Finding the Niche in Readers

Writing has made me learn about myself so much. It has helped me see my interests in a new light. It is also interesting to see how others view me and what they find interesting. Writing on my site has exposed a whole new route, that I wasn’t sure was possible a few months ago. It’s truly amazing to find myself in you, my readers. I find more encouragement to be who I truly am and write what I am truly passionate about. Creating a blog and writing isn’t just about writing and what your readers want. It’s also about writing about what your readers see in you. Blogging is a social relationship in a tech medium. I find that I write because I have built relationships with you. I write because I know someone is going to feel or see the same way I do. Apart of me loves to give back to what has been giving so graciously to me.

Blogging is a social relationship in a tech medium.

I would define my writing as a mix between tech, fashion and design. This is a niche that kind of wraps itself in each other. Why not be a tech savy woman with style who designs full time? People who say that a blog just needs to be one niche isn’t looking at the full picture. That’s like saying human beings are only two dimensional. Human beings have so many more angles to us. To not show and represent the other ones is a waste. Sure, a niche for some people is good. Some people need a strong niche to stay on topic. But for me, I feel that I am expressing my voice, my opinions and passions. If blogging were just about one thing and one thing only, the internet would be a pretty boring place. People love to watch people. It’s something we’ve done since the dawn of time. Why do you think Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are so engaging? Because we can all watch each other, secretly. It’s entertaining, it’s secretive and engaging.

People love to watch people.

Finding my niche for blogging wasn’t truly in myself. It wasn’t writing down every thing I like and take interest in. It was seeing what my readers were saying about me. It was realizing that I had some valuable topics and knowledge in a certain area that I can write about. Because readers can help define a blog niche, means they will read and read often.  Finding a niche with a couple of topics that intertwine each other is valuable and what every writer should try to find. Granted, this epiphany just occurred to me today. It’s taken me about two years to realize this. But it’s true, content isn’t within myself, it’s within my readers.

(Photos credited to: @zangaroo | @blueeyesbrenna | @pipta | @srslyliz)

9 Comments Finding the Niche in Readers

  1. Tina

    You posting this article has such great timing! I was just perusing the internet today for what makes a blog a successful one. None of the stuff I found included the idea of having multiple topics all rolled into their own niche. So your post was refreshing and very insightful. Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
  2. Mark Popkes

    Great article. I liked what you said here: “If blogging were just about one thing and one thing only, the internet would be a pretty boring place.” I’ve never actually thought about it like that, but this is so true; the internet would be a pretty boring place wouldn’t it!?

    Where you said, “Finding a niche with a couple of topics that intertwine each other is valuable and what every writer should try to find,” I completely agree and am trying to find that myself. Great article, Hillary!

    Reply
  3. Derek Jensen

    Hillary,

    I immediately added this to my Pocket. Of all the years I’ve been reading about tips related to blogging this is seriously all I should’ve read.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Amy Potter

    I totally agree with you on this! I had this internal battle with myself when I started writing my blog, whether I should (or could!) write about running, fitness AND design on the same blog. And now I’m so very glad that I do! Granted there is a very, very, very small niche of people who enjoy both running and design, but to be perfectly honest I don’t write my blog to gather a zillion followers or page views. I write it because I want to, and I write about what I want to write about! If other people enjoy it, well that’s just the icing on the proverbial cake.

    I love that you are a tech savvy woman with style, who also designs! And if you wrote a blog simply about design, to be honest, I think it would be half as interesting as the full picture you currently present :) Love your blog. Don’t change.

    Reply
    1. Hillary Hopper

      Amy! Running and design is such a small niche. But it seems to be totally doable doesn’t it? Blogging shouldn’t be about gathering followers and hits. Even though it is nice too. It’s better to jut write for yourself and maybe hope to help and touch some people along the way. Thats how at least I see it. I appreciate your comments, it means a lot to me. It’s truly hard to define ones blogging style as you know, but once you find it, it gets a lot easier.

      Reply
  5. Mike

    This is probably just a longer version of what I already said to you on Twitter, but oh well!

    There are so many blogs out there, and many focus on one or two topics. I think reading ‘a tech blog’ feels more like just a news site. The focus is on whatever gadget or software they’re writing about, and the author takes a back seat.

    That’s fine of course, but I feel like the whole concept of the blog was meant to be more personal: not as much about the new MacBook itself, but rather that person’s thoughts on said MacBook. Anyone can post specs or factoids, but the interesting part is what those mean to people. I don’t know if blogging is just going back in that direction, or I’ve just stopped visiting the ‘impersonal’ ones, but I like it regardless.

    In short, if I visit hillaryhopper.com, I’m doing so to see what Hillary has to say. Doesn’t matter much what it is, since your topics are things that you’re passionate about. And since I’m reading as a fan of the *person*, it’s something I can’t get anywhere else.

    That got rambly, huh? Hopefully it makes as much sense as it does in my head. :D

    Reply
    1. Hillary Hopper

      Mike, please always feel free to elaborate on my blog. I believe my site to be a place for self expression, not only for myself but for my readers. I am honored that you took the time to write such a thoughtful and elaborate comment. I agree, that you should be wanting to read someones blog based on their thoughts and because you agree with them. This is a great perspective and I really I think people are naturally drawn to this. But it’s good to put it into to works. Thank you.

      Reply

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