My method for choosing a niche
So what do you focus on for your first niche? I had a similar issue and I eventually decided on a simple system that worked for me and will probably work for you. I drew a mind map of all of the subjects I had an interest in from flying to NLP to hunting to being a parent; there were 14 in total.
From there I drew a mind map on 3 of the subjects I enjoyed the most. I expanded on each of the subjects within the niche.
As an example, for parenting it was -
Babies and their development,
Raising a Paleo child,
Being a great dad,
How to be an attachment parent,
Baby/toddler/child games and activities,
First baby do's and dont's,
Funny anecdotes,
Preparing for your first born,
Paediatric First Aid,
Single parent money savers
Parenting shortcuts
Cooking for kids
etc etc etc
For all of them I just put down the first thing that came into my head for each of the 3 subjects, no matter how random they appeared.
I then picked my favourite 3 niches within each subject i.e.
Parenting ---> Funny anecdotes, first aid and cooking.
Flying ---> Navigation, flight theory and What to do if...
Hunting ---> Shooting, Kit reviews and preparing animals
I then looked at what I would enjoy the most from each subject and finally when I had 3 niches from within a niche i.e. Parenting ---> Funny Anecdotes, Hunting ---> Kit Reviews, Flying ---> What to do if... I then came up with the subjects of my first 20 posts and decided on what sounded the most fun and had the most longevity with regards to content.
At the very end I ended up with a subject, a niche within the subject and my first 20 posts mapped out. That worked for me and saved me getting paralysed by the enormity of the task of choosing.
I made all of my decisions by playing one subject off the other; whichever sounded the most fun, I chose that and kept going until there was only a single subject left.
Anyway, that is my tuppence worth and it may not work for you.
Hope it helps
Dave
http://www.SurvivorChap.com
p.s. I have attached 2 mind map examples; one is a guide and the other is to demonstrate just how complicated you CAN make them if you wish. Mine was sketched with a pen and a sheet of A4.
Recent Comments
15
excellent article dave
came across a free to use mind map program - 'x-mind' very easy to use and able to present the info in different ways can be ued for the above technique
phil
Great idea! I'm going to try this. Thank you Dave. I need to get all my thoughts in my crazy brain dumped on a page!
Ruth
Lol.... its funny ! I am also very organised and plan everything to the hilt. But my first instinct with WA was to jump in an randomly start things left right and centre. Found that didnt work, obviously, so went back to basics and did what you have suggested. Now i am working a plan. Things much better. Good post Dave.
Having a plan is always best and you wouldn't believe how many new WA members just jump in and make a complete hash with their first efforts and all because of no forward planning which basically means they did not have a clue what they would be doing tomorrow, next week or next month.
Good for you and I hope all those 'Newbies' take note.
I wish you all the success that will surely be yours if you carry on as you are doing now.
Have a nice day/evening.
Robert
I have an unfortunate affliction in that I am a military man that has been indoctrinated in planning :-)
Its great for WA, not so great when all my wife wants to do is book a holiday away in the sun for a week!
I have no military training whatsoever but I am the most organised person I know.
When I first joined WA I took 100's of pages of notes and put them in binders so that I would have a complete copy of every single thing associated with the training.
Fortunately I have an awesome memory for details (not quite photographic but is stands me in good stead every day)
Now where did I put my wallet lol.
I'm going to sign off now as its getting late.
Robert
See more comments
This is quite helpful. Thanks