HOW TO PICK A BLOG NICHE
A lot of people get caught up in the battle of “which niche should I choose.” I’m here to tell you, it’s not as important as you may think it is. I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty important. You don’t want to get stuck with something you absolutely hate writing about and talking about.
What I mean by, It’s not as important as you may think it is, is that any niche will work. Did you hear that? Absolutely any niche will work, when you’re trying to decide how to pick a blog niche. If you have an interest in something, I can just about guarantee, a few hundred thousand or million more people have the same interest. No matter how odd or off the wall you may think it is, there are people who will be looking for information on just that subject! How to pick a blog or website niche shouldn’t be that difficult.
Example A:
Every 4th of July, hundreds of thousands of people show up to watch the Nathans Hot Dog eating contest in Coney Island NY, and millions more watch on TV or look for news about it the next day. All to watch people shove hot dogs down their throats! And you’re worried that no one will be interested in what you have to offer?? HA! Rubbish I say!
BUT REALLY STEPHEN, WHAT NICHE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
OK. Here’s what I and any other experienced internet marketer would tell you. Pick a niche that you feel passionate about. Everyone has a passion about something. Even if it’s not something you currently do, or work on, or practice regularly. You can become a pro by doing research.
Maybe you love gardening. Even so, maybe your garden isn’t the best in the neighborhood, but you’ve done so much research and you love doing all the work that’s involved, and you spend hours a week in your own garden. Well then, that’s your passion. Just because you’re garden isn’t the prettiest, doesn’t mean you can’t be passionate and knowledgeable about it. You’re probably full of information that other people on the internet will be looking for.
That’s really your goal. Supplying information to people who need it. Have you learned anything so far by reading this post? If so, then I’ve done my job. And that will be your job. Not so difficult, right?
Choose something you love talking about. If you can talk about a subject, then you can write about the subject. A niche is something your going to want to break down into a lot of sub categories in order to build a lot of content for your website. If it all sounds a bit overwhelming, just take it slow. Take a break from reading this and check out this video: “How to break down a niche for content ideas.” A new window will open, so it will be easy for you to come back here after you watch it.
The niche you choose is going to be something you know you’ll have fun with. You can write about it, make videos, demonstrations, maybe draw online cartoons about it? Who knows. It’s all up to your imagination. Just be sure it’s something you’re going to want to research, learn more about, write about and most importantly, be happy about.
A LIST OF NICHE IDEAS TO SPARK YOUR IMAGINATION
Here’s a list of just a few good niches to think about. I’m not saying you have to choose one of these. But this should help get your brain focusing on all the endless possibilities there are for a niche. Try to get as specific as you can within your niche by looking for sub-niches. I explain more about that, below. I hope one or more of these will strike you and it sparks an idea for your own original niche. The point of this list is to inspire you, but if something on the list speaks to you, by all means, use it!
NICHE: GARDENING
SUB NICHES:
- GARDEN TOOLS
- LAWN FERTILIZER
- ROSES
- TYPES OF FLOWERS
- HYDROPONICS
- MOWERS
NICHE: KITCHEN
SUB NICHES:
- TOASTERS
- MIXING BOWLS
- COFFEE MAKERS
- TEA POTS
- WOOD BURNING OVENS
NICHE: TRAVEL
SUB NICHES:
- SCUBA DIVE
- VACATION EXCURSIONS
- LIMO AIRPORT PICK-UP
- TRAVEL CONCIERGE
NICHE: CLOTHING
SUB NICHES:
- CHILDREN S CLOTHES
- BATHING SUITES
- PLUS SIZE
- SUMMER WEAR
- BOOTS
NICHE: VINYL RECORDS
SUB NICHES:
- ELVIS RECORDS
- JUKEBOX RECORDS
- 45’s
- SINGLES
- ALBUM COVERS
- HARD TO FIND JAZZ
So those are just an itsy bitsy fraction of the endless amount of niche ideas out there. I’m planning to put a larger list together soon, showcasing 100+ niche ideas. I’ll post it as soon as I do.
Another good reason to be more specific about your niche and picking a sub niche, is because you can always grow out from that niche in the future. If you have a niche about Goldfish (a very specific fish) you can always expand into aquariums, later down the road. So don’t think you’ll have to write about Goldfish for the next decade! You just don’t want to get ahead of yourself in the beginning of your online journey. It will make things confusing.
As I’ve said before in other posts (and maybe earlier in this one?) Take your time with your online business. Its not a race, but if it were, you know the saying… “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Why are people willing to wait a decade (or more) to move up the ladder in their regular day job, but they want to rush an online business and make a million dollars in 30 days? That just doesn’t make sense. That’s why I wrote about it, HERE. (link coming soon)
In the meantime, I hope the list I created above has sparked some ideas. I would love some feedback from you, in the comments below! What are some cool niche ideas that you think might work? Want my opinion on something you’re playing around with as an idea? Let me know in the comments, and stop wondering “How to pick a blog or website niche?” I’ll help! Ready….. GO!
If you’d like to see how you can make money with your niche using affiliate marketing, please read my article on how affiliate marketing can make you money. Or do exactly what I do, and follow my steps by clicking this link to my recommendation for online success.
OK so I had the idea to start a website in the hopes of growing a following and in turn of course monetize the site. I had no clue what to make the site about and then I stumbled upon this article and it has helped me see the light so to speak. So if I have this right I pick something I am really into such as motocross for instance. Then I can dig down further and maybe make a site about motocross gear that the rider wears. Helmets, pads, clothing, ect. Great post I think I am on my way forward once again.
Take care!
-Anthony
Hey Anthony, You got it exactly right. Choosing the right niche is about finding something you’re passionate about and norrowing it down to something more spesific. Keep plugging along!
– Stephen
Hey Anthony, You got it exactly right. Choosing the right niche is about finding something you’re passionate about and norrowing it down to something more spesific. Keep plugging along!
– Stephen
OK so I had the idea to start a website in the hopes of growing a following and in turn of course monetize the site. I had no clue what to make the site about and then I stumbled upon this article and it has helped me see the light so to speak. So if I have this right I pick something I am really into such as motocross for instance. Then I can dig down further and maybe make a site about motocross gear that the rider wears. Helmets, pads, clothing, ect. Great post I think I am on my way forward once again.
Take care!
-Anthony
Choosing the right niche might seem kind of hard at first but usually the answer is actually right in front of you. Maybe you have a sports jersey on- walah! You must be into sports… start with that! The fact is the biggest thing is finding the niche, sticking with it and moving forward. Personally I switched niches early on so i had to kind of start over!
Matt TheDopestMatrix
Hi Matt
Choosing the right niche can seem overwhelming at times. Make it your passion, and you won’t go wrong!
I think you are looking good so far my friend. There are so many niches out there if people would just stop and look around and take everything in for a moment. So many endless possibilities to start on and go with, it’s crazy. My niche is video gaming. There’s already so many gaming sites out there but at the same time, there’s a big audience for gaming products out there. I hope my foot will get in the door so I can get a little bit of the major profit on this source. Man, I feel you’re in a good place for helping with niches and helping people along. Good luck.
Great article,
I know I struggled with trying to find the “perfect niche”, which of course doesnt exist.
Your post helps a lot, as it shows examples of breaking a niche down. I think that’s where I went wrong the first time…I chose something that was too broad and tried to be the master of all and turned out to be the master of none…
Your post will really help folks think about their niche, then get deeper and narrow it further which ultimately leads to a greater access to people who aren’t just browsing but really seeking information and products.
Great article. Thank you
Jason
Hi stephen, you’re right about niches, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the minutia of being worried that you won’t succeed. Everyone has interests, and my suggestion is to pick on that you know the most about, maybe not even the most passionate about. passion sometimes comes when you find success at something you’re good at.
Excellent point Frank. I Think Knowledge is important as well. Know what you’re speaking of, and what you’re getting into when you want to choose the right niche. All the best to you.
This is an interesting article about niches. I think i understand what you write and you give some examples, but my basic problem with any so called niche is the following.
We learn that it should be narrow so that you establish your authority there etc. Take this ‘limo airport pickup’ you mentioned or ‘toasters’. You are supposed to publish a lot in this niche and for many months. But what can you write about such a narrow topic so extensively and so frequently?
I have two sites and obviously not so focused, I simply could not channel myself so narrowly. Perhaps I shall have time to regret it. Thank you for the text.
Hey Jovo. I appreciate your comment. You actual ask the question which is the title of my post, in a round about way. How can I pick a blog niche?
Let me give you a quick example. Being that you already have your sites up and going, I won’t go into too much detail as if you were a newbie looking for this info.
But lets take toasters as your (and my) example. Go google “1920s toasters.” Take a look at what comes up. Those are some cool ass toasters, no? Now do that with 1940s, 50s, 60s, etc. Its endless. I mean, I’m not a “toaster” person, but there are hundreds of thousands of people out there who find toasters interesting. They collect them, research them, purchase them.
There are 3 things I just named that you could now do with a sub niche like toaster.
1. Sell collectors items.
2.(Research) Give people information on different makes, models, years. Are they plastic? Metal? Safe? Unsafe? Review them.
3. And finally, place links on your site so people will purchase them. Amazon links. Adsense. Etc.
I hope that helps, and maybe opens your mind as to how to come up with content on such a narrow niche. Also keep in mind, YOU CAN ALWAYS BROADEN YOUR NICHE once your site is established. How can I choose the right niche? Be specific!
– Stephen
When I first thought about the niche I wanted to do I knew i had to be interested in it. I finally chose natural detoxing because I was always a person interested in being healthy and strong. Now I have my own website and i’m helping other people become healthy. I’ts AWESOME!
Great comment Josue! I love your passion for health. THAT’S how you choose a niche! Passion! Thanks for story by and leaving your comment. How can I choose the right niche? Have the kind of passion Josue has 🙂
Hi Stephen, Well, it’s easy to understand a niche when you put it like that!
The crazy thing is, I thought I was the only struggling to understand how to choose one, so unless you write this page especially for then I’m guessing there’s other people out there with the same problem.
I want to enter in helping people with debt problems but I’m struggling was struggling to narrow it down.
What about “do it your self debt solutions” would that be a targeted niche?
thanks
Hey Lee
I think Do it yourself debt solutions is a great niche idea. If you chose simply, “Debt solutions”, that would be too broad, but it looks like you’re on the right track!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment. If there’s anything I can help you with, in getting you started with your online business, please let me know. How to choose the right niche, is just the beginning!
Stephen,
Having a niche that you have a passion for is the only way to make writing something you want to do everyday. You do not have to pick one you have a lot of knowledge, just a passion. Take for example “Cow Pie Clocks”. Now that is a niche that you would have to nose for also.
John
Hey John! Cow Pie Clocks, haha! I love it. Thanks for your input 🙂
As you said,choosing a niche is easy. It’s almost too easy because almost anything can be a niche for you. Choosing a niche that you will enjoy writing about is where the rub is! The “Alphabet Soup” technique really helps narrow down your choices.You did a really great job of describing The “Alphabet Soup” technique. This is just one of many valuable tools and techniques available for anyone thinking of joining Wealthy Affiliate.Can you name any others?
I think the reason a lot of people have trouble with choosing the right niche is because they thinks too hard about it. Thank you for coming by my site Marant.
Hey
Awesome post, it is true your niche can be anything that has traffic, and almost everything has traffic. The key is choosing a niche and not the more competitive broad subject. It should be something you’re passionate about or at least interested in. You’re right you don’t have to be an expert, you will become one.I like your list of niche ideas.
Hi Randy,
The niche we choose will turn us into experts, by writing about it every day. Thanks for stopping by and contributing!
When I first started out online I got the niche thingy all wrong!!!!
I opened up as many blogs as I could in popular niches and then realized I had very little interest in the subjects I was writing about. This led to VERY long days in front of the computer screen.
Thankfully these days I run a few blogs on niche subjects I love – makes for much easier writing!!!
Great article this – covered loads of helpful tips 🙂
Hi Chris
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Much appreciated. I always tell the newbies to go with what they love. A niche should be nothing more than something you’re passionate about, You’ll find a lot to talk about when you like the subject you’re talking about. So, in conclusion….. How can I choose the right niche? Choose what you love!!
Nice article on how to choose a niche. Obviously before anyone can start an online business, they will need to have a nice in mind. And the selection of a niche is one difficult task especially if you don’t have one in mind prior to deciding to start a business online
Essentially, a niche is the first thing you’ll need when starting an online business. It can confuse many. Hope this helps some people. Thanks for your input Fidel.
This article really takes the fear out of choosing a niche. I remember when I started out I was really caught up in choosing the perfect niche and it Became more stressful than it needed to be. Giving people examples of niches and sub niches is great – it’ll definitely get your readers thinking.
It was the first question I asked myself when I decided that I wanted to start an online business. How can I choose the right niche! It drove me crazy. Hope this post helps some people along their journey to work from home with their online business!
Hey, you hit the nail on the head when you said that you have to enjoy writing about your niche. Sometimes I think that I should be writing for others more than myself. Yes, I do write for others but first and foremost I write about what I want to write about and what I love because if I didn’t I would lose interest rapidly and so would my readers.
Hi Paula – I agree. It’s best to write about what you love. You won’t get bored of the subject and you’ll always have stuff to talk about. Best way to choose the right niche? Go with what you know! Thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment! Come back and visit 🙂