Thursday, July 22, 2010

Day 4: Analyze a Top Blog in Your Niche

Here’s today’s task that I’m working on:
Key Concepts for Today: Studying successful blogs in your niche will show you what's working well for them as well as topics they might be ignoring which you could satisfy.  Look closer and see how they implement advertisements or promotions and what their readers are asking about.  It's important to note you don't want to copy another blogger.  Be unique, but allow them to inspire you!
Alrighty then. If my blog could speak, it’d tell you it wanted to be just like The Pioneer Woman. I know, everyone is just rolling their eyes because who doesn’t want to have a site like Ree’s?
True, my site isn’t anywhere near what hers is, a rain drop compared to her ocean, but she had to start somewhere, didn’t she? She didn’t start her blog with 10 gazillion readers (or maybe she did).
Here’s what I love about her site.
Photography: That woman has fantastic photos. And many of these photos are captioned with some amusing comment! I mean, Ree knows how to capture the moment with pictures and words! She also has awesome photography assignments. The one she has right now is themed: Water I appreciate that she teaches us what she’s learning as a photographer.
Family: She digs her family. If there were ever a woman in love with her husband and not afraid to let the world know it, it’s Ree Drummond! I mean, she thinks her husband is hot and doesn’t mind pointing it out whenever she has the chance. I became hooked on her site from her story of how she met and married The Marlboro Man. She loves her kids and enjoys bragging about them. They always look perfect in her photos, even with mussed up hair or candid moments. Oh, and we can’t forget Charlie. he has some of the greatest photos and stories!
Food: Ok, so this is NOT my thing. Well, food is, just not talking about recipes and making up new ones. I love to cook and bake ‘n all, but my kids don’t appreciate it or me so I figure, what’s the point. Someday I’ll find someone who loves to try new recipes just like me! Ree however has her own cookbook out and toured this past year. I was so bummed to have missed her visit to the Mall of America.
Homeschooling and Ranching are two things I know nothing about. One I never did: homeschooling, but thought about it. One I haven’t done: Ranching, and still dream of it!
So, like they said in the Key Concept for today, I don’t want to copy her blog. I mean, there’s no way I could anyhow. Our lives are completely different, but I can absolutely learn from her, with stars in my eyes.

  1. She’s funny, and in a really down to earth, I’m from the cities but live in the country kind of way.
  2. The layout is awesome. She changes her header to reflect the seasons or holiday. Her sidebars are informative but not overwhelming visually. Oh my! I just read she’ll be changing her look (#7) and if we don’t like change we may hate it. No, I don’t do change well at all!!!
  3. She shares so much about her life…daily, and everyone wants to keep reading. I heard they’re making a movie of her/her site! I mean, that’s amazing!
  4. Monetizing: well, she is part of a Macys ad so I’d say that’s pretty darn good. She doesn’t really have advertising though. I mean, she has a few scattered here and there, but not a crazy amount.
  5. Promotions: Ok, Ree has some amazing promotions: cameras, kitchen gadgets, etc. She doesn’t give away a stick of gum or an egg of silly putty. She has some insane giveaways that make me stand in awe. She is going through her closet and giving away her clothing. One top had 3881 comments for people trying to win it! For real, has she cast a spell on the blogosphere or what?
  6. Suffice it to say, Ree’s, The Pioneer Woman is well rounded and an all around amazing site! Woven by Words wants to be just like it when it grows up one day!
Let me apologize for not having any photos. The Pioneer Woman doesn’t have a button or photos to share in my post so I’m photoless. Head over to Ree’s site and you will find a plethora of photos!

11 comments:

Broccoli Cupcake said...

The Pioneer Woman has a great blog, but so do you! So glad I found you through #31DBBB.

Mrs.Mayhem said...

The Pioneer Woman's site is pretty amazing. I'm not sure what year she started blogging... but one thing I wonder (as a new blogger) is if it is even possible to attain such a giant following when the blogosphere is crammed with so many amazing blogs??

Your blog is very nice. I like the header and the illustration, as well as the clearly labeled pages.

Mimi said...

I didn't realize the she had photo assignments! I'm off to check them out!

Amy said...

great analysis of PW. She really is amazing. One thing about her is that she got in at the right time and she has something very unique (her city background moving to the country). I always remind myself that I'm special too, even if I'm not PW. :)

I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog. I'm over from 31DBBB.

Candice said...

Mimi,
I was reading your response in BlogFrog and I wanted to let you know you are not alone. I feel the same way about not knowing how people get return readers. I hope that this exercise will really teach us.

Candice said...

Mimi,
I was reading your comment on blogfrog for 31DBBB and you are not alone, I have no idea how the ladies are getting return commenters and readers, but I'm hoping some of the answers will help me find out.

Daenel T. said...

I think your blog is well set up and the design is cute. Part of the success of the larger blogs is that they did get in at the right time. Now it's about finding your unique voice and creating a loyal readership. Good luck to you and keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

When I was visiting BETH a Work in Progress today and the comments I read your comment to her. Boy was I ever surprised when I thought to reply to the blogger before me in the 31Days challenge and found it was you! Twice in one evening, I must be in your niche somewhere.I read your blog about Pioneer Woman and that led me to her blog. I am a newbie in the blogosphere and SITS. Thought I would take the challenge of 31 Days and am so pleased it has led me to so many great blogs and bloggers.

bubbleboo said...

You're right, who doesn't want to be Ree?!

But you are also right that she had to start somewhere. And nobody ever reached the top by accident, did they? If you don't dream big, you'll never get anywhere :D

Liz Mays said...

She really is amazing! I wonder if she has "people." People would be nice, wouldn't it?

Kelly said...

Stopping by from the 31DBBB, and I love TPW too! Her site is so awesome...but yours is pretty nice too! :)

I hope to have my blog "grow up" through this challenge-

Feel free to stop by: Mom Got Blog
http://momsgotblog.blogspot.com

Puglianok@gmail.com

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Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.