If you’d asked me a few years ago I would have said the best time to start a new blog was the second the idea came into your head. However, I’ve learned a lot since then. Now I say the best time to start a new blog is after you’ve done a good bit of research. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and money.
First, before you even consider starting another blog, you need to take a look at your existing blog and ask yourself a few questions. Why do you want to start another one? Is it because you think you need to in order to increase your income? Are you bored? Have you tripped over an exciting, new niche you want to take advantage of?
Most important, take a look at your original blog to see if it’s possible to change it to get more out of it. If you’re bored, maybe you could add a new category or find another product to start promoting. If you want to make more money, maybe it’s finally time to consider creating your own products. If you’ve found a new, exciting niche, is it possible to work it into your original blog?
If you’re still intent on starting a new blog, then it’s time to do the market research. Is there even a market? If so, is it on the upswing or is it a trend that’s going to fade fast? How much competition will you have and how hard will it be to rank against them?
Is this new topic you’re interested in something that can hold your interest for years to come, because remember, it takes a while to build up an income-producing blog. And if you are interested, is there enough relevant content for you to cover to pull in a loyal following?
When all is said and done and you’ve got your finger hovering over the buy button to pick up that new domain name, think about this: Remember how much time and energy you’ve spent on this first blog and ask yourself if you have it in you to do it all over again with another blog? Look at how much money you’re making with this first blog and ask yourself if you’re willing to risk it. And if you do decide to go ahead, will you still have time to maintain your original blog? What will happen to your original blog if you slack off a bit while you’re starting the new one?
There are plenty of bloggers out there who hold down multiple blogs. Some even have hundreds. In these cases, though, in order to keep all blogs running at full speed ahead, these bloggers generally use outsourcing for content, blog commenting, and social networking, and they invest in quality software to help with ad management, statistical analysis and automated content.
So, before you jump into this new, exciting endeavor, you have a lot to think about. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and buy that domain name you’re just itching to purchase and let me know how things are going in a month or two.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!