I’ve been writing online since 1999, a period of time in which the entire internet changed what was possible, not just for bloggers, but for everyone. Back then, it was all about SEO and building large followings; everyone wanted to grow their blog as fast as possible. The early 2000s were the peak of online income, and anybody could make a few extra bucks online just by promoting products and sharing affiliate links.
These days, the entire concept of ‘monetising content’ has dramatically changed. Gone are the days of writing about topics that people are searching for, building a tribe and making some money off the back of that trust. Although that still exists, today’s content creators need to focus on creating engaging, entertaining or educational material that customers will want to consume in some form or another.
The Cost Of Content
If you want to make money online, you need to spend money on content, a lot of it. Back in the day, creating content for a blog was sufficient, and it was free (well, as far as the technical editing and design of the blog itself went).
These days, just having content isn’t enough – you need to make sure that your content is of a high quality. If you want to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, you will need to do a lot of research, planning and perhaps some learning along the way. Once you’ve got your content nailed down, it’s time to move onto the next step: distribution.
The Distribution Channel
If you’ve got the content, now you need to figure out where you are going to distribute it. The olden days of SEO were about getting as much traffic as possible to your site – now, you need to focus on ensuring that your content is widely available and accessible to as many people as possible.
The first step is to consider traditional, established platforms – whether that’s YouTube, social media or even printed publications – before diving headlong into the internet rabbit-hole.
Then, it’s a case of assessing your audience, figuring out what they want and need, and creating content that takes advantage of those insights. In the end, your goal is to have as many people as possible benefit from your work – whether that’s through clicks, views, likes, subscriptions or whatever else you can think of.
The Complexity Of ‘Catchy’ Content
Even if you’re a naturally talented writer who can crank out articles in record time, the odds are that none of your content is going to be instantly appealing to readers. You need to consider the topic of your content (or the hook that you’ll use to attract readers to your content), the language that you will use, along with the length of your articles before starting to write. Once you’ve got a few drafts down, it’s time to take a step back and consider what you’re working with. Is this content strong and concise but also easy to understand? Does it possess sufficient ‘hooks’ to make the reader want more? Can you imagine yourself talking about this piece of content in the future, in casual conversation?
If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of those questions, then congratulations: you’ve just created ‘catchy content.’ Now, you need to figure out how you are going to convey that content to the world. If you don’t have a social media platform or a website, then it’s time to learn or establish yourself as a public speaker. If you can pull off content that is relatable, unique and informative, while also being appealing and concise, you are well on your way to creating content that will not only bring you money, but also establish you as an authoritative voice in your industry.
To give you an idea of what kind of content works well, here are some of the most effective and lucrative blogging subjects out there:
Technology
As the world becomes more digital, the demand for tech-related content continues to rise – whether that’s how to set up a home recording studio, how to take advantage of the many features on your smartphone or how to choose an online store that suits your needs. If you have a passion for technology, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? Whether you want to create a how-to guide for others, or you’d like to dive in and share your many insights, the ability to monetise your expertise through blogging is something that more and more people are turning to.
Finance
If you’re a very talented writer and you’ve established yourself as an expert in your industry, why not consider writing for magazines or newspapers about finance? You will certainly need to become an expert in the field to pull this off, but that’s a challenge that many journalists face, especially in this day and age of click-bait. However, establishing yourself as an authoritative voice on finance can be an effective way to draw in customers and build an audience, even if your content is just for educational purposes.
Health
The demand for health-related content continues to grow, as people want to know how to take care of their bodies and how to prevent sickness. If you’ve got a health-related story that you think could be interesting or helpful to others, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? If you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry, you can produce high-quality content that will attract and retain customers, while also helping them to improve their quality of life.
Sex Education
If you’ve got children, then you’ll know that sex education is a hot topic in schools today. Since the topic is a bit delicate, parents may not feel comfortable educating their kids about sex in person, so the internet serves as a fantastic resource, offering all kinds of teaching material, from how to have better orgasms to how to navigate the dating world as an adult. In light of this trend, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? Whether you want to create a blog for parents or educators, or you’d like to dive in and document your own experiences as you navigate the dating world, the need for quality sex education material is a growing one.
Style
In a world full of clones, it’s easy to become desensitised to the styles and trends of the day. One way of breaking out of that rut is to consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living. Since much of what we consume on a day-to-day basis is designed to be entertaining, many topics related to style make for good blog content. If you are a fashion or style expert who can share your wealth of knowledge with the world, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? At the very least, it’s a great opportunity to express yourself creatively, while also establishing yourself as an expert in your industry.
Travel
If you’ve got a travelling bug, why not consider blogging about your travels? Whether you’ve got an adventure planned, or you’d just like to share your loved ones’ stories with the world, the opportunity to document your travels is something that almost everyone can get involved in. If you’ve got a passion for foreign lands and their culture, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? Although your content will no doubt relate to foreign travel, just about any journey – whether that’s a road trip with your friends or an expedition to an unknown land – is fair game.
Technology
The list of tech topics that are suitable for profitable blogging is endless, from product reviews to sharing personal stories about using technology. If you’ve got a passion for technology and you know that others are likely to be interested in your expertise, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? Since much of what we consume on a day-to-day basis is designed to be entertaining, many topics related to technology make for good blog content. If you are an expert in your field, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? At the very least, it’s a great opportunity to express yourself creatively, while also establishing yourself as an authoritative voice in your industry.
Style
In a world full of clones, it’s easy to become desensitised to the styles and trends of the day. One way of breaking out of that rut is to consider blogging about your travels. Since much of what we consume on a day-to-day basis is designed to be entertaining, many topics related to style make for good blog content. If you are a fashion or style expert who can share your wealth of knowledge with the world, why not consider blogging as a viable option for earning a living? At the very least, it’s a great opportunity to express yourself creatively, while also establishing yourself as an expert in your industry.