Before I get into this post, I should let you know that I’m writing this in a highly caffeinated state. I put too much vanilla syrup in my coffee this morning, which, combined with the actual caffeine, has given me a lot of energy. So if this post at all makes me seem like I’m jumping off the walls, just know that I probably am. It’s going to be rough when the sugar and caffeine wear off…
Several eons months ago, I wrote a post about discovering my blogging voice and how it changed me as a blogger. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but when I first started blogging, I had a hard time adjusting to blogging-style writing. I was so used to formal essay-style writing that it took a while for me to develop a blogging voice that felt natural and, well, like me. But once I did, blogging became a lot more enjoyable and a lot more personable.
Anyways, today I wanted to touch on a similar topic, which is finding your blogging niche. I’m sure every blogger and prospective blogger has a general idea of what they’d like to write about when they start up their blog, but sometimes that idea is too general. When it comes to picking a specific focus, it can be pretty challenging, especially if you go into blogging wanting to talk about many different things.
When I started Currently, Lately in August of 2016, there were so many different topics that I wanted to cover. Books, fashion, and beauty were the three central things that I planned on focusing on. But I also wanted to feature personal essays and reflections as well. I realized this was a pretty broad spectrum of content, and I wondered whether or not I needed to slim it down. At the time, I knew very little about lifestyle blogging, so I worried Currently, Lately would have a lost sense of purpose if I covered too much.
However, this is when I learned my first important lesson on blogging niches: you don’t need to have just one. Your blog is a representation of you, and people are multifaceted. If you want to talk about three topics, or three hundred topics, you should do so. Being afraid to branch out and discuss new things won’t make you happy as a blogger. You shouldn’t limit yourself or your content just because you think your topics are too different. Letting your blog represent all of your interests will make it unique to you.
On a similar note, if you like writing about one specific topic, then you should just write about one specific topic. If you’re a lifestyle blogger who likes writing beauty posts but doesn’t like writing fashion posts, then just write beauty posts. Your best blogging comes from what you feel most passionate about. Forcing yourself to write about things that don’t really interest you will only make you not want to blog.
Remember that for most of us blogging is a hobby, not a job. It’s your blog and you should do what you want with it. And, most importantly, you should enjoy what you do with it. If your heart isn’t in your content, don’t be afraid to change it. Write about whatever you want and don’t worry about being too limited or too spread out. Create your own kind of blogging niche.
While some bloggers struggle to decide on which topics to write about, others struggle with what to write about at all. For some of us, it’s difficult to know what we even want to write about, or what we like to write about. This can make it really hard to produce content on a daily, or even weekly content. And although I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to write about when I started my blog, I definitely have gone through times when I’ve felt without purpose. Blogger’s block happens to all of us. And when it happens to me, I feel like I’ve got absolutely nothing. No purpose, no thoughts, no ideas.
In these situations, I’ve learned that the best thing to do is let the writing come to you naturally. I’ve found that the most effective way to figure out what you want to write about is to give it time. It takes dozens of blog posts for you to realize what content inspires you the most. And, sometimes the content you thought you wanted to write ends up being different than the content you end up writing.
In my case, I always figured my blog would be fashion and book focused. But as I started blogging, I realized that recipes, beauty reviews, and reflective pieces were actually some of my favorites to write. In fact, I even enjoy writing about blog photography, which is something I never imagined I would be doing.
It’s a strange concept, but sometimes you don’t really know what you want until you start doing it. If you’re unsure what your blogging niche should be, try experimenting with different types of posts. After a while, you’ll have a better sense of what you like and what you dislike blogging about. It’ll be much less difficult to understand your blogging niche once you’ve tested different topics. Plus, maybe you’ll discover a hidden interest. It’s important to give yourself the chance to explore other blogging niches.
I guess the central idea behind this post is that your blog and your blogging niche should be about you and what makes you happy. You shouldn’t feel like different blogging topics are mutually exclusive, or that you’re obligated to switch things up. Give yourself the opportunity to blog about whatever you want to blog about and don’t limit yourself because you’re worried that your readers won’t be interested in what you want to write. You’ll feel a lot more passionate about a blog that reflects everything you love than one that reflects some of what you love.
What’s your blogging niche?
Sincerely,
Currently, Lately 
Completely agree!
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Thanks!
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I completely agree! When I started my blog I wanted to just write about subscription boxes but then my blog morphed into a beauty blog over time. I will occasionally share non beauty content, but I try to focus my blog mainly in one area.
It’s good to try different topics and types of posts though to figure out what type of content I excel at and what readers aren’t really interested in reading.
I love your blog so much, I love your blogging voice and how you give blogging tips to all of your readers 😊 xx Cleia
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It’s definitely great being able to explore new topics on your blog! And thank you so much! 🙂
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I love this and I agree 100%!! My blog is alllll over the place LOL but so am I, and as I figure myself out and evolve as a person, my blog does too. I like writing about fitness and life and fiction and poetry haha it’s a lot. Love your blog girl!!
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Mine’s all over the place as well lol! I think it’s more fun that way though! And thank you 🙂
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Great article and it certainly gives me much to think about. I only started blogging a few months ago – and am still searching for that niche or blogging voice. I know it will come, persistence is the key. Keep up the great work!!
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Thank you so much! Persistence certainly is key!
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I was always worried about this issue as in the future I like the idea of doing blogging semi-professionally and brands like it when your niche is clear. However, ultimately I believe we should be our own niche and seeing as our interests tend to be quite interconnected it all comes together – e.g., I guess my main niche is food and wellness but I also like talking about productivity, self growth etc which is different but at the same time links into healthy living! So it definitely isn’t black and white and your niche can be whatever you want it to be. Loved reading this – so well written! 💕
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Thank you so much! I know exactly what you mean. It would be nice to have a distinct niche, but it’s fun being able to blog about whatever you feel like blogging about!
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I feel the same, why stick to one or even two subjects, it’s just too restricting. I blog about different topics and that works for me. I think being more liberal opens up more opportunities in the blogging world! I think having a niche is a big outdated as such these days! Must I see cover varied subjects.
Great post!
Samantha. X
http://thebeautyspyglass.com
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Apologies for the last line of gobbledegook! *bit *most 😩😂
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It really is too restricting! I like being able to talk about a wide variety of topics as well! I feel like it makes blogging a lot more personable and fun!
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Love this “Your blog is a representation of you, and people are multifaceted” Absolutley agree. Good post. 🙂
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Thanks so much!
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I agree! As long as you’re writing about what you’re passionate on, and that you’re enjoying it. You dont need to stick to a topic, unless it’s what you want 😄
Well said Paige!
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you so much! I am having my blogging block now. I don’t feel like writing anything. I just repost old posts to keep my feed active. I still like writing beauty reviews, but I start getting bored when I post the same type of post every time. As you said, I need to switch up and see what my other interest is. Or I should check out blog post idea to get some inspiration.
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Reblogged this on Stow-away Book and commented:
🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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Thank you for permission to not have a niche!
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Great post! I agree with everything! Also we love your blog and nominated you for the Versatile Award! Click the link to read the post! https://chicneatsweet.com/2017/10/20/versatile-blogger-award/
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My blog is a pretty much a mix of everything. It’s personal but at the same time, I also share some travel posts that I did while in Japan. In the end, blogging is supposed to be fun so I bloggers should not have the pressure to only write in their niche or not having a niche at all.
Great post!👏 👏 👏
nurulrasya.com
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I really like this post, especially because you’re so right it should be something that is true to yourself. But I also like to think that’s blogs can grow and evolve as time goes on and you learn what areas within your niche you like and people are engaging with the most.
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What a great post Paige! I feel so new to blogging, and felt that I had to have a strong idea of what I should be going for before I have done it. This make me want to relax and have more fun with my post. I’m totally going to check out you “Finding your bloggers voice” post now 😀
❤
P.s. Love your writing style, it's so easy to read and friendly!
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