This Is Why Some People Profit w/Blogs and Some Don't (Read This!)
Published: Wed, 09/19/18
I'm taking it somewhat easy today to hopefully recover from this congestion. I think pushing myself every day hasn't allowed me to get well. But yesterday, I reached out to someone because the insight I've gained from one of her many courses that I took last week blew me away.
I did a Q&A session with her because so many of you need to hear this.
The issues she talks about and teaches hit home to me - it's something I keep trying to get everyone to realize but some people are just stubborn. I hope, if you're a stubborn one, you'll listen to her advice.
It's all about niche selection and blogging. A blog is basically your home turf as an online marketer, but many feel overwhelmed or haven't done it right. And it's NOT about the technical steps! I make six figures IN SPITE OF my inability to master techie stuff, not because of it.
So let's dig in and hear what Robin Cockrell of Pajama Affiliates has to say to you about succeeding online (and I also have some notes below her answers):
Me: What’s the biggest obstacle you think new marketers have in picking a niche?
Robin: They don’t know what it means to target a small market (audience) they can relate and identify with. You don’t have to be an expert, just relatable to a small group with similar interests or issues.
My Notes: There's a lot of money to be made in small niches. Don't lie to yourself and believe that just because in your little bubble, nobody else likes something, it means there's not a lucrative demand. There are billions of people out there and it really doesn't take many people to produce a nice, six figure income.
Me: In your Blogging Life Class, which I just completed and loved, I was reminded what my mentor once said to me when starting out. He said, “Show up to serve.” I think many people get intimidated thinking they have no expertise to offer. How do they squash their fear of that and become okay pursuing a niche as a newbie?
Robin: Remember that you may not know it all but you know more than many. You can learn and correct as you go. Detach from the need for everyone to like you or agree with you because everyone won't. Step one is to just show up, take action and know that growth is ahead.
My Notes: I agree! Everyone is so nervous about messing up or not knowing something. I've never once been ridiculed for that. I'm just honest about it, learn and share as I go. No shame in that. People appreciate it when you make the effort to lead the way because they're too scared to themselves!
Me: What would you say to those who look at the prospect of blogging as overwhelming because it’s rooted in research and content creation?
Robin: Overwhelm happens when we look at the big picture like where we want to be. You only need to create one piece of content at a time. There are many ways to get ideas and tools and people to help you when you get stuck. In a niche you love, creating content is easier. When you choose a niche where you relate to a targeted market, the research and content is already there inside you it just needs you to put your hands to a keyboard and get it out.
My Notes: This is where I think personalization of content helps so much. Instead of thinking you have to have a PhD in a topic or be a world-renowned expert, just be you sharing what you know, and always learning and sharing more. One thing I loved about Robin's Blogging Life Class was how they teach you tap into your passions.
That doesn't mean you have to be the type of person who is known by all her neighbors as the best container gardener ever or an art enthusiast whose entire house is filled with art supplies. It simply means you have an interest. I am interested in the survival niche. But I'm not bugging out every weekend. I just love the idea of preparedness, so I learn and share and earn on the topic.
Me: My subscribers often talk themselves out of a niche because they worry too much about competition. Does competition ever make you shy away from a niche or do you find a way to compete?
Robin: If there is a lot of competition, there is a lot of money to be made. I made 6 figures in the dating and relationship niche. The key here is to solve problems and find the questions that people are asking. Go narrow into a niche.
For example in the relationship niche women want to know how to get a man to commit. I wouldn't write a post on that. I would write a post about the behaviors of men that don't commit such as "Why is he ignoring me all of a sudden." "Why won't he answer my texts"
My Notes: Yes! People seek out answers to problems, so you address the problems and people flock to you. Sometimes it's all in how you pose the issue. Robin and Lesley did a fantastic job teaching that in their Blogging Life Class.
Me: I love how y’all seem to have created this course specifically to help people connect themselves to their topic, because I just couldn’t do this career if I didn’t get to be me in all of my niches – from marketing to survival to parenting, and more. But some people are scared to connect to it, it seems. They wants a hands off, behind-the-scenes income stream. Why do you feel that the personal investment and connection to the niche is so important?
Robin: It's important to me for my own personal well being. A behind the scenes hands off feels like a job. Over time it becomes boring and if you are bored, you won't be inspired to continue to create. I didn't start this business to have a JOB.
When you connect to your audience on a personal level, they will trust you. You will make more of an impact on others. It becomes purposeful and fulfilling.
It can be scary putting yourself out there, but accept that you won't be everyone's cup of tea. Those that do, however, like your flavor will become your tribe and your target audience.
We humans all crave connection so give it to them. Every little bit can help make the world a better place.
Those that mind don't matter, those that matter don't mind. We all have a gift, and there is nothing gained by hoarding that gift.
My Notes: She hit the nail on the head about it being the difference between being a fun career versus a J-O-B. Nothing worse than having to get p and be in a niche you don't like just because guru Joe Blow told you that you could run 25 solo ads and pay X amount of dollars for a funnel that guarantees you'll get a certain number of clicks. Gross! Nobody wants that to be their career.
I highly recommend their Blogging Life Class (link below). It's amazing and whether you already got started in a niche or want to have a clean slate, it gives you the right idea - mindset and strategy - to go for it in a way that will deliver both personal satisfaction and a steadily increasing income. And I loved how they even showed some unusual examples so you can see little niches in action.
Check it out:
https://pajamaaffiliates.com/dap/a/?a=3161&p=pajamaaffiliates.com/members/blogging-life-class/
By the way, Robin and Lesley both had a great personality that I enjoyed learning from. Some of you prefer the hyped up spammy, slick guys. That's not me. I always feel dirty after taking their courses. I like listening to people practicing good ethics and smart strategies that have longevity in the mix (as opposed to strategies that get banned one after another).
I'll be back tomorrow, but for now I'm going to curl up with some chicken noodle soup and try to regain my strength.
Tiff ;)
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