Lessons Learned From Writing Articles For A Niche Blog 

Writing a blog is hard, but not in the way you might think. It’s not hard because it requires any particular level of skill or intelligence. It’s hard because writing and publishing are only about 20% of successful blogs. 

The first 80% is everything else: finding an audience, getting people to your site, learning how to design and code a website, learning how to monetize your content – the list goes on and on. 

I started my blog as a side project in my spare time while working full-time as an engineer at Google. Here are some lessons I learned along the way that helped me turn my humble weekend project into something I truly love doing full-time.

Key Takeaways
1. Understand your niche audience and tailor your content to their interests and needs.
2. Consistency is crucial – maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
3. Quality over quantity – prioritize well-researched and valuable content that resonates with readers.
4. Experiment with different formats, such as how-to guides, listicles, and case studies, to diversify your content.
5. Engage with your audience through comments, social media, and email to build a loyal readership.
6. Monitor analytics to identify which topics and formats perform best, and refine your content strategy accordingly.
7. Don’t be afraid to pivot or adapt your approach based on feedback and changing trends.
8. Collaborate with other bloggers or experts in your niche to bring fresh perspectives to your content.
9. Stay updated on industry news and developments to provide timely and relevant insights to your readers.
10. Continuously refine your writing skills, embracing both successes and failures as opportunities for growth.

I’m Not A Robot

“Be yourself,” he said.

I was sitting in my boss’s office, trying to absorb what he’d said. I wasn’t sure how to take it at first I mean, who wants their boss to tell them that they need to be themselves?

But then I realized that this is exactly the kind of advice you should listen to when someone tells you something like this: 

It’s important because it reminds us not only that we should embrace our quirks and differences but also that we’re all human beings with very similar needs and desires. The more we remember these things, the easier time we’ll have working together as humans (or robots).

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There’s A Lot Of Free Stuff Out There

There’s a lot of free stuff out there. You can find it by searching online, or simply by asking other people who have done what you’re trying to do. If one option doesn’t work, try another. 

It’s easy to be discouraged when you look at your list of goals and realize that some things are going to cost money, but don’t give up! There are plenty of resources available for free if you know where to look for them.

Overcoming The Idea That The Internet Is Full

Many people think of the Internet as being full. They might think that there’s no room for another site or product and that they’ll never be able to get their foot in the door because someone else will beat them to it.

But this is simply not true! The Internet is not full. There are plenty of opportunities for new sites, especially if you make your niche super specific (like my blog). 

And there are plenty of opportunities for new content as well you could even write an article about some aspect of your business and then turn it into a full course with videos or an ebook!

People Are Amazing

In my experience, the people who are still reading this article are amazing.

They are kind. They are helpful. They are creative, smart, funny, and generous with their time (to name a few things). As I mentioned earlier in the post writing articles for my blog has allowed me to connect with these types of people regularly.

I’ve also learned that if you’re writing in your spare time because you love it and genuinely want to share your passion with others, then other people will notice and appreciate what you do.

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Overcoming The Idea That People Will Steal Your Work

You’ll have to accept that people will steal your work. It’s not just about the money, it’s about the principle. You will have to be prepared to deal with it.

This is something I wish I had known before I started writing articles for a niche blog in my spare time: Someone was going to steal my work and try to sell it as their own. It happened once, but now I know what steps to take if it happens again (hint: call lawyers).

Overcoming The Idea That People Won’t Find My Site

There are many ways to get traffic to your site, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have unlimited resources. You can’t be everywhere at once. You need to find methods that work for you, and then stick with them as long as they show results. 

I’ve tried many different things over the years with varying degrees of success, but there were two methods I stuck with longer than any others: guest posting and search engine optimization (SEO).

I’m not going to go into detail about either of those here because they are topics all on their own, but if you’re interested in learning more about them then check out this article on guest posting or this guide on SEO!

Subject Matter Is Important

Subject Matter Is Important

You need to make sure that you know what you’re writing about. Don’t try to write about something if you don’t have experience in it, as this can result in errors and poor-quality content that will turn people away from your blog.

Don’t try to write about things that you don’t like or care about. Your passion should shine through, so if a topic doesn’t interest you, why would readers be interested? If everything is going well and the audience seems engaged, then maybe it’s time for another change of pace!

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You’re Going To Have To Do It Yourself

You are going to have to do everything yourself. You will have to write the content, design the site, make ads and manage it. You will also need to market and support it for it to be successful.

I’m sure you could find someone else who will help out with some things but if you want it done properly then there is no point in trying anything else other than doing it all yourself.

You’ll Have To Experiment A Lot And Try Many Things

You’ll have to try many things to find what works for your audience. Sometimes you’ll try a new style, sometimes you’ll try a new topic, and sometimes you’ll try a new format or place to publish your work. Whatever the case may be, experimentation is key.

You can’t just sit back and hope that everything will come naturally; there are too many variables at play for that strategy to work consistently. You have to put yourself out there and experiment with different things if you want to improve as an artist (or writer).

Some Experiments Will Work Well While Others Will Fail Spectacularly

You’ll notice that some experiments will work well while others will fail spectacularly. It’s important to learn from your failures, but don’t beat yourself up over them. You’re going to mess up. 

Sometimes it’s just part of the learning process, and sometimes there are specific reasons why you failed (the topic wasn’t interesting enough, or the writing was subpar). 

Don’t expect yourself to be perfect every time; in fact, expecting perfection is one of the best ways not to learn anything. 

Experimenting is the fastest way for me to improve my skills and increase my knowledge base and I think it’s a good principle for anyone who wants to get better at something: try things out!

You’re Going To Make A Lot Of Mistakes

You’re going to make mistakes. You will. I did. My first article was a disaster and it took me several weeks to write another one because I felt so discouraged by how poorly it had gone the first time around. 

But when I finally got back into the groove, I didn’t just start writing articles that were 100% perfect I also made plenty of mistakes along the way.

But here’s the thing: learning from your mistakes is more valuable than never making them in the first place! When you make a mistake and learn from it, you grow as a writer and get better at what you do (and not just for this blog). 

If nothing else, this process helped me learn about myself as an author what kind of things work best for my style? What should I avoid doing next time?

This doesn’t mean that every mistake is okay or even good; some can be very costly if not properly addressed. However, if everyone could avoid every single mistake ever made then there would be no room for improvement at all!

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You’re Going To Learn A Lot In One Area But Not Be An Expert In Any Area

The best thing about a niche blog is that you learn a lot in one area, but are not an expert in any area. You’ll learn a lot about the Internet and how it works, but not be an expert on the Internet. 

You will also learn about how people interact with the Internet, but again, not be an expert on that either. By narrowing your focus down to one topic (or three), you can become an expert without having to spend years studying everything under the sun!

It Takes More Than Just Writing Good Articles To Succeed Online

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it takes more than just writing good articles to succeed online. 

You also need to understand SEO and marketing, how to monetize your site, how to grow your site and manage it effectively…and most importantly, how to manage your time.

If you’re passionate about what you write about and are willing to put in the work, then all of these things can be learned over time. But if your interest lies solely in making money off of a blog without putting in this effort then chances are it won’t work out for you long term. 

The same goes for trying other types of content such as videos or podcasts; they take time and effort before they start bringing any profits at all (if they ever do).

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Conclusion

I hope that you’ve found these lessons to be helpful. For me, the most important one is number 23: you need to be patient and committed for your blog to flourish. 

Don’t let yourself get discouraged by a few slow months or a lack of visitors. Keep trying new things and learning from your mistakes, and eventually, your hard work will pay off.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to enhance your understanding of writing for a niche blog:

How to Write a Blog Post: A Step-by-Step Guide Short Description: Discover a comprehensive step-by-step guide that breaks down the process of crafting an effective blog post, ensuring your content stands out in your niche.

5 Key Lessons We Learned from Pivoting Our Blog Short Description: Explore valuable insights from a blog pivot and learn how adapting your content strategy can lead to improved engagement and success.

Blogging Lessons Learnt Short Description: Delve into real-world experiences and learnings from a fellow blogger’s journey, gaining insights that can be applied to your own niche blogging approach.

FAQs

How do I write compelling copy for B2B marketing?

Crafting compelling copy for B2B marketing involves understanding your audience’s pain points, addressing their needs, and using persuasive language to showcase the value of your offerings.

What are some strategies for improving visual marketing?

To enhance visual marketing, consider using high-quality imagery, infographics, and videos that align with your content. Use consistent branding and visually appealing layouts to engage your audience.

How can I improve my writing without a degree in English?

Improving writing skills doesn’t require a formal degree. Focus on reading widely, practicing consistently, seeking feedback, and learning from writing resources to enhance your craft.

How can I create a blog post that goes viral?

Creating viral content involves a mix of originality, emotion, shareability, and timely relevance. Craft attention-grabbing headlines, use storytelling techniques, and leverage social media to amplify reach.

What can I learn from blogs that successfully pivoted their strategy?

Blogs that successfully pivoted their strategy offer insights into adapting to changing trends, understanding audience preferences, and finding new angles to engage readers effectively.