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A Memorial Day To Remember: Finding Your Niche Takes Time

May 26, 2008 Recently I've been reading Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, written by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett. What a find? If you are new to blogging, or a veteran, get this book! It provides an easy to read framework on making the most of your blog.  It also forces you to reflect on your purpose for blogging.
 
Three years ago, if someone told me I would be reading a self-help book for bloggers I probably would not have believed them. But this book, in more ways than one, has opened my eyes. I'll preface this post by firmly stating that I LOVE BLOGGING and if I had all day (yeah right) to do one thing - blogging would be it.  However, just like growing anything - worth growing - it takes time and attention.

My revelation...

Honestly speaking, for my three years with Bowllan's Blog, I have been all over the place. Just look through my posts - every day is something different. - which is what I loved about blogging. But according to Rowse, it's not right or fair to your readers. I, like many bloggers, have a variety of interests: educational technology; people like Chris, beating the odds; authors like Moying Li who beat the odds; innovative teachers who make learning fun; and most recently, homeschoolers - the list goes on. But Rowse believes it's important to be consistent and stick to your niche. 

My niche is educational technology and providing resources to teachers and parents. 

You're probably asking yourself, where am I going with this? Well, Rowse suggests that bloggers need to develop a niche, and stick with it. So that's what I've been working on - sticking with my niche.  I'm also finding that, no it's not easy, but it is worth it. Especially since,every now and then, my news background will rears its head. To that Rowse says, if you have more than one interest, have more than one blog. I'm not sure about that one, Darren.  And I would love to hear from bloggers who struggled finding their niche.

Anyway, after much blog soul searching, reflecting over three years worth of posts, and chatting with my husband, here's what I came up with to more clearly define my goals for Bowllan's Blog in 2008: 

Feel free to tell me if they don't make a bit of sense:

1-Every parent - to some degree - is a homeschooler and at some point in his/her life will need FREE educational technology resources to help children at home.
2-Every teacher is an educator and in need of FREE educational technology resources for his/her students at school.
3-We All Are everyday people and need to learn about interesting people who help to shape our learning in our world.
 
Hence, my focus is to stay focused and continue to provide readers with substantive resources to enhance learning. Additionally, and my favorite part is this - every Monday, Bowllan's Blog will feature one person (could be you, or an author, student, parent, blogger, illustrator, someone beating the odds, etc.,) you absolutely should know.   

Feel free to send me your, someone you should know to amy.bowllan@reedbusiness.com

Posted by Amy Bowllan on May 26, 2008 | Comments (5)