Newbs, Niches and Numbers

Back when I was forced, no coerced was thinking about blogging, I sat down with a seasoned blogger, Little Tech Girl, and asked a simple question – what’s the deal with the numbers and do I have to have a niche? The answer I got was, “well basically if you want to work with brands, they are going to look at your numbers.  Niches are not necessary; however it might be easier to attract brands if you have a clear “focus” on your blog.”

Well, as you can tell, I haven’t exactly gotten the ‘numbers’ brands are looking for.  I also do not have a niche, and I think that may be my niche. (Ugh, I was SO not trying to have one 🙂 )

Yesterday I attended the Mommy Blogger (OMG I can’t believe I am a member!) panel discussion at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  On the panel were some AMAZING bloggers, as well as a PR person.  In the audience, there were newbie bloggers (like myself), seasoned bloggers, brands and PR people.  I could not have been in better company.  The information I received set off the hamster in my head and the wheel started spinning.  Being able to ask questions directly to the PR and brands was awesome.

And then it happened. I raised my hand. I was asked to stand up so people could hear me ask my question. I was so nervous, but the Gingerbread Americano running through me made me look super calm (thanks Starbucks!) And out of my mouth came the question – How do we, new bloggers like myself, get to where you all are? How do we get brands and PR people to look at us. You all (the phenom bloggers on the panel (I totally didn’t say this, but I so wish I had)) were once where we are, how do we get there too?  Well, people looked at me and smiled.  A few even said, wow, good question. I sat down and smiled at myself, thinking, I have arrived. I am the voice of the little people.   HAHAHAHAHA  Ok, so it didn’t really happen that melodramatically, but I did feel good about asking my question and I felt even better about the answers I got.

The main response was – Stick to it.  Many new bloggers get discouraged because they don’t have the numbers or give-a-ways that the other blogs do and there are so many mommy bloggers out there, you can get lost.  But we all have a voice, and generally speaking, someone wants to hear what you have to say.  So keep saying it.

Try your best to post everyday.  Something happens everyday in your life. Pick one thing and blog about it.

Keep it simple. Most people don’t read past 300 words. (Though if you have read this far, today you have. 🙂 )

Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither were the bigger blogs.

I walked away from the whole discussion feeling renewed and ready to get back on the keyboard.

So, with that being said, I will work on my numbers.  It will take a while, but that’s ok. WE all have to start somewhere.

And as far as the whole niche thing….yea, mine is not having one. So there! I have never really fit in, no reason to start now…