Do you know what your niche is? Finding a niche you can love and serve is essentially figuring out what you have to say that is unique.
As a blogger, you are answering a very important question for your readers: Who are you and why should I listen?
There are over four million mom bloggers out there, which means you need to find a way to stand out.
If you’re not sure what makes your blog interesting or unique, then you have some work to do. Here are a few questions and to do’s that will get you on the path to niche blogging success!
What do you know really well that you want to share with others?
If you are like most bloggers, you don’t immediately know the answer to this question. It requires some soul searching. I blogged for years before I was able to answer it.
To Do:
Create a list of your passions. Add anything and everything. For example, running, cooking, technology, kids, allergies, adult toys, organic gardening, etc. Look at the list often. Study it. Maybe it’s a combination of two or more of your passions that create your niche. For example, you love to cook and workout and your passion is kids, so you create a blog that offers easy daily activities for young children along with recipes and advice to help parents create a healthy lifestyle for their children.
The key is to keep studying yourself and your list. At some point you will have, as Oprah calls it, an “aha” moment and your niche will be born.
Vetting your Niche
Before you hire a web designer for your newfound niche, you need to vet it first.
Are there enough people interested in your blog topic?
My first blog was called TheSportGirl.com. I was convinced that woman the world over were in love with football and we just needed a place to convene. I blogged daily with the excitement of a a quarterback in his first Super Bowl about stats, football teams, divisions, game wrap ups and my general love of the sport. Then I watched for months as my numbers stayed at steady six readers. And? Five of those were family members. Male ones. All males.
To Do:
Use Twitter and Facebook to do informal polls. Ask questions surrounding your potential niche and see what kind of feedback you get. My blog is a site devoted to parenting tweens or teens so I might tweet, “Do you take your teenager’s cell phone away from them at night?” Notice what kind of feedback you get? Is there a need for what you are creating?
Guest post on other blogs with a topic within your niche.
Vetting your idea will give you a good understanding of demand.
Researching Your Niche
The final step in defining a good niche is making sure it is unique.
Are there two million other blogs with my niche?
Now that you know there is a need, do some market research and find out if the need has already been filled. Hopefully, the market space is wide open. If you find it’s already being done, you have two options. Find a new niche or find a niche within the niche.
For example, instead of a generic cooking blog, find a niche within the industry. You could do recipes that are specific to marathoners and triathletes and call it RunningToTheFridge.com. You could have a site that is devoted to hosting non-allergy threatening parties and call it NoERvisits.com. You get the idea.
The key to creating a solid niche is passion, creativity and some good solid business research.
So now that you have your niche people will start showing up en masse to read your blog. Right? Not so much. It takes daily, constant work to build a community of followers. Look for my next post titled, A guide to building your community, on The SITS Girls this week.
More Posts on Niche Blogging:
- How to Find a Niche You Can Love and Serve
- How to Create a Successful DIY Craft Blog
- How to Create a Popular Food Blog
- BONUS FREE PRINTABLE: How To Write a Rockin Food Post
About the Author:
Stefanie Mullen is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend’s Soul and owner and founder of Ooph.com, a site devoted to the parenting of tweens and teens. She is the co-host of Your Family Matters on WSRadio.com. Stefanie has been featured in the New York Times and has appeared on NBC, Fox, KUSI and NPR. Connect with Stefanie on Twitter @Ooph.
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What great tips! I need to think about my blog through these lens!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Olympics for Kids- Fruit Filled Olympic Rings
Twitter: ooph
says:
Glad you enjoyed it!
Twitter: thefurmom
says:
When I decided to start a blog about dogs, I downloaded a free version of Market Samurai to research keywords and to find the corner of the niche where I could dominate. MS was very helpful in showing me the power of keyword research, but it wasn’t what helped me determine how to make my site stand out in a sea of pet blogs. It was me. I read a blog post that said that what’s unique about my blog is me – and the light bulb that floats above my head (so annoying at times) lit up!
Kimberly
Kimberly Gauthier, The Fur Mom recently posted..Read Now! Your Dog Can Become a Huggable GUND Plush in Stores
Twitter: ooph
says:
Love it!
This was super helpful! Thank you!!
Barbara recently posted..Aix-en-Provence
Twitter: ooph
says:
So glad!
Twitter: Recanddec
says:
Thank you! You may have just Turned my direction of my blog!! I have been tossing and turning with what I should do with my blog. I just blogged about it!
Twitter: ooph
says:
Make sure you tweet me when you have it headed in the new direction. Would love to check it out!
Twitter: copilotmom
says:
Thank you, these are great tips!
I am looking forward to your next post.
Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..By This Time Next Year…
Twitter: ooph
says:
Thanks. Glad they were helpful!
Twitter: Semperfimomma
says:
I love this. This is great for both new and experienced bloggers.
laura recently posted..Celebrating National Strawberry Shortcake Day with Dessert Sushi
Twitter: ooph
says:
Thanks! You have a fabulous niche!
Twitter: Craftychicky
says:
Great tips!
Dee recently posted..Paradise
Twitter: ooph
says:
Thank you!
Twitter: ooph
says:
Thank you
Twitter: comeforcoffee
says:
These are amazing tips! I’m working out my niche now. Thank you for giving me an idea of how to work through the process!
Dawn recently posted..One of the Main Reasons Why I Blog
Twitter: ooph
says:
So glad. Feel free to Tweet me with any questions!
Twitter: style_events
says:
Thank you for these tips! Something as bloggers we always should be reminded of to stay focused! It’s so easy to get off topic because you want to blog it all!
Aimee recently posted..Wedding Wednesday – Tips to Make a Rainy Wedding Day Picture Perfect!
Twitter: ooph
says:
Glad you found it helpful!
Twitter: kimulmanis
says:
“There are over four million mom bloggers out there, which means you need to find a way to stand out. ”
Let’s start by eliminating the word “mom” from this sentence. Not all female bloggers are moms, myself included. If we want to stand out we can’t lump ourselves into a category to begin with.
I’m a writer/blogger. I write everything from weight loss to historic Vegas to travel to photography. I am my own niche and don’t have any interest in putting myself into a tiny box.
Kim @ Coffee Pot Chronicles recently posted..A Changed Perspective
Great tips… while my blog niche is single motherhood, I try to make my topics a little broader than that… like your sports blog, that gets a little narrow. Plus, its fun to explore it from the angle of we really are all just moms and have a lot in common.
Sorta Southern Single Mom recently posted..Summer’s Bounty
Twitter: ooph
says:
I love the topic of single motherhood. I was one for many years.
I haven’t found my niche yet but I’m okay with that. I’ve got so much going on right now that I don’t always make or have the time to blog. I’ll get back on track soon (hopefully) and start thinking about doing more with my blog.
Elizabeth recently posted..Sponge Bombs!
Twitter: ooph
says:
I’ve been there. Have a great summer.
Twitter: ooph
says:
I have been there. Enjoy your summer.
Twitter: cmckane
says:
Thanks for this post it’s getting me brainstorming.
I just got back into blogging recently and always had problems figuring out my niche. I *think* I’m a lifestyle blog because I have three main categories (writing, photography, & bucket list) but I’m not really sure. Thanks for giving me homework
c @ annuary chit recently posted..Writing Detours: Fear as an Obstacle
Twitter: ooph
says:
My pleasure. Glad it has inspired you.
Twitter: D__Magazine
says:
I’m glad you brought this up today. I had been thinking the same thing myself lately.
I write something or do a piece on some decor project I might be doing around the house or maybe a review of a theater production that I may be excited about….and then wonder why it falls flat…why my blog gets so little traffic, so little feedback.
I will have to give this more consideration. Stay on one topic? (There’s just not enough decor projects I do in a year, you know?)
Much food for thought. Thank you!
Dawne
Dawne recently posted..From Wan to Welcoming
Twitter: ooph
says:
You can do a double niche as long as the compliment each other. Perhaps linking set production with decor. When you do a review, you could bring in the set decor and something you noticed others could do in their home. A cool piece of art, furniture, etc. There are design ideas everywhere. You can blog about a lot of things if you include decor/design in each post. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment
Twitter: Recanddec
says:
I am in the same boat! I have a home and decor blog, I originally started blogging on the home DIY projects we were doing to our new home, but my husband is gone for 6 months so that had to come to a sudden halt! I am not sure what direction to go in right now, I am finding there is so much competition in home decor and I have to soul search and figure out how I am unique!
Recreate and Decorate recently posted..3 Easy Tips for Making a House a Home
Great tips. I am struggling with this a bit right now. I know what I want to do – provide insightful, thought-provoking posts – as well as what I don’t want to do. But I am feeling a bit dejected lately since I have been rejected by two major syndication forums. Does this mean that there is no need for this kind of blog? Does this mean that there are too many? How do I find interested readers? How do I stay true to content that I am passionate about and writing for a potential reader base?
Christie recently posted..What is Marriage?
Twitter: ooph
says:
Hi Christie. I think most bloggers have felt this way at least once in their blogging experience. (Most of us many times.) Don’t let it get you down. I think you will find my next post very helpful. It is all about finding and building your community. If you would like to email me, I would be happy to work through some ideas with you. Go to Ooph.com and click on the “contact ooph” button. Right side down low. Hope to hear from you soon.
Twitter: huffman_jean
says:
Sound advice, Stefanie! I will definitely do more market research on my niche and see if there is anyone else out there doing anything exactly like mine. Not sure there is, but I will look into it more carefully. Should I just Google it, or is/are there specific sites that will tell me this kind of information?
My blog is for believers and followers of Jesus Christ, where I explore all kinds of subjects related to Christianity. I come at this broad topic through the smaller lens of the church family. My tag line is “Where God’s Family Can Gather Around His Table.” Would love for anyone to drop in for a little while and check it out–I think you’ll be blessed.
May He be glorified!
Lookin’ up,
Sislyn Stewart/Jean Huffman
Jean Huffman recently posted..Kick Off Your Shoes: Guest Blog by Wendy Huskey Corder
Excellent post, Stef, as usual! I might have to take tha Runningtothefridge.com idea from ya!
Twitter: latorres
says:
I have a hard time with this. because my blog doesn’t so much share information as it does tell stories. Is that a niche? Who knows? And how do I separate myself from the pack? Endless questions.
Leigh Ann recently posted..Sitting Around the Bonfire
Twitter: ooph
says:
Hi Leigh Ann
Thanks for the comment. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. Contact me via Ooph.com. Look for “Contact Ooph” bottom right side. Look forward to hearing from you.
Love this post, no need for me to look for other advice, this is thorough enough! Love it and one of your examples in the first step validated that what I was thinking of as a topic is okay, no matter how “mature”. Thank you.
This has certainly given me a lot to think about!
Cassie recently posted..Free 1 to 15 Number Activities!
Twitter: grechie20
says:
Great tips especially for someone like me who is starting my own blog…
Ma. Teresa Grech Q. Racal recently posted..Smart Parenting: My Favorite Parenting Magazine
Twitter: thedosetweets
says:
Such a helpful, great post. Thank you. I appreciate your help, and I look forward to reading your next post about building a community!
thedoseofreality recently posted..Silence Is Not An Option
This came at a perfect time. I have been trying to figure out how to narrow down my niche so I’m not like everybody else. This is so helpful!
Twitter: Organizedisland
says:
Great post! Still defining my niche but making progress. Love the suggestions!
Raquel recently posted..Beach Ready
Twitter: workingsirens
says:
Great tips thanks for that. The title got me straight away also so lots to be learned not only about Niche blogging but also about content that draws people in! Ellie
http://www.workingsirens.com
Twitter: hippiedogco
says:
What a great article and loads of awesome tips. Thank you!! This comes at a very good time for me!
Lauren – @Hippie Dog Company recently posted..The Titanic Was Sold Out . . .
Twitter: inspiringgaia
says:
LOL! Its funny that you share this and I just decided to shift my whole blog and include all my niches!
Thanks for sharing this awesome information…
Victoria Bonilla-Snead recently posted..Enter for a Chance to Win one of 125 Bottles of Purex Liquid Detergent !
Twitter: princesspruning
says:
Very helpful stuff. I am coming to check out your site because we share a niche! I blog about parenting tween girls. Thank you.
Laura @ Pruning Princesses recently posted..Fuel: Talking to your daughter about p o r n
Twitter: BlondeDuck
says:
After seven years of blogging, I’ve finally figured out what my niche is. The only two things I’m good at in life are writing and telling stories that make people happy. And with my children’s books coming out next spring, I’ll have credentials to back me up.
I just have no idea how to explain myself to others. I’ve been thinking about a total overhaul–new background, look, etc. I’m just kind of scared to take that step forward.
Blond Duck recently posted..Bitty’s Book n’ Bites
Twitter: cyu888
says:
Great post and tips. Thanks so much for sharing. Sometimes I feel all over the place with my blog but I feel like I’m finally settling into my niche.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Memories Captured – Fountains
Twitter: dontayesottneal
says:
I absolutely loved reading this. I have been debating about this topic with myself for a while. I do blog about my passions but I am still looking for what makes me who I am and unique. Absolutely ove this!
Dontaye recently posted..Me, Myself, and I Linky Party
Twitter: kimparcher
says:
I totally get what you are saying here….and have heard it many times before. While I agree that you need to find a niche in order to stand out in the crowd of over 4 million mom bloggers (Yikes!!), there are so many, many blogs that don’t follow this rule – and they have become very successful!? The Pioneer Woman is one, Scary Mommy is another…but there are countless others as well that don’t follow this rule and have somehow found a way to blog about most everything (and anything) and still made it work. So while I agree that is beneficial, I may not agree that it is absolutely necessary!? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Kim recently posted..Misuse of the Word Like
I currently have a personal blog aka niche-less blog that is doing pretty well (as far as personal blogs go), and have been exploring the idea of starting another one up with a clearly defined niche. This article has a lot of good tips on how to do that. It’s just what I needed.
Angie Hottentots-Laurel recently posted..6 Songs That Will Help Keep You Up All Night
Twitter: disneyinsiders
says:
Great post! I changed niches this year… sold my old blog…. and now I’ve started over. I loved blogging, but wanted to blog about something I love and that is Disney! It was an easy choice for me since we go so much.
Kristi at Disney Insider Tips recently posted..Disney Pin Trading in Downtown Disney
It’s good to also look over the past few months and make sure your on target for your goals within that niche. If things aren’t looking so great, you have to reevaluate what you’re doing and how you’re doing. I can talk the talk but I’m definitely not walking the walk. I need really work on this, so thank you for this post!
Mandi recently posted..Dear Mom {July 2012}
Twitter: motowife
says:
I love taking polls and finding out more about my readers and what they expect and love from me!
Diamonds, Dog Tags & Diapers recently posted..the dreaded phrase that no one wants to hear
Twitter: TheMomCafe.com
says:
What great tips! I need to narrow down my niche and figure out how to focus on who and what I really want to serve and develop. Thanks so much! I can’t wait to read more helpful ideas!!!
Chris Carter recently posted..In The Moment…
Twitter: typicalhousecat
says:
How do you know if your niche is too small to form a readership? If they just don’t show up?
Kristiina recently posted..{DIY} Meet the Hair Chain — A Less Pretentious Head Piece
Twitter: hinessightblog
says:
Great tips. I know my niche, but I”m still working on readers finding my niche. They are out there, but reaching them is a little harder. My passion is with hotel features/travel.
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog recently posted..Juicy Tidbits
Twitter: BeYOUatBeMe
says:
Great tips! Thank you.
I love the suggestions in this post! I have been a mom blogger for about a year and a half and I feel like I’m still trying to create a focused niche. This will help a lot – thanks!
Jamie
Niche Blogging Is Definitely Fun : ) Great Article!! How Long Have You Been Nicheing hahaha
We just started our travel blog and are working at narrowing our niche. Your post was #1 on the google search! Thank you for the helpful tips.
Melanie recently posted..Don’t Ditch Your Day Job (You Can Still Travel the World!)
thanks for your tips very helpful i work on a site called http://www.topkidstoys.com – because i love toys. thats the best advice I would reiterate – you have to blog about your passion, then it doesnt feel like work!