Do this before creating any new Wealthy Affiliate website
When you first start a Wealthy Affiliate there is such a lot to learn but here's some advice to newbies or anyone wanting to start a new site:
DO THIS FIRST:
RESEARCH YOU NICHE IDEA
This means:
- Do what your potential audience/customers will do and search some relevant keywords using Google, Bing or Yahoo and see what comes up. Remember that it is not just 'Uncle Google' that our audience will use so don't forget the other search engines too.
- Look around at at least 10 different relevant sites to see what's already out there. This should not put you off but should give you some ideas.
- Make a note of designs that you like - what works, what doesn't?
- What topics and categories are being used and discussed?
- What works best in terms of layouts - is it easy to find things on the sites, and if so, why?
- What are these sites promoting in terms of affiliate links and how do they do it?
- What is the tone of writing in your niche? Humour, serious, educational, legal?
- What is the average length of articles that are posted? Which ones are you drawn to? Which ones do you skim over and why?
- What keywords are you using to research, and what else comes up when you type things in? This could be an effective way to find some valuable information.
Doing this kind of initial research may sound like wasted time but I can assure you it will set you up to succeed. And it will be a way of seeing the wood for the trees, as it were because sometimes we get a great idea but just don't know where to start.
Anyone who writes about anything should do their research first, so don't just jump in with both feet and end up in the mire, take your time to really research it and your site will be all the better for it.
DON'T COPY THOUGH! ADD YOUR OWN STYLE AND PERSONALITY
I'm not talking about copying things wholesale here though. That's kind of unethical in my book, but there is a great difference between seeking out inspirations, conducting some geniune market research and plagarism. Getting ideas is one thing but you need to add your own personality and style to make it really work on your own site. We all know how unappealing copycats are!
And this advice is not just for newbies either - we could all benefit from having a look around at what others are doing and getting some inspiration.
Wishing you all the best.
Have a great day.
Gail
Recent Comments
66
Great piece of advice... jaaxy is a powerful tool i nornally research some words on there and put it into google to allow me to see what is out there.
Really good post, Gail, with some of the tips being overlooked by many, I guess(me, too). Thanks.:)
What a good post, no a great post Gail, with good ideas and tips, which lots will take on board, especially the new people here. Brilliant.
Thanks Dave. I speak from experience as I was getting a bit stuck on my niche site so decided to look around and it opened my eyes big time. I had thought that I needed to stick rigidly to my niche but found that I could write about many other topics whilst still maintaining relevance within my particular niche. Now all I have to do is redesign my site to accommodate all other things I want to write about......that's the next task! :)
Thats the thing with WA, it is incredibly mind opening, absolutely no chance of writers block for one thing here, the other thing as you rightly point out, you can move around your niche and find yourself gravitating towards a certain area of it, almost by default.
Absolutely. I love reading other people's posts too even if they are not in my niche - I've learned such a lot of interesting things - much better than watching the news. Have a great day Dave. Am off to tackle my house! :)
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When I researched my first niche, I did a lot of what you suggest. You have pointed out a few things that I did not think of, thanks
When I write, I try to write conversationally trying to give it that personal touch.
Great post, thanks
Thanks Donald. Glad you're already doing some good research. I like to write in a conversation way too - I think it just flows better. Have a great day. Gail