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2 Create a Website Blog

A Critical Lesson on Topic Direction and How to Prevent Feeling Overwhelmed

Filed Under: Getting Started, New, Podcasts 34 Comments

Tips for Starting a Niche Website

Sometimes I feel my blog doesn’t offer enough help to people who are just starting or struggling to find their grooves.  Well, if you fit one of those categories, this one’s for you!

You’ve probably heard the expression, “For everything you lose, you gain something else.”  (Sometimes it’s used in reverse as well.)

Well, when it comes to my hair, that’s the perfect quote. 🙂

In this podcast, I start with a very personal story and explain how hair loss and damage led me to the right topic.  It also taught me a lot about what to focus on during the early days of your website.

I will also offer help to those who are feeling overwhelmed with how to start, what you should ignore, etc.  And if you haven’t had success with your site, I believe parts of this podcast will resonate with you.

You may discover where you went wrong and get ideas for what you can do differently going forward.

The great thing about the Web is that there really are no rules.  You can have success with a variety of different approaches.

BUT I still believe that much of success begins with HOW you start.  And I want to make sure you are off on the right foot.

I hope you enjoy it!  (Here’s the transcript.)

Show Notes

  • Moz’s guide to understanding how backlinks affect your site’s rank
  • My recent blog post on online distractions
  • Read the transcript

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    June 22, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    I always enjoy listening. For me the podcasts work better than the youtube video’s

    Reply
  2. Raymond says

    June 3, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Thanks for sharing, Lisa! I know you are keeping this simple for beginners, but I think it’s also important to make sure that the social media people choose to use is one that their audience also uses – not just what they personally love to use.

    Reply
  3. Mary Grace says

    October 24, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Wow, fantastic advice. Thank you Lisa for this guide. Actually I am concentrating on finance niche, I am wondering if what will happen to my site if I will write other topics. “off topics” aside from finances. Now I know the advantage of having a niche blog.

    Reply
  4. Adrienne says

    October 8, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Hey Lisa,

    I can sympathize with the hair issue although I haven’t had your same issue of course but let’s just say I’ve never had great hair. I wish I could have worn wigs growing up.

    I would hate to be starting fresh today. My heart goes out to them because it’s a dog eat dog world out there and everyone has an opinion of course. I think people need to be taken by the hand and shown the way. I wish I had been told what you shared here in your podcast when I started. I was so all over the place it’s embarrassing to go back and look at what I did.

    I also had to learn as I went and boy did I mess up a lot. I would spend an entire weekend fixing things on my blog I didn’t know I was suppose to be doing.

    We all need someone with your heart to help us along the way. People want to know you care and those are the ones that will follow you to the end of the earth! Okay, I’m being dramatic there but you know what I mean.

    Great advice and thanks for sharing this with us. Wanted to stop by and check out what you were sharing this week. Hope you’re having a good one too.

    Take care,

    ~Adrienne

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      October 9, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Hi Adrienne,

      I think learning as you go and making those missteps is just part of the process. Most of us flounder around… I know I did my share! lol Thanks so much for the compliment. I do hope this podcast helps those who are just starting because I wish I had someone to tell me some of those things. Have a FAB day!

      Reply
  5. Bre says

    October 6, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Lisa I just stumbled upon your site and podcast and all I can say is THANK YOU!!!!! So much revealed in episode 5 that is helpful for a new blogger (like myself). I’ll take your advice and not try to be “the best” on all my social media pages. It is tiring and frustrating to say the least.
    ps – I too am a natural head, have been for years, so I get how hard your struggle must have been. Your hair looks great!!

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      October 6, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      Thanks for coming by fellow naturalista!! So glad my podcast helped you out. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Dinesh sharma says

    September 29, 2014 at 6:46 am

    Hi Lisa,
    Thanks for sharing great information. I like this podcast and I really enjoy this.
    Thanks for this..

    Reply
  7. mike says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:33 am

    As always Lisa, this is awesome. I always learned something new when I visit your blog, thank you.

    Reply
  8. Kevin R says

    September 24, 2014 at 5:29 am

    Hay Lisa …

    WOW!

    Your podcast is deep, sincere, profound, and yet very instructive as it [did in fact] resonate with me.

    “Topic Focus” is extremely important in writing because [I believe] it’s intended to reach the audience in need of that particular “need-to-know” information or knowledge – the content within the body of the writing.

    You’ve also touched bases on quite a few factors – some of the most important elements
    necessary to succeed in building a successful, but profitable website/Web business. And for those that are looking to make money online should take heed to your advise – I know that I am.

    I’ve also struggled [in the beginning] with whether or not the topics I’m most fond of on my site would reflect enough emphasis on what I felt I needed to share with others who was just getting started out in business and on the Internet.

    Now that I’ve listened to your “podcast” I am confident that I have found the right angle and approach in expressing my online journey seeking prosperity through an Internet-based business.

    Lisa … Thank you for your constructive guidance, and may The Heavens continue to shine its love down upon you!

    PS:

    Although the work is not quite complete on my sites, I know that when I am done with all the hard work going into creating my sites … ching ching! $$$ will be coming my way!

    Kevin R:}

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 24, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you sooooooooooo much, Kevin for your kind words. Good luck on your site!!

      Reply
      • Kevin R says

        September 24, 2014 at 2:23 pm

        And Thank You …

        For being here for us all!

        Kevin R:}

        Reply
  9. Jay Patel says

    September 23, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    It is my first visit and boy I found a gem 😀 Lisa, thanks for the podcast.

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 23, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      Hey Jay! Thank you so much for listening. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Kristian De Luna says

    September 22, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Again, another epic content Lisa 🙂 You really know how to drive it home with your readers… I specially love the way you discuss here about getting an angle about a broad site.. and when I say angle, I mean not just a subtopic but angling in such a way that uses your strength and personality. Because more often than not, a lot of bloggers would say to narrow down your topic without taking in to consideration that some of those who will start their blog will find it limiting. I love the way you discuss how to “niche it out” without really limiting the topic. Quite frankly, that’s my struggle with the self help/ self imptovement/ personal development blog that I want to start but couldn’t for fear that my topic is too broad to even tackle. You really cleared the cobwebs in my head regarding this one… Now I know it… I don’t have to niche it down so to speak… I just have to find my angle using my strength and personality. And for that, I want to thank you so much 😀

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 23, 2014 at 12:20 am

      Awesome! I love it when I can inspire that Ah-ha moment! For years I’ve been emphasizing how you need to niche down. Well that isn’t always the necessity when you have a unique angle! Good luck to you. Keep me posted on how your site goes.

      Reply
      • Kristian De Luna says

        September 23, 2014 at 7:34 pm

        Oh I sure will 🙂 Thanks for your reply Lisa… Would you say that your Niche Website Success (NWS) reflects what you’ve just discussed here? I really love to buy the 2014 version and it would be really cool and awesome if these ideas are included there… I already bought your WordPress guide and it’s totally rad!! 🙂 Amazing information and solid presentation

        Reply
        • Lisa Irby says

          September 23, 2014 at 10:52 pm

          Hi Kristian,

          There’s a Table of Contents on the NWS homepage you can browse through to get an idea of the topics covered, but it really focuses on keyword research, understanding how search engines work, affiliate marketing, tips for organizing your content and more. It’s really best for people who are JUST getting started. Thanks for getting my WP Guide!

          Reply
  11. Derrick says

    September 18, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    How do you know if Google has ranked your site.

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 19, 2014 at 1:26 am

      Install Google Analytics to discover what keywords your site is getting found for.

      Reply
  12. Cynthia Dixon says

    September 17, 2014 at 11:00 am

    Great podcast Lisa with helpful information as always. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  13. Jeffrey W. Schultz says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:58 am

    I always enjoy listening. For me the podcasts work better than the youtube video’s

    Reply
  14. MerelyMarie says

    September 15, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Again, I really enjoy listening to your podcasts Lisa. Your hair looks great, by the way!

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 15, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      Aww thanks Merely!

      Reply
  15. Alex says

    September 15, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    stopthethyroidmadness.com will really help with your thyroid problems..

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 15, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Thanks Alex but I had a half my thyroid removed in 2010 and was able to solve it that way and do not have to take meds. I had a goiter on my neck (enlarged thyroid). That, along with diet and exercise worked for me.

      Reply
  16. Debra says

    September 15, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Thanks for sharing, Lisa! I know you are keeping this simple for beginners, but I think it’s also important to make sure that the social media people choose to use is one that their audience also uses – not just what they personally love to use.

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Absolutely Debra. I believe the example used in the podcast was the one about the self-help example. A lot of people who seek self help, listen to podcasts so that would be a great place to start. Maybe I didn’t drill that point home enough so I’m glad you emphasized that here. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Ileane says

    September 15, 2014 at 11:59 am

    I could probably sit and listen to you talk all day long! You really do know how to connect with your audience and I knew that from the very first time I watched one of your YouTube videos.
    Nice to hear you give my buddy Wade Harman a shout out. I actually think I missed that interview with Jay Baer. It came up in a conversation I had with Wade when I was interviewed on his other show – Blogging Warfare but I was too embarrassed to tell him I that I missed it.
    One of my blogging friends emailed me yesterday and asked if she could interview me. She was debating if she should do a written interview, a video or audio – or should she do all three!
    I really didn’t know how to respond but after listening to your show I feel better about my approach.
    Thanks Lisa!! Can’t wait til next month. lol

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      Awwwww Ileane, you are so sweet and encouraging. That comment made my day so thank you!! Good luck with your interview. I’ll be looking for it on social media. I know you’ll knock it out of the park as usual.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      January 18, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      I agree! I feel like we are in the livingroom and you’re talking to me.
      That just shows that we have to be ourselves with our businesses.
      Thanks, Lisa!

      Reply
  18. Isaac guerrero says

    September 15, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I prefer to focus on one social network, you get better results and if you’re not careful, social media become overwhelming.

    Reply
    • Lisa Irby says

      September 15, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      It can be. That’s why I always suggest starting slow and picking ones that are relevant and start with one. Two at the most.

      Reply
    • Altamash Sid says

      October 15, 2014 at 2:03 am

      @Isaac guerrero focusing on so much on social media could divert you to another way and will mess your mind within it, and you’ll start feeling confuse about your aim and dream. and you will never get to know how to get so much from your professional.

      SO , its better to focus on your work do it very well get epertise in that, in the work which help people, entertain people and it’ll automatically start make people to connect to you and they’ll love to talk to you because of your work. and this how this will make it much more simple for you manage your social profile and will increase the speed of connecting new people.

      and yes! @Lisa Irby its really important to note how you start? and stick to it.

      Reply

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