Can't niche my passion, I'm too broadly interested

26 replies
Hello everybody!

My blog is in the self help category and my main goal with this blog is to help other people live a more happy and fulfilling life. My biggest problem is that I have too many ideas/things I'd like to talk about.
There's happiness, overcoming depression, productivity, time management, wealth, motivation, dealing with fear, introversion, personal business, blogging, going paperless, alternative money making methods, confidence, social dynamics ...
I'm not an expert in those topics but have been interested in some topics longer than in others.

This summer I needed to rethink what I wanted in life and this is my passion. I love reading books and learning new things in many different areas and I want to share my views and thoughts.
Making money with this blog is not the main objective - if I'd monetize it my best bet would probably be affiliate marketing, ads in the short run and selfpublishing and maybe coaching in the long run.

The question is: how will it hurt me to have such a broad blog?
I don't really want to specialize in just one topic as I am afraid I might lose interest in the long run.

Can you give me some advice on what to do here? Where should I draw the line? Or is there a way to do both - have a niche but blog about related topics as well?

I would also be ok to monetize another unrelated niche as a way to make money - I got to make a living somehow afterall...
#broadly #interested #niche #passion
  • Profile picture of the author munir ahmed
    Hi,
    I really like the way you think my friend, but for me 1 niche that really interest me is enough...

    Everyone is different but if i had to then i probably could handle 2/3 niche maximum. anything more would really overwhelm me...

    If you can handle all of them and have a strategy in place then my friend go ahead and give all of them a shot but then getting around social media and bringing traffic can confuse people.

    I would really recommend to chose 1 and stick to it and believe in the niche you choose and make it happen.

    If you do few different niche then have separate websites for them as you wouldn't want anyone getting confused when they are on your website or blog...

    The other way is if you do talk about topic on different Niche then on each niche build separate list and campaigns and give all of them value....

    Good Luck my friend...
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  • Profile picture of the author AyiamDigital
    Which one of these industries are you most knowledgeable about? Choose that one to start with. Build up a following and get a strategy that you know actually works.

    Then, when you have a good idea of what's working to help you meet your goals as far as visitors, shares, etc; dive into another niche using a pseudonym (a pen name). That way, you aren't spreading yourself to thin in the perception of your audience, by diving in too many subjects at once (even though you are).

    The saying goes: "jack of all trades, master of none." So you avoid that by not working with too many niches as one person, publicly.

    Here are examples of what I mean:

    Jim Doe: blogging, going paperless

    John Doe: overcoming depression, motivation, dealing with fear, introversion, confidence, social dynamics

    Jane Doe: productivity, time management, wealth, alternative money making methods, personal business
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Hanney
    You can't be all things to all people. I like what you are saying and it's great that you have had a look at your life and worked out what you want to do. The thing is, if you are too broad your readership will dwindle as half of what you are posting is not going to be relevant to them.

    My opinion would be to write down everything you feel you are an expert in, the everything you are learning and interested in. From there try to place these into two or three over arching categories. Depending on what this looks like you could run a couple of different blogs so you can push relevant content out to your readers. Assuming they are only mild variations (I don't think they are from what you have said) then you could place them into the blog categories. This might work with something like health and fitness where you have three categories, nutrition, exercise, training programs or something.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Asadullah72
    My sentiment would be to record all that you feel you are a specialist in, the all that you are learning and keen on. From that point attempt to put these into a few all-encompassing classes. Contingent upon what this seems as though you could run two or three unique online journals so you can push significant substance out to your perusers. Accepting they are just mellow varieties (I don't think they are from what you have said) then you could put them into the web journal classifications. This may work with something like wellbeing and wellness where you have three classes, sustenance, activity, preparing projects or something.

    Good fortunes!
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesJ
    Maybe you should take a look at what Tai Lopez is doing. He reviews some of the great nonfiction books on his site and on YouTube. He goes into love, wealth, happiness and health.

    Also he has a 67 step self help product on Clickbank.

    I am not saying copy him, but maybe there are some ideas there for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author jessegilbert
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

    Hello everybody!

    My blog is in the self help category and my main goal with this blog is to help other people live a more happy and fulfilling life. My biggest problem is that I have too many ideas/things I'd like to talk about.
    There's happiness, overcoming depression, productivity, time management, wealth, motivation, dealing with fear, introversion, personal business, blogging, going paperless, alternative money making methods, confidence, social dynamics ...
    I'm not an expert in those topics but have been interested in some topics longer than in others.

    This summer I needed to rethink what I wanted in life and this is my passion. I love reading books and learning new things in many different areas and I want to share my views and thoughts.
    Making money with this blog is not the main objective - if I'd monetize it my best bet would probably be affiliate marketing, ads in the short run and selfpublishing and maybe coaching in the long run.

    The question is: how will it hurt me to have such a broad blog?
    I don't really want to specialize in just one topic as I am afraid I might lose interest in the long run.

    Can you give me some advice on what to do here? Where should I draw the line? Or is there a way to do both - have a niche but blog about related topics as well?

    I would also be ok to monetize another unrelated niche as a way to make money - I got to make a living somehow afterall...
    Well, if you start a blog under your real name and post a bunch of articles you feel real about, then that is already a start...that is one of the hardest parts online, being a real person and expressing your own ideas and opinions.

    It may not lead to money at first but may give you the courage you need to go big on another product. If you need monetization ideas, feel free to contact me as I have some ways to find products that you are passionate about or at least don't feel bad about promoting.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex II
      Thanks guys for all your great advice. I sat back down again and had to rethink my blog based on what you guys said, and I think I am on to something powerful.

      Firstly I needed to clearly define on what it was I really wanted to achieve with my blog:
      Help specific people to accomplish their goal and to try and make a change in the world by doing so. It's time that we change our actions and work towards a better, sustainable future.

      Secondly I thought about a specific target audience I wanted to reach: entrepreneurs. Now I know that almost everybody and their mom call themselves "entrepreneur" and most of them don't really know what that is. An entrepreneur is much different than a business owner in the sense that he is much more focused on improving a product or a service for the better, someone who is innovative in their field and pushes the boundaries of what's possible. At least that is what an entrepreneur used to be.

      Combine that together and I found what I would define as niche: personal development for entrepreneurs / entrepreneur mindset. I'd still have lots of possible topics to talk about but a more focused target audience that share common problems and difficulties I could address.



      Please don't tell me that I missed the point
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

        Combine that together and I found what I would define as niche: personal development for entrepreneurs / entrepreneur mindset.

        Alex,

        A couple of things that have struck me about what you have said.

        First, "Making money with this blog is not the main objective." But just a few lines later you stated, "I got to make a living somehow afterall."

        So which is it? I don't think you know. It's nice to have praiseworthy goals like helping mankind, eliminating poverty, and "changing the world." But those vaguely general and non-specific goals don't lead to income for you or anyone else. You have to decide if this is your hobby or if you are focused on making an income to feed your family.

        Second, I think this statement applies directly to you . . . "Now I know that almost everybody and their mom call themselves "entrepreneur" and most of them don't really know what that is."

        You are deciding upon a niche and yet you aren't a successful entrepreneur just yet. So you're going to teach others how to have the proper mindset but you have no experience in doing that yourself. I see it as the blind leading the blind. Please don't take personal offense to what I'm saying. I don't know you at all. I'm just saying that if you're going to be teaching and showing folks how something is done, it would be best if you knew and understood how to be a successful entrepreneur because you had done it.

        The place to begin in Internet business is with market research to find a common problem, a need or want, or a great desire that many people have for which you can sell a solution. If that research leads you to what you're talking about - then great, produce a product or service that answers a need people will spend money on.

        At its most basic level, selling online is about finding specific demand in the marketplace and providing a paid solution to targeted prospects. What you are proposing is "picking" something that interests you and changing the world. Do you understand the disconnect?

        Good luck to you and welcome to the forum.

        Steve
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        Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
        SteveBrowneDirect

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        • Profile picture of the author Alex II
          Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

          First, "Making money with this blog is not the main objective." But just a few lines later you stated, "I got to make a living somehow afterall."

          So which is it? I don't think you know. It's nice to have praiseworthy goals like helping mankind, eliminating poverty, and "changing the world." But those vaguely general and non-specific goals don't lead to income for you or anyone else. You have to decide if this is your hobby or if you are focused on making an income to feed your family.
          Making money with THIS blog is not the main objective and I would consider making a second blog geared to monetize.

          Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

          Second, I think this statement applies directly to you . . . "Now I know that almost everybody and their mom call themselves "entrepreneur" and most of them don't really know what that is."

          You are deciding upon a niche and yet you aren't a successful entrepreneur just yet. So you're going to teach others how to have the proper mindset but you have no experience in doing that yourself. I see it as the blind leading the blind. Please don't take personal offense to what I'm saying. I don't know you at all. I'm just saying that if you're going to be teaching and showing folks how something is done, it would be best if you knew and understood how to be a successful entrepreneur because you had done it.
          No offence taken, but as matter of fact I have some experience since I was running a business myself for 2 years and going a different route in that field.

          Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

          The place to begin in Internet business is with market research to find a common problem, a need or want, or a great desire that many people have for which you can sell a solution. If that research leads you to what you're talking about - then great, produce a product or service that answers a need people will spend money on.

          At its most basic level, selling online is about finding specific demand in the marketplace and providing a paid solution to targeted prospects. What you are proposing is "picking" something that interests you and changing the world. Do you understand the disconnect?
          I see that I went off track there. I missed that piece of information before and got too overambitious and carried away from the main objective... And I feel a bit stupid now

          Summa summarum: Make money first - save the world later.

          Are there any resources where I can learn more about proper market research anyone can recommend? (HOW to do it the right way?)
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      • Profile picture of the author vLeopard
        I love that idea it's a lot more clearer then before and has sparked my interest in your blog. Before this I found it hard to see how all the topics of your passion would relate to what people want in their lives. I put this down to knowing why your doing it rather then a list of topics. Nice one
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  • Profile picture of the author JillWilson
    Stay focus.
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    • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
      I know that feeling ,

      Presently I doing fitness just motivate myself workout in fact..

      on earnings part , is a bonus ....

      in fact I also have lots of niche want to do but I told myself need to focus just one site will do.

      I also heard stories people just having one site able to make it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      If you truly don't care about monetizing - you can spread yourself as thin as you want.

      However, one thing you said bothers me:

      I love reading books and learning new things in many different areas and I want to share my views and thoughts.
      Writing your views on something you recently read or learned will never be as powerful as writing about what you have DONE or ENDURED or CONQUERED or figured out for yourself.

      For that reason I'd suggest limiting the topics - at least initially - to those you have personal experience with.
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      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Please do not 'release balloons' for celebrations. The balloons and trailing ribbons entangle birds and kill wildlife and livestock that think the balloons are food.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex II
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        Writing your views on something you recently read or learned will never be as powerful as writing about what you have DONE or ENDURED or CONQUERED or figured out for yourself.

        For that reason I'd suggest limiting the topics - at least initially - to those you have personal experience with.
        I'd write about what I got out of the book and how I would or have implemented that into my own life.
        But I see what you are trying to tell me.

        I feel lost, since everywhere I go I hear people giving me different advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author superowid
    Try Youtube! Be a Youtuber!
    Make your own channel with you talk about anything to help people with your knowledge.
    Make some reviews about any product, book, etc (related to your niche) and show people (your viewers) what's the good and what's the bad about it.
    Post each of your video as post in your blog site.
    Build subscribers... and you can monetize it with Youtube Adsense.
    You may monetize your channel for more possibilities once you get massive subscribers.
    It takes time, but since you love to do it, then it's not a big problem for you.
    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
      Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

      ......
      The question is: how will it hurt me to have such a broad blog?
      I don't really want to specialize in just one topic as I am afraid I might lose interest in the long run......
      I think you may be bored just focusing in one area. You may be a person that needs to do a few things to feel accomplished. This is something you need to understand about yourself and it comes with shortcomings. There is one resolution, however........

      Originally Posted by superowid View Post

      Try Youtube! Be a Youtuber!........
      Many people don't consider Youtube as an alternative to blogging - it has more traffic than you could get on your own in most cases (if done right). This option allows you to create many channels that are easily monetized allowing you to explore your areas of interest. Where you see traction, create a supportive blog
      and focus then on building up that niche until it's greatly profitable. Then, by that time, you may have developed another youtube channel to warrant another blog in that niche.

      I believe this to be a sensible and balanced resolution to your particular "situation".
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  • Profile picture of the author extrememan
    Try thinking of a overall topic and make 3 sub categories you can blog about i.e. Main topic personal development - sub categories inspiration, self-help tips, motivational. Something to think about.
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  • Profile picture of the author karinhaworth
    Not certain this was covered, but...Here's my idea:

    Fear is at the bottom of all those problems listed, so why not focus on that?
    Without fear, a person can do anything...really.

    Hope that helps
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  • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
    If you can produce a lot of high-quality content, you might want to consider an authority site instead. But that is a lot of work. If you aren't producing your own content, the project will be expensive. Content is becoming more expensive.
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    On the whole, you get what you pay for.

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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I feel lost, since everywhere I go I hear people giving me different advice.
      Of course - everyone advises from their own standpoint and experience.

      Your job as a person who asked a question is to evaluate the opinions and the advice - utilize what fits and find your own way of doing things.

      There is no right or wrong - but there is focused and unfocused and priorities count. As you said above "money first, then save the world"..take care of yourself and the world will still be there when you are ready to save it.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Please do not 'release balloons' for celebrations. The balloons and trailing ribbons entangle birds and kill wildlife and livestock that think the balloons are food.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

        You are deciding upon a niche and yet you aren't a successful entrepreneur just yet. So you're going to teach others how to have the proper mindset but you have no experience in doing that yourself. I see it as the blind leading the blind. Please don't take personal offense to what I'm saying. I don't know you at all. I'm just saying that if you're going to be teaching and showing folks how something is done, it would be best if you knew and understood how to be a successful entrepreneur because you had done it.
        Back in the Nixon administration, there was a cabinet secretary who summed this up perfectly, even though he caught some major flak for it.

        When asked about then-Pope John Paul's stance on birth control, he quipped, "he no play-a da game, he no make-a da rules."

        Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

        Summa summarum: Make money first - save the world later.
        Another quote which has been attributed to many people:

        "The best way to help the poor is to not be one of them."

        Good luck to you...
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    I've literally just bought a book by Cal Newport called "So Good They Can't Ignore You" and his perspective is that you shouldn't follow your passion.

    There's also the question, if you can earn more money in less time working on a project that isn't your passion (which then gives you more free time to pursue your passion)...

    Is that better than actually trying to monetize your passion.

    Coupled with the fact that often we hate the things we have to do, so if you have to do your passion day-in, day-out then it may not stay your passion for very long.

    Have experienced that first hand, twice.
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  • Profile picture of the author .X.
    A niche isn't one topic - it's a perspective, a point of
    view within a market.

    You're dealing with topics that fit into a market - they're
    interrelated. You should be focused on how they relate
    and who that relationship helps.

    For you, what does all of this add up to? Are you just
    ******* around or does it mean something? If you're just
    f-ing around, then stop wasting your life. If it means
    something, there you go.

    None of us are unique and special snowflakes. Which
    means even the most obscure of us have thousands of
    weirdos just like us somewhere. And that's your niche -
    bringing them together and leading them towards something
    they all desire.


    Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

    Hello everybody!

    My blog is in the self help category and my main goal with this blog is to help other people live a more happy and fulfilling life. My biggest problem is that I have too many ideas/things I'd like to talk about.
    There's happiness, overcoming depression, productivity, time management, wealth, motivation, dealing with fear, introversion, personal business, blogging, going paperless, alternative money making methods, confidence, social dynamics ...
    I'm not an expert in those topics but have been interested in some topics longer than in others.

    This summer I needed to rethink what I wanted in life and this is my passion. I love reading books and learning new things in many different areas and I want to share my views and thoughts.
    Making money with this blog is not the main objective - if I'd monetize it my best bet would probably be affiliate marketing, ads in the short run and selfpublishing and maybe coaching in the long run.

    The question is: how will it hurt me to have such a broad blog?
    I don't really want to specialize in just one topic as I am afraid I might lose interest in the long run.

    Can you give me some advice on what to do here? Where should I draw the line? Or is there a way to do both - have a niche but blog about related topics as well?

    I would also be ok to monetize another unrelated niche as a way to make money - I got to make a living somehow afterall...
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  • Profile picture of the author Popche
    If you have passion about more topics, simply categorize them and display them as different pages that way people can get around. Also you can target long tail with posts, that might help you receive traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author allegandro
    I see 2 good solutions for you.

    1. Make a very personal blog about you and the things you love in life. Make them like you and you can write about anything you want.

    2. Make several blogs, split up your passion in different blogs.
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    Meow!

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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by Alex II View Post

    Hello everybody!

    My blog is in the self help category and my main goal with this blog is to help other people live a more happy and fulfilling life. My biggest problem is that I have too many ideas/things I'd like to talk about.
    There's happiness, overcoming depression, productivity, time management, wealth, motivation, dealing with fear, introversion, personal business, blogging, going paperless, alternative money making methods, confidence, social dynamics ...
    I'm not an expert in those topics but have been interested in some topics longer than in others.

    This summer I needed to rethink what I wanted in life and this is my passion. I love reading books and learning new things in many different areas and I want to share my views and thoughts.
    Making money with this blog is not the main objective - if I'd monetize it my best bet would probably be affiliate marketing, ads in the short run and selfpublishing and maybe coaching in the long run.

    The question is: how will it hurt me to have such a broad blog?
    I don't really want to specialize in just one topic as I am afraid I might lose interest in the long run.

    Can you give me some advice on what to do here? Where should I draw the line? Or is there a way to do both - have a niche but blog about related topics as well?

    I would also be ok to monetize another unrelated niche as a way to make money - I got to make a living somehow afterall...
    If you are talented in this particular field sometimes going against the grain can be a postivie point. Tail Lopez is a perfect example of this

    Of course going into Self Help and approaching it from a broad angle is risky.
    For every Tai Lopez, there are a 1,000 that fail miserably at this.

    The time and money you could waste could be huge.

    But you know yourself better than anyone. The biggest rewards are realized by those who take the biggest Risks.

    Just as long as you are prepared to accept the consequences if things do not work out...then there is nothing wrong with pursuing your dreams


    - Robert Andrew
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