What is a niche and how do I find one?

Search "make money online" or "make money quickly" and you will find many blog posts suggesting blogging as a way to make money quickly and efficiently. These posts usually mention the platform that the blogger uses. They may even have information on analytics available for readers to review to prove credibility. One thing these posts usually have in common is the word: niche.

I do not make money blogging. I do make money as a ghost writer and a virtual assistant occasionally. My main job, after being a mother of course, is to be a professional tutor and course instructor. I have read plenty of "how to" guides on the internet on how to make money in a virtual world. The first piece of advice you will find online about making a living from blogging, vlogging, affiliate marketing, direct selling, etc to infinity is "Find Your Niche."

If you were anything like me, you thought, "I don't have a niche! I am a person. I have so many interests. How could I ever possibility narrow it down."

Good news is: Once you find your particular style and brand, you don't have to "limit yourself". If an established marketing blogger wants to share a recipe, then a recipe will be shared.  Just with the flare or twist expected by readers.

Bad news is: you have to find your particular style and brand, aka "niche".

So, what is a niche?

A niche is your "thing"...your passion...your interest...as delivered in the persona that you develop toward the targeted audience you want to reach.  So, for example, if you are a spunky soccer mom who wants to share life hacks, you need to decide the target audience for your life hacks:

• Other moms?

• Single parents?

• Sports fanatics?

• Kids and college students?

• Grandparents, parents?

  
  

Make sure that you keep your target audience broad enough to get you viewers and readers, but narrow enough that you get subscribers.  Easy, right? 

Step one: Decide Your Passion

If you want to run a successful blog/vlog/facebook/pinterest/etc, you need to be passionate about the topic.  You need to decide what topic you could easily talk about all day every day and still have more to say.  You need to be interested and excited about the topic!

I suggest writing down your major hobbies, interests, and expertise.  Then, decide if you are able or willing to write hundreds of words on the topics.  This may limit what you are willing to blog about.  I love gardening, but I am nowhere near an expert.  I also enjoy playing the violin, but that's strictly for my enjoyment.  I am passionate about learning, however, so I share what I learn.  Hence this blog and my other endeavors to come. 

Step two: Determine Your Audience

Although anyone can access your blog, it is important to target your intended audience.  Who do you want reading your blog? Who do you want to connect with? What is your overall goal? Decide which demographics you want to reach and then determine if your topic will interest them.  If you are a horror video gamer, you won't want to target elderly women who spend their time knitting as an audience. Be honest about who you want to reach. 

Step three: Develop a Persona

Online, you can literally be anyone you want.  Your friends and family may know better, but the hundreds of other hits you get on your blog will not have a clue that you aren't really an extravert who loves rock climbing.  Decide on the persona you want - are you an expert or an enthusiast? Are you a philosopher or a advertiser? Will you be in-depth or concise? Decide who you want to be - develop your online presence. 

Step four: Do Your Homework

Once you have determined your persona and your audience, you can start your blog.  It is recommended that you determine a posting schedule (*cough* something I clearly did not do *cough*) and create 3-5 blog posts to get started with before you even create your blog.  This will ensure that you hit the ground running.  You will get more subscribers and readers if you have regularly posted content.

Step five: Review Your Goals, Content, Persona, and Audience

Before launching your blog or endeavor, take a step back and make sure your message and audience is targeted to reflect your persona.  Make adjustments as necessary.

That's it.  You have found your niche AND you have started your journey on the road to a successful internet venture.