Branding a self development website

10 replies
Dear Warriors,

I am working on a self development blog. I won't be diving into a particular niche of personal development, I like to keep it open about what I'm going to write.

However, this gives me a bit of pain when it comes to branding the blog. Because it is not about one specific topic, but rather 3 to 4 major topics, I find it hard to brand it. For example: what to put in the facebook description? How to truly boil it down?

How would you go about this?

Looking forward to your great answers,
FingerPicker
#branding #development #website
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    There are only a handful of people in self development that can afford to do what you want to do. Tony Robbins is the first one that comes to mind. Everyone else knows they can't dominate or brand a multi billion dollar market. I suggest you narrow it down.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Martel
    Do you really want to do this? There are so many "life coaches" out there who make no money. Find a real pain point or hot topic and go with that.

    Just my two cents after banging my head on the wall trying to make it work for myself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Bagley
    Find your niche on one single topic. Later on, after you build a certain community you can add other topics. You will know then you readers and it will be much easier to expand.
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  • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
    Thanks for your great replies! Starting out with a couple before expanding sounds reasonable. Thinking about it, many other self development gurus started out that way. You've get to be known for something first before you can do more stuff.

    I already have some topics I specifically want to address. I do have some posts that are slightly out of touch with those categories. Would you recommend to still post them or rather wait a little longer with it?

    Cheers!
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    • Profile picture of the author AnnaPaterson
      I also suggest starting with one niche and with time you can look at another one... but it is easier to be noticed when you write about one thing and after you can test the expanding of the brand.
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    • Profile picture of the author WebPen
      Originally Posted by FingerPicker View Post


      I already have some topics I specifically want to address. I do have some posts that are slightly out of touch with those categories. Would you recommend to still post them or rather wait a little longer with it?

      Cheers!
      My opinion is that you can still post them, but as others mentioned you may want to be more focused.

      That said- it all depends on the purpose of this blog. If you're just writing about what YOU want to write about- don't hold back.

      But if you're trying to brand yourself as the next productivity guy (for example), limit your content regarding other self-development stuff (such as simplifying your life for example)
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  • Profile picture of the author Trey Morgan
    Personally, I don't believe in limiting yourself to one topic if you know you can produce great content on multiple topics. I tend to enjoy blogs that aren't too focused on one topic, but have a variety of different topics I can read about.

    I think what everyone is trying to say is that you'll probably be more productive if you only focus on one specific topic and branch out once you have a decent following.

    In the Facebook description just write what you would say to someone who wanted to buy your website and wanted to know exactly what it's about.
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    • Profile picture of the author FingerPicker
      Originally Posted by tvon View Post

      Personally, I don't believe in limiting yourself to one topic if you know you can produce great content on multiple topics. I tend to enjoy blogs that aren't too focused on one topic, but have a variety of different topics I can read about.

      I think what everyone is trying to say is that you'll probably be more productive if you only focus on one specific topic and branch out once you have a decent following.

      In the Facebook description just write what you would say to someone who wanted to buy your website and wanted to know exactly what it's about.
      Thanks, I think you're right about not wanting to focus on only one topic, it could make it boring. But I do get the message that I should be focusing on one thing overall. I will stick to that, let's see what comes from it!
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Chicas
        If this is something that you are passionate about then go for it.

        You might start out with a variety of topics but only through your own testing will you find out what truly works for your audience and the people you connect with.

        Forget about what anyone says, forget about the gurus, etc. and just test everything as you develop your site. It is true that it is a very tough niche but if you are doing it because it gives you joy and not merely to make a quick buck, then go for it. Take the time to develop it for it to be fruitful.

        I've seen people have great success in the strangest of niches, and they did so because they focused in it and tweaked their business and scaled up what was working.

        Again, go after what you love and develop it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Carlo Cabrera
    Keeping it super focused in the beginning. Will help you develop your audience. Then you can branch out into other topics
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