How do you find the ideal blog niche? And how do you find the ideal blog niche for YOU!
There is so much information available on the internet. I feel like I can learn about, literally, anything just by searching. But maybe that’s the reason you can’t decide on a topic for your blog.
I’m going to walk you through some ways to help you find a niche that works for you.
Different Approaches
The two most popular approaches to figuring out your ideal blog topic are:
- Structured approach
- Creative approach
1. Structured Approach
The structured approach involves some reflection and self-examination followed up with research. This path has you focus on your personal strengths and interests to determine your ideal blog topic. The most logical conclusion based on your personal input.
2. Creative Approach
The creative approach revolves more around trial and error. Your reflection and input is still extremely important. But you begin writing for your blog before you’ve actually chosen your specific niche.
My Approach
For the most part, I recommend a structured approach. Because, well, I’m a wee bit retentive ?.
But there is a point at which you do need to start writing – even if you haven’t completely committed to a topic. But more on that later.
Drill-Down Techniques
Before we jump into the actual process, there are a few ways you can proceed. The way you choose to complete the process is completely up to you.
You’re going to be documenting your interests and skills.
Pen and Paper
If you prefer the tactile feeling of pen and paper then please choose that. Maybe you find that by writing things down you remember them better. Or you just like to have a list structure.
Post-it Notes
Maybe you like to write things down but you’re not a fan of lists. You might find it easier to sort and adjust your items if you use post-it notes.
You could organize the post-its on a whiteboard or a wall or the back of a door. Or you might try a mirror or a window. Anywhere that gives you the visual feedback.
Online Software
If you’re not a big paper person, then you might do this online. You could keep everything in a Word document, use your own favourite TODO software, or even try mind mapping.
Coggle (https://coggle.it/) is a free mind-mapping tool you might want to try for this purpose.
Blog Niche Around Your Activities
Now that you’ve chosen your drill-down technique (paper, post-its, mind map, etc.), let’s begin your reflection.
I suggest you use a timer at the beginning of this activity. Set the timer for 30 minutes and write down EVERY activity you’ve tried as an adult.
Activities could be sports, hobbies, crafts, any classes you’ve taken, any clubs you’ve joined, anything where you’ve learned a new skill, etc.
When the timer goes off, check your progress. If you still have a number of items to add then reset the timer for another 30 minutes.
At the end (60 minutes maximum), you’ll switch to another task. But, at any point, if you remember another activity then add it to the list as well.
Blog Niche Around Your Expertise
Now you’ll repeat the process but this time you’re focusing on your skillset. Consider what you’ve studied (high school, university, etc.) along with any other skills you’ve developed.
These could be tangible skills like a Microsoft certification in a particular application, for example. But don’t forget the “soft” skills like communication, conflict management, managing people, etc.
You should still use a timer and limit your session to 60 minutes.
Take a Break
I know you really want to choose your niche so you can get on with creating your website. But this is an important first step and needs your attention. So this break might be the hardest part for you.
It’s extremely unlikely you’ve captured everything in just one sitting. You need to step away for a day before you review your lists again.
After 24 hours have passed, then repeat the process. But, this time, without the timers.
Start with your activities and review what you’ve written. Add anything else you can think of to the list. And don’t be selective at this point. Add everything!
When you can’t think of anything else, then switch to your expertise list and repeat.
Intersection of Activities and Skillset
Before you start this step, I want you to, again, wait for another 24 hours. You’ll probably think of a few more items to add to your list in that timeframe.
After the 24 hours, you’ll now look for the similarities in the two lists.
If you used pen and paper then grab a pen in a different colour. If you used post-it notes then maybe you grab a highlighter with a different colour than the notes themselves.
Maybe you chose an online method in which case you can simply copy or move items to a different area of the screen for this step.
Regardless, the important point here is to have an easily visible way to distinguish items on your lists.
Crossover Items
First, you need to identify anything that appears on both lists – both activities and skillset.
If you’re using pen and paper, then take a red pen (or some other clearly different colour pen or even a highlighter) and draw a square around anything that appears on both lists. If you’re using post-it notes then a highlighter makes more sense. But choose a different colour than the background of the post-it notes.
If you’re using software online then first make a copy of what you created. Then, on the copy, you can move items to a different area to distinguish the matches. You don’t want to lose track of which list they were on originally.
Talk Forever Items
Now, you review both lists with a different perspective. You want to identify any area or topic on which you could talk forever. Really, FOREVER!
If you’re using pen and paper, then you could get a different colour pen or different colour highlighter. But draw a square around or highlight anything you could talk about forever. You might just really enjoy the topic or you might consider yourself an expert on that topic.
If you’re using post-it notes then choose a different colour highlighter. If you’re using software online then, on the copy you already created, move those items to a different section.
Feedback From Those You Trust
Another interesting option is to collect feedback from others. This might be a bit awkward if you’re not comfortable sharing your blogging idea yet. But it can be a great way to figure out your ideal blog niche.
Your friends and family, even your co-workers, might have different insights into what they consider your strengths. And often, your strengths can be great blog topics!
Ideal Blog Niche With Your Personal Preferences
As you’re sifting through all your activities and your expertise, and maybe even some feedback from others, don’t forget to consider what YOU like.
Just because you can talk about a topic forever, doesn’t mean you would enjoy doing that ?. Consider all the factors before you choose one.
Blog Niche for Monetization
Earning money from your blog is another factor not to be ignored. Now, maybe you just want a hobby to share your ideas and that’s great. But, monetization might be a factor down the road.
When you’ve narrowed down your topics you also want to think about the income potential. Things to consider:
- Are there logical advertising opportunities for this topic?
- Are there consulting opportunities where others might pay for your advice and expertise?
- Are there courses or tutorials you could package and sell for this topic?
- Is there potential for podcasts or videos as well?
Ideal Blog Niche Selection
And now you need to make a decision. Try the logical approach first: look at all the options, identify the crossover points, and make the best choice among the top three. But then ignore all of that and look at the top three that would be the most fun for you.
Hopefully, there is some harmony among the choices.
Now, You’re a Blogger
Are you already writing blog posts now?
You’ve assessed a lot of information here. You’ve followed a structured approach working through both your activities and your skillset. Regardless of your documentation method, you drilled down into the details of those lists to find the commonalities. Maybe you even received some feedback as well.
Before you made your final decision you also considered the potential for income, for monetization. And, of course, you considered your own personal preferences.
What if you’re still not sure? Then, just do it! Don’t over-think the topic, just start writing some blog posts. As you develop your writing style, you’ll become more comfortable with your subject matter. And you’ll learn which particular areas you enjoy writing about more.
You CAN change your blog focus. In fact, many people have changed many times. That’s okay. Just keep that in mind when you choose your domain name – the name of your website. You want it to be specific enough for your purposes, but yet still function for you if you change your focus.
You’re ready. Really, you are! Just choose something and start writing ?.
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