Let's Talk About Breaking the Rules

Hi Friends!

A few days ago, I introduced you to my first Controversial Business Strategy and told you how I don't outsource my content. While that business practice likely won't last forever (because it takes a LOT to do it all and your girl is TIRED!) - it has been instrumental in developing different skills that have benefitted me throughout this journey.

Speaking of journey, Controversial Business Strategy #2 takes you back to when it all began...

Controversial Business Strategy #2:
I Didn't Stay in My Lane
(aka, I didn't "Niche Down")

If you've delved into the business world at all, you've likely heard that one of the quickest ways to accelerate is by learning to do one thing really, really well and then branching out from there.

And while I'll admit that's probably the smartest way to go about things, that's not what I did when I started my travel blog.

Instead, I did things my own way, like the stubborn Taurus that I am ;).
Let me explain...

In 2022, I took a blogging course that taught me how to build a website and create a blog from scratch.

One of the things we learned in this course was to really "niche down"...that is, pick one specific category and write about it, and then slowly expand into more diverse content.

Obviously, my niche is travel. But if you think about it, travel is a pretty broad niche.

An example of "niching down" in the travel world would be writing specifically about hiking...or visiting big cities...or even traveling through West Virginia (where I'm from!). If I centered my content around any of those things and really stayed consistent, I could grow (and monetize!) pretty quickly - likely within 6 to 12 months.
​(Pro Tip: This is because Google would recognize me as an "authority" on the subject faster!)

But I didn't want to do that. I wanted to show you everything that I could, right from the jump.

My very first blog post was about Paris, France.

Then it was London. Then Madrid. Then Chicago. Then Sedona.

Could you say my content was all over the place? Yes.

But was I having the time of my life? Was I enjoying what I was writing? Also yes.

As a side note - for awhile, I declared my niche to be solo travel. And while I would identify as someone who often travels solo, I realized that the majority of my blog posts were not being written for solo travelers, and instead, were being written for a much broader audience.

It took me a little less than 2 years before I started earning money from my travel blog.

But because I enjoyed what I was doing, I was able to keep going. I didn't burn out. I was doing something that I loved so much, I would want to continue doing it regardless of if I earned income from it or not.

And that's how I knew I would end up being successful.

The best part? At the end of the day, I still became known for exactly what I wanted: a resource for all things travel!

Coming Next: Controversial Business Strategy #3

In my next business strategy, I'll tell you why one of the most important things you can do as a business owner is to own your content platform.
​(Hint: this is one of the main reasons why I put way more time into my website than social media!)

How are you liking the business content? What questions do you have?

Reply to this email and let me know!
❤️, Gina

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