Focusing on a blogging niche

[shanlstrick]

Hi all,
My apologies for the length of this post, I did my best to make it short. This past June my position (electronics engineer) got eliminated where I worked, by September the company was out of business. I expected as much, my layoff and the layoff of others was the first sign of trouble for this textile-related company. The company was a machinery manufacturing and service company for textile mills – and we all know how that industry is doing – it’s dead.

In the last few years I have been working toward owning my own business, and I have tried various things each with limited, if any success. I currently work as a sole proprietor servicing the former customers of my now out of business employer. Unfortunately it is not enough to live on as the customer base is shrinking almost daily – plant closings. So it’s obvious this line of work will not lead to any long-term success as it is. Currently I average about $20,000 to $25,000 per year doing service calls and circuit board repairs, not enough to live on.

To the point, I have no desire to work for another employer; I want control over my destiny. I have attempted a couple of internet related businesses. Last year my wife and I opened an eBay store and although we do make a profit, it is not much. eBay is pretty saturated these days and the cost of doing business there is steadily going up. Plus packaging and shipping products is NOT something I love to do. I do like to write (although I do need a bit more experience) and I have been playing around with blogging, which is how I came across this website.

I realized early on the need to focus on a niche, I love to read about quantum physics, cosmology and all things technical. So I created 2 blogs on blogger.com – one is about quantum physics, moving toward an emphasis on how reality is observer created. The other is cosmology and the study of the universe, I love all things space – big Trek fan, Battlestar Galactica (new show), Farscape, etc. I also like the metaphysical realm, actually more than any of the others mentioned above.

So I read Steve’s blog “How To Make Money From Your Blog” and noticed I was already doing something wrong. I am not on a dedicated personal site; my 2 blogs are on blogger.com, so income will be limited. I do have Google Adsense and Amazon links, but I have no other links at present. I realize that I need to fix this, but I’m just getting started. Steve mentioned in his article the need to focus on a niche, but don’t pick a niche that is too narrow, that will also limit success. So here are my first big questions. Is my area of interest too narrow? Is it feasible to make a living in these areas?

I intend to create my own website, before I start I want to be sure I select the most appropriate topics that will yield the best income opportunities. Also I have an interim plan of income while I get this off the ground. I had to cash out my IRA (about 20K) to have something to live on while I figure out what I am doing. If need be, I will get temporary work to supplement my service income – the goal being to have the extra time and money needed to get this blogging income going.

If anyone has any insight they would like to share, it would be most appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

[Hugh Hollowell]

My first thought was what an amazing opportunity you have. You get to build the life you want from scratch. What a lucky break!

Get a domain name you like as soon as you can. You can stay with blogger if you like it and have your domain redirected there while you get your feet wet.

Niche is very important. I started a blog and then split it into two blogs, then split one again, so now I have 4 blogs, all on variations of the same niche. Only one of them (the new one in my signature below) is where my heart is, what I am most passionate about.

Blogging is, at it's core, writing. For God's sake, pick something you want to write 1500 or more words a week on. It also helps to pick something others want to read about. (you would be surprised how many folks do not think about that part!)

I wish you much success, and congratulations on your fresh start!

[Kristoffer]

I must start with agreeing with Hugh. Though you are in a somewhat dire situation right now it seems that you have a lot of positive energy to use for creating a new life for yourself.

I think your ideas on quantum psychics and "moving toward an emphasis on how reality is observer created" is right on spot today. So many people are interested in that subject. We see that here in this forum with all the talk of "manifesting intentions".

That seems to me a very good niche for a blog. If you write interesting I think it would not take long to get a large readership since so many people use search engines to look for answers in that area.

First, get out of hosted blogging. To use ads and make money from a blog you are much better of with "real" hosting.

Once in hosting and having set up one blog it is easy to add another. I have now 4 (5) blogs that I look upon as a little garden. I am not sure about how they will develop. Having a couple of blogs gives me room to try out different things here and there.

[shanlstrick]

Thanks Hugh & Kristoffer, I appreciate your input and have looked at each of your blogs, very nice. Love the Teddy Roosevelt quote at the top of your blog Hugh.

Lots of insight on Japan Kristoffer, I can't believe that some Asian women actually want to have western looking eyes, they are so beautiful as they are, wow.

Anyway, I think I'll go with the Quantum reality aspect focusing on creating your own reality and ways to achive goals you desire. There is so much to write about. Showing how quantum physics points toward observer created or influenced reality - to give a sort of proof it can be done (scientific evidence). I am actually corresponding with Fred Alan Wolf (physicist) so I can get some of my facts straight.

I have been looking at hosting solutions and over at Wordpress they recommend one called Bluehost - anyone heard of that one? Again thanks so much for the responses.

[Kristoffer]

Yes, I am on BLUEHOST.COM. Works well and they have a convenient one-click install for wordpress too.

[trekr5]

You could use this http://inventory.overture.com/d/sear...ry/suggestion/ to find the number of searches for your niche. That will tell you whether it is something worth focusing on.

I have heard of someone with a blog just focusing on e.g. HP Deskjet 3280 and it attracting a far amount of traffic especially if you make it very interesting. The fellow in question took the printer apart , provided solutions to problems that tend to occur for this printer and anything else of interest. Eventually he had a stable of blogs dedicated to different models of HP printers. Approached HP and got them to send him printer models to review and arranged an advertising/branding arrangement with them.

Just be creative!

[MartialDev]

Originally Posted by shanlstrick

Steve mentioned in his article the need to focus on a niche, but don’t pick a niche that is too narrow, that will also limit success. So here are my first big questions. Is my area of interest too narrow? Is it feasible to make a living in these areas?

Narrow or broad focus is not the issue. The question is, are your visitors interested in buying anything? If not, sponsors won't pay you.

Originally Posted by Hugh Hollowell

Blogging is, at it's core, writing.

My experience as a reader...
Those who can, write.
Those who can't, blog.

[Hugh Hollowell]

My experience as a reader...
Those who can, write.
Those who can't, blog.

Unfortunately, much too true.

[shanlstrick]

Again thanks for all the input on this.
I have been at the Bluehost website for a good while this morning, lurking in the user forum. I figure it's always a good idea to see what current users of a service think before signing up with that service.

Well, their own forum has helped me to decide NOT to go with Bluehost. I need a reliable webhost if I am going to have any chance of success. And the complaints of down time in January alone are staggering. The usual response is "all hosts experience down time from time to time". This is a great deal more than "time to time" - it's quite frequent and answers are slow if at all. Does not build one's confidence in the service to say the least.

Anyone have any alternative hosting ideas they may be willing to share?
Thanks,
Shannon

[icesar]

I use dreamhost.com for hosting and I love it. They do have downtime issues, but they always reply to customer's problems, you can host multiple domains and sites, and their one-click install rock.

Best of luck with your blogs!

[Hugh Hollowell]

I know eyes will roll at this, but I have had nothing but good fortune at godaddy.com for years. I love that they actually answer the phone if I have a problem.

[Brutha]

@Quantum Theory:

You should be clear who your target audience is. If you write for New Age people you can keep your approach of simply using New Age material (such as Fred Alan Wolf) as your source.
If you want to appeal to a audience of people with a scientific mindset you should be able to present the different viewpoints on the topic.
Fred Alan Wolf has a nice theory, but you will lose people who have a scientific mindset when you present his theory as a fact, because not many other scientist hold similar theories.

So are you able to write in a way that the New Age people understand and in a way that science minded people don't put you into the New Age category?

[shanlstrick]

Originally Posted by Brutha

@Quantum Theory:
So are you able to write in a way that the New Age people understand and in a way that science minded people don't put you into the New Age category?

Hi Brutha, you make a valid point. Since I am not a true scientist, maybe the New Age metaphysics slant is the best route to take. I love both topics and tend to try to marry the two, but like you said people with a science mindset may automatically label me and discount much of what I say. But that's why I called it a layman's point of view. I was actually hoping to eventually solicit interviews with some scientists or get comments - even allowing some to showcase their perspectives or work. Surely there are those who fall into both categories like Fred Alan Wolf (an accomplished physicist in his own right). It's all in the very early stages right now. And I am constantly finding myself questioning what I am doing, if it's the right approach, etc. There are times I am very positive about it, and other times I am not. Ups and downs.

I suppose I could focus on the New Age mindset, and refer to some interesting Quantum factoids, or assumptions as a way to add ammunition to some of the topics. I really do love metaphysical topics and writers as well - Jane Roberts, Ken Carey, Carlos Castaneda (I am well aware of the opposing views on this guy and the controversies that surrounded him - that in itself could make interesting talk).

Again thanks - food for thought. I suppose now I'll have to start all over again...LOL

[jpfieber]

It's good to look through the forums of a host site, but be aware that after doing that, you'll not be able to pick ANY host. Every host I've looked at has people complaining about things, and every host has issues. I would loooove to find a fast host that allows multiple domains, but so far my search is in vein. One of the ones I'm with now was really fast when I started, but lately is bogging down. Another is slow as molasses after being bought out and 'upgrading' their system. I'm tempted to run my own server, but then I'd be the idiot responsible for my downtime, I'd rather blame someone else...

[Kristoffer]

Originally Posted by jpfieber

I would loooove to find a fast host that allows multiple domains, but so far my search is in vein.

BLUEHOST.COM allows that, I have all my domains hosted with them.

[jpfieber]

Nothing personal, but I have a hard time putting much faith in user endorsements that lead to referral benefits (your link having a referral code in it). I'm sure you probably stay with the host because it's working for you, but the referral aspect does taint the review...

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by Hugh Hollowell

I know eyes will roll at this, but I have had nothing but good fortune at godaddy.com for years. I love that they actually answer the phone if I have a problem.

Ditto to the person who gave big props to Dreamhost. I had the same webhost(a local firm in Salt Lake City) since I originally had a website in 1995 until they closed without notice in 2001. Since then I have been through no less than a half dozen webhosts and, honestly, hated them all. Until a friend suggested Dreamhost--I've been blown away by their features, service and everything else. I can't recommend them highly enough.

I use GoDaddy for my domain registrations but I hated them as a web host for the brief time I used them a couple of years ago.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by Kristoffer

BLUEHOST.COM allows that, I have all my domains hosted with them.

Dreamhost also allows multiple domains, and I'm not getting a penny for recommending them :-)

[Hugh Hollowell]

Godaddy has been great, but the primary reason I use them is their customer service. Telephone support is a huge thing for me, and they do not hide the numbers or anything. Not being a tech by training, I find I can communicate tech problems better over the phone.

[Shaden]

I think you have a great niche. A lot of people find it really difficult to comprehend quantum physics and it would be great for them (and your wallet) if you could narrow it down so that the average person can understand it .

[JPX]

Shanlstrick,

I'm pretty much on the same boat you are. I left a good job at a University four months ago to follow my dream of working on my own. So far I haven't made much money on my own, but I'm keeping my head up. This forum and Pavlina's site has been an incredible inspiration.

I have been blogging for a few years now, and like Hugh, I would recommend Go Daddy. I have never had a problem with them. Their basic hosting is $6.99 per month (on the monthly plan) and you can put up to 25 Wordpress blogs or databases on there.

I'm sure you'll have to pay more once you start getting traffic, but that would be a good problem to have.

Keep us informed of how your ventures turn out, and if you need more inspiration, read Pavlina's 10 Reasons why you should never get a job article.