The first step in blogging is knowing why you blog. The second step is determining who you are blogging for. Terms like “target market” and “niche” start popping up at this point.
What does “target market” mean?
For bloggers, target market is the term used to describe the group of people you want to read their blog. Another word that may be substituted would be to call this group your ‘niche’.
How about an Example?
Let’s consider the topic blogging. The blogosphere has literally exploded. It is still growing and it’s super easy to find a blog on almost any subject under the sun. Due to the popularity of blogging to truly thrive as a blogger, you have to do something to set yourself apart.
One way to help gain momentum and grow your blog is to focus on a specific niche or target market. Rather than saying that you write a blog for bloggers – you introduce yourself a blogger that blogs for Christian bloggers. By identifying clearly with a specific target market, you let them know that you feel you are uniquely suited to meet their needs and this will help you to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Yes, by declaring a niche – you are excluding the wider general market. But really, that’s that’s just fine. If you try to position yourself to appeal to everybody – you won’t specifically appeal to anybody.
What Steps Should You Take To Identify Your Target Market?
Answer a few questions… but I warn you not to answer them too quickly. This takes a lot of thought and consideration to do correctly.
Question: Who would like what you have to offer?
Do not just say ‘Women’. That is a gender identification, not a target market. All women are not alike. They have a wide variety of lifestyles, values and interests.
Do not just say ‘bloggers’. That identifies a group of people who partake of an activity but it’s not a target market. Among bloggers there are huge differences. Are you targeting the blogger who blogs for as a hobby or you targeting the blogger who wants to make money online. Be very specific.
Identify What Sets You Apart
If you’ve done your homework well and have chosen a specific target market – you might have nailed an untapped group of people and you’ll be in the enviable position of not having any competition. But for the rest of us – even if we have narrowed our target market down well, we’ll still have others who are attempting to reach and serve the same group of people. Some tight markets are incredibly competitive. Standing out from the crowd is hard work.
Question: How is what you offer different from what your competitor offers?
- Have you been doing blogging longer?
- Do you have more training?
- Do you work with a spirit of excellence?
- Are you more modern or traditional?
- Do you have more choices?
- Do you offer them a shared perspective?
There are probably a lot of different things that make you unique – but you have to identify the areas that will best resonate with your target market.
Ask for Feedback
It would be a great idea to make a list of what you feel gives you a unique approach to your blog and ask for some feedback from others who have a grasp on your target market.
Whoever you ask for feedback, have them tell you if any of the items on your list make them think ‘so what?’ Ask them if knowing any of these things about you inspires additional trust or makes them feel drawn to you in a special way.
If you bounce these ideas with a few different people you can narrow it down and start to develop your own unique position – then you’ll be on your way to communicating it to your market and working it into your overall blog brand.
Of course, when determining your target market you should do all the above with God as your reference. If the target market you choose doesn’t match up with God’s plan for you, then we have a problem. Just remember to pray along the way and ask for God’s guidance.
About Courtney
Hi Courtney, This is a great post and so important for us to know these three things. You put it so succinctly. Love this. Great to find you here. I’ll go check out your other site now. Blessings, Amy
Amy Hagerup recently posted..Should Ask Questions about Losing Weight: 2nd of 3
Your post focuses on my train of thought for the past six months. I asked, what is this blog really about? You ask, who is this blog really for? We arrived at the same place. When I started focusing and focusing and focusing, my following began to increase. I still don’t set records, but I do have vastly more followers than I had a year ago. I believe that my following has grown, because I am writing about things that are important to them. The big truth in today’s world is that nobody can afford to spend much time reading anything that is simply novel or cute or fun. It needs to be important.
I used to write meditations on whatever text inspired me on a given day. No following. Then I started writing about the way the Bible helped me navigate through the contemporary cultural minefield in the us. My following began to grow. I believe that if I am writing something people need to read, God will assure that the people who need it find it. I trust that my obedience will connect with his purpose to bless both me and my readers.
Katherine Harms recently posted..A Hymn for Meditation
Answering that question really helped me narrow my focus. The blog I have now is really a combination of three former blogs, so I was confused. I’m sure my readers were too! I realized that I write for Christians and homeschoolers who need encouragement. Because I’m a psychologist, I share sanity-savers for homeschooling and living. Thanks so much for your blog, Courtney! I appreciate it.
Melanie Wilson recently posted..Scarred for Life: The Lesson No Parent Can Afford to Skip
Thanks for the advice. I would love to increase the readership of my blog. It is a fairly serious, mostly verse by verse approach, to biblical material. I think my audience is folks that have a mature faith who want to go have deeper relationship with the Lord and see the blog as a means to meeting that goal.