Creating content for a blog is a fantastic creative outlet. Many people blog just to get their thoughts and words down on “paper”. That’s how I started. But after blogging for over a year I’ve come to realize I need to have a blog focus. A “niche”, if you will.
It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to focus on. I have a post on why I started blogging. It basically says I was hoping to be a “backstage mom” for my daughter Emma who was interested in the modelling and acting world. While that’s not totally off the table, it’s not at all what I’m blogging about now!
I’ve come to the conclusion that mom bloggers are a dime a dozen. While that’s great for finding folks to follow and write for, it also means it’s a really saturated market.
Being a mom blogger means writing about family, parenting, and tips and tricks for an easier family life. (Or at least that’s what I think it’s about!) I’m down with all of that, but I want to have an even more narrow blog focus. As I work 32 hours a week outside the the home I thought I’d add that to my mom blog. So then I was a “Working Mom Blogger.”
After hunting up other working moms I realized everyone is in the stage of just going back to work after babies, or raising toddlers while trying to balance working and parenting. And that’s not where I am.
I’m almost 40 – my girls are “kids” not babies, toddlers or pre-schoolers. Soon enough I’ll be dealing with tweens and teens, and I’ll still be working and juggling 1000 things a week. So there – that is going to be my blog focus. Working parents with school aged children.
But you know what? I’m having a hard time finding others in my niche. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, or not. I want to reach the people like me – they are ones I can speak to with authority!
While I’m happy with my decision on where to focus my blog, I still feel unsure. Are there people out there who will read it? (Besides my family and friends!) Can I grow a following, or find a tribe, of like minded readers who are in the same stage of life as me?
This is where you come in. Are you a working parent? Are your kids “older”? You are my target audience. I would love it if you would follow my blog. And share some of my content – anything that speaks to you, or you identify with.
When you follow me you’ll get 2 emails a week with my fresh blog content. You will also get the occasional unexpected email from me. Some of them are updates – like mini posts I only share with my followers. But you will also get the chance to weigh in when I’m looking for input. In fact I’m percolating a future post right now that I’m going to be crowd sourcing. So keep an eye on your inbox!
To sum up this slightly ramble-y post, I’d like to say that it’s okay if you don’t have a niche. Some bloggers do amazingly without a narrow focus. I’m not one of those people. I need some direction so I can create posts with meaning. Otherwise I’d be writing about the awesome bottle of wine drank the other week, and I’d go on about it for 400 words. I don’t think anyone really wants to read that!
Do you have tips to share for others who are wanting to narrow their blog focus? It took me a long time to be comfortable with the area I chose to blog in. But now it’s easier for me to make posts because I know who I’m talking to.
Following my blog is also a two-way street. If you want to reach out to me, please do! I love hearing from my readers and I am always open to suggestions on my page itself, or ideas for new posts. Feel free to visit my contact page for my details. And I really can’t tell you enough how excited I get when I see someone sharing my work. Let me know if you share things (FB, Twitter, or wherever!) and I will be sure to “Like” your posts.
~Jess
24 Comments
I fall into the “moms who just went back to work” category, but I still love your blog. It’s encouraging and a nice peak into what I have to look forward to as my son and I grow together. 🙂
Thanks Lexie! I’m glad to hear you are enjoying my content. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
~Jess
Mine is more working moms of young children aka new working moms – but that will evolve as my own life changes ha. I hear opposing views on whether a super focused niche is helpful – cause when you niche too much I feel like you exclude others, you know? So I go with a little juggling of different topics 🙂 Even though my kiddo is young, I still enjoy reading your posts 🙂 So I’m still a target reader too, right?
The niche thing is tough – I like the idea of having a specific audience in mind, but creating a bit of related content on a broader scope as well. You are definitely in my “target reader” net! I actually enjoy the idea of being read by those who are looking forward to what’s to come in the life of a working parent family. Thanks for all the support Julie!
~Jess
I’ve seen a linky that may be of interest to you. I’m sure there’s a place for everyone on the internet. #mmbc
Thanks Helena! I took a peek at the linky and it looks like it may be of interest to me. Thanks for sharing!
~Jess
I LOVE your new specialized focus, Jessica! I think you are 100% right that being a working-mom-of-older-kids blogger really sets you apart and gives you a unique niche (a uniche?). 🙂 While I don’t work regularly for anything that pays (if only being a band mom came with a salary…I’d be rich), I am right there with you in the older-kids (daughters at that) camp! I’ll be following you along on your journey via Facebook and Twitter…and, of course, the lovely #alittlebitofeverything!
Thank you! I appreciate the support and all the comments on my social media. I hope I find others as enthused as you to follow me along on my journey!
~Jess
Sometimes I feel the same way with my niche—there aren’t as many out there?? One reason could be because many older women like my mom’s age (my 70+ model on my blog) just don’t spend time on the computer or internet!!
But it’s still fun to blog!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#FabFridayPost
It really is fun to blog – and I’m sure there are readers out there for all niches. I wish you the best of luck with your blog Jodie!
~Jess
Happy Blogversary! Well done! You have kept it up. Blogging is addition isn’t it. My blog don’t really have a niche as such. It’s a mixture of all things. I’d like to keep it under “Family & Lifestyle Blog” for now – so I don’t confuse myself. lol! Thank you for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost
Sometimes I think I more broad niche is easier – at least for coming up with things to write about! It’s always a pleasure to link up with you, Su!
~Jess
It isn’t always easy to find a niche – mine developed naturally into an outdoorsy sort of blog in the end. Sarah #FabfridayPost
I think if your niche develops on it’s own it’s easier to maintain that piece of the blog-o-sphere. I hope you can keep writing about what you want to!
~Jess
Hi, I’m that audience, and that’s what my facebook page is trying to get to (my blog is still more personal family lifestyle about whatever I fancy, but it could be good to link up on FB).
I’ll try to swing by on FB during my next real sit-down computer time! Thanks for connecting. 🙂
~Jess
Hope you find a niche. I’d say write and if you enjoy it, then it’s good. #StayClassyMama
That is an excellent tip! No point in writing things you don’t enjoy. Thanks for the comment!
~Jess
I changed totally my blog as it was all about special needs, but I live that all day and I did not want to write about it. I changed it to my garden and it seems to work and I love writing about it #stayclassymama
If you like to write about it, people will like to read about it (or so I’m told!) I’m glad to hear you found something you enjoy. 😀
~Jess
i dont have a specific niche for my blog, but Im not sure I want to tie myself into a narrow one at the moment. #stayclassymama
A lot of people stick with “mom” or “lifestyle” blogs and it works for them! For me I found I was too random and I didn’t have any coherence to tie my posts together and create natural options for backlinks to other posts of mine. But I also think that whatever you are enjoying is likely what’s right for you! 😀
~Jess
This is a great niche! There are loads of working mums with kids that would appreciate your advice and support, and even though I’m a working mum with a baby I think I would still find your content relevant. Thanks for sharing with #StayClassyMama!
I hope this niche works out for me. I feel the same – there are tons of working moms out there! I’m going to muddle through for a while and see if it works out for me!
~Jess