I'm still struggling for ideas

25 replies
Ok guys i'm still struggling for ideas. Well i have an idea now.

How about i make a website called something like Sams Articles and i write articles on absolutely every subject imaginable.

I have a good workable knowledge on

Travelling/Holidays
Home and beauty
Health supplements
healthy eating
Repairing Bikes
etc etc

If i made something like this and applied some search engine optimization techniques would i generate income. With a simple Adsense banner at the side and placing links to amazon where i could for products.

Which would be better for google ranking???

1. Should i make a website now offline on my computer and upload in a few weeks time when i have a good number of articles and content?

2. Get the basics setup, upload and add as i go?
#ideas #struggling
  • Profile picture of the author NRabosa
    Seems like blogging for profit, eh?

    It's best if you have your website up and running by now. And oh, can you make your website name more catchy? Go for specifics. Focus on one topic then expand afterwards.

    You'll need readers first so be sure you have social media integration to promote your new website.

    That's all I can advice for you for now.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    Wow - I actually have too many ideas sometimes!

    It looks like you want to blog on a variety of topics. A lot of times it is strongly suggested that you focus on a specific niche.... and that could be a rather narrow niche. A blog which tries to cover too many very different topics might lose people. For example - are people who want to know about repairing bikes also looking to travel to exotic locations? Perhaps not. Some people want to travel but they really like to travel to warm, tropical locations but they are not necessarily people who are interested in health supplements. Other people may want to take cuises and that is their favorite thing to do when they travel.

    Just something to think about.
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    • Profile picture of the author retrobikesam
      Originally Posted by DWaters View Post

      Wow - I actually have too many ideas sometimes!

      It looks like you want to blog on a variety of topics. A lot of times it is strongly suggested that you focus on a specific niche.... and that could be a rather narrow niche. A blog which tries to cover too many very different topics might lose people. For example - are people who want to know about repairing bikes also looking to travel to exotic locations? Perhaps not. Some people want to travel but they really like to travel to warm, tropical locations but they are not necessarily people who are interested in health supplements. Other people may want to take cuises and that is their favorite thing to do when they travel.

      Just something to think about.

      My train of thought was not to attract "followers" but to just rank the individual article pages in google.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikefashen
    Originally Posted by retrobikesam View Post

    Ok guys i'm still struggling for ideas. Well i have an idea now.

    How about i make a website called something like Sams Articles and i write articles on absolutely every subject imaginable.
    Then why would someone need to visit your site over a site that is long established like ezinearticles?

    It is much better to pick a SINGLE topic. That way you can actually market to that single audience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fonzan
    Yes, I agree what DWaters says.
    Stick to a specific niche on one website, so you become an authority in that niche.
    And people will come to you because they will know you (in time) for your expertise.
    If you want to write other blogs on another niche, create a website for your specific niche
    with a pseudonym name for it.

    If you write several blogs about several niches on one website, you'll confuse people.
    And you traffic will go down as well....
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by retrobikesam View Post

    Ok guys i'm still struggling for ideas. Well i have an idea now.

    How about i make a website called something like Sams Articles and i write articles on absolutely every subject imaginable.

    I have a good workable knowledge on

    Travelling/Holidays
    Home and beauty
    Health supplements
    healthy eating
    Repairing Bikes
    etc etc

    If i made something like this and applied some search engine optimization techniques would i generate income. With a simple Adsense banner at the side and placing links to amazon where i could for products.

    Which would be better for google ranking???

    1. Should i make a website now offline on my computer and upload in a few weeks time when i have a good number of articles and content?

    2. Get the basics setup, upload and add as i go?
    If blogging is the route you're going to take, each blog should focus on a certain theme. The reason for this because of how the search engines operate. You also have to think of blogs as like small communities. People who are interested in traveling aren't necessarily going to be into finding out beauty tips and what not. Those niches are not remotely related. The beauty and fashion niches are quite popular. Cooking/healthy eating -- kind of crosses over into the weight loss niche -- is a popular niche as well. I don't know about the biking niche, though. Pick one and go with it.

    Oh, it takes just as much visitors to get an adsense click as it does for someone to go to your site and purchase a product via affiliate marketing, so I'd recommend you go for that rather than adsense. Also, you don't have to wait to get your site up. It should be noted that the search engines like to see growth of a site over time, so it's better if you add content over time rather than all at once.

    Joey
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      I know . I felt the same way 7 years ago. It is exciting at the beginning. And the possibilities seem endless.

      But what usually happens is you start getting excited and start writing but then after a couple of weeks or months you find out it is not as easy or exciting as you once thought.

      Listen, I am not here to rain on anyone's parade but after the novelty wears off you have too get down to business and realize it is going to take hard work and there will be many days where you think to your self why am I doing this.

      So as long as you are prepared for this, then definitely go for it.

      Anyways, I would definitely 100% focus on one niche and take them one at a time.

      Good luck


      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by retrobikesam View Post

    If i made something like this and applied some search engine optimization techniques would i generate income. With a simple Adsense banner at the side and placing links to amazon where i could for products.

    Sam,

    The amount of money you'll generate from this strategy is miniscule. You're going to be making pennies from your advertising links. Amazon doesn't pay much to affiliates either.

    A better route to go is to focus on one narrow market and sell affiliate products . . . or better yet . . . your own products all the while gathering contact information so you can market to these prospects with all sorts of offers.

    Whey you don't target your efforts . . . you end up appealing to no one.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    Where do you end up when you have no direction

    al
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    i write articles on absolutely every subject imaginable.
    This is impossible for a single human. Write all those articles on one narrowly defined niche, and you might have something.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Stop struggling! Instead, sit and contemplate for a bit.

      Your forum name - retrobike...why? There's a huge market for retro bikes is there not? If that's an interest/hobby for you, wouldn't that be a starting point? If you try to write about everything - you'll end up saying nothing. You need to focus on one specific market/audience.

      I'm not one who believes you must "work in your passion" - I do firmly believe you cannot work well without an interest in your niche. I can't write about or sell cell phones or 4 slice toasters - they bore me. There are dozens of niches I can write convincingly in - because I either know the topic or have an interest in learning more about it.

      You need to choose a niche to focus on - perhaps a specific type of retro bike? or a specific decade of bikes? or how to restore or maintain or find retro bikes? how to get parts or make your own parts for repairs?

      Start a site with 5-10 articles or blog posts and then add 2-3 articles a week - make every article interesting and entertaining. Keep your site clean looking, fast loading, and make navigation efficient. Don't worry about google or seo tricks for now.

      Research what your target audience wants - what info are they searching for? - and give it to them in an interesting and informative way. Create a 5 or 7 day email course about your topic (how to do something or how to restore or whatever) and start building a focused list.

      Don't try to make a big splash - just enter a market and pursue that market day in and day out. Your goal is to be recognized as someone who KNOWS the subject and is worth taking advice from. There's a lot of money in doing that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    "Man who chases two rabbits catches none.”

    I think that quotes true for most people who start up. They end up chasing 2 or 5 or 20 different methods and they crash and burn because they have no focus or direction. Then they get advice like "just take action!" and they continue to waste their time taking the wrong action, instead of putting a plan in place and seeing it through.

    I think that quote also relates to the OP specifically, in a different way. I would say that your idea is the ultimate mistake and will end with failure. If you chase 10 or 50 or, in your case, unlimited niches.. You won't catch on to any of them.

    Now, it'd be possible if you had an endless amount of time to learn and write about various things. But time is limited and you need to make money to live. It'd also be possible if you had a site like Wikipedia or a directory that people contributed to. However, a one-man show that is able to gain any type of traction or dominance online is almost impossible.

    I would go back to the drawing board. Create a list of your interests. Then break down how you can make money off those interests. Then define which interest/niches have the easiest point of entry (least competition) and the highest potential return on investment. That will be your sweet spot.
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  • Profile picture of the author Action Man
    If you think it it is has potential do it.

    I remember being in your shoes.

    The best way to have a business, is be in business.

    You might change your focus later on.

    Good IM marketers know that you will eventually need multiple income streams to succeed.

    But start somewhere, have a running business.

    The best way to start is market something locally.

    Go out and sell a product or service.

    It might be WordPress site, mobile responsive sites, SEO or whatever your skills are.

    Get a business card or a flyer, and walk around, give them you, and have faith.

    It works, and will give you some good income to start.

    Never give up!

    I nearly did.

    Write down what you want to achieve, and what income you want, and why you want it.

    And what time and effort you will give to achieve it.

    I would read "think and grow rich" by Napolian Hill

    prosperity to you and yours
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris19h
    Definitely take action! A lot of people are suggesting you go with one niche because this is what has worked for them. While it is great advice and you should take it, don't let it stop you from taking action. These other warriors are saying to stick with one niche because they have learned this themselves as well. The best thing you can do right now is just get started.

    I would suggest getting your site up and start adding content right away. Don't wait, get it going! Continue to add content every week. Make a schedule, like 3 posts a week or maybe more if you can be more aggressive.

    I will say it one more time, just get started. The best thing I ever did was buy some website hosting, and start messing around!
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    • Profile picture of the author Gambino
      Originally Posted by Chris19h View Post

      Definitely take action! A lot of people are suggesting you go with one niche because this is what has worked for them. While it is great advice and you should take it, don't let it stop you from taking action. These other warriors are saying to stick with one niche because they have learned this themselves as well. The best thing you can do right now is just get started.

      I would suggest getting your site up and start adding content right away. Don't wait, get it going! Continue to add content every week. Make a schedule, like 3 posts a week or maybe more if you can be more aggressive.

      I will say it one more time, just get started. The best thing I ever did was buy some website hosting, and start messing around!
      Forgive me, but this is horrible advice.

      Many people have cautioned the OP that this is highly unlikely to be successful. Getting started, in the wrong direction, is the biggest mistake you can possibly make. Getting started, in a calculated direction, is what the OP needs to do.

      What people have told the OP will increase his odds for success. Just taking random action is essentially shooting yourself in the foot. The odds of one person creating a site that appeals to virtually everyone is almost impossible. Especially if he's adding 3 articles per week. That's only 156 articles per year, to cover virtually every topic in the world.

      Then, add in that the return wouldn't be much, if anything, in the near future. The chances the OP continues to post 3 articles per week is slim to none. Burnout or doubt will eventually set in.

      Now, if the OP just wants to mess around.. Sure, have at it. If he wants to build a sustainable, profitable, online business.. The action he should be taking is brainstorming and researching.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    Hi Sam, at least I think that is your name.

    Pick one niche that you are 'already' knowledgeable in. Still struggling for ideas?

    What's your passion? This should be easy.

    Write about your one (passionate) niche and expand from there. Keep your blog focused on this one idea and keep your readers best interests in mind.

    When you write about one area that you already know, you attract other readers (just like you who enjoy this one topic). And your writing will flow much easier. It won't feel like work when you are constantly blogging about your favorite subject.

    I would forget about multiple topics. It's a lot harder to chase all those rabbits.
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  • Profile picture of the author DavidAllenNeron
    Focus your energy into one thing ..

    What makes you want to blog anyway? (in my opinion) why go down that road?
    especially if you're trying to make money quickly.

    Do you want a hobby or a job? or something in between?
    What kind of an income are you looking for? and what business model best fits that 'realistic' goal?

    Never try the catch-all approach because people come onto the internet to find specific information especially when they want to spend money.

    Which brings me back to the first thing I was thinking... Why blog? there are so many avenues for making money online, why not do something you're passionate about? something you're already skilled in but could easily develop your skills and get even better.

    Just my two cents ...
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  • Profile picture of the author JenniferGiacoppo
    It's always hard in the beginning to start anything especially when you have alot of ideas.Pick the one that is the most appealing the one that is calling you and make a start with that. Pick the one that summons the most fun from you....and in time everything begins to fall into place. Being passionate about what you put forward is the best way for success, because you already then find instant happiness.....and then wonderful things follow. Make a blog or website for your enjoyment. For your world and then you will grow from there. Go general with things in life until you figure out more what you want.
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  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    Your idea seems OK, and yes you could generate income with your blog idea, there's only one problem: focusing on more than one topic means you can't properly concentrate on your SEO. You could try to write about random topics, I know many websites that have articles on a lot of topics, but they have at least one thing in common: they are how to articles, or DIY articles or, you know, something!
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  • Profile picture of the author retrobikesam
    At this moment in time i don't have grand ideas of being rich or even making a liveable income.

    £1 a day is enough for me.

    I'm the kind of person that needs 'proof of concept' as it were to kick start me into serious action.
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  • Profile picture of the author LouSmith
    It might work if you create separate categories for each topic and create a matching Youtube channel for each category.
    Then keep the content in each category relative and share like crazy.
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  • Profile picture of the author hilear
    You say you are struggling for ideas but you list 5 niches that you have working knowledge in. I find that it is not as much not having ideas as much as following through in bringing to fruition.

    Just start doing. Build you website. Post an article then another then another and before you know it you have a100. The process is not get all of the answers then start. The process is start and in the process you will get the answers.

    Good Luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author retrobikesam
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I chose my niche - Cheap budget travelling. I will mostly appeal to the UK market but anyone will find my site useful i guess.

    I spent a coffee fuelled night knocking out 6 articles.


    I just want to clear something up.

    I can appreciate the need for paying for ads, and sharing my site, networking etc etc. But surely there comes a point where pure numbers will generate an income???

    hypothetically i upload a website with 100 (yes 100 ) individual unique articles of varying topics within my niche, i applied SEO techniques i have learned, the income will come purely because of the numbers and the Google hits to my articles.
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  • Profile picture of the author Irn7997
    I think your trying to dominate too many niche focus on 1-2 get them ranking well then move on to others if you want multiple niche
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  • Profile picture of the author beasty513
    Focus on just one or two niches. There are too many that you
    are trying generate content for at the same time. Remember, to
    get those coveted unique visitors to keep coming back is to have quality content.

    The bigger the niche, the more competitive.
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