If there’s anything I would have done differently as a blogger still starting out, it would have been to rein in the excitement until I knew what exactly I was doing. From an attempt to join the make-money-online bandwagon to a platform to hone my writing skills, the blog finally became an avenue to market the skills I’ve acquired since I first started blogging in August 2011 and freelancing in March 2012.
And the way things have gone, I’m not discounting the possibility of the blog turning into something entirely different one day. Much has happened, and much is left to be desired. But life, as we know it, is a continuing journey that ends only when we breathe our last.
Oops.
Before we start dwelling on the morbid, let’s quickly change gears and talk about this survey I did. I tapped a handful of my blogger friends and posed (or is it imposed?) this question: In blogging, is it important to have a niche? Why or why not?
Image courtesy of gameanna / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here are the answers I got, for which I am very thankful knowing all the respondents are busy with life and more, in no particular order:
I feel the no-niche niche works or me, but if one is looking to earn money, then, one might think otherwise. But then, big blogs like Huff Post don’t have a niche. I feel a no-niche niche works if you can balance it and if one is food with variety.
A niche is easier but I think that really good writers can write on a wide variety of subjects.
It is critical to have a niche. There are millions and millions of blogs out there. People follow blogs because they consistently provide good information on a narrow topic, in my opinion. People can say they like all kinds of blogs, but I bet the most popular, highest ranking blogs are all in a niche.
- Holly Jahangiri
If you want to make money: It may be tempting to build the next Amazon.com – to be all things to all visitors, to try to sell them whatever it is they may be looking for. But you’re not Amazon or Wal-Mart, and you’ll probably have much better luck focusing on your own areas of interest and expertise, unless you can hire managers for each “department.”
Focus on picking the RIGHT niche for you – just as Darren Rowse, aka Problogger, did – and you’re likely to be much more successful. You can always build on more, later.
Recommended reading: Holly Jahangiri – Mom, Writer and Blogger Extraordinaire: An Interview
See also: Idealist or Pragmatist: Can a Blogger Be Both?
If money is no object, then all that matters is your comfort zone (do you want to be the book, the genre, a specialty book store, or a mega book store, or Amazon.com books?) and your readers’ tolerance for your particular flights of fancy. Consistency may be the key – my readers tolerate a lot of weirdness from me, and never know what to expect next.
But I think of them as FRIENDS, and my favorite part of blogging is the interaction between friends. Friends don’t stick to one subject or another – they digress frequently. That’s the fun of it, sometimes.
On the other hand, if you’re widely known as the author of hard-boiled detective thrillers and always write about them, then suddenly branch off into children’s books or religion-based historical fiction – well, you can probably do that, if you’re as popular as Anne Rice. But you do run the risk of disappointing hard-core fans of mystery and murder.
Yes, it’s important to have a niche, especially if you want to adapt SEO, and earn from your blog. Having a specific niche would increase the probability of your blog being crawled by search engines. You will have to decide on a set of keywords and use them though, so you could attract organic traffic to your blog.
It depends on the purpose. If it’s a personal blog, not having a niche should be okay. But if you intend to monetize the blog, there has to be a niche.
- Anir Curiano
For me, it’s important to have a niche so you know where your posts point to and what your focus is.
A niche is important so that human visitors, as well as search engines, can easily distinguish the primary topic or main purpose of your blog. Moreover, I feel that, as a reader, a niche blog is perceived to have more valuable content.
- Eymard Siojo
Important, but not a must. As they say, you can’t please everybody, hence, your blog talking about a specific niche is the better option. Aside from the blog being easier to distinguish, you, the blogger, develops a particular specialty.
- Metalpig Nad
If you want to earn fast, there has to be a niche. If it’s a personal blog or a blog that focuses on trending topics, create a general site. Better yet, go for a niche blog and a personal blog.
Mixed bag is better, but there should be a limit of about 4 to 6 topics.
Definitely. If I’m interested about nail art, I will look for a nail art blog rather than a nail art, travel, and fashion blog. The more focused a topic, the greater the revenue returns.
- Jason Cruz
Yes. I wouldn’t write about something I know nothing about. Play on strengths rather than spread my knowledge thinly.
- Aaron James Banda
I prefer niche blog. It’s easier to find an audience, easier to promote and easier to monetize. The downside though is it can get difficult to come up with articles on a daily basis, especially if you’re not well-versed on your blog’s topic. Whereas in a non-niche blog, you can write about anything under the sun, so to speak.
- Rianel Phantomhive
Both are great, but a niche blog still is better.
So there, the bloggers have spoken. If you’re new to blogging and still finding your way, it’s best that you know right out of the gate what you intend your blog to be. This way, you won’t have to start and restart until you run out of steam and quit blogging altogether. Quitters don’t win, yes. But those without a driving purpose end up nowhere as well.
Thanks Maricel for including my opinion.
Just want to add, I think niche blogging is like being a music artist. You define your “niche” with the “genre” of music you choose. Let the music of every content you publish resonate to your readers’ hearts, minds and actions. In time, you might be surprised, you have your own fan base, all because you sing (write) in the tune of your “niche”. =)
Jerome Ibuyan recently posted…The Zen of Exquisite Web Design: 10 Japanese Aesthetic Principles
No problem, Jerome. Thank YOU, too!
I like how you likened blogging to music. Very ingenious.
Maricel recently posted…Twitter, a Newbie and the Art of Unfollowing
I love the way you put that, Jerome! I think that’s true. And if you’re really in tune with your own inner rhythms and harmonies, maybe you’ll define your own “niche” or “genre.” Every artist learns by imitation, but great artists make the art their own – they build on what they’ve learned and take it a step further. I think that applies, here, to blogging.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…Looking Forward, Letting Go
Will the music folks come forward please? Joking! You, two, just know your melody, don’t you?
Maricel recently posted…What Exactly Is Content Marketing?
Well, my daughter’s a violinist.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…#28Acts of Kindness
And my daughter is a keyboardist. Well, maybe not a professional. But at 13, she knows her stuff.
Maricel recently posted…How to Spend Less on Gifts This Holiday Season
Maricel,
This article was so easy to read because it was so interesting and the reason for that was the format. I think it is so cool to just scroll down and read what other bloggers think about this particular subject! If someone is writing about food, that’s still a niche. It could be narrower like Filipino food, or Asian Food or Italian food or Healthy food. But even just talking about food or different types of restaurant food is still a niche. Also, if someone is a good writer and has an interesting life, then their life can be the niche they are writing about. Or the niche can be about life from a Mother’s perspective. So in other words, what I am trying to say is that other than a “personal blog” many blogs are actually some kind of niche, it’s just a matter of how narrowly or broadly the niche is define. And in the example of a Mom’s actual real-life stories, that personal blog could be interpreted as some kind of niche as well.
And as some of the other bloggers have said, whether to have a niche or not, or a narrowly defined niche or not will depend on how important it is to the blooger to monetize their site. If you want to make money, the most common and perhaps the most secure route is to have a niche.
My niche just happens to be WordPress Video Tutorials for WordPress bloggers.
Thanks for sharing my opinion in your post. It makes me feel famous!
Take Care,
Jupiter Jim
Jupiter Jim recently posted…No More Mass Shootings on TV for ME
I have always appreciated your opinion, Jim. And yes, you are famous!
Your definition of a niche makes me feel like despite me believing I’ve got a no-niche niche, I’ve still got a niche!
Thanks for sharing your insights, Jim!
Maricel recently posted…Is Christmas Becoming Too Commercialized?
Watch out, Jim – that 15 minutes is fleeting!
I know I feel like I’ve passed mine…
That’s the thing, isn’t it – how broadly or narrowly we define our “niche.” It’s the difference between being “cosmopolitan” vs. “the girl (or guy) next door.” The difference between “mega-super-store” and “mom-and-pop candle store.” It’s really a matter of scale.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…A Fresh, New Look
You’ll get another shot at it soon, Holly, I’m sure.
Maricel recently posted…The Cardboard Box and the Creative You
With you as my agent and PR person, how can I not? LOL
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…The Clean Slate Mentality
Maricel recently posted…Monday Reflections: Are You Planting?
Thanks so much for the mention. I used to be the person who was always worried about not having a niche, but then I realized that what works for me best is what really matters.
Hajra recently posted…Inspiration, Laziness, Secrets
You’re welcome, Hajra. And thank YOU for sharing your opinion, too. Happy holidays!
Maricel recently posted…1 Little Girl + 1 Raffle Ticket = 3 Important Life Lessons
Hajra, what works for you best tends to work best for your readers.
Unless you’re going to write about your field, I read your blog to see what you are thinking – as opposed to what 50 billion other bloggers are thinking. I don’t much care what the topic du jour is, I read because it’s you.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…The Clean Slate Mentality
“What works for you best tends to work best for your readers.” Yes, I found that to be true, too.
Maricel recently posted…What Exactly Is Content Marketing?
Wow.. I learned something again. And the best part was that this question – to niche or not to niche – has been lingering in my mind for the longest time in my life (actually for about 5 minutes :), after I started reading this article), and now I know the answer.
‘It’s ‘balance’… and seeing what works well… and writing about things that will make you excited waking up in the morning (or in the evening, if you work night shift
) .’
Maybe our passion will become our niche.
I’m glad I found this blog… and this article.
Thanks for sharing Maricel.
Ron R. Lacson recently posted…The Best Gift… from a Caterpillar
I’m glad you learned something from the article, Ron. That’s always the best encouragement for us, bloggers, eh? Readers taking away something.
Regarding our passion becoming our niche, it would also be great if our niche becomes our passion. Don’t you think so?
Thanks for dropping by today, Ron.
Maricel recently posted…Monday Reflections: Are You Planting?
Hi Cel, I agree with you 100%. It will be amazing when our niche becomes our passion as well. I like your style. /Ron/
http://www.facebook.com/JourneyToLiberty
Ron R. Lacson recently posted…The Best Gift… from a Caterpillar
I would like to think that should be the better scenario. Thanks, Ron, for your insights.
Maricel recently posted…How to Spend Less on Gifts This Holiday Season
Hi Cel..Happy New Year to you.
May our new year (2013) be filled with our niches and passions. :).
/Ron/
Ron R. Lacson recently posted…The Best Gift… from a Caterpillar
Happy New Year to you, too, Ron!
Maricel recently posted…Twitter, a Newbie and the Art of Unfollowing
LOL – I read this quickly and my first thought was, “‘And the best part was that this question – to niche or not to niche – has been lingering in my mind for the longest time in my life’ – what the heck? Is that a spammer?” Niiiice.
Sometimes those are the best posts – you know, the ones you hadn’t been thinking about all your life. The ones that make you go, “Huh – never thought about that,” and then they become something like a cat toy for your mind for the next five minutes. Or hour. Or day.
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…The Clean Slate Mentality
hahaha.. Holly, thanks for your comment. I would have thought the same.
I also just read your article ‘The Clean Slate Mentality’ , and posted a comment there.
It’s quite interesting to note that a clean slate mentality is not always ‘that clean.’
Happy New Year.
/Ron/
Ron R. Lacson recently posted…The Best Gift… from a Caterpillar
So you thought of him as a spammer at first, too?
Maricel recently posted…Despite the Loss, Manny Still Rules!
I did. I think that’s one of the “signs of the spammer” – weird hyperbole. Thinking about whatever the subject of your post was – from cradle to grave. Gushing praise over your teaching them something that’s been burning holes in their minds forEVAH. But then I got to the (for about 5 minutes) and started laughing. Figured that was proof enough he was a sentient being! (God, it takes so little to convince me, some days… ::smiles at Ron:: …not that you haven’t provided more data points. Just sayin’.)
Holly Jahangiri recently posted…Thoughts on Technology, Community, Censorship, and Friends
Hahaha, Holly.
Well, yes, spammers are getting really creative these days, and I don’t blame people for being wary.
Maricel recently posted…How to Spend Less on Gifts This Holiday Season
A very informative survey Cel! Though I’d started my blog as a personal blog (and as a newbie blogger), now it slowly turn into a make money online niche — but a little bit broader…
ariston make money online recently posted…How the Internet and Niche Marketing Mix?
Hi, Ariston, thanks for visiting. Yes, it would seem like most bloggers start with personal blogs and then narrow things down into a niche. I’m glad you’re doing great with all your blogs.
Maricel recently posted…1 Little Girl + 1 Raffle Ticket = 3 Important Life Lessons
Thanks for featuring my comment. I’m happy to share any information based on my experience.
If it’s a personal blog, then it would be best not to have a niche. I started with one personal blog, and then I eventually created various blogs in different niches, such as children, working abroad, creative blog, etc.
Happy New year.
Jena Isle recently posted…Bryant Tadeo on American Idol Top 40, Another Talented Fil-Am Contestant to Follow Footsteps of Jessica Sanchez?
No problem, Jena. And thanks for sharing your thoughts, too.
I’ve been to some of your blogs, and I’d say you’re doing a great job at each. I’ve been to the Kalinga blog and your news blog. I still would have to explore the others though.
Happy New Year to you and your family, too.
Maricel recently posted…Where Will You Be on December 21, 2012?
i think it depends on the writer’s writing style, and if the writer is entertaining, no matter what they subject is about, whether one topic or a variety of topics. niche is good because your blog is targeted to certain group of people who enjoy what you are writing about, and you end up creating a fan club of “like” people. no niche can be good, as well, and you are alluring all kinds of people to your blog because they are interesting in your material. so, you might also create more traffic and more money with no niche, as well. so, i think, it really depends on the particular individual writer.
Hmmm, now that made me pause. But yes, I would have to agree with you, too, Fifi Leigh. Just that sometimes, being the best blogger for everyone, like if you have no niche, might actually be a tough one to pull.
Maricel recently posted…Where Will You Be on December 21, 2012?
Niches tend to be over saturated these days. Creating new categories or introducing a new approach to presenting a new category will be key to success in heavily populated niches. Happy new year!
Really nice take, Dion. Thanks for coming by, and happy new year to you, too!
Maricel recently posted…Is Christmas Becoming Too Commercialized?
Based on my experience, I started having a trend blog which I convert into a personal blog. I categorize it as a “no niche blog” but as time goes by i discovered that there are some topics which are alike. That’s the time I noticed that I have already a “niche”, so I decided to buy a new domain for it. For me it does not matter if you have a niche or not, because eventually you’ll find your interest, it’s a struggle actually in my part when I was just starting.
Semidoppel recently posted…Why One Should Have a New Year’s Resolution?
Semidoppel, thanks for visiting and commenting! That sure means a lot.
I especially like your opinion on the subject – niche or no niche doesn’t matter as long as you find what interests you. Happy new year!
Maricel recently posted…What Exactly Is Content Marketing?