The number of emails I receive grows consistently and while I try to respond, I find it hard to keep up. 
This is one I'm asked frequently so I thought I'd answer it here.
And by all means, if you have anything to add, leave your thoughts, advice, insight, experience or even more questions in the comments!
Do you think my blog idea is a good one?
This is a very difficult question to answer for a few reasons, the main one being…it's the wrong question!
I really, really understand how frustrating it is to be told "It depends…" because I've been told the same thing and it makes me crazy! However, in this case, it really does depend.
Two people can have the very same idea, start the same type of blog, at the same time, in the same niche and yet have very different outcomes. I can point to blogs in almost any niche and show you ones which are highly successful and ones which are not.
Unless your proposed blog topic is of interest to only 3 people in the world because it's super specialized, it is likely a good idea. The real question here is, are you willing to put in the time and effort to stand out? It will absolutely take lots of both.
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites. In plain English. Want to 
You're absolutely right – it takes a lot of time and effort! My site is 13 months old and I am just now feeling like it's starting to really develop. A lot of early mornings and late nights have happened in the last few months!
I still have so much to learn, but am enjoying the journey! Thanks for your site, Amy, because it's been a huge help. {{{hugs}}}
You're so welcome! It's my pleasure.
"The real question here is, are you willing to put in the time and effort to stand out?" That is the biggie. You can have the most perfect niche in the world, but if you run out of ideas, can't keep up the pace, or aren't passionate about it every day, it will go nowhere.
My suggestion would be to the people you know about the idea. Like say you often chat on a forum for underwater basketweaving and realize that there aren't many blogs about it. Ask the other forum members what they think. What can you write about that isn't covered in the forums? What are the needs that are not being met in the forum?
opps, "My suggestion would be to TALK to the people you know about the idea."
Great tips, Gwen. Yes, without passion, you're much more likely to fizzle out. (For those of you who are new, here's How to Find Your Passion.)
Good post! An idea is just that – an idea. What matters is execution. While it's been said there is no wrong way to blog, there are certainly better ways than others.
On another note, on a couple occasions now I have done post series that at first glance folks said "HUH?" to, but ended up being successful features for me. I'm currently working on a post idea that sounds completely absurd were I to tell you. Sort of like explaining a dream I had that makes sense to me, but sounds silly sharing with someone else. Sometimes it's best to go with my gut and do it, confident that I can do a good job. Take a risk, put myself out there.
Finally, I've learned sometimes it's also good to keep your best ideas to yourself. I fully believe in comraderie within the blogosphere, but I also think it's OK to keep some things "top secret" until they are fully hatched.
Amy, I wish I could be a fly on the wall of your inbox somedays. Oh the questions you must get asked!!
Yes, great points here too, Angela. As I always say, experiment, experiment, experiment!
Some great thoughts here! I really love the idea of bouncing your ideas off of others. Amy, what suggestions do you have for building a community of people to work with, bounce ideas off of, and get encouragement from to help execute an idea?
I try to be friendly with people in my niche. I'll even email people. I think the most important part is developing relationships over time.
Amy, my niche is saturated. So I have to really be creative to stand out but I have received 15,000 hits in my first month. Thinking outside of the box really works to your advantage. Catch titles lure people in, following the trends and tying them into your niche and just not being afraid to go at it full force(without being spammy or obnoxious, of course.)
I highly recommend being part of a mastermind group. What's a mastermind group? It's a group of bloggers (maybe 5-10) who are somewhat like-minded with similar-sized blogs (not necessarily the same niche, but related niches work well) who agree to do the very things you suggested — offer support, encourage one another, bounce ideas off of one another and even promote posts or projects for each other when appropriate. Don't be afraid to start a mastermind group yourself! Starting one doesn't have to be complicated. Simply email some other bloggers that you have made connections with and ask if they'd like to be part of your mastermind group. The ones I'm part of communicate via Skype and email. Another way to build community and network is to join forums related to your niche.
I love it! And would even be willing to start one! Any suggestions on finding a good forum group?? Some of my search results turn up with things that look spammy and weird…
Sooooo true….
So many good ideas.. so little time for them all! A good idea is useless without the invested time. =\