If you are considering starting a blog for you or business, knowing your focus is paramount to your success. Ask yourself these questions before you begin.

What do you want to give people? A successful blog is not about self-promotion. It’s about creating and sharing content that others benefit from. Example:  Guy Kawaski’s blog is titled How to Change the World. What HOW TO is your focus?

Who do you want to reach? Identify your audience. What do they need? What do they want? Then reconsider your answer to question #1. Does your audience seek/want/need the type of information that you are sharing? If not, you need to find a new focus.

How can you create a niche? Think about what you have to offer through your blog, then take a look at what other, similar blogs are like. What will be different about yours that will make it a blog that people want to read instead of another?

After you have identified what you have to offer, the next BIG question is … How is your blog going to benefit you? How is your blog going to drive customers and/or build your reputation? Your blog isn’t about you, but it still has to serve your online marketing goals.