A little niche guidance please

10 replies
Hello again

I have been running my first ever blog over the last few months while popping in and out of here to develop my knowledge. Although the blog is growing slowly, it is as I know know quite a broad topic being wholesale and general business.

I started it with the view that if it went ok then great, if not then I will have gained new knowledge perhaps for the next project.. and that is where I am at now.

I want to develop a site that is aimed at new bloggers in a step by step approach... and I mean for people who like to be hand held through a process. I would include things like simple graphic creation and images. I see the video possibilities being wide.

So in terms of a niche, this is quite broad I know so I was thinking of refining it to new bloggers on a limited budget.. Could this niche be further refined?

In terms of making money, I was thinking of a mix of selling services (up selling fiver jobs such as explainer videos) as well as affiliate links to products I have used while I have been learning and as it continues plus Adsense etc.

I will be offering free download guides to build a list also.

Marketing will be the free variety to start, as I want to show how this can be done to my visitors but I do have some money I could put into this project.. If I wanted to invest some cash, where would I look to spend to give me the best return?

Is there anything else I need to be thinking about?

Thanks
#guidance #niche
  • Profile picture of the author zdebx
    All you need is just a domain and hosting to start blogging. The funds that you have could be spent towards link building or outsourcing articles/videos, but apart from that you don't really need to spend on anything.

    Your niche is pretty tough one, because normally those who get involved with blogging AND want to learn how to do it properly, are the ones who primarily want to make money from it.

    So essentially, you're putting yourself in a MMO niche, which I'm sure you know is pretty competitive.

    Sure, it can be done, but don't expect miracles any time soon.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608669].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author wholesale blogger
      Originally Posted by zdebx View Post

      All you need is just a domain and hosting to start blogging. The funds that you have could be spent towards link building or outsourcing articles/videos, but apart from that you don't really need to spend on anything.

      Your niche is pretty tough one, because normally those who get involved with blogging AND want to learn how to do it properly, are the ones who primarily want to make money from it.

      So essentially, you're putting yourself in a MMO niche, which I'm sure you know is pretty competitive.

      Sure, it can be done, but don't expect miracles any time soon.
      Thanks and to continue my learning MMO ?

      I understand the niche will be competitive and people wanting to make money from it... but why does them wanting to make money from it make the niche more difficult?

      I how I don't sound as though being clever here just wanting to understand your point more :-)

      I have looked at this as a niche but Im not fixed on it and can look at other projects... Im not really an expert in any field but I'm not 100% sure you need to be (or is this wrong?)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608752].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Beatinest
    I have seen wsos advising doing the same thing. I guess a good way to think about it is there are always people who know different things than you so as long as you are converting your knowledge into content you are on the right path.

    Keep in mind, a lot of new people have limited funds so you'll probably need to stick with low ticket items on the product/affiliate sale end of things.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608759].message }}
  • Not trying to be a jerk here, but if you only started your first blog a couple months ago (and according to you, it hasn't been extremely successful) what do you hope to teach people who are new to blogging?

    If you're just going to teach them how to install blogs, make images and things like that, I would caution you that there are quite a few free guides out there already. If you're going to try to teach them how to create a successful money making blog, I'd suggest you figure out how to do it yourself before jumping into the ultra-competitive MMO niche trying to play yourself off as an expert.

    Michael
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608773].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author wholesale blogger
      Originally Posted by Michael Levanduski View Post

      Not trying to be a jerk here, but if you only started your first blog a couple months ago (and according to you, it hasn't been extremely successful) what do you hope to teach people who are new to blogging?

      If you're just going to teach them how to install blogs, make images and things like that, I would caution you that there are quite a few free guides out there already. If you're going to try to teach them how to create a successful money making blog, I'd suggest you figure out how to do it yourself before jumping into the ultra-competitive MMO niche trying to play yourself off as an expert.

      Michael
      Hi Michael

      I can completely see what you mean here and so I should clarify. My blog would be a 'I'm learning, this is what I learned and this is where I am now' A work in progress.

      When I started most of my questions were answered by the likes of you guys here and on other forums... Lots of Google searches left me feeling either let down because of the flaky info given, or I was scratching my head because I was lost. and so I think I can offer something more. and in terms that wont leave people feeling lost (I hope)

      I have no intention of selling myself as an expert (yet) that will take lots of time. but maybe the approach Im taking will attract similar sorts and in good numbers.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608811].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      It sounds like you're going to have a couple of challenges with this project as it stands now. First, how are you going to separate yourself from the million and one other "make money by blogging" and "follow me as I learn IM" blogs out there? Second, how are you going to advocate successful tactics when you haven't experienced success?

      Here's a little tip. The "follow me while I learn" style blog that's been beaten to death in the IM/MMO niches can still be relatively fresh in many other niches, especially the hobby (what I call the "obsessive") niches.

      > Follow me while I learn to catch trout on flies, or while I learn to compete in local bass fishing tournaments.

      > Follow me while I rehab/redecorate/renovate my house/garage/car/whatever

      > Follow me while I learn to cook

      > Follow me while I learn to grow orchids/roses/tomatoes/etc.

      Get my drift? Then, after you've had a real success, if you still want to muck around with MMO, you'll have real case studies you can point to. Look at the mileage Kern got with a "teach your parrot to talk" product when he decided to go big in the IM markets.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608829].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author wholesale blogger
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        It sounds like you're going to have a couple of challenges with this project as it stands now. First, how are you going to separate yourself from the million and one other "make money by blogging" and "follow me as I learn IM" blogs out there? Second, how are you going to advocate successful tactics when you haven't experienced success?

        Here's a little tip. The "follow me while I learn" style blog that's been beaten to death in the IM/MMO niches can still be relatively fresh in many other niches, especially the hobby (what I call the "obsessive") niches.

        > Follow me while I learn to catch trout on flies, or while I learn to compete in local bass fishing tournaments.

        > Follow me while I rehab/redecorate/renovate my house/garage/car/whatever

        > Follow me while I learn to cook

        > Follow me while I learn to grow orchids/roses/tomatoes/etc.

        Get my drift? Then, after you've had a real success, if you still want to muck around with MMO, you'll have real case studies you can point to. Look at the mileage Kern got with a "teach your parrot to talk" product when he decided to go big in the IM markets.
        See what you mean.. thanks John
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608900].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thedanbrown
    Ya I would suggest to invest in your continued education if anything. To blog you really only have expenses for hosting and autoresponder account, and maybe research investing into a premium direct-response marketing theme for your site, or if you just want to upload files to your server you can find some great marketing page templates here for free on this blog.

    I suggest usnig those templates to build your list and think about further ideas to make money from your subscribers like creating your own products and/or offering services like coaching.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8608841].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    This niche has been done to death, try looking for something else.

    There are plenty of niches for everyone. I'm compiling a list of forums and while most forums seem to be about cars or RPG's, I found one about bagpipes and another about shavers. A good website in either of these niches is pretty darned valuable.
    Signature
    ÖŽ FindABlog: Find blogs to comment on, guest posting opportunities and more ÖŽ




    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8609153].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author wholesale blogger
      Originally Posted by brettb View Post

      This niche has been done to death, try looking for something else.

      There are plenty of niches for everyone. I'm compiling a list of forums and while most forums seem to be about cars or RPG's, I found one about bagpipes and another about shavers. A good website in either of these niches is pretty darned valuable.
      Hey Brett Thailand, Im moving to Malaysia next year... (but random I know) :-)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8609237].message }}

Trending Topics