Categorizing your Niche?

[ClutterCubed]

Do you ever have trouble finding a category label that's appropriate for your blog? What do you do about it?

I guess this mostly comes into play for blog directories, because they have specific categories where you can list your blog. However, what do you do if your blog niche doesn't fit neatly into one of these categories?

My new blog, for example, is about clutter. Identifying it, organizing it, and getting rid of it. If I were to list it on a directory, often the closest I can come to describing my blog is "Home & Garden", or worse "Other".
My blog is not about decorating, it's not about home renovation or building houses, it's not about growing plants or household management tips like budgeting or dinner menus, and these other niches account for the vast majority of "Home & Garden" blogs, and it seems my blog gets lost in the shuffle.

I want readers to be able to find my blog easily, but I'm not sure of the best way to do it when my blog doesn't easily fit into categories.

[ses5909]

It's definitely hard when listing in blog directories. A good away around it would be to list in those that allow tagging. I actually haven't seen this in action, but surely there must be some.

[shyflower]

What about categories like "self help", "personal development", "education", or tags like "organizing", "How tos", "tips",

[splitbrain]

At least you can tell what your blog is about, even though the category might not exist in certain catalogues. I have trouble to define what my blog is even about. If asked I'd say something like "technologywebdevelopmentpersonalramblinggeocaching gamingwhateverelsecomestomymindthingy" - not very catalogue friendly ;-).

[Jessi]

Yeah, I've struggled with categorizing it from Day 1. A year later, I still can't toss it into a "niche" or label it appropriately, so I actually try to avoid it as much as possible, lol.

[ClutterCubed]

What about categories like "self help", "personal development", "education", or tags like "organizing", "How tos", "tips",
Occasionally there is a "self help" section, and when there is I make sure to use it. I'm not sure if I really count as self help yet, but hopefuly my blog can help someone out there!


At least you can tell what your blog is about, even though the category might not exist in certain catalogues. I have trouble to define what my blog is even about. If asked I'd say something like "technologywebdevelopmentpersonalramblinggeocaching gamingwhateverelsecomestomymindthingy" - not very catalogue friendly ;-).

I started my blog with a specific purpose in mind, so it automatically had a niche. My personal blog(s) are much more random and it would be quite difficult to pick a category, but they are not for the public to view so it's a moot point.

[erikko]

in some directories i experience that thing such but what im doing is that posting it in a nearer niche if i cant find the fittest

[bsd13]

I had a hell of a time with my main blog and ended up calling it nicheless and naming it A Blog about Nothing. The new blog I'm working on is a little different as it will be a targeted niche

[Kamigoroshi]

I've never really had much of a problem in categorizing my blog. The thing is, I knew from day 1 what my blog was going to be which is really important if you want your blog to survive in the long run.

Over time, like my life, my blog just grew. First it was a personal blog, now it's a personal and commentary blog.

In a way, finding out what your blog is is quite like finding out who you are in life. If you don't know, you're going to have problems later on focusing on what you do best.

[bsd13]

I've never really had much of a problem in categorizing my blog. The thing is, I knew from day 1 what my blog was going to be which is really important if you want your blog to survive in the long run.

Over time, like my life, my blog just grew. First it was a personal blog, now it's a personal and commentary blog.

In a way, finding out what your blog is is quite like finding out who you are in life. If you don't know, you're going to have problems later on focusing on what you do best.

Maybe if you're intent is income or something like that. If you're just writing to write, or writing about anything under the sun that grabs your attention I don't think it's important to have a focus.

[Kamigoroshi]

Maybe if you're intent is income or something like that. If you're just writing to write, or writing about anything under the sun that grabs your attention I don't think it's important to have a focus.

Blogging like many other things in life needs a reason for it to be done if you either want to do it well or keep doing it. Even if you're just a casual blogger, there has to be a reason why you start it, especially if you want to see yourself doing it for years to come.

I've been blogging for more than 4 years now and from experience, I can tell you to keep doing it day after day, you need to know why you're doing it.

Then to go from just blogging to something of an art, you need passion and focus. Otherwise, you're just another "me-too" blog and no one really pays any attention to that.

[mollyL]

Wow, I think that is an amazing niche for a blog! I can say that I have at least five friends who would want to visit that blog right away!

[ClutterCubed]

Wow, I think that is an amazing niche for a blog! I can say that I have at least five friends who would want to visit that blog right away!

Mine? Thank you!

I'm having a lot of fun writing it so far. ^_^

I still have trouble fitting it into pre-defined categories, but now I'm more focussing on improving my blog itself, rather than trying to get it listed in blog directories.

[Jeremy]

I have to say, I also have found your blog to be very unique, helpful, and fun to read. I'm the most disorganized person the in the world, so I'm always looking for ways to get rid of the clutter. I have yet to implement any of your ideas, but I have a lot of things I want to do. Oh yeah, I'm a procrastinator too :D