To succeed financially as a content writer it would be a good idea to choose a niche. If your writing is all spread out over six different niches it may be a lot harder to get a following, especially in the early years of your web content writing activity.
Ideally your niche is one that will attract people to you and your writing through search engines, like Bing or Google. It is also something you know a lot about already.
For example, if you spent years working in a veterinary hospital you could probably tell people lots of things about what it was like to work there, and things you learned about while there. A lot of people look for pet-centric information on the web. The only problem with that niche is that a lot of other people are also working it. However if you can get search engine traffic heading your way, it is profitable.
The dog and cat business is a good example of a saturated niche that it will be hard to get a footing in due to the number of other internet marketers and content writers using it. The more specific you can get within that niche, the better. For example you could give examples of dogs you saw, their ailments, and what the cure was. From the point of view (POV) of the person working there the information would be valuable and interesting to read. Tell little stories to keep people entertained. You can attract a following that way. People will want to read more stories, or if you post a multi-part story they’ll keep returning to read the rest.
Other saturated niches include business, medicine, how to make money on the internet, and how to write a good blog. You will notice I’m not telling you here how to write a good blog – though that IS part of content writing, and I may eventually get to it. I am focusing on content writing – and letting you know how to write articles for the web on a variety of types of sites, that will eventually bring in a trickle of money, then a nice flow, and hopefully eventually a flood of prosperity!
While doing your niche research it is helpful (read: imperative) to consult a keyword tool. This will help you focus on niche ideas in areas attracting people who want information. Always do keyword research! You’ll be so much better off that way.
The economy keyword research option is the Google AdWords Keyword Research Tool. I recommend you cozy up to that and find lots of keywords related to your niche – and keep a collection of them for future inspiration.
If you’re intimately familiar with more than one niche topic, research them both. Look at the number of global and local monthly searches. Click on the keywords to go to the Google search engine and look at other websites on the topic. These sites would be your competition and they can also be your inspiration. A double-edged sword! Are you ready to do word-battle with those you admire?
Good niches are those that people need help in. People come to the internet to seek information on problems they are having. The niches for people seeking help are the most profitable niches, especially if the help they seek includes buying a product – whether it be a special pet product, or a book on the topic. You’re writing to make money so it makes sense to appeal to a group of web citizens who need help and will buy something. Otherwise you might waste your time writing for months only to find out people love your information but are dirt poor with no money to spend, or they just are never inspired to click and buy. You might want to keep that in mind as you’re doing keyword research as well.
If you have any questions or comments about choosing a niche for your content writing business, you’re welcome to leave your comments here. If you’d rather send a private message, I have a comment form linked above.
