Blog Traffic #2: Excuse me, Who are You?
Let me know the first things that come to your mind:
- Free Online Classifieds
- Long Tail
- Purple Cow
- Technical Evangelism
- Latest Tech News
I am guessing most of my readers can get at least 3 out of 5. What this should make you think of is:
Of course most of the things I wrote down are hugely popular so it is easier guess but this applies to everyone who writes online. Think about your vertical, think about your writing topics and think about your writing style.
You need to be the first thing that comes to mind when readers think of certain topics. You need to the leader in your specific area. You need to carve your niche. What about me?
I am still defining that myself. I think I am known for
- creative ideas
- college/youth marketing
- working at Facebook
- being an entrepreneur
I need to cut it down to one. It is okay that I have a few interests and are known for them, but if I can lock down one I would be unstoppable. If you had a heart disease would you go to a generalist or to a cardiologist? You would go to the pro.
Pick your target, write/talk the hell out of it and get known for something.
If you liked this post please write about it on your site or IM/email it to a person it would benefit.
You should check out my Okdork Virgin Guide to get started.
If you like what you read why don't you subscribe to RSS Feed?
Thanks again for dropping by and I hope to see you soon! - Noah
Want More? Get new articles via email:
people read Okdork everyday!
Submit your own quote and maybe you'll become part of the legend that is OkDork.
-
noah kagan wrote Blog Traffic #2: Excuse me, Who are You? on August 1st, 2006 and there are 16 comments. There will be one more after you add yours, though. Read more posts by noah kagan.
-
Want to subscribe?
Get new posts via email
-
-
Are you new? Get started here
This is Noah Kagan's premier site on online communities, marketing and fun business things.
It's for entrepreneurs, marketers, cubicle workers and people looking to kill 5 minutes.
First time here?
-
Popular Posts for October
free international calls
Most Popular Posts...EVER!
-
will brb.
Noah.licio.us
October's Top Commenters
- Hmm (3)
- Erik Peterson (2)
- Eva White (2)
- Heather (2)
- Fahad (1)
Think this site kicks ass? Find some more posts - browse the categories
Who is Noah Kagan?
Noah Kagan is a diarist. He likes to write about himself in third person and he enjoys writing about business. His ideas are the products of divine inspiration from Steve Jobs.
What is OkDork?
OkDork is Noah Kagan's blog. It is run on the sexiest blog platform around, WordPress. The blog design was done by Ben Bleikamp using XHTML, CSS, and Photoshop CS3.
16 Responses to “Blog Traffic #2: Excuse me, Who are You?”
August 1st, 2006
8:33 am
Another great post, Noah. I definitely have to start focusing more on entrepreneurship on my blog, a lot of it has been a mix of entrep., eVB, Office Depot, Marketing. I’m going to set up a separate blog for eVB, and start writing only on entrep., and marketing. Great advice, keep em coming.
August 1st, 2006
8:37 am
Personally, I don’t give a care what people see me for. In a creepy soulmateish move I wrote about why I blog today. I write for the money, women, and fame… and that’s what I’ll always be known for.
August 1st, 2006
9:11 am
I bet Devin has a “thug life” tattoo.
August 1st, 2006
11:20 am
I just don’t think you should try and define yourself to that fine an extent. Blog about what your thinking and any “macroscale” analysis should reveal who you are. Seth Godin: macroscale: marketing. Robert Scoble: Microsoft, Brad Feld: VC. Overall their posts may be about diverse things but in macroscale they are consistent. On my blog i guess the emerging theme is advice for young internet entrepreneurs + cool stuff (companies/products). Over time the macroscale meta analysis of your blog should reveal who you are. Don’t sweat it. Keep it interesting i guess. If you get boring then redefine yourself, thats what i’d say.
August 1st, 2006
12:20 pm
I am such a schlep.
*hangs head*
Guess what I’m known for?
guess! comeon! I can take it!
Yes.
Link whore.
August 1st, 2006
12:58 pm
I think you have an excellent point, and one that has really worked for me in the field of social marketing. Some other things I would add that you can do to build that association between you and your chosen niche (especially if the people you are trying to reach are not part of the blogosphere) are:
- Write a book
- Write articles for other websites/magazines/journals besides your own blog
- Create the go-to website for information on that topic — make it as comprehensive as you can
- Teach a class on the topic
- Speak at conferences/offer workshops on that topic
- Showcase the work you have done in that niche as a case study or write about lessons others can learn from the success you have had in your work in that area
- Connect with others who are interested in that niche and provide leadership in bringing people together to network/learn/discuss relevant issues
Being a generalist is great, but I think that specializing in one specific area is where you are more likely to make your name known. But only do it if you are passionate about that topic!
August 1st, 2006
1:49 pm
Really, I think all the people and products in that list are great, not just because they became specialists, but because they created their own niches.
Really, was there anyone writing about the Long Tail before Chris Anderson? Was there a digg before digg? A pre-dugg digg? (that was awesome)
Anyone, my point is, yes it’s good to define yourself, but just not necessarily into pre-defined niches. It’s about creating a new market, and defining yourself in those terms.
Word to Korea.
August 1st, 2006
1:51 pm
Anyone? I meant anyway.
August 1st, 2006
2:54 pm
If you focused on Youth Marketing that fits well with your experience at Facebook. I think that you can use creative ideas when marketing to your audience. And being an entrepreneur is just who you are, I think it would be hard to differentiate yourself based on that. And I know that people are willing to pay experts who know about Youth Marketing. I can’t say that for any of the other three items that you mention.
August 1st, 2006
6:43 pm
There’s nothing wrong with not having an exact niche, how, especially when we’re so young, can we expect to know exactly what we want to do or write about. So many thoughts and ideas…I guess it depends on WHAT you want your blog to achieve.
August 1st, 2006
10:40 pm
I definitely think you nailed it with your last sentence Jeremy. People need to determine what do they want their blog/site to accomplish before they start. Me personally:
1- inspire or get people thinking daily
2- get my name and ideas out there
3- meet new interesting people
Paul, I KNEW you were going to throw in the low blow of you are going to pidgeon hole yourself with a niche. That is true but as always I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. You are always welcomed to change if you get bored over time and becoming an expert I found is a rewarding thing.
Nedra, great comments and ideas on how to showcase your genius. Definitely being a specialist in something you like is what it is all about. You love social marketing and have mastered that, if you didn’t enjoy it I can see it being much harder to succeed. How’s the conference going?
August 1st, 2006
11:04 pm
Hey Noah, thanks for asking. Registrations for the training keep coming in and there are still spots left. Since you gave me the opening, I hope you won’t mind a blatant promotional plug for my own niche development activities: Learn how to create positive change on health and social issues using marketing techniques at Social Marketing University (http://www.squidoo.com/smu/)!
August 2nd, 2006
9:55 am
Great post Noah.
Couldn’t agree more with Jeremy
You are not trying to sell something unlike me. You get to make the choice
Lokking for answers myself.
August 4th, 2006
9:36 am
[...] Read the rest of the series on how to improve your blog traffic: #1 Getting on Top of Digg, Reddit or Del.icio.us is EVIL #2 Excuse me, Who are YOU? #3 Get em While They’re Hot #4 Titles = Life or Death ul#related_posts { list-style: none; margin: -5px 0 0 0; padding: 0; } #related_posts li { margin: 0 0 4px 0; } [...]
August 7th, 2006
9:24 pm
It’s the Links I Love, My Friend…
Social Media: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not - The Viral GardenMack takes a look at the rankings of the top Social Media sites. YouTube continues to kickarse. I hope they keep hanging on, but some other smaller sites have a more…
August 8th, 2006
9:00 pm
Noah:
I’ve just created a pod cast on this subject of finding the one thing that you do. I’m not sure what the proper etiquette is in letting you know about this, but I thought you might get a kick out of it, so you can hear it at: http://www.pitchgirl.blogspot.com (and yes, I’ve already gotten a NEW URL for my blog, so that’s gonna be happening soon! And we’re going to be doing something very cool with the about page, it will take a little time to implement, but I think you’ll like it.)
laura
Leave a Reply