Can I just be real and to the point with you?
Yes, I will even without your permission but I am southern and it is just polite to ask. 
mmm, hmm.A Woman Inspired gets many proposals from speakers, specifically for the Ministry Online conference. I’m also still doing lots of research to complete my book: Ministry; Online. That means that lately I’ve read so many e-books, proposals, and blog posts about “successful” blogging that I just might implode. And the audios, oh my. Matthias’s first words may very well be “search engine optimization”.
Most of these well intentioned people have told me that I have such great potential but that I need to have a tighter niche in order to succeed. That I need to focus my writing topics because that is what opens up the doors for opportunities: books, speaking, and sponsors. Now they aren’t really telling me. The are speaking to an audience but it is a generalization that would include me.
I’ve struggled over this, especially lately, because I’m hearing that if I want to be an author or speaker I need to create a platform. I have to become a brand and market myself. Can you hear me getting all excited? Yeah, I rolled my eyes at almost every syllable. The problem is that I believed it for a short spell.
I guess I should also say that a year or so ago one very polite and concerned “professional” blogger told me that I should focus on online ministry. She said, “that is your niche – market it!” So, I tried. It didn’t interest me. Don’t get me wrong. I’m writing a book about it but a whole blog on it? Not for me. I failed miserably and quickly lost interest in writing about it. Unintentionally, the ministry became a business ploy to sell myself and it just wasn’t sitting well with me. But I listened because, after all, these were Christian, professional bloggers so they must know a thing or two, right? Interestingly enough, now that I don’t feel obligated to blog about online ministry I want to. It’s all about perspective isn’t it?
The point is: I got frustrated because I couldn’t find my niche and I lost focus of the reason I blog to begin with.
I can see why so many people have 5 different blogs: one cooking, one photography, one about the kids, one about the ministry and one for them. They think they have to niche everything. That is exhausting.
And then there is sponsorship…
Now I am an entrepreneur at heart. I am all about searching out a need and finding a creative way to meet that need. The problem is I don’t want to treat my blog like a business. It’s not. It’s my life. It’s part of my legacy. I don’t want to be obligated and if that disqualifies me from being successful then that is fine. God is very faithful and my husband is absolutely providing for us. I have yet to have an unmet need and God has even delivered on quite a few wants as well. Besides, I would just prefer to enjoy writing and building relationships here. I like making videos and not having to worry about getting emails or comments that tell me it is “unprofessional” and not good for my portfolio.
Really?
Gosh, I’m not trying to be on Food Network, folks. I love doing it. I think it is fun. I like sharing my heritage and frankly Carsten is learning something this year in school that relates to these videos: videography.I’m going to post my videos just because I want to. And no I didn’t get a slew of comments or emails about it. Only two but I realized weeks later that those two teensy emails made me doubt myself and consider lots of things like: maybe I should redo the kitchen before I record anymore or maybe I should really practice before I record them.
I don’t have the time or energy for that and besides, it would take the fun out of it.
What you get is me.
I like my Open Sky shop. It is not intrusive and only contains things that I like and use. It gives me that business woman drive that I like. It makes me feel good about that education in marketing that my grandparents paid for. I like recommending via Amazon. Again, it is only things I like. I don’t seek sponsors for my blog but I don’t get that many offers either. I am told that is because I need to develop my niche.
There is that word again. Are you starting to notice a pattern here? Well tune in tomorrow when I give you the remedy for this dilemma. It may even sound like an online ministry post but don’t worry, I’m not trying to go that direction. Online ministry is what I do. It isn’t who I am.
More topics that might interest you:
- Niche Series part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
- What bothers you about blogs: mistakes bloggers make
- Competition in Ministry
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Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to everything you said. I have been struggling with the same thing and all it does is discourage and distract.
What you said.
Great post. I agree a blog shouldn’t be a business. I think that’s what a website is for. I’m still trying to figure it all out myself. I became exhausted with niche blogging a long time ago. So much so that I hardly blog anymore and when I do it’s because I want to, not because I’m worried about my readers (if there are any left.) Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post!
I love this, Amy! I can relate because I just had a discussion with my husband this topic this week too. I am narrowing down everything and deciding the details but pretty much my niche will be me sharing what I have learned in life so far… and then she had peace… and one blog… and one website… and…
That is something I struggled with as well. But I decided who cares what others think/or say about the whole niche thing I need to be true to what I should write about. It’s not always the same and it covers different subjects. But its all still part of what I do and the message that God has me write.
Yes. I’m with you … 100%!
What a fantastic post that I so needed to hear. Thank you for being so encouraging!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Can’t wait to come back tomorrow and read more!!
Blessings to you, dear Amy!
Love from Michigan~
Cindy
Oh my goodness girl my arms are raise and I am practically standing on my chair shouting AMEN GIRL!!!
You go what you do because God called you to it…keep it real, keep it authentic and keep on doing what you do…that’s just the way we like it!
I can’t wait to read tomorrow’s post…
Bunches of Hugs,
Melissa
AMEN and AMEN!
I figure when my life becomes a “niche” then my blog will. Until then I will just keep my blog a place where I can share what God leads me to share. Yes it tends to be more devotional than anything, but it’s about my life and if God chooses to use it wonderful, and if not and I never get another comment ever – for me the process of just writing is so powerful and therapeutic that it just doesn’t matter.
I am so with you AMY!
Can you hear me shout, HALLELUJAH!!!
Amy, I understand completely what you’re saying. I often let people know that I just have to be who GOD equipped and ordained me to be. I love HIM, I follow HIM and I often stumble along the way but my eyes stay on HIM. As long as we’re doing what HE says then HE’s glorified and we’re blessed.
Love you and keep SAYING it real!
I hear you loud and clear. As far as your recommendations, people who follow your blog begin to trust you and listen to you. I love that you only recommend things that you love and would share with a friend. That maintains your integrity but also may earn you a little bit of extra money.
I love that you are unique and not afraid of simply being …Amy!
That’s who we love.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I totally and whole heartedly agree with you!!
) I tried having a homeschool blog, a homemaking blog, a homestead blog, and a recipe blog and to be honest I deleted all of them and started over with just one blog. That blog is about my life, not fractures of my life but the whole things rolled into one. I like reading blogs that show the whole person and not just pieces of their life. Too many times we try to fit into a mold that we just can’t squeeze into. Then things tend to get scattered and the true person becomes something they are not.
)
To me blogging is about sharing things that the writer loves. It is not about marketing or making money. My heart is also that my blog is going to be a legacy that me and generations after me, can look to and they can see who I really was or am, since I’m not dead yet. ;o)
I love coming here and reading about the real you. You are an amazing woman of God!!
ya know, I have been told the same thing….”find your niche”. and when I gave it up, and went back to blogging just for fun and to keep family up to date with us, it went back to being more fun!!! good on you girl, for following your heart!!!
Thanks for not giving into the “you have to do it this way to be successful” ploy. You are loved and successful just as you are.
YOu are so right! I struggled too, wondering if the spiritual part of my blog my offend people- wondering if I should have different blogs for the different types of things I blog about… but it seems to be too much… I am totally with you on this one- we can only be who we are and who God wants us to be… perhaps, we are making a difference?
I know you are! I love your very real blog!!!
TERRIFIC post! I believe there is a vast difference between those of us who like to share their life in the hopes it encourages someone else, and those who want to make a business out of it. I really struggled with the “niche” thing early on as well. It caused me much stress. I also decided it wasn’t worth it. That wasn’t why I was blogging. If you just keep doing what you are doing, people come, because they love seeing the real you through your posts, not reading something strained in order to fit into a niche!
I hear you. I’ve been struggling with the same thing myself. I have branding for dummies on my table here. What in the world is my niche? What makes me different? And isn’t writing on the same topic over and over…overly boring? But then I go through piles of websites today and the ones who have narrowed their focus stand out. Preachers Wife–what a great niche!
I think that you stand out because you are a great mom. Look at all that you’ve gone through, being a single mom and raising those kids. Not to mention that you have special challenges.
Great post!!
Looking forward to part two and I second Darlene!!
AMEN sista! I am tired of hearing it too! I have 4 blogs at one time and LOVE that I only have one now! And it’s my Niche because it’s ME!
I have no words to express how much I love this post.
Okay, let me first say that I agree with you! I’ve often wondered how people can stand to blog on the same topic for as long as they do, but I understand the niche and brand thing. In fact, I’ve recently told newbie bloggers to find a niche and I’ll be telling others the same thing in just a few days (please! no rotten tomatoes LoL), BUT I also tell them to use their niche and brand as a lens for how they see and present things on their blog. I also tell them that the best way to find their niche and brand is THRU blogging.
I blog about everything from my dirty laundry to my Bible reading and my dog and kids, because it’s me and it’s my blog, but because my brand is also very much me, it ties together…for the most part. LoL And if it doesn’t, who cares? It’s mine. Ha! So yeah, I DO agree with you!!
Living with, and working with a “tight niche” blog can be like trying to do deep knee bends in (too) skinny jeans.
I periodically have to remind myself why I blog in the first place. I write for myself and to have a record of our family and life. All the other stuff like amazing friendships, encouragement, education and just plain fun is gravy- purely extra blessings! I purposefully limit reviews and have no sponsors because it just takes all the fun out of it for me and turns my blog into a burden. Definitely something I don’t need or want– I have enough of my own, thankyouverymuch!
Keep doing what your doing. Keep pursuing your passion.
Love you!
Marsha
Amy,
You’re talking my language and I’ve bought into the lies of branding but it never got me a platform. And I don’t want to be driven to write to please others or to build something I’m not. It’s SOOO frustrating to listen to the wisdom of experts.
I want to be teachable. But I also NEED to have freedom to be ME. And I’m still after all these years a speck on the web. I haven’t built my blog to get the big numbers. That is such work. And I don’t like that kind of work.
What I do like is connecting with people and writing from my heart. I love the creative process. I rebel against the battle. I often want to quit. But I love people too much. I can’t NOT write something. And I think I could use a lesson about being MORE ME online. Because I’ve honed my posts to be only devotional in natural.
The truth is I’m a silly personality too but I can’t seem to show that side of me on my blog. It doesn’t seem to fit my niche. Ugh…
Okay, I’m done rambling for now. On to the next post. I need help. Do you offer free therapy for us bloggers who are professional writers and speakers? How can we be free???
THANK. YOU.
When I get frustrated with blogging, it’s because I spend more time trying to focus on what the professionals say and not what I know in my heart is right for me. know what I”m saying? Not that I can’t learn from professionals – but you know what, if I’m doing what GOD wants me to do and keep focused on Him, THAT is my niche. THAT is my focus. If He brings marketing success because of it – great. If not – he’s still providing me a means to interact with others online in a meaningful way and to minister to others and be ministered to for His purpose.
Love it – YOU GO GIRL!!!
Niche blogging just astounds me. I have several things I like to blog about, so you know what I coined my “niche”? I call it “buffet” blogging
That way there’s a little bit o’ this and a little bit o’ that…which is how I live my life {and it’s my fave way to eat!}. Buffet blogging…it’ll sweep the blogosphere! 
Wow. This sounds much like what I tried to do with “Journey to a Gracious Woman” and it frustrated and exhausted me (and sucked a lot of my time away). Hence why I shut it down.
It took a bit of convincing of my husband to open my new blog “Joyful Mothering” and I’m still not sure he’s convinced yet. He doesn’t want to see me in the same situation I was last time.
I’m with you. I’m going to be “me”–the ministry will fall into place. My whole “brand” is authenticity. Something I’ve learned is that I cannot blog what I have not lived. With my previous blog, I was trying to force articles that just wouldn’t form. I have to LIVE my life in order to have something to WRITE. Yea..so, going to read the next post.
Hooooooo boy.
I started blogging off the top of my head, gathered quite a few readers and then I read about finding your “niche” in the blogosphere. I took it to heart and one by one my readers fell away. Now here I am back and trying to see where I fit and all along all I want to do is blog my life.
Hmmmm, niche indeed.
Oh Amy, I feel like you just lifted 150 pounds off my shoulders. : ) I have been struggling with the niche thing for so long, I feel like my blog has suffered. In my search to figure out which niche I belong in, I’ve stopped writing and stopped connecting with my readers. I’m excited to read through your series and rediscover the joy I used to feel from blogging. Happy New Year!