Written on September 20th, 2007 at 05:09 am by Darren Rowse
Make Money Online Blogs - Should You Start One and How to Choose a Profitable Topic
In today’s video post I want to respond to a reader’s email by talking a little about how to choose a niche topic for your blog.
One mistake that many bloggers fall into when they discover the idea of making money from blogging is to start a blog on that very topic.
It is understandable in some ways - many people first read about the idea on a blog on that topic and automatically assume that to make the kind of money that that blogger is making they just need to copy what they are doing.
The problem is that the ‘make money online’ niche is crowded, there are already many established blogs, to be successful in it you need credibility and runs on the board (or a unique approach to it) and it really has a limited audience when compared to many other niches.
I make considerably more money from other blogs than I do this one - despite being one of the first writing the topic.
So what topic should a blogger choose and how do they make that decision?
In this video I share a few questions for PreBloggers to ask themselves.
I expand on each question in this post - How to Choose a Niche Topic for Your Blog.
64 Responses to “Make Money Online Blogs - Should You Start One and How to Choose a Profitable Topic”
donalyza
September 20th, 2007 6:11 am
the one that you are familiar with so that you can talk more about it.
swanny
September 20th, 2007 6:13 am
A great way to get as many advertisements on your blog as quickly as you can is through a company called Mochila here is the link to get started http://www.mochila.com/splash1.html?engine=smo&keyword=is
it is free. Good luck on your blogging.
Lori
September 20th, 2007 6:22 am
Great video. I learned very quickly that I couldn’t blog about “make money online” only. I started with my ” A Cowboy’s Wife” and went from there. I would love to have a photography blog but that’s a little far off for me right now.
Again, great video. I’m loving those by the way. It’s nice to SEE tips instead of reading ALL day;)
Aaron Stroud
September 20th, 2007 6:24 am
Darren, is your best video post yet. I think this video would make an excellent starting point for new readers.
Perhaps, you could build off this vid post to create a ‘getting started blogging’ series. Or ‘how to and how not to make money online’
Devil May Cry
September 20th, 2007 6:35 am
Great article, Darren. Gotta’ love those video posts! ;) Personally, I’m gonna’ start staying well away from the make money online subject from my blogs; you’re right - they’re just too over crowded.
Steve
doug m
September 20th, 2007 6:40 am
everyone is looking for a get rich quick scheme, and blogging isn’t one of them. blogging should be about what you are knowledgeable and passionate about.
Coding Pad
September 20th, 2007 6:44 am
I agree with doug. If you talk about what you’re interested and knowledgeable in, chances are you will attract an audience and make them want to stay and return. The returns become evident with time but it’s definitely not a get-rich-quick thing.
I think the other problem is that bloggers tend to want to imitate successful bloggers without considering the path that the successful bloggers have taken to get to where they are.
Bontb
September 20th, 2007 6:47 am
Every blogger that starts the new blog SHOULD know at least 50% of the topic they have chosen to write about.
I have seen many bloggers that started just like you said, and failed because :
A) They didn’t have knowledge about the topic
B) They didn’t have enough resources and support
C) They didn’t know how to make their blog successful.
I wrote similar post about it
How To Begin Blogging Or Start Making Money With Blog
Adele
September 20th, 2007 7:00 am
I wonder how you manage to stay so polite, Darren.
“What blogging tips should I write about on my blogging tips blog”??? He might as well ask you to come and blog for him, because that would be even more profitable.
*despairs at humanity*
Marko Novak
September 20th, 2007 7:01 am
It really makes a person think twice before he starts to blog.
Free Site Promotion
September 20th, 2007 7:14 am
I think the problem is everyone tries to take on the big boys,
trying to go up against TMZ with a gossip blog will get you no where. I think we miss out on just picking a state ,
I have http://nynursecareer.blogspot.com It ranks very high on page 1 of google. What im saying is a niche might just be looking at your home state rather than the whole world.
Alex @ datapencil.com
September 20th, 2007 7:16 am
I’ve personally watched several friends start up blogs and then lose interest. I always feel bad because I encourage them as much as possible. People tend to lose interest unless the topic really inspires them. The worst approach is to start off thinking you are going to make a living, as that can be so very disappointing so quickly. Writing good blog articles is like writing a term paper, you have to do your research and list your sources. The public is grading you so it helps if you already know something about the topic!
Nelson
September 20th, 2007 7:24 am
I think we as new bloggers have the hope to monitize our blog as soon as we throw our first post, but pretty soon we stumble unto the truth when everyday checking the adsense stats and basically is nothing there, pretty soon some mediocry bloggers give up with those results. I think blogging is like in programming, if you are not passionate about your job enough that you are willing to do it for free, certainly you got on the wrong career. I always say that I don’t hope to become rich blogging, I just love the challage to see if I’m good enough on what I do to actually make money with it.
Matt Jones
September 20th, 2007 7:31 am
I actually asked about this directly in a comment that bloggers get the false impression they should just start a blog about blogging…
oh well nice to have an answer :)
Michael Martine
September 20th, 2007 7:33 am
I don’t know how you said some of that with a straight face. I guess they don’t call you ProBlogger for nothing. People with zero expertise writing about something as if they were experts is big peeve of mine.
Kudos for your patience and easy-to-understand presentation. You covered the basics succinctly. I’m really enjoying your weekly videos.
Msterilinn
September 20th, 2007 7:52 am
I also agree with doug… people are attracted to genuine blogs. Most can see and feel your passion about your chosen subject or subjects and will return if they find common ground. It is not wrong to want to make money with blogging, yet if that is your main objective and you are borrowing your knowledge from those already proven in their fields, people will catch on rather quickly.
I have so much fun with my blog, I cannot imagine being more worried about a quick buck, rather than attracting like minded people passionate about the same things I am. This is quite rewarding.
Now, if you really need the money and are passionate AND knowledgeable about your chosen niche, people will see this and bookmark you as a valuable resource as well as referring you to others.
Now, if I wish to truly make good money…. I love your blog Darren! I know where to look for some killer tips! ;)
Sean
September 20th, 2007 8:02 am
That was a well-timed video for me! I started my blog about earning money from blogging ( http://aboutblogging.info ) two days ago. At least I’m already doing as you recommended: I’m not protraying myself as an expert in the field; just someone trying to get started.
I agree it’s a crowded field but it is a subject I have an interest in. My other two blogs are about gardening, (also a beginners journal) and a personal blog.
Anyway, thanks for the tips Darren and good advice on finding niches.
Iantrepreneur
September 20th, 2007 8:19 am
that is great! diary for the niche and dont call yourself an expert - y blog is a diary of what I am doing and learning from mistakes - which si good and has gained me some credibility!
nice video
Martin Hughes
September 20th, 2007 8:43 am
Doug’s comment rules. It’s spot on.
I am passionate about the subject that I’m blogging and I have some knowledge on the topic. While I love getting tips on blogging, I have not been writing with the aim to make pots of money. It’s just for the love of the topic.
But I may develop the possibility of cash into the blog one day. I expect you think I’d be crazy not to. Maybe I should be getting a move on…!
Tony E
September 20th, 2007 8:54 am
Hey you’re getting good at this video thing! I would certainly agree that a new blogger has to be ready to blog on a topic they have a passion for if they plan to continue for years to come. And of course success does not come fast and easy.
Megan
September 20th, 2007 10:44 am
Great Job on the video! It is refreshing that someone can watch a video instead of reading. Blogging should be fun, and a passion not a task. Have fun and readers, (or viewers) will experience it with you. Just like you have accomplished here. Enjoyed very much
Jaseem
September 20th, 2007 10:52 am
Thank you very much for the video. It’s pretty helpful. I have a blog and as there are so many guides for making money from blogs, I have made my blog only for beginners. I think I can answer every queestions in the video. Do you think I have to make any change in my topic?
Jeremy
September 20th, 2007 11:58 am
Hi Darren,
I don’t know if you are aware of this but it doesn’t seem like one can access your videos from China — all of the ones you have put up have been inaccessible from here.
David Scrivner
September 20th, 2007 1:03 pm
Darren, I was not able to get the video to work, but I loved just the written part of your post. I started blogging with a blog about the iPhone because I was so excited about it and it has still been going much better than the blog that I started later about online business. Your post here has inspired me to steer clear of this topic. I am going to turn that blog in a different direction and focus on the blogs that I am more excited about. Thank you for the post and hopefully I will be able to get the video to work soon.
Brad V.
September 20th, 2007 1:12 pm
Darren I love your video posts! I wish you’d do more of them!!!
I am always a little surprised at how many blogs I run across that are about making money by blogging. I think it is a fairly popular topic because more and more people are earning a good living off their blogging.
But I think a lot of people get into blogging with the wrong attitude. They have that “internet as the pot of gold” mentallity, forgetting that those who do make money online have paid their dues and have worked hard for a long time.
Right now my blogs are just a hobby for me. I didn’t start them with the intention of making money. In fact, I hardly make anything from them (not even enough to buy a cup of coffee). But I love doing it and it’s fun to see my daily visitor hit count slowly go up over the last few months.
Again, great video! Keep em’ coming. And you gave some great tips! Thanks!!!
Sportaphile
September 20th, 2007 1:56 pm
Great video, I hope people really take heed. I’m just now starting out with my first blog ever, and I’m glad it’s on a subject I’m passionate about.
I’m gonna link this to every friend I have who’s considering starting one.
Kelvin Kao
September 20th, 2007 2:38 pm
Darren, I like the way you pronounce “niche”. :-)
Some niches are pretty crowded. I’m writing about puppetry right now. It’s not a popular niche. It’s not that crowded, but of course, it’s not crowded because there aren’t as many people that care about it. But oh well, it’s what I care about so I’ll keep doing it anyway. =)
J Garcia
September 20th, 2007 3:04 pm
I found this post interesting. I even emailed you a question further on this post. Finding a niche is very important to making it, that is for sure, but what about the broadness of the blog? And when is it no longer a niche?
samulli
September 20th, 2007 8:42 pm
I’m quite new to your blog and this was the first video post I have watched. It’s a great idea to do video posts, especially it they’re so well done. ;o)
I still find the fact that some people actually do make money (lots of it in some cases) with their blogs mind-boggling. Who would have thought 5 years ago that that would even be possible?
I guess I never will be one of those people. I only have a diary-style personal blog, which I don’t plan to monetize, as that wouldn’t make sense anyway.
But I liked your tips a lot, and certainly hope a lot of people listen to them and actually try to think things through before they start yet another of those “make money online” blogs, because frankly, there are more than enough of them around already. Way more than enough, to be precise.
BrentD
September 20th, 2007 11:14 pm
Thank you for answering those questions. Very good advice. I just started blogging, but have really enjoyed it, and can’t wait to learn more.
Griffin
September 21st, 2007 2:26 am
There are a couple of things that I wished that I had done before I started blogging:
Check similar blogs out (as similar as possible) and make note of how often people commented. On one particular blog almost no one comments but I often get emails even though I’m not updating it — when less than 12 people have commented total since January. If I had known that many weight loss sites don’t get a lot of comments, I would have been better able to evaluate if I would be able to stay motivated with no one commenting (which is very difficult). So that would be my advice for questions to ask yourself when choosing a niche:
Can you stay motivated without a lot of positive reinforcement?
Can you stay motivated and produce good work knowing that it will take time to build an audience?
Two very big questions that everyone needs to find the answers to. :)
Chris Jacobson
September 21st, 2007 2:27 am
Very good video post as always, Darren. Very useful.
Trump
September 21st, 2007 3:14 am
Blogging about how to make money blogging is an area that is MASSIVELY saturated. It’s the same thing that happens to super affiliates that help other affiliates make money being an affiliate, they saturate their market and kill their income (well maybe not kill, but it does get smaller).
Great tips and advice!
Mandy
September 21st, 2007 4:55 am
I wish I had seen this post before I chose my blog topic. I wanted to start a blog on photography but I knew nothing about blogs and I didn’t want to mess it up. So I fell into the trap and started http://www.builda-blog.com where I talk about what I have learned about blogging.
The good news is I am going to start my photography blog and I have started to lay the plans down for it.
Jeremy Steele
September 21st, 2007 6:06 am
Darren, it is great to see pro bloggers such as yourself telling people about this. One of the themes I try explaining on my blog quite regularly is don’t start a blog about anything and pretend you are an expert if you aren’t an expert and if you aren’t willing to put in the time to do your homework.
Jason
September 21st, 2007 6:12 am
Hi Darren.
I see the same trap with freelance writers. Most of them just write about freelance writing. Internet Marketers try to start out creating products for internet marketers.
I also liked the point you made about the make money niche. It’s like, look, you think it’s the most profitably niche so you write about it. Truth is, everyday people are searching for gadgets, camcorders, ipods, iphones, video games, how to knit.
Unless you make six-figures online or something, you’re not going to compete in that niche for one. Two, tons of those people don’t even care to compete in that niche because there’s so much more money to be made in other niches.
It’s not to say I’ve never seen a successful make money blog by a complete beginner, but those blogs are like you said. The ones I know are very original and somehow attractive to people going through the same thing.
roffi
September 21st, 2007 8:05 am
Above all things, I think patience is most important. Building loyal readers to your blog.
Crystal
September 21st, 2007 8:47 am
I agree that there are way too many “make money blogging” websites. I don’t think there are too many (good) blogs about making money online however. Most sites about making money online are affiliate schemes. If there were more blogs in the future about legitimate money making opportunities I’d be happy.
Johan Ross
September 21st, 2007 9:05 am
I’m going to have to agree with a lot of people on here and say that blogging should be about sharing a knowledge or passion, not some cheesy get rich quick scheme.
Debbie
September 21st, 2007 12:32 pm
Thanks for all the hard work and time you put into the videos.
Darren, once you are making money with the various affiliates, how do you keep track of commissions you are making from the different affiliate programs? Do you use special software, or have it set up in an Excel file? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
db
September 21st, 2007 1:59 pm
Thanks for the video. One thing is to dig deep into your niche. Do you like cooking? What about a blog just about Italian cooking (one example). More potential to own the category.
Barbara
September 21st, 2007 2:10 pm
Darren,
It looks like I am going to be the first to disagree with niche blogs. I have one niche blog (that hopefully helps beginner bloggers), but the blog that got me inspired to blog, is more of a “jill of all trades” blog.
It’s about everyday life issues, posts about current events, product reviews, my opinions, burning questions to make my readers think, hints and tips, money saving ideas, etc….
From watching my stats, it’s not too common to have a reader (except my friends) read more than one or two posts. My Google ads are targeted to each post, therefore, I get more of a variety of ads
Most of my visitors are from search engine results, therefore, I am hopefully giving them the answer they are looking for.
What I’m doing may not work for everyone, but for me, it’s working great. But…..I have been on this planet a lot longer than most bloggers, so that helps…more time to become an expert on more than one thing.
AJ Cann
September 21st, 2007 10:25 pm
Content is great as always Darren (thank you), but this presentation format is boring. What does this very small talking head add to what could be presented in audio format?
DK
September 21st, 2007 11:29 pm
Darren, thanks for the video. I was referred to your blog and I got far more than I expected! I can tell I will be coming to your blog page often, better yet, I will subscribe.
Thanks for a wealth of information. I am sure it will help me become a much better blogger.
HMTKSteve
September 22nd, 2007 12:19 am
There are too many “make money online” blogs as it is. the only ones worth reading are this one, ShoeMoney and John Chow. Everything else is just a rehash of what those three have already done!
Mark
September 22nd, 2007 2:33 am
This might be a bit naive but if you are in business, say you’re a baker, wouldn’t you write about that…instead of, “how to make money online?” I live on the Caribbean island of Culebra (located off the coast of Puerto Rico) so that is what culebra blog http://culebrablog.com/ is about…
Shannon
September 22nd, 2007 3:36 am
Griffen’s post brings up an interesting topic: how do blogs build an audience? I would assume that you have to use a number of different methods: seo, commenting on other blogs, etc. I’d be curious to hear people’s strategies and tactics.
SpicePuppy
September 22nd, 2007 12:20 pm
It just seems to me that deciding to start a blog and then thinking about a topic is a bit backwards. Who will build a better house, someone who knows what kind of house they want and seeks out how to build it, or someone who asks “I really like using my hammer, what can I build?” A blog is a way of delivering a message, not the message itself (except for blogs about blogging).
If you don’t have anything to contribute, you really can’t justify the need for a blog. But everyone has unique talents. Think about what you’re good at and what you like to do. Think about how you can provide value in a way few others can. Find your “why” first, then find your “how.”
Bernard
September 22nd, 2007 4:19 pm
Hi Darren,
My name is Bernard from Sunny Malaysia. Thanks for the Blogging tips. Can you advise should i use blogger or WordPress to blog? Any advantages of this 2 platform?
Appreciate your reply.
Bernard
http://internetmarketingtipsweb.blogspot.com/
http://www.asiainternetmarketingacademy.com/
Danny @ Blogs for Money
September 23rd, 2007 8:16 am
Too late! 23 days ago I started http://blogsformoney.com/ :-)
johno
September 23rd, 2007 12:35 pm
These videos make for a nice break from “reading”; a good change of pace, and just the right length.
Perhaps it’s best to put monetizing a blog to one side until one has built an audience of readers and subscribers. I wonder why people are in such a hurry to monetize their blogs? If one truly has a passion for the subject on which they write, then they’ll write for free. If that passion for the topic is contagious, and one attracts a good audience, then one has the foundation for monetizing that content.
I’m certainly no expert in this field, but it seems logical to put traffic generation before monetization. Perhaps I’m wrong.
triadi
September 23rd, 2007 2:47 pm
Hi, darrel. I’m very intrested with your article about google adsense. I need your suggestion, how to increase money in my blogger (http://wizmalya.blogspot.com)? thx
gaman
September 24th, 2007 5:31 am
Nice post. I’ve written a similar aticles here:
http://www.sabahan.com/2007/08/28/why-you-shouldn%e2%80%99t-create-another-%e2%80%9chow-to-make-money%e2%80%9d-or-%e2%80%9cblogging%e2%80%9d-blog/
and
http://www.sabahan.com/2007/08/30/8-ways-to-make-money-from-a-%e2%80%9chow-to-make-money%e2%80%9d-or-a-blogging-blog/
Joe Caterisano
September 24th, 2007 11:29 am
Not to get off topic but I have enjoyed your video blogs. I didn’t think problogger could get any better. Thanks!
Paul
September 25th, 2007 7:42 am
thanks dude. i read alot of your aticles on blogging and to be hones most of your tips are on point. i avoided a lot of rookie mistakes that many people make in this field. thanks much.
Paul
September 26th, 2007 5:45 am
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I have written a review about it and even offered a some great incentives to get it all started. Take a look here. http://watch-dogreviews.com
Derrick
September 26th, 2007 8:53 pm
Finding your niche is tough already. But what happens when the niche is over crowded?
johno
September 27th, 2007 12:19 am
Sometimes — and I’m not being facetious here — there’s a niche within the niche. I think Darren made reference to it briefly: something about finding another angle or an alternative voice. There are topics out there that are quite dull (specialist); if you can bring bit of enthusiasm to that topic, then perhaps that’s a way of finding that niche within a niche. Just a thought.
Jim Moon
September 27th, 2007 1:49 am
Darren, Great video! Very informative. I love having my blog be multi-nicheable? Not really a word, but it fits. This way, if I want to talk about “What I did last night”, or want to do a product review, movie review whatever… My readers understand. This format seems to be working EXTREMELY well for my blog.
Thanks again for your videos, and for bringing not only a great resource into blogging, but for also fostering the education of blogging for future writers.
Sincerely,
Jim Moon
Twist
September 27th, 2007 4:19 am
Blogging is like marriage. It is too easy to get started. Once I found blogging I started too many sites wanting to talk about all of the stuff that I find interesting. After the honeymoon was over I got frustrated keeping up with it all.
I guess overeager blogging is like being a polygamist. Sounds great but it is hard to keep up with several women…when you are married. Dating…or guest blogging is more exciting.
So I slowed down and have less sites I am working on. The one that is the most fun and I would do if I only had my nose to type with is Reasonable Outrage. I haven’t even thought of advertising there and it probably gets the most hits.
Start with what you love and it will be easier to learn how to do it. Then it will be easier to see what you can do to monetize and it will be smoother.
http://www.reasonableoutrage.com
Luis
September 27th, 2007 5:21 am
the best video thank´s
http://www.cards.com.es
Jaseem
September 27th, 2007 11:02 am
I agree with this partially. I think, running a blog about blogging is the best training for a new blogger. The blog may not get much attention. But if he had done this perfectly, I am sure he can do great with his next blog. I am running a beginner guide for blogging and I think it has lot for beginners, all most everything. The traffic is low, but I am happy about it as I have done it perfectly and I will win in my next blog. And for your information, “it is my first blog”.
Veronica Routtu
October 4th, 2007 6:50 am
Just a comment on blogging in a saturated market…
I just started a blog to share “money making” secrets I use…and although it is a saturated niche, I think the comment on being passionate about what you are doing, plays into the equation.
I started my members only blog on money making because I am passionate about the subject! It took me soooo long to finally learn how to make money online and once I finally got it, I got excited and wanted to share what I have learned that works.
One thing I have learned also is that people buy from people they like, trust and respect…so if you are breaking into a niche that is saturated, I would think it would be very important to show your personality and your uniqueness.
By doing that, your passion is going to come across to others as well as your personality.
Of course, I am not using my blog or forum for affiliate linking, adsense or such…I am using a twist, I guess you could say, in that it will be a private club for learning and discussing techniques, walk thru’s etc.
Would this qualify as a unique approach do you think? Interested in your feedback as I am new to the blogging and forum scene:)
Thanks!
Veronica Routtu
“Success Begins When You Take the First Step”
Make Money Online Blogs
December 24th, 2007 11:51 pm
Hey! I have seen the video and it is really good. Niche marketing has become a popular concept on the internet in recent years and a number of products have been developed teaching the importance of profitable niche selection, segmentation and marketing.
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