Reboot my WA training and start over?
Here's an update on what I am doing:
My original site idea was a travel blog for adventuring in a van that I purchased and turned into a camper van. There are lots of things to buy and review, so I thought it would be a cool idea. I had lots of pictures and stories from my last trip. I got discouraged when the van kept breaking down. I invested many thousands of dollars into this thing. Very disheartening, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons. Don't buy a vehicle on eBay unless you are an expert mechanic.
I wrote some content, but I only wrote one review, even though there are many I could write. I have lost my passion for it.
I recently moved on to a boat. That project has a lot of things to buy and review as well. I am trying to decide if I should create another site for that, or just use one site to do both. I hate the idea of having a lot of little sites that struggle to get any traffic. I believe there is crossover in people interested in both #vanlife and #boatlife. There are a lot of similarities in the gear and systems.
But what I believe I need to do, is just regard my #boatlife and #vanlife stuff as just fun things to blog about, and start over with the training at WA. I believe I should choose another niche, and start over with the training. I thought I knew what I was doing, and I didn't follow the training very well since a travel blog is a bit different than the classic niche site they teach here.
In the meantime, I have been doing some freelance writing. I have learned a lot by writing for other people. You learn to write in different voices, include calls to action, and their writing instructions usually contain lots of excellent advice and resources. While it is cool to get paid for my writing, it is a pittance.
Fellow Wealthy Affiliate members, what should I do? Reboot, and start over with the training on a new site? Or keep plugging at a site that has some potential? I would like to hear your advice. I am not ready to quit. I know this stuff works. After all, why would people be hiring me to write for their own websites if it doesn't work?
I would start the training over, with your niche in mind. Then build out an authority site based on keywords. I think it would do very well and sell a lot of products. I think it's always better to write about something you like, and then find a way to monetize it.
I was having the same issues with a casual shoe blog, I'm obsessed with walking shoes that relieve foot pain. Something I've struggled with for years.
I'm revisiting the training and building my pages and posts based on search demand.
I think you should stick with what you know. It's a lucrative niche if done properly. Good luck!
Reply
RE: the walking shoes that relieve foot pain, I have gone through many shoes and inserts, and even custom orthotics (made incorrectly). I have flat feet and the only thing that eventually helped me was Altra shoes. They are zero drop, meaning the sole thickness is the same in the forefoot as it is in the heel. They mostly make running shoes, but I don’t see why you can’t wear running shoes when walking.
My site is geared toward women, with some recommendations for men. I better get busy.
If you find more shoes that are suitable for flat feet - let me know.
As far as having a couple of sites about adventures you could combine the two into one. Make it a site about Life's adventure, part of it focusing on living in a camper traveling around the country, and the other doing the same but doing it on a boat.
Before coming to WA I already had two websites. The next one I started was here at WA by doing the training. The next site I published, again, I approached the site by stating the lessons over again. This regiment helps me build a step by step approach that I can do with my eyes closed.
Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Ken
