A niche blog is a blog that’s focused on a specific subject. It’s a great starting tool for those who wish to make money online in a field that’s saturated with popular and professional blogs.
Practically every blog I’ve owned is a melange of random topics that I enjoy, and while that’s great for personal blogs, it can get a little tricky for a blog with a targeted audience. So while I’m learning how to redirect my pursuits into a niche blog, I’d like to share some tips that you may also find useful.
- Find your passion.
If you’ve got plenty of interests like I do, it helps if you narrow them down to your top 3 topics, then to your top 1. (I’m still working on this). It should be something you’ll never be tired of researching and talking about, because when — not if — you run out of drive, you’ll need something to keep you motivated.
Although earning revenue and other perks from your blog is a great end goal, it should never be your primary focus for keeping a blog. Without a beloved topic to keep you going, you’ll run out of things to say and your faltering passion will show.
2. Narrow down your topic.
Some topics have several subcategories. For example, jewelry. What designs, materials, markets, and types of jewelry do you want to cover? You can trim your options down to handmade metal jewelry or Italian glass bracelets.
Starting off with a broad subject which would be hard to discuss with your readers if you aren’t well-versed in all of them. Stick to what you know first; you can always branch out later as you go along.
3. Avoid trends.
Don’t base your blog on a topic that you like just because it’s the hottest story right now. Steer clear of topics with expiration dates such as a particular movie or TV series. Even if you’re well-versed in the nitty-gritty of these topics, after a while your readers will move on to the next trend and you’ll be forgotten.
4. Learn the basics.
If you’re a first-time blogger, you need to learn how to find and use a blog hosting site, design and manage your blog, write effective headlines and blog posts, promote your posts, and interact with your audience. If you’re an experienced blogger, learn as much as you can about your chosen topic and your target audience.
5. Get resources.
Don’t be afraid to approach the pros. There are several online blogging guides that can help you out with your needs, and many of these offer their advice for free. If you can, observe other blogs with the same niche as yours so you can figure out what approaches may work well for you.
6. Research your keywords.
Once you’ve determined your niche, you need to find keywords that are specific to your topic. Try to avoid broad keywords such as ‘education’ if your topic is special education teachers. Using specific keywords helps you zero in on your target audience, with less competition.
7. Network actively.
You’ll need to promote your blog in your social networks, both online and offline. When your readers leave comments in your blog or in your social media sites, listen to their feedback and respond as graciously and professionally as possible. Encourage your followers to stay tuned to your blog, and keep them posted for any updates.
8. Experiment.
If your blog doesn’t seem to run the way you want it to, don’t be afraid to make changes to it. This applies to your website design, post content, research material, promotional strategy, expanding your reader base, and even the schedule and frequency at which you post. Your audience is dynamic, so you’ll have to keep up with it.
Do you run your own niche blog? Drop us a line below and share what you’ve learned from your experiences!