Why do I find it hard to find a niche?

[Sykez]

I find it hard to think of a niche? There's lots of niches I can do but there's TOO many competitions. Such as gaming - You have Kotaku.

[ChickenFreak]

One possible process could be to identify the niches that you'd really, really like to write about, and see if there's a way to make your take on the subject different, to distinguish yourself from the competition and get a subset of the audience for that niche.

I keep using the _Cranky Fitness_ example, but it's such a great example. Instead of being Yet Another Fitness Blog, it appeals to people who are cranky about fitness. It's also clever, whimsical, and visually great. I hate fitness topics - hate, hate, hate them - _and I've bookmarked this blog_. And read it.

Actually, that's another possible niche-within-a-niche to chase. Who is ignoring the big giant overserved niche, and why? Pudgy grumpy people like me were ignoring the fitness niche; Cranky Fitness scooped me in.

Who's ignoring the gaming niche? Do those people want something that you'd be interested in writing? Sadly, the only thing that I can think of is women and girls who want games that have more roleplaying and world-building and less combat, but unless you share that focus, it would be hard to write for it.

Then there's the "own voice" theory. Can you talk about your gaming exploits with your friends, tell stories about your crazy friend Joe and how he's a roller-coaster to team with? I suspect that there isn't enough material there, but it's another example of the kind of thing that I mean.

Any other major niches you're interested in? Maybe people could come up with suggestions on a special "take" on that niche.

[Sykez]

Music: Like any type of music
Food: Love Fast Food!
TV: LOVE TV!!!!!!!!!!!

Any help?

[ChickenFreak]

Some random thoughts:

Music:

- Maybe pick a category of music that isn't much discussed? For example, I know someone who's made a specialty of a specific kind of music from early in the twentieth century, and knows a ton about that subject. They turn that knowledge in other directions, but if they made a blog about it, they'd probably be one of very few blogs in that niche.

- Similarly, maybe pick some little-known bands and discuss them? Where they're playing, what they've recorded, the background for their music, and so on. One band probably wouldn't have enough material for a whole blog, but a group ("up-and-coming Little Rock jazz bands") might.

Fast Food:

- I could imagine talking in detail about junk food; in fact, that's one of the "topics I'd like to blog about". GooGoo Clusters, Andy Capp Hot Fries, Moon Pies, all those freaky local sodas, and the (I hope) hundreds and hundreds of lesser known regional junk food products. Fried things, extruded things, baked things. Those maple bacon donuts in Portland; I wanna try one of those.

That's another topic that I'm too darn lazy to blog about, because it would involve research. But it's an example. If it were well written, I'd read that blog.

But I realize that's not _fast_ food. My creativity fails for fast food, not because it's not a good topic - it's a big part of American life, so how could there not be good material there? But right now, I fail.

TV:

People love their TV. They love discussions of their favorite shows. You could dig around and look at the various commentary sites that already exist - Television Without Pity, and so on - and see what seems to be missing. Is there good discussion of all of your favorite shows? If not, maybe you could start a blog for that.

[hopeful1]

OK. Here are some ideas:

Music--

1) Scour the web for indie artist that you enjoy but don't get much play and feature them. Talk about why you like their music.

2) "If Life Were A Song" --Each post would feature lyrics (from one song or clips from one genre) and then imagine what would happen if you (or your friends or an everyday person) actually said this to someone or you could reminisce about a time you felt that way (and tell the related sad or funny story)

3) Undercover DJ--If you had your own radio show who would you be playing right now and why?

Fast Food: I got nuthin' :~)

TV:

Then and now. How do today's shows differ from one you've loved in past decades? (for example: Johnny Carson was the king of late night. Who is now? Is anyone? Why or why not?)

Pick specific shows or genres and talk about the impression they give about our society. Are these impressions correct or not?

That's all I have for now.

[Maya]

Do some keyword research before you make a decision that is the easiest way to find niches that are easy to penetrate.

[rypher21]

why do you wanna blog?? is it for personal use or for other purposes??
bcoz if its for personal purposes im sure you wouldnt have hard time choosing niche..you'll choose what interest you most...

[jadeslair]

Just do what you like, I do gaming and theres lots of competition but I still get lots of hits, you can be a guest blogger on one of my sites if you want and put some links to your sites. Gamer headquarters Your source for Achievements and Walkthroughs gets a lot of hits, you could do one on there and its a PR 3.

[flyingcows]

You can try using Market Samurai, it has a free trial when you register with them. It cuts down a lot of thinking and squeezing your brain juice. I've used it and I love it!

[Jhayceeblue]

hi.,Excuse me ajejeh.. Im really not aware of a niche.. Sorry i'm new to blogging .what is it