The big question when starting a new blog is always, "What should I blog about?"
Your blog topic is most important because it's something you should care about deeply as you will be writing about that topic all the time, it gives your audience something to learn from and relate with, and your topic will determine what kinds of brands you can work with for advertising or sponsorship.
In this post, I'll share the typical advice on how to pick a blog topic and then my advice. The two are related yest different in approach.
The usual suspects advice
The typical advice that is given on how to determine a blog topic is to write what you're passionate about. And that is very true because again, you and your blog topic will be together 24/7/365 until you shut down or sell the blog.
So what is it that you are passionate about? Well, if you are like me, I am passionate about a dozen things at any given time and some of those passions can last anywhere from a week to a decades. And of course, many of those passions of mine don't necessarily mesh together like Battlestar Galactica to healthy eating.
I guess I could do a blog about how to eat healthy in outer space but then how would I make money? What kind of brands would be interested in advertising with me? Uh, yogurt in jet packets?
To be an effective blog in terms of attracting readers, publicity, and revenue, you need to have focus. If you want to be a BIG blog like millions in traffic kind of blog, you need to have a topic that appeals to mainstream (in whatever your niche is) yet has your own panache.
Steph's advice
My advice in finding the right topic for you to blog about is a bit more specific than picking something you are passionate about. I recommend that you pick something that you just can't shut up about. That's right. For a moment, do not think about the blog. Just think in general terms.
What is a topic or thing that you could go on and on about for what feels like forever. You just cannot help yourself. You could talk about this thing endlessly because it's something that just lights a fire in you. You can't shut up.
Great but who will care & how do I make money
A lady who wanted to start blogging asked me, "Well Steph, I cannot shut up about macaroni & cheese. How many people are really going to care about that and how can I make money with that topic? Mac & Cheese doesn't seem like it will be a big money maker."
Her skepticism is understandable.
Why people read blogs in the first place
Here's the thing. People read blogs and continue to come back to your blog because they like you, your energy, what you have to offer, and what you are about. These traits can only come out if you're lit up, and when you're lit up again, you cannot shut up.
Because the word "passionate" has been used so often in business the brain typically automatically starts to associate, "So what is it that I am passionate about...that can make money?" Logic now kicks in and makes picking a blog topic harder not easier because you start thinking about "money and traffic making" topics versus topics that set your soul on fire.
In blogging at least in the topic picking department, I believe the heart, the soul, emotion and spirit, should take the lead because the key differentiator between a blog and say your typical mass media site is the heart part. Plus, you are going to be married to this topic. This topic will be in your life all the time, so it might as well be something you can't shut up about.
Back to Mac & Cheese
Say you can't shut up about Mac & Cheese, films with cute animals, fishing poles, space ships, or lipstick, I say that is absolutely fabulous so start blogging. Just start. Let your enthusiasm express itself, and let that passion open doors for you because you have no idea what kind of doors will open for you.
When I started blogging in 2005, I could not shut up about wanting to wear my skinny jeans again. To me, when I put my business hat on, that topic sounded really ridiculous. But my heart, well my heart had LOTS to say. I could not shut up about this topic for 3 years and 8 months.
Did I think that topic would be a money maker or get me on Fox News, USA Today, PBS, CNBC? Did I think Jillian Michaels would talk about my blog? Did I think Microsoft would come calling and want to hire me? Did I think going on endlessly about wanting to wear the skinny jeans would make me one of the top Twitterers in the world?
Oh heck no! How could anyone predict any of this? I couldn't and neither can you. Your logic cannot see what is possible, and your heart can lead you somewhere amazing because it only knows joy. And joy is what leads people to success and fulfillment.
What are you waiting for?
My point is. Just start. Pick that thing you can't shut up about and start blogging. The opportunities are endless when you let your heart lead, and you remain open to what could happen. Let your passions guide you!
For those of you who have been blogging for some time now, what criteria or method did you use to help you pick a blog topic?