Tag: niche

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Question of the Month

#Question of the Month: a #bloghop to think about. No. 12- What’s your advice on starting a blog?

A little while ago, Michael D’Agostino, of A Life Examined, brought up the idea of a new blog hop called Question of the Month. He thinks blog readers would like to know a little more about us, the bloggers. So we’re all gathering to show you guys who we are by taking part in the Question of the Month blog hop. On the first Monday of each month, we answer the question that gets posted here.

This month’s question is: “If a friend came to you looking for advice on starting a blog, what three pieces of advice would you give them?”

So, since we’ve been advised to stay away from some of the commonly applied tips of the trade such as: visit other blogs, write what you love, and link back to older posts from time to time, I’m going to try to think a bit outside the box.

Tip #1 – Find a niche. It doesn’t have to be something uber unique, just something that will help narrow your focus and tap into a specific audience. I, for one, have set myself up as a fan and contributor to geek culture. “Geek” has become so broad and popular as of late, that I’ve made a point to single out some of my specific interests, instead of trying to cover them all. I mainly talk about books and movies, but I’ll slip in some of my music interests from time to time.

Tip #2 – Embrace the culture. Many people don’t realize that blogging is a subculture and that within it, there are many micro-cultures to join in and become involved with. Joining blog hops and tours is a good way to connect to others who share your interests and learn from others. It’s important not to become overwhelmed by all the blogosphere has to offer. Many newcomers to the culture may feel the need to try everything all at once, but a little here and there should be enough to help someone find their place and feel like they are a part of something bigger.

Tip #3 – Plan and schedule. Don’t be afraid to think ahead whenever possible. Some blogs are designed to be spontaneous while others clearly work on a set schedule. In either situation, a bit of planning and scheduling can go a long way, even if it’s just setting up post for special occasions and or holidays. It’s always good to have a bit of wiggle room when posting to your blog so as not to turn the positive experience into a stressful one.

So that’s what I got. Hope it’s somewhat helpful.

Please visit the other participants in this hop and even join in if you’d like. I can’t wait to see what other tips will be shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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IWSG

#IWSG June 2015: Wanting to be wanted.

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Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

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Before I bum everyone out with my insecurities, I’d just like to say that launching the sequel to my Eternal Curse Series at a local Comicon was the best decision I’ve made in a long time….

Now, lately I’ve been trying to look at myself objectively and reevaluate my role as author, blogger, and other. In my day-to-day life, I know exactly who and what I am. I’m a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, and a teacher. These are roles that come easy to me, though teaching is the one that seems to stretch me the most. Working with the children is easy; working with other adults and the politics of the educational system is where things get a bit tough. Even with the challenges of my day job, I know where my place is and what my purpose it.

Now when it comes to being an author and blogger, I still feel a bit lost after all these years. Don’t worry, this isn’t a farewell statement of any kind, but to say I have insecurities would be an understatement. For the first time since I started the blogging journey I’m starting to feel a sense on synchronicity between my role as author and blogger. I actually feel as if these two roles are mutually beneficial, whereas in the past one seemed to interfere with the other, and vise versa, at all times.

While that is all well and good, I don’t feel comfortable in my mission, content, and or niche. I honestly don’t know that I fit into a niche, which is probably the root of my problems. I feel like the ideas and desires I have for reaching out to readers goes against whatever it is that readers actually want…but I just can’t seem to change my mind. I want to be flexible and free to express myself through many genres, but I run the risk of losing interested parties who are only interested in a particular thing I’ve done.

I had a silly notion of creating a You Tube presence that would connect me with other writers, which would in turn connect us all to a whole new audience of potential readers and fans. The problem is that writes don’t do anything on camera. So I’m trying to refocus my efforts to just interviewing on my blog, but many authors don’t seem to be interested in that either. I feel like I should stop reaching out to authors all together, even though I don’t want to.

I’ve tried reaching out to readers, offering pieces of myself and trying to connect with them, but not many seem to be interested unless I’m giving something away, and even that doesn’t  bring in too much interest. I know that I write because I love it and I know that I blog because I love it, but unless I start addressing all my content to myself, I’m left wondering, who am I reaching out too?

I wish I could make a difference.

Need to find a niche.

Wanting to be wanted.

So, have you found where you belong?
Do you know who you’re reaching out to?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
M. Pax,
 Tracy Jo,
 Patricia Lynne,
 Rachna Chhabria,
 Feather Stone, and
 Randi Lee!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #108).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Categories
AdventuresNBlogging

Adventures in Blogging: Types of Blogs part 2

adventure

I’ll be writing about my adventures, from my point of view, while offering my opinion on whatever the current matter happens to be. I hope you will enjoy it, if for no other reason, because you’ll get to see just how crazy my mind and reactions can be sometimes.
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Types of Blogs vs. What I Read

First let’s review the blog types I’ve already mentioned.

1. News blogs

2. Niche or Themed blogs

3. Skill or Practical Application blogs

4. Exhibition or Presentation blogs

So today, I’ll be discussing what I personally feel is the fifth main type of blog to read. Remember, this is all based on my opinion and is heavily influenced by my interest in writing and reading books.

5. Special Interest – These are the blog that tend to blur lines. These are art blogs that are a combination of all the other types of blogs listed so far, but they usually focus on a more general topic. The art in question can be any number of things, but only one topic is usually focused on. As I mentioned before, Book blogs can be considered Niche blog, but they also work well here, along with movie blogs, music blogs, fine-art blogs, etc…

You see, Niche blogs are more specific than Special interest blogs. A Special Interest blog can be about music in so many different facets, while a Niche blog will focus on a specific genre or a specific way of recording. Book blogs are special interest to me, for the most part, but a blog specifically about historical fiction books is more of a Niche subject.

Book blogs have gone above and beyond the written word. Book blogs now share and discuss: book trailers, book reviews, author’s works and daily lives, tidbits about the publishing industry, preferred reading mediums, and so much more.

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At this point I’d like to make one small distinction. Not that the terms I’m about to share are a standard in any way, but they help me to have a better understanding of what I’m reading. I think there is a fine line and distinction between book blogs and story blogs.

-To me Book blogs are blogs dedicated to books in general (as I’ve mentioned above). They usually feature many book reviews as well as author interviews, book promotions, and special giveaways. These blogs exist to praise books without any obvious bias.

–Story blogs on the other hand are blogs that are dedicated to a specific book or series. For instance I have two story blogs dedicated to my Eternal Curse series.

To me, 40 Days and Nights of Eternal Curse is an example of a Story blog, while The ToiBox blog (this blog) is an example of Author/Exhibition blog.

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Here is a list of some of my favorite book blogs to give you more of an idea of my distinction:

Authors to Watch  |The Masquerade Crew | JeanzBookReadNReview | 4covert2overt | Should Be Reading |Review Books and More

So after reading all this, you might be wondering what was the point of all this?…

Well, the point is, I wanted you all to understand how I perceive the blogosphere. I figured if I’m going to be writing about my adventures in blogging, you all should have a reference point. If you’ve been following me for a while, or take a little time to read some of the posts about me and my bio, getting to know me is pretty easy, but understanding me may not be. I just wanted to make sure that there is no confusion about what I’m saying now or will be saying in the future.

I’ll be writing about my adventures, from my point of view, while offering my opinion on whatever the current matter happens to be. I hope you will enjoy it, if for no other reason, because you’ll get to see just how crazy my mind and reactions can be sometimes.

Click here to see part 1.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords