get Together
[Reply]
March 15th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I think Blogging Content. Definately no SEO. There are too many blogs about that at the moment and they’re so dull!
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Jake. That helps.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How You Can Win $6921 In Prizes When Two Social Media Business Players Get Together
[Reply]
March 17th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I have a blog that is all but abandoned because I had absolutely no interest in the topic beyond a couple of my main opinions. Anyone that start a blog on a similar premise would likely see the same fate as mine. If you like the topics you write about, you will always be able to find the time and desire to share your knowledge/experience with others.
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Bill,
One of the first questions I ask my clients is:
Can you see yourself writing about your chosen niche 3 times a week for the next 2 years?
If the answer is no – they haven’t picked the best niche for them.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide: Blogger tips 1 – 4 (video)
[Reply]
March 21st, 2010 at 5:28 am
Twitter: ConnieFoggles
The generic proven blogging tips would be awesome. This way you’d be reaching out to all types of bloggers. Everyone wants to know what really works whether they’re marketing bloggers of someone like me who is a product review writer.
ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..Cheap Date Challenge With Blockbuster Express
[Reply]
andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thanks, Connie – that’s seems to be what a lot of people are saying and the one I am swaying towards.
Andrew
andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..5 Ways to Make a Better and More Well Visited Blog (or just 5 Ways to Increase Traffic)
[Reply]
April 16th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Twitter: erage_nl
Hey Andrew,
I’m a big fan of your work. Regular blogging tips would be great. I would love to see a bit of emphasis on marketing your blog:
- how to attract more visitors and how to keep them coming back
- SEO and blogging
- what topics you should and shouldn’t choose
- writing techniques
Thanks for the all the work you’ve put in the site so far.
[Reply]
Andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
April 17th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Thank YOU, Angela.
And thanks for the ideas. They will help me write!
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..How to Ask to Get Ahead
[Reply]
April 26th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Twitter: TheJohnSoares
Andrew, I’m a strong proponent of niche specialization.
Your particular specialization here depends on your level of knowledge in the blogging niches and your passion for those niches.
Personally, I’m most interested in SEO and blogging.
John Soares @ Time Management Techniques´s last blog ..Freelance Writers — Niche Specialization is the Key to Success
[Reply]
Andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Twitter: andrewrondeau
John,
You are right knowledge and passion do come into it.
I love blogging and sharing my knowledge.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging and Dieting take a lot Perseverance
[Reply]
May 4th, 2010 at 9:07 am
IMO.. if the niche is related to your passion, you should keep on it. But if you try to start a new niche that doesn’t best interest you, it’ll be hard to keep generating new posts later. And this happens to me
Just my 2 cents
[Reply]
Andrew from Blogging Guide Reply:
May 5th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Yanduan
I am passionate about most subject relating to blogging.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Win The Latest 8G iPod Nano: Enter The Simple IncomeBloggingGuide.com Contest
[Reply]
May 30th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
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