Reasons Why You Should Be A Niche Blogger
Is niche blogging for you? Narrow your focus to help become an industry expert and better target your audience.
Photo by Mikayla Mallek on unplash.com
What kind of a blogger are you? That’s not a trick question—it’s one you need to ask yourself as a blogger. The industry you specialize in may be expansive… so how are you going to stand out? You need to find your blogging niche in order to establish yourself as an expert.
But before the explosion, there are a few productivity tips we use to keep our blog and life on track. You don’t need to do them all—try on one or two for size and see if they work for you. If you’re feeling more productive, then try a couple more out until you feel like you’ve got this productivity thing on schedule:
Step back and recharge
Yep, we’re all guilty of putting this one on the backburner. You need some “me” time to get in touch with what’s really important to you. This could mean meditating or daydreaming for 10 minutes. Relax and get in touch with the creative side of your brain. Let some cool and interesting visions pop into your head and inspire you to bigger and better things.
Take on a task you’re dreading
Procrastination can be your worst enemy. But remember: the sooner you deal with it, the sooner it’s off your plate and you’re not worrying about it anymore. You can even tackle it in increments each day. Set a timer for 15 minutes and work on it. If you let it just mull in your brain, it’ll suck up your energy and creativity.
Take a walk
Take your dog, kids or just put on your walking shoes and go around the block. Sometimes you need to get away from your computer to get a fresh perspective, give you a boost of energy and get that heart pumping.
Listen to music
By listening to music, you’re engaging a different part of your brain while you’re working. Studies show that music can help you craft new ideas and improve your mood. Don’t go with anything too hard or sad—classical, easy listening and jazz are safe music bets.
Clean up your desk
Contrary to popular belief, clutter is not the sign of a creative mind. In reality, it clutters your energy and your focus, on top of your workspace. Spend about 15 minutes at the beginning of the week to declutter and straighten things out. It may take a few days to get it all sorted out at first, but if you do it on a regular basis, you’ll have an easier time keeping a handle on the mess.
Social media check-out
There are times when you should be logged in to your social media accounts, like when you’re posting an update or responding to a customer. But you shouldn’t have these tabs open all the time. The alerts and the pull to keep checking up on your friends will be too hard, and your work will suffer for it. Set a time for it during the day and only check-in during those scheduled breaks.
Read a good book
And we’re not talking about a business book either. Pick up a mystery or your favourite non-fiction novel. It’s a wonderful escape for your brain when you can transport yourself into a fictional world. Besides, aren’t you always saying you never make the time to read a good book?
What do you do when you need a productivity boost? Leave your tips with us on Twitter or Instagram. You may have said to yourself: “GAH! There are so many bloggers already writing about (Insert specialty here). How am I going to compete?” That’s where the niche blogging market comes in. Sure, you may have covered a broad range of subjects in the past, but by becoming a niche blogger, you’re ensuring that the right people are seeing and paying attention to your posts.
Being a niche blogger doesn’t mean you can’t be personal. All it really means is that you’ve got laser-sharp focus. You’re targeting a specific audience that is more likely to follow, respect and buy from you because you’re talking about a certain topic they are interested in. It means you can focus on what is really important to you instead of writing about what everyone else is writing about. You can take the time to go really in-depth about a topic you’re passionate about and offer a deeper connection to your audience. And all of those things are really awesome!
Here’s what you can do to establish yourself in your niche:
Take a look back at the content you’ve already produced. What do you write about most? You’ll find a pattern – now all you need to do is hone that niche.
What topics are garnering the most interest? Track the posts that have the most shares and comments. If these posts interest you as well, you’re on your way to finding your niche.
Ask your readers what they’d like to see more of on your blog. Maybe they want you to focus on a certain area of your industry. You can ask readers by writing blog posts and on your social media networks.
What do you want to be known for? It’s easier to write about what you love, so focus on that passion as your niche.
Once you decide on a niche, be sure to set up topics in your editorial calendar. Brainstorming topics in your niche will give you that boost of confidence and energy you need to focus on what you really want to write about.
What personal stories that relate to your niche do you have to share on your blog? By adding a personal touch to your blog occasionally, they’ll be better able to relate to you and the topic at hand. And by sharing personal antidotes, you’re helping set yourself up as an expert in that niche.
Even though your niche should be focused, it shouldn’t be too narrow. You want to have a steady stream of topics to write about. It should not only be of interest to you but also searchable on Google. If you get too narrow, you’re in danger of ensuring that no one finds your blog.
What kind of niche blogger are you? If you’ve made the switch to niche blogging, how do you find it differs from all-encompassing general-type subjects? Please leave your comments on Twitter or Instagram.