This post is part of the Twelve Steps to Success series. I’m so excited about doing a brainstorm hand-on session at this year’s Type-A Parent Conference. I love creating a million brilliant ideas for people.
What I’ve learned over the years is that even if you don’t have a specific niche, you need to have a core message. Think about the food bloggers you know. Each has (or should have) a unique focus…that CORE message that adds a filter over their blog coloring everything they do with that particular hue. Home-Ec101.com for example is all about figuring out the simple basics. Blissfully Domestic is the smart girl’s guide to life. Untrained Housewife focuses on recapturing the lost arts of self-sufficiency and old-fashioned living. We have a core message that makes our perspective unique.
Benefits of Knowing Your Core Message
Easier to write. You might think it’s easier to write when you’re told “Oh, just write about anything.” but as anyone who’s ever sat down and stared at a blank computer screen can tell you, that isn’t the case. It’s so much easier to write when you have a little more focus. “Write a post about homeschooling preschoolers.” So much easier!
Better audience relatability. When my Untrained Housewife readers know that my articles will always help increase their self-sufficiency or relearn one of the “lost arts”, they know they can relate to the theme (or core message) even if they can’t relate to the specific topic. I recently posted about our broody hens and what to do with them. That message was shared a lot, even by people with no chickens, because it reflected the core message of the site.
Easier for potential sponsors, brands, and companies to find you. It’s easier to be found when you have a clear core message and value. If there is a brand that deals with making things easier for active parents, or old-fashioned hobbies, self-sufficient living, and DIYs you know that Untrained Housewife is probably a good fit! If my site didn’t have that strong core message it would be more difficult for a brand to know whether to spend time approaching me or not.
Core Message is Not Your Niche
Think about it. Untrained Housewife (for example) covers a wide range of topics or niches. Food. Health. Crafts. Gardening. But always the focus is on simplifying the process, increasing self-sufficiency, and being actively present as a family. That focus is the core message. It goes beyond your niche or topic area.
What is your core message?
good advice. you definitely need to have a theme or core idea in mind.
Thanks April, yeah it helps so much to clarify that issue in your mind.
Great post Angela! It took me a bit to really think about what my core message is on my blog. What I came up with is that it is “everyday life” – it is my perspective on my life and how I relate to my readers. Nothing too fancy, just day by day, ups and downs.
I don’t think a core message should be “fancy”…it’s not about glitz and glitter, it’s about being real. I love that you’ve embraced the simplicity of your core message! That will resonate a lot more than trying to do something over the top.
Hmmm… This gave me something to think about… Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome.
This is something I have been thinking about a lot, as you know. I totally agree that a niche can be a theme and not one specific topic. Mommy Words will go back to being a journal of my kids until they start to hate it and BrittanyVandy.com will be a place where I inspire (hopefully) people to take action in their lives, their homes and their community. Thus the Hands on Life, Hands on Love. Many topics, but a core message.
I do have to say that many blogs I see do not have a core message and seem totally nicheless. It is totally cool to have a completely personal blog where you write about everything, but it will be very difficult to monetize that site because there is a lack of focus. Brands need some focus when they look for bloggers for campaigns and readers become a part of a community when they know a little of what they can expect from subscribing. This is not a hard and fast rule, of course, but with gajillions of personal blogs out there, it is important to carve out your own space with a core message.
Excellent!
Brittany – you and I have been through a journey or two on this topic, haven’t we? I’m proud of you for getting through it and pushing through to clarity.
This is so true! I consider myself to be more of a lifestyle blogger, but I am always writing with the mid-30s mother in mind even if my topic isn’t necessarily related to parenting.
Thanks for that checklist! My core message is taking care of yourself. It’s promoted with recipes for easy, yummy, healthy food, exercise that works and takes little to no time, and exercising and eating healthy while on travel. I think it fits, no?