Finding Your Blogging Niche…

By Not Finding Your Blogging Niche

Most experts agree that finding your blogging niche is the starting point of a successful blog. Find something you’re good at or know a lot about, they say, and simply write.

I didn’t find my blogging niche!

A few years ago I blundered into my blog-world the same way I blunder through life. I didn’t read the instructions first – I just did it.

Everything starts with an idea – sometimes not even a substantial one – more like a whim. And then before I know it, I’m up to my neck in it, for better or for worse. Yep, relationships were no exception.

It’s only when I failed that I took the time to find and read the instructions.

Who are you writing for?

Find a niche, they said, and write.

I tried.

I signed up for a couple of Ultimate Blog Challenges (UBC). The challenge is to write a blog a day, for the entire month. You can either free-write or follow the prompts that Paul sends out.

Sometimes the prompts are life-savers, especially when you can’t think of anything to write about. At other times they are like being on the ocean in a boat with a hole in it. No matter how much water you bale out, you’re still sinking.

Some blog posts were easy to write.

Others not only sank, but almost swallowed me up as well. Especially a recent blog that is still sitting in my Draft Folder. The only reason it didn’t suffer the ‘delete’ function is because I’d put so much work into it.

Is it just about your blogging niche?

According to the experts, finding your blogging niche forms the basis of a successful blog.

I’d like to take that a step further.

You have to honour your writing style. No matter how good your niche is, if you don’t apply your unique writing style, it probably won’t work.

My writing style is me. It’s what carries my passion to the screen or page.

I’ve clocked up a few miles around this planet in my lifetime and I was convinced my blogging niche was in the travel field. I love writing about where I’ve been and the adventures I’ve had.

But recently I tried a serious approach to a prompt on the UBC. It sank faster than a lead balloon. I mean, it was rotten to the core. It’s the one I mentioned earlier – the one sitting in my Drafts Folder. I will resurrect it one day. And I’ll rewrite it in my writing style.

I found my niche!

My writing style – the one I’m most comfortable with – is conversational. It’s pretty much the way I’d say it if I was having a conversation with you. Kind of casual. And probably way too wordy…. But I’m working on that – trust me!

When that great (potential) work of art flopped, I figured it out. I can write about something I’m passionate about, but if I try coming at it from a formal perspective, it ain’t gonna work. And that pièce de résistance will be stuck there in draft format until I rewrite it in my style.

Once I figured out my style, and how important it is, I figured out my blogging niche.

For me, it isn’t about finding a single topic or theme, it’s about writing about anything. As long as I use my writing style! It’s kind of like my niche style, I guess.

It works when I use my writing style to write about anything

By not finding my blogging niche – I found my blogging niche!

Yep – I think that’s going to take another blog to explain – another day….

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8 responses to “Finding Your Blogging Niche…”

  1. Nancy Smith Avatar
    Nancy Smith

    Enjoyed the post today. I must admit, I did chuckle a few times…being new to the blogging world myself and trying to navigate all of the ins and outs of it, this definitely put a few things into perspective for me. What’s my audience, what’s my niche, what’s my writing style, so forth and so on. Thank you for gracefully pulling it altogether in a post! 🙂 I am very passionate about the things I have blogged about since starting and somehow – I intend to pull them all together where it will be cohesive and not look like a scrambled egg mess!

    Have a great day Maureen!! I look forward to reading more of your posts.

    1. Maureen Avatar

      Thank you for your kind thoughts, Nancy. There is so much to learn when you first start your blog, but trust me, it all just falls into place.
      Like athletes training for the Olympics – we just need to get out on the track and run. The more we do it, the easier it becomes.
      Finding that style that is unique to you will really help. But remember, none of us are experts and we never should be experts. No matter how much our writing/blogging improves, there’s still always room for more improvement.
      I look forward to reading more of your blogs. 🙂

  2. Chef William Avatar

    I really did enjoy this article because I am still working on developing a long term writing style with a little more humor while still offering good articles to my readers about aging, retirement and life in Mexico. It is coming together but a little slower than I would like. I will use your advice and put a little more “me” into the articles

    1. Maureen Avatar

      Thanks William. I find when I’m trying to be too serious about a topic, my writing seems awkward and the post is a lot harder to write. I have to admit, when I read it back to myself, it doesn’t even sound right. It just isn’t me. Since retiring and leaving report writing to someone else, I find it hard to be serious about anything. Life has never been better and I am having too much fun to be serious. I’m also trying to instil that idea into some of my older neighbours. We’ve got limited time left on the planet – so why not make the most of it and enjoy it!
      I can’t wait to read more of your articles!

  3. Elisa Avatar

    I love this! Yes to never giving up your writing style to fit a target market. You and I are similar. Everyone is our target audience. We have made our own niche! Thanks for validating my niche with this one post.

    Also – don’t you dare delete that post. It will work itself out. Trust the process.

    1. Maureen Avatar

      Elisa, we are definitely alike! Even if I had a product to sell, or relied on my blog for income, writing with my own style would still work (I think).
      I can think of sites that sell products using a similar approach, and they certainly get my attention.
      Now I can enjoy writing every time, regardless of the topic.
      And yes, I will definitely rework the draft post! 🙂

  4. Meg Jerrard Avatar
    Meg Jerrard

    Great post Maureen – I totally agree with you that you have to stay true to your writing style, ultimately, blogging is supposed to be about passion, and if that means you keep a broad niche, go for it! I’ve always believed that yes, if you can narrow down a niche, that’s a great way to approach a blog, but ultimately, I don’t believe in forcing a niche. I think the most compelling writing is because the author is so passionate about it, and having broad niche based on conversations about life from your perspective, that’s awesome! More power to you!! Thanks for the inspirational post 🙂

    1. Maureen Avatar

      Thank you, Megan. My blog is just a fun thing to do to keep me active in retirement. But I’ve learned so much on my journey, and can see how my writing has improved over time. As long as I keep learning, I’ll be doing well. One day, I’ll write a book – but for now – I’ll keep blogging.
      I love the UBC for introducing me to so many great writers, like yourself. 🙂