Stuck. Need some insight.
I am feeling a bit stuck, and if I'm honest, it's somewhat embarrasing to even admit, here.
But, I know that getting advice from those who have been there and done that is better than staying stuck... so... asking away I go!
I'm running into several problems here. I'll break them down as to avoid confusion, as best I can.
1. My current site - I'm building a website right now that is on a topic that I do enjoy but as far as researching content, it's a process of learning about things I am just not as interested in as I thought I'd be. General info and things I pick up here and there I'm happy to share but to go full force with a website, I'm thinking isn't going to work in this niche.
Adding to this, I'm now sure how I would recommend products. I use one main product all the time and it'd be just reviewing similar products over and over that I don't own and I don't feel right reviewing something I've never used and may never actually want to buy because I like the one I have right now.
My question here: Should I just ditch the site and go with a different topic?
My other question: How could I recommend products I've never used and sell those if I'd probably not buy them if only just to have the product and use it here and there but mainly for the review, only?
2. I love writing when it comes to building websites and blogging. I know WordPress well. I know HTML/CSS and I love working with technology and helping others. I've used GetResponse and Aweber and have had my own email list (very small - was still learning back then) and an auto-responder. I love everything websites and could sit down and write about websites all day.
Love it. Love it. Love it.
But... here's where I am stuck. I don't want to build a website about building websites and/or blogging just to promote WA and earn money when it's only about building websites. Okay, I could recommend other WordPress Themes, HTML books (that I've read?), maybe plugins that I've purchased and may use again, Aweber and such, as other sources of revenue; then promote WA once I'm making money from these other means having used the training here at WA to get there.
I guess I'm mainly stuck because I love talking about, learning about, working with, developing, writing code, web development with software and such but I don't want to be a hypocrite and simply build a website just to promote WA when I've never made money in another niche and am only referring people and making money on WA itself.
Does this make sense?
All feedback is appreciated.
I want to be successful but I need to really enjoy what I'm doing and website I enjoy and love helping people with. It's just my thing.
Recent Comments
16
If you enjoy coding so much then perhaps you could build your niche around that.
There are many times when a small piece of code can save hours of work so there is always a call for good coders.
Derek
This is so true, I know all too well, myself.
And, now, WordPress plugins even help in many areas so even that helps to eliminate a lot of code-work. Yet, sometimes solid code whether it's HTML or CSS does just the trick rather than hunting down and spending hours trying to find a plugin that works the way you want it to.
I agree Eric but as my coding skills are very basic I am always looking for a good shortcut that will same me time.
Derek
Hi Eric,
I am new to WA also joined in July. I started building my website and after I chose the name, etc. I started having doubts about how I would write the content about the product (s) I wanted to share and the benefits that I have experienced. All kinds of thoughts went into my head, but than I thought I will share the truth and how this product has helped me. I was feeling a bit frustrated at times.
I took time to re-think and chose a different theme, did some updates to my only 2 posts.
I found myself limited with the content, but started to do things off site. I am currently writing and putting together the different pages I will publish once I have the content.
I want to review more products, but like you I only want to review products I have bought. So, I did a list for every product that I have bought and have the boxes etc. and I am actually taking the pictures, and writing all the content before I decide to publish anything. You will be surprised of how many products you probably have bought that you can write a review.
I would say that if you love your websites, word press creation and building websites. Perhaps you can have a website that has a page for each of the topics that you are good at and write about it and provide useful information to your visitors and you can probably have a page (s) for products review that you love, that you buy from amazon or any other place, but connected to a place that can be an affiliate.
my site is about health supplements, but on the same site I will include tips on things I love such as recipes, health drinks, tips on specific things that work for me, that are going to be useful to others. I am still changing around.
give yourself a couple of days and write down a list of things you would like to do with your website write down the negative and the positive for your website. You may not even have to start from scratch but rather change the website theme to suit what you love to do.
Think that you are the best website creator and your website will be one of the best. I will visit your website and write a comment. feel free to send me your post once you feel you are ready to share.
All the best,
Ana.
I do have several products though I think if I go forward with the current site, your advice here might suffice. Writing about information related to what the products do and not just reviewing a list of products available, only.
Otherwise, a website to help others on their journey with what I know is a great idea, too.
Thanks!
Hi Eric,
I am glad that you are feeling a bit better. Wishing you all the best, and don't forget to send me your website for sure to write a comment. I am following you on WA.
Cheers,
Ana
Hi Eric
If you love teaching people all about code. web development etc, why not build your niche based on this and you can incorporate Wa referral biz into this as it is very relative to the what you enjoy and I am sure people wanting to learn more skills will appreciate your help through your site.
I am an Entrepreneur and a Coach and I incorporate helping people with motivation and other necessary skills they need to build a great online business and I incorporate WA ref into this
I hope this helps Eric
I'm really thinking about that, in some way. I thought I would start off building a site about something I know just enough about and that would work but if that doesn't work out too much longer, then I think that is the route I should go.
I guess I'm just a bit confused on the integrity level of promoting WA to help people when I'll be making money by promoting WA and not in other areas first (to actually see other areas work and not just say: "Hey, come join this and you can learn to earn money. I have learned how since you are joining through me in the first place."
Does that make sense? Maybe I'm missing something or have the wrong mindset. I'm not at all trying to come across as snarly but want to be completely truthful and build a reputation that's trusted and not be in it for just the money but to actually help people with what I enjoy doing, all the while still earning some money from it.
Think of it as helping people move forward with their lives- having this mindset will really help I am sure
Vicki
Starting with your second issue, why not start a site that focuses on the tech side of things for now? Once you get more traction and start to make money, you can begin to blog about earning.
As for the first issue, if you want to continue with the site but just don't have the interest, hiring a writer might be a good option. You get content and can build up the site, but don't have to do it all yourself.
For doing reviews, you can try doing a "Top ____ of 2018" list, or similar. You don't need to own everything, but you can look at the reviews people leave on Amazon or other sites and pick out the pros and cons. Let the reader know, "Many people choose this model because it _____" or "A problem that some have reported is _______."
Thanks for your feedback here.
While I'm not interested in hiring a writer, I know that's always an option. I'd rather it be all me and my opinions and such. Also because it will all be genuine and I don't need to worry about content being stolen elsewhere.
As for a website to help others with their sites and such, I'm really thinking about that if I can push through with this first site or decide a route that is still of integrity.
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Firstly, don’t be embarrassed! That’s the whole point of a community: to help you when you are stuck.
Secondly, here’s my two cents: for product ideas, type your main product into eBay as a search. I often find that the results yielded are far more varied than I expected them to be. I think it’s because sellers on eBay are trying to cram keywords into their listings. So they use keywords for related things. This has definitely helped me find related products.
As far as a coding or web design based niche? How about writing about building websites and sell tech stuff even like keyboards and PCs and stuff. People will consider you a tech authority just because you’re a coder.
Finding related keywords has started helping me a bit, in Jaaxy, especially.
The thing I'm not too confident about with the other idea here is writing about website/blogging/tech info but then selling pc and equipment I may have never owned or would care to review.
Please share with me more about this if I have the wrong mindset or am missing something as I'm all up for learning from others who've been there before me.
If you want to review something you haven’t used you basically have to research the product and provide all the info you find. Then you can think about whether or not you would buy it if you were in the market for that product. So your #1 should be the one you would buy. And if it sounds like junk then you can say that too. Remember that not all reviews have to be positive.