Indian Wells California USA
I Googled “blogging tips” via the Incognito browser.
One of my Blogging From Paradise posts came up at page 1 position 10. Earlier today the post popped up at position 9.
Last week the post appeared on page 2 of Google for the same query. I think it topped page 2 last week but appeared far lower, prior.
Why?
I only publish blogging tips to Blogging From Paradise Dot Com, save the odd travel-themed post. The Google algorithm knows this. People who query “blogging tips” saw the post on page 5 years ago, page 2 months ago, at the top of page 2 weeks ago and the post climbed onto page 1 consistently over the prior week or so.
Covering only one topic targets blog traffic. Everyone who visits your blog wants the one thing because you cover only that singular topic. What else could readers want? Right?
Every blogger reading these words likely nods in agreement now.
But 5 seconds from now, the world tells you quite the opposite.
The world tells you to seek more traffic not targeted traffic. Bigger seems better. But is it?
The Big Blogging Mistake
Most bloggers screw up.
The blogging masses want as much traffic as humanly possible to flow through their blogs. The thinking goes, getting many people to visit your blog generates steady blogging income.
All the page 1 results on Google for a “blog traffic” query seem actionable enough. Most strategies appear to be accurate too.
But how many bloggers reading these posts know that targeting traffic not seeking more traffic nets organic traffic and blogging income? I doubt that many bloggers know the secret to building a blogging business: target everything to be known and trusted for that one thing. Become a specialist in a world of floundering generalists. Let everyone else burn out being a jack of all blogging trades while you master one.
Make the Shift
Searching for more traffic instantly looks past generating only targeted traffic.
“I want a bunch of people to find my blog.”
So you set the goal of finding a bunch of people. You chase a bunch of people. Perhaps a bunch of people see your blog after you pester them to visit your cyber real estate. Every person bounces immediately, coming and going through the revolving door that is your blog. You targeted no one because you wanted everyone. Attempting to appeal to everyone attracts no one.
Shift from seeking more traffic to targeting one reader with specialized content.
Pinpoint one reader. Pick one niche. Target all content to find people heavily interested in that one niche.
Follow this strategy to establish immense clarity. Anyone reading this blog knows that I help bloggers with blogging tips at Blogging From Paradise Dot Com. Scroll back for 50 blog posts. I know that almost all are blogging tips, save the odd travel post that you readers explicitly told me to publish, here and there.
As for my page 1 post (as of the publish date at least) for about the most competitive keyword in my niche, the Google algorithm searches for the most accurate, timely and practical blogging tips and comes across a blog with 500 detailed, practical, long form blogging tips. Google – being the ultimate match maker – sends users my blog and other blogs on page 1 as the most truly helpful resources possible to satiate the query.
I did not influence Google one bit.
I published highly targeted content to Blogging From Paradise Dot Com consistently for years. My work here communicated with Google.
I patiently shared detailed blogging tips on a regular basis. The algorithm found the blogging tips consistently. I proved my track record by targeting and creating helpful content.
I never tried to get more traffic.
I targeted one person.
Both strategies are worlds apart.
More Is Random
Chasing more people is a study in random.
The only qualification is: person.
Chasing more traffic is random.
The only qualification: traffic.
If you chase random you get random. A bunch of random folks and random traffic find your blog but the people/traffic bounce instantly because none want your content.
Imagine throwing 10,000 darts at a pea-sized board while wearing a blindfold. You wildly throw more darts but never hit the target because the problem was not the number of darts tossed but your lack of targeting combined with a woefully small target. Take off the freaking blind fold. See. Use a bigger board. Create a larger target.
For bloggers, this means:
- covering one blogging niche
- targeting every blog post and piece of offsite content to solve pressing problems from one niche
- publishing practical content consistently
Forget Google for a Moment
I certainly do not bow to Google.
You know that by now.
But I used the Google page 1 example above to make a clear point.
The world trusts specialists not generalists.
A jack of all trades masters none but the master of one reaches the top of the niche.
People who visit my blog quickly see that I cover the blogging tips niche upside-down, inside-out, backwards and forwards. I have been doing this since 2014.
Most instantly say to themselves, “I think this guy knows a lot about blogging tips.”
That’s trust.
That’s credibility.
That is the most powerful effect of targeting every freaking piece of content for a singular reader.
I cannot stress how few bloggers do this without compromising which makes it far easier for you to reach the top of your niche.
A handful of highly skilled bloggers who share helpful blogging tips also cover:
- affiliate marketing
- social media
- list building
There’s nothing wrong with that.
But the Google algorithm – and a decent percentage of blog visitors – will say:
“Hmmm…..is this blog about blogging tips, affiliate marketing, social media or list building?”
Confusion kills targeting.
Typically, if you even sniffed page 1 of Google for “blogging tips”, that rank will plummet like a boulder tossed from a cliff because you stopped targeted to seek more traffic.
As far as readers, you will experience *some* success with each niche because you know your blogging stuff. Some folks will trust your content. But most folks will unconsciously experience a, “This does not feel right,” sensation and bounce quickly from the blog.
Why?
Would you hand your retirement nest egg to a butcher to make it grow?
Butchers handle meat. Financial services companies make your nest egg grow.
The world trusts specialists.
Conclusion
The world runs on specialists who do one thing consistently to do it exceedingly well.
Stop chasing more traffic as a solution to blogging ills.
Lose the urge to seek broad appeal.
Target all traffic.
Cover one niche thoroughly.
Target all content.
Drive targeted readers to your blog.
Succeed by specializing.
Attract readers who want your offering.
Related posts:
Do You Want More Traffic or Organic Blog Traffic?
How to Target Blog Traffic: Establish Mental Clarity
Why Do You Need to Target Blog Traffic?
Why Is Organic Blog Traffic the Ultimate Goal?
7 Tips to Target Blog Traffic
1 Blog Engagement Warning
Do You Underestimate Organic Blog Traffic?
Why Google Is Not the Best Source of Blog Traffic
