Good things may come in small packages but I prefer not to be inside one. Apparently this is a big problem.
I’m back from BlogHer 2010 in New York City. If you read more than two blogs, you probably know this is the annual convergence of millions of crazed2,000 talented women bloggers at a fantastic conference full of seminars, an expo of marketers trying to reach the 20-40 year-old-female audience, and then a ton of private networking parties in amazing venues.
Going to BlogHer is much like a gigantic New Year’s Eve party. You suddenly realize you’ve spent the past year making all kinds of mistakes as a blogger (you didn’t market yourself correctly, you didn’t use the right SEO strategy, you aren’t tweeting enough), you make a list of things you want to do better, and you party like a maniac all night long. (Seriously, there are no other weeks in my life when I am invited to five parties a night — not even on December 31!) Put 2,000 women together and it’s a fashion show of epic proportions and everyone dances. Throw out a unicorn cake made by Charm City Cakes of Ace of Cakes fame and there’s no way the party can fail to impress.
Cakes and cocktails aside, at nearly every seminar, the message was pounded home, “you have to name your niche.” Apparently if you want to “monetize” your blog or use your blog as a launching platform and become a successful brand spokesperson, you need to be known for a particular niche. Technology, “green,” activism, homeschooling, community resources, special needs — there are many ways to go, but in order for the world (i.e. the PR agents and the companies they represent) to make sense of you, it’s important to be the queen of the niche.
When will the world stop trying to put me in a box?
I’ve lived in the world of marketing communications, so I completely understand the rationale; the problem is, I’m not a one-dimensional person. I’m not saying that people who write about one topic are (how weird would it be, to be one-dimensional?) However, my passions are so diverse that when I try to think about limiting my blog to one area, the mere thought makes me want to burst into tears. I’ve also thought about trying to launch multiple blogs so I could address multiple topics, but this is far more than I can handle at this time in my life as I do not have super-power skills of someone like Goon Squad Sarah and WhyMommy.
Throughout my career, people have tried to define me as one thing, and every boss has come to figure out that it is impossible to confine me to one little box. I’m more than a single job description can contain and every attempt to do so has resulted in massive rewrites (and fortunately — promotions!). I’m creative and yet also logical. Impulsive and analytical. I can see the smallest piece of the puzzle as well as the big picture. It’s been a challenge for many, but once they’ve learned to embrace it, every boss I’ve had has come to appreciate it. Except me. I’m the one who has the hardest time, sometimes, accepting how difficult it is not to box myself in.
Every time I think about narrowing the focus of Caffeine and a Prayer, I will think about specific comments a reader has made to me about about a particular post and I will realize that if I had gone in direction A, I would have never have posted about that. But if I had gone in direction B, I would never have posted about something else that meant something to another reader who told me how much she liked it.
I’m a community-resources-share-some-humor-talk-about-charities-get-active-locally-try-to-be-a-little-greener-product-reviewing-educational-resources-venting-more-than-just-a-mom blogger. In other words, I’m a woman, with a blog. I have many interests in life, like you. And I’m sorry if that confuses the marketing agencies. But I think that’s what my readers like about me — but now I’m asking you…
Do readers care about niche? Do my readers want me to crawl into a well-defined box? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I’ll have more to share about BlogHer and NYC another day.
I too suffer from what I call the “rambling, stream of consciousness elevator” pitch. If I had to describe myself it would be writes about her “kid, preteen, and teen, but doesn’t write much about the two older ones who can read her blog, so must rely on past adventures when her kids were younger and more blog worthy…oh and does product reviews.”
I did have a revelation of sorts after giving my spiel for the umpteenth time that I might have a niche of sorts. I focus a portion of my posts on my struggles to find activities enjoyable for a family with kids with a wide-range of ages. It’s hard to find a movie that a 7-, 11-, and 14-year-old want to see. This might be my niche.
The main thing I like about your blog is that you DON’T just focus on one thing. You see, I’m NOT one of the baby wearing, breast feeding, organic eating, overseas adopting, tech & gadget lover, going green, etc etc, 30 something women that the other blogs seem to be all about. I’m everyone else. I love that I come to your blog and might read about smores, neighborhood parties, surgery, high school, or whatever. Keep it up! I love it!
I just started my blog and already I have this problem. Homeschooling, crafts, and was thinking about adding my other crunchy stuff: cloth diapers, babywearing, etc. Because that’s all me.
As for your blog, I like to read all the stuff you write about. It is all interesting. You are right, about the multi dimensions. It’s what makes people unique and fascinating. Look at Ree Drummond’s (Pioneer Woman) blog. She is successfully blending many dimensions. It is working for her. Homeschooling, cooking, gardening, home decorating all under the umbrella of livin’ on a ranch with the Marlboro Man. She was on the today show last week.
I have this problem as well… And though i like my elevator pitch: my magic carpet ride the good, the bad, and the ugly. I guess for me, some of the fun is in the constant re-evaluation…though at some point it would be nice to just be comfortable with it all.
I wouldn’t change a thing. If you ever feel you want to write about just one topic, start another blog for just that topic. No need to limit yourself – there’s room for us all on the internet, and everything that we have to say!
I don’t look for niches in the blogs I read. To me, a blog that focused on one topic would get boring rather quickly. I look for real, every day experiences, emotions, challenges and joys that are of interest. I love learning about new places to explore with kids and new projects to try. I find that I can relate to much of the content in your blog. That is far preferable to me than a niche. Keep writing the postings YOU want to write!
Thanks everyone — great comments and great food for thought! Definitely room for ALL writers in the blogosphere!