Blogging: Choosing a Niche

You have decided that you want to enter the blogosphere.  You have come to the right place.  I am devoting the month of February to blogging.

The first question you have to answer is:  "What would I like my blog to be about?"  Here were some popular blog topics for 2014.

1.  parenting:  Mommy blogs are all the rage on the Internet.  Check out my friend's blog Three Kids (A Husband) and a Teabag at threekidsandateabag.wordpress.com.

2.  hobbies:  Maybe you collect hockey cards like my husband.  Maybe you are a knitting expert.  Join a network of people who share your hobby.  Check out myhockeycardobsession.blogspot.ca.

3.  technology:  Learn about the latest and greatest in the field of technology.  Check out mashable.com.

4.  politics:  Engage in intense debate.  Be prepared to answer questions.  Grow your readership quickly.  Check out Ordinary Times:  On Culture & Politics at ordinary-gentlemen.com.

5.  news:  Share new ideas or put a new spin on an old idea.  Check out huffingtonpost.com.

6.  journaling:  Declare your hopes and dreams to the world.  Share reflections on life which resonate with readers.  Check out www.livejournal.com.

7.  deals/frugal living:  Maybe you are a coupon queen.  Perhaps you have tricks to stretch your budget.  Check out www.thefrugalgirl.com.

8.  DIY & design:  Bring your creative skills to the Internet so that others can be inspired.  Check out House Tweaking at www.housetweaking.com.

9.  fitness:  Help readers get fit.  Check out www.irunnerblog.com.

10.  food:  This theme is so popular that it has its own book Food Blogging for Dummies.  Check out Top with Cinnamon at www.topwithcinnamon.com.

11.  history:  Check sites like thisdayinhistory.com for inspiration.  Check out Civil Warriors at civilwarriors.net.

12.  fashion:  Maybe you are a fashion design student at college.  What a great forum a blog could be for your ideas!  Check out Brooklyn Blonde at www.brooklynblonde.com.

13.  travel:  If you are a frequent traveller, blog about your trips.  Check out The Traveling Type at blog.travelchannel.com.

14.  books:  A strong reader makes a strong writer.  Post book reviews.  Check out The Book Wheel at www.thebookwheelblog.com.

15.  marriage:  My writer friend shares her ideas about marriage at www.sheilawraygregoire.com.

16.  photography:  My Grandad Stroud was an amateur photographer who even won contests for some of his photos including one of my doe-eyed sister Lisa as a baby and one of a close up of a blue jay.  What better way to share your prize photos than through blogging?  Check out www.robertkruh.com.

17,  antiques:  Maybe you're addicted to the Antiques Road Show.  Check out antiquesdiva.com.

18.  gardening:  My Grandad Tufts, a teacher, used to spend his summers gardening; in fact, his backyard was simply one big garden.  Check out reddirtramblings.com voted one of the top ten gardening blogs by Better Homes & Gardens.

19.  sports:  If you like football, check out www.yardbarker.com.

20.  music:  If you like country music check out theboot.com.


Note:  For more tips, check out "All of the Good Ideas are Already Taken:  Tips to Help You Pick a Niche" at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/niche-selection-tips/.

www.problogger.net

Congratulations, Cassandra!

http://www.beckishort.co.uk/marriage-proposal-ideas.php

I remember the day my niece, Cassandra, was born.  She had dark eyes and dark hair.  Her hair stuck straight up on her head like a porcupine.  I remember the flowered dress she wore to my wedding, still a babe in her mother’s arms.  I remember her running around double fisting bologna at the Germania Club after my mother-in-law passed away.  "Go! Go! Go!" was the toddler’s motto.  

Cassandra made beautiful music with the Hamilton Children's Choir.  She and her sister Amanda filled the old St. James Anglican Church with song.  Cassandra helped her sister blow out the candles on their birthday cake at their double birthday party.  Around the time she turned seven, she had just learned the formula for a joke and she made up one herself:  “What do you call a girl standing on a cat? --  A statue.”  Rob and I got a kick out of that one. 

Cassandra and her sister munched on chocolate Easter bunnies at my house on Thanksgiving Day 1998.  I wondered how they lasted for six months in their fridge without being gobbled up.  Later that year, when Rob and I were in the process of adopting our newborn son, Cassandra suggested that we take Thomas to Grandma and Grandpa's house for three weeks to hide out, just in case his birth parents changed their mind.  That's how much she wanted a new cousin!  

Cassandra used to come for sleepovers at my house with her sister.  Rob used to take them to Lynden Park Mall shopping sometimes.  Their favourite store was Claire’s.  Cassandra always did have a flair for fashion. 

I remember Cassandra’s first communion, dressed in a pretty white gown, her dark hair in ringlets.  I remember her grade 8 Graduation.  I remember her Grade 12 Graduation.  She was the life of the party! 

Tonight, to the strains of a pianist, cellist, guitarist and three violinists, Cassandra got engaged.  An ensemble of Kyle's friends played her favourite song, "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die".  

What happened to the past 23 years?  Congratulations, Cassandra!  May God bless you and Kyle in your forthcoming marriage!

                                

"Heroes get remembered, but legends never die" quote by Babe Ruth courtesy m1.behance.net.