Comments on: What Bloggers Can Learn From … Focused Blogs

By: apple

apple — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:41:12 +0000

I am trying to develop a niche in my Apple iBlog writing about Apple and its products (more in a general way). I have the same blog in Russian and it seems to be more attractive, since Apple's products are somewhat new in this part of the world. I would really appreciate someones help with my English version. BTW, in russian iBlog I got some very good clicks on AdSense... to bad there are not that many ads there in russian...

By: Clarissa

Clarissa — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:39:05 +0000

(Just thought I should add that, obviously, I’ll be looking for suggestions in all the other posts here on problogger, too!)

By: Clarissa

Clarissa — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:13:48 +0000

I’ve just caught on to problogger recently, thanks to … I think it was GetRichSlowly.

My problem is that there are already a lot of blogs and websites in my niche (resources for EFL and ESL students). Most of them aren’t very good, have been abandoned, or are completely over-commercialized. But there are a lot of them, and I have no idea how I can swim my way up from the depths of Google to where I actually show up on searches! I’m doing the regular SEO things, but the tide is against me.

If anyone has suggestions, let me know!

– Clarissa
http://www.readableblog.com

By: Yeast Infection Cure

Yeast Infection Cure — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 05:37:51 +0000

Great post.

Keeping some blogs tight and focused can be difficult sometimes especially if it’s a niche that doesn’t have a lot of content, and doesn’t produce much new content. So sometimes you do have to go off and touch on other very closely related topics.

This blog for example is focused but will have new content every day for years to come. It’s a topic that is forever changing with new ideas.

I guess that’s why it’s so popular.

By: terra

terra — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:11:21 +0000

This was a very relevant post. I never read lifehacker before, but it is also a great blog! Great post! -

-terra

http://www.betterforbusiness.com

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 03:21:08 +0000

I think most visitors to my blog can easily tell what my blog is about. Mine is health & wellness with a focus on making healthy choices in an effort to prevent illnesses rather than treating them. I don’t feel I have really found a niche, but the topic is something I am passionate about. I will occasionally lose focus somewhat, but I quickly get back on track. I have recently been receiving email from doctors commending me on my site which really lifts my spirits and helps keep me focused.

By: JennDZ

JennDZ — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 02:54:46 +0000

I think what happens to a lot of people is they start with one topic, but then they see how it relates to so many other topics and then keep going farther and farther away. I know when I started my blog, I thought it was going to be one thing, however it has become something else. I think soon I need to branch off into a few other blogs, so I can keep them all focused. However, I get lots of good feedback, so i am not sure if that is the way to go or what….

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:35:57 +0000

I’ve found a lot of great blogs through your comments. I have to agree with Matt Wardman’s comment, “choose a niche you know and know you like.” To blog about the same topic everyday is difficult if you start to find that topic confining. A lot of times I’d love to branch out, but my blog’s about weight loss, so that’s where I stay. Some people have advised me to start a personal blog, but I don’t see how anyone can divide their time that way and do a good job unless their blogs are their job.

By: Andrea >> Become a Consultant

Andrea >> Become a Consultant — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:17:47 +0000

K, I am going to follow up with you via email. My only reference to copyrights (as far as I know) is at the very bottom of the page (Copyright 2006…). And copyright law in Canada, US and UK (and perhaps elsewhere) would not prevent quoting my website under fair usage provisions….?

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:01:09 +0000

I know myself I have to focus in more on what my blog is about to attract more. Lately it seems I’m just doing reviews of sites.

By: Seo Practices for Beginners

Seo Practices for Beginners — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 19:06:18 +0000

I started a blog on WordPress recently, I’m in the process of moving it to my own host, I have been trying to focus in the subject of my interest. Great article thanks

By: P. G.

P. G. — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:05:07 +0000

I totally agree with ew01. I believe the biggest problem the blogosphere is facing now is dilution. In other words, people are getting the notion that blogging gets you easy money. Everyone from a freshman in a college dorm to a corporate veteran is jumping to the bloggin-wagon only to realize that they are quickly running out of content, things to talk about or interesting stuff to keep readers engaged. Those who have prospered bloggin know it very well that blogging does require dedication, research, hard work and most important of all – commitment.

By: Daniel Flueck

Daniel Flueck — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:36:28 +0000

When I read about the “Focused Niche Blog” I definitely don’t think about Copyblogger or Lifehacker. Why don’t you support your good message with some great examples about real niches?

I think there are a lot of great blogs out there talking about little niches. But always only the big ones are talked about. Maybe this is because it would be to much work to find the great pearls to support such a message? Is it just talking…

By: Birdie Jaworski

Birdie Jaworski — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:18:28 +0000

Hi! I’m an Avon Lady, and I have the best-known Avon Lady blog on the planet! :) I write real-life Avon Lady adventures for other Avon Ladies (and Men!) who want to know they aren’t alone when they travel door-to-door. I also write for the everyday Avon customer, and post funny honest reviews.

My blog is called Beauty Dish. Through it, I have been able to build a mailing list of over 5000 names.

By: David

David — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:59:13 +0000

Nice post! :)

I write a number of blogs, I rarely post on half of them as I stretched myself too thin e.g.

HowNifty.com
GuinchoGuy.com
HypeHole.com
UnpluggedMarketing.com

etc

But when it came to getting the missus into blogging I knew I had to help her figure what she is passionate about, and carve a niche in that area.

She loves writing, which is a plus. She suffers from IBS (an eating disorder) and loves her foods (She is portuguese) and lives in Britain. So, putting those things together gave us EatingBritain.com. Catchy name, nice look, funky logo, personal writing style, all about food, mainly standard british, community driven with decent advice and recipies and a focus on gluten, eating issues, allergies etc.

Has worked very well so far. She was ill lately so there is a gap in Feb of no posts, but a new one went up there last night. I know I may be biased, but it would be well worth a read of anyone here :)

David
http://www.MobileMarketingWatch.com

By: ew01

ew01 — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:34:07 +0000

One of the biggest problems is that people decide to “be a blogger” before they figure out what they are passionate about. I have a sarcastic blog about Venezuela and the U.S. media coverage of Hugo Chavez, because I’m a sarcastic person and I love Venezuela. For me, I never considered becoming a blogger until I saw an information void. I was frustrated reading everyone else’s blog and realizing they were less knowlegable on the topic than I was. I was sort of reluctant to delve in, but it’s become an obsession now.

Its less about racking your brain to find an unexplored topic, and more about figuring out what you’d like to see in the blogosphere that’s not there yet.

By: Matt Wardman

Matt Wardman — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:07:54 +0000

I’d add one further note to your “choose a niche list”.

Choose a “niche you know and know you like”.

I could blog about the study of evolution by breeding fruit flies, but I would ne boring (because I find fruit flies boring. It could be a good subject if written by an enthusiastic PHD student.

One of my foci for mattwardman.com is to help UK Political Bloggers “blog better”. I’m also including a couple of other areas – one being to express my own political views, but the focus on better blogging should bring in a wider range of views to debate with, and so fits my mission.

Matt

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 23:50:12 +0000

Great post, and quite comforting to me. Covering what to wear from the perspective looking great while spending almost no money, I am constantly tempted to dilute and just begin to feature pretty pictures of clothes to buy.

I suggest http://frugalupstate.blogspot.com/ does a good job staying focused. Featuring her menu daily in the sidebar is a fun feature too.

By: Randa Clay

Randa Clay — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:28:51 +0000

One good way to identify a small under-served niche is to use WordTracker – they have a free trial. Worked great for me. I think you need to be wary of choosing too small a niche though. You have to have stuff to write about!

By: K

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:05:33 +0000

Andrea,
I scooted over to your blog, quite enjoyed it, but I doubt I’ll ever link to you (or visit again). Why? Because you talk about copyrights more than once and frankly, I’m afraid that if I quote your blog (even with the link), you’ll sue the crap out of me.
Giving you some honest feedback.