With your list of passions in hand from How to Find (or Refind) Your Passion, it's time to zoom in on a blog topic. This is an important step; just because you're passionate about something doesn't mean it'll make for a good blog topic.
How to drill down to the right topic
After going through the questions in the last post, it seems most people come up with 4-7 topics about which they have some passion. So here's my plan for the next two posts…
In this post we'll talk about what works for readers. By the end, I'm hoping you will have narrowed your list down to 2 or 3.
In the next post, we'll talk about what works for you. We'll aim to find the perfect intersection of the two and come up with your blog topic.
Ready? Here we go…
What do readers want?
Unless your blog is strictly for your own enjoyment, you're probably hoping to gain readers. So, it's important to consider what others might want to read.
After observing blogs for years, below are five overarching blogging categories that seem to attract the most readers. As you read through them, decide which passions on your list will fit. Some passions may fall in two or more categories.
1. Readers want to solve a problem.
What do people get frustrated about? Do you have a solution?
This is how BloggingWithAmy.com started. I talked to a lot of bloggers who loved to write but got frustrated with the techy side of blogging. I knew I could help solve this problem by sharing blogging tips, tools and tutorials in a non-techy way.
Other problems I hear about are taming email, balancing work and family life, dealing with information overload, parenting issues, etc.
2. Readers want to relieve their fears.
What are people afraid of? How can you help ease those fears?
Maybe you're a parent who has lost a child. It's a real and valid fear for a lot of parents. While no one would ever choose that path, sharing your story of hope and healing could be very helpful for many people.
Other common fears I hear about are blowing up their blog, speaking in public, not doing relationships "right," wondering about the financial stability of the future, etc.
3. Readers want to learn something new.
What would people love to do if only they knew how? What do you know that you could teach them?
Maybe you're a whiz at crocheting, you have a knack for writing or you have a unique way of teaching math that makes it easy to understand. A lot of people have projects around the house they would gladly tackle but aren't sure where to start. Teach them.
Other things people might like to learn are how to write an ebook, alternative education solutions, becoming more self-sustaining, new and interesting hobbies, etc.
4. Readers want to reach a goal.
What are common goals people have? Have you set and reached some significant goals? Can you spell out how you did it and inspire others on their journey?
Fitness and weight loss come to mind here, as well as getting out of debt. Pursuing big goals can be disheartening and lonely. Knowing someone else has been there and is cheering you on does wonders.
Other examples of goals people have are saving for retirement, completing a marathon, travelling the world, etc.
5. Readers want to be entertained.
Do you have a fascinating story? Do you lead a wildly interesting life? Are you outrageously funny?
Everyone needs down time and plenty of blogs exist purely to entertain. I'd say this is a trickier path to pursue since there's no shortage of entertainment to be had on the internet, in magazines and on TV, but it's doable. I'd say the key is providing something totally unique.
Of course as a bonus, you could be entertaining and helpful at the same time. For example, if your family raises llamas, talk about how you raise llamas not just that you raise llamas. Entertaining + helpful = a great combination.
A blogging newbie mistake
A lot of new bloggers fail to think beyond their own interests when starting a blog. My advice is to keep your eyes and ears open to what others are saying around you. Your blog should undoubtedly be an extension of you, but if you're not writing for the benefit of others at the same time, you might as well just keep a diary. 
Other posts in this series
- How to Start a Blog or Website: Intro & FAQ
- How to Start a Blog or Website: Cheat Sheet
- How to Find (or Refind) Your Passion
- How to Decide What to Blog About: What Works for Readers?
- How to Decide What to Blog About: What Works for You?
- Understand Branding: 4 Tips
- Understand Keywords: Increase the Odds of Getting Found
- Writing Great Content: 3 Tips
- How to Write a Killer About Page
- 12 Blog Organization Tips
- How to Choose a Domain Name: 12 Tips
- How to Register a Domain Name
- How to Set Up Hosting and WordPress
- How to Change Your Nameservers
- How to Add a New User in WordPress
- How to Optimize Your WordPress Settings
- How to Install a Plugin
- My Favorite Plugins
- How to Get & Optimize a Feedburner Feed
- How to Choose a WordPress Theme
- How to Install a WordPress Theme
- Elegant Themes for WordPress
- How to Install Google Analytics
- How to Use WordPress: Tips & Tricks
- How to Start a Blog or Website: 10 Tips for New Bloggers
When I started my blog in January I first did a private poll of my closest facebook friends in the message area and asked them what were the first 5 words that popped into their mind when they thought about a topic I should write about. I thought perhaps I would see one common topic over and over but 80% of them came up with the same 5 topics fitness, faith, frugality, food and homeschooling so I decided to write on all five topics. Sometimes I think this might make my blog seem a bit split personality but it sure does make it easier to come up with something to talk about, and it does seem that I hit most your list for "what readers want" most days of the week. It does however make it hard for me to name my niche.
That was a great idea, Victoria!
I am so glad you are writing about this Amy, I feel alot of people struggle with finding their passion and how to angle that passion towards something people would want to read about. I know that has been my struggle, especially recently. Thanks so much for your advice.
I want to thank Stefanie for what she said. It is EXACTLY how I feel! Thank you Amy for sharing your wisdom so generously. I feel like I have found the path towards whatever I'm supposed to be. Half the battle won.
Your welcome Laura.
My pleasure!
Great post Amy, thanks. Speaking of readers, do you have any idea of what is recommended for percentage of new visitors versus returning visitors? Google Analytics tells me this info but I don't know what to strive for. Right now my returning seems low so that can't be good, but I get a lot of "new" hits from food gawker and pinterest which might be driving that "new" percentage up. Thanks in advance!
I have to say, I don't pay much attention to my stats. I know. Blogging blasphemy.
It's true though. What I do is simply look for overall upward trends (like over a period of months). There are a lot of people who follow their stats quite closely and make adjustments accordingly, but I'm doing good just to get my posts written, comments responded to, Facebook page updated and email inbox tamed. I just don't have enough time to pay much attention. 
My goal is to simply produce really great content that I think my readers will find helpful and then let what happens, happen.
I LOVE this comment, Amy, especially your last sentence. I have to keep reminding myself this. Provide helpful content for my readers (which I think I am doing thanks to all of your tips
) and let the rest happen. Great advice!
Totally agree! There's not enough time in the day to stress over stats!
The only time I really look and/or compare is when I'm updating my advertising page. 
I've written down your five statements and questions about what readers want. What a great guide while writing my posts! Thanks!
Amy this is a good, down-to-earth- way of looking at 'what to blog about'. It doesn't have to be complicated. You just have to provide one or more of the following: Education, Entertainment or Enlightenment.
Great way to summarize it, David!
Good advice.
I try to keep a balance in my blog since I live overseas: helpful info for other foreigners in my area or that might come here plus entertaining stories for people back home. I try to check and see how people arrived at my blog when they use search engines and try to post some posts that are of a similar nature.
Hi Amy,
Awesome steps! I think number 5 is the hardest one. You really have to be passionate about your choice of topic or you might easily abandon your own blog.
Yes, I've been there done that many times over. So true.
I think the difference between a good blog and a great one is this: the good blogger writes about what is happening in his/her life, but the great blogger writes about what is happening in HER READERS' LIVES. Some people just seem to know what others will find helpful or useful, and they really understand what matters to *their* readers. I'm new to blogging, but before I hit Publish I always try to ask myself: will other people find this interesting, or just me?
Thanks for this article Amy. I printed it out and hung it above my desk!
Yes, I definitely agree, Zoe.
Thank you so much for all the info! It has been a great help to me as I have gotten started on & evaluate whether to continue my blog.
You're welcome, Mary!