This is a guest post by Mkakan and you can read his blog at Mkakan.com for useful blogging tips.
One of the most popular blog niches in the blogosphere is blogging about blogging and the make money online niche. Many bloggers, old, new and emerging are running or starting blogs about blogging.
Is there anything wrong with this?
Well, very many.
But before you read on, this post may only apply to bloggers who want to make money from blogging or bloggers who want to make an impact in whatever niche they are in.
It also depends on the purpose of your blog.
Let’s continue.
Now, there are millions of blogs in the blogosphere and many niches one can start a blog on.
But the most popular blogs and niches seem to be blogs and bloggers teaching other people how to blog and how to make money online.
These blogs are helpful and are so many in the blogosphere.
Here Are Some Questions About blogging
Do you blog about blogging? Do you blog about other very popular topics online?
If I asked you to rank your blog in these niches, what would be your position? Where would your blog rank in that niche?
Let’s fast forward a little.
What would happen in 5 years time? Will your rank improve?
Here is the deal.
There are so many top blogs that blog about blogging and make money online niche. Your blog may actually have few visitors and do really help people with great information.
- But is there anyway you can overtake these other big blogs?
- Can you have more impact like or more than them?
Well, it is possible but the odds against you are more than overwhelming.
Why Is This So?
The reason is that the vacuum for blogs about blogging and blogs about other popular niches has been taken.
In fact the first 10 places have been taken.
Let me be straight with you, you cannot have more impact (as long as you blog about blogging) than Darren Rowse of www.ProBlogger.net or the other remaining 9 bloggers in the top rank.
The best approach is to find a space not yet explored. Look for a niche not yet over competitive and rule.
The Problem With Blogging In Popular Niches
Let’s do a little experiment, Which blog would make the most impact…
A blog that ranks 1000th in a niche with a million blogs, a blog that ranks 10th in a niche with ten thousand blogs or a blog that ranks 1st in a niche with 1000 blogs.
Let’s put it in another way.
Which of these blogs would make the biggest impact?
A blog that ranks 1000th in a niche with 10 million readers, or a blog that ranks 10th in a niche with 1 million readers or a blog that ranks 1st in a niche with 100 thousand readers.
The answer for me would be the last blog.
But I know the usual argument.
Impact is a relative thing.
Well, you’re right but if you ask me, I would rather prefer to have the last blog, with 1st position in a niche with 100 thousand readers.
Seth Godin always opines that it is better to be known as the first or best in anything than second best for that same thing.
I would love to add that it is still better to be 10th best in a small niche than 1000th best in a big niche.
Why We Like Popular Niches?
So why do we have so many blogs blogging in popular topics like the make money online niche and blogging niche.
Well, because of the advice that says
“Blog about what people want or want to learn about”
It is good advice.
And also bad advice.
This advice is rooted in the pursuit of reducing or escaping failure. After all, people would not be in those niches if they were not succeeding.
So it seems logical to try to do the same thing because it works and could be the best way to succeed.
But this is a big problem.
It’s like starting a dry cleaning business in a town because over 1000 dry cleaners have somewhat successful dry cleaning businesses already exist in the town.
Conclusion
Forget about popular niches. Forget about blogging about blogging and the make money online niche.
You will hardly make any impact or be known because other people are already known in the niche. You can remain in the niche if you can target a sub niche in the blogging about blogging niche or the make money niche.
You can make some impact in the niche if you can bring something totally new to the niche.
But if you want to make a great impact, find a new unexplored, non competitive niche and rule.
If you remain in niches with many top players you may not make any impact.
Do you agree with me or disagree with me…please share and tweet this post.
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Article Written By Mkakan
Hi, I am Mkakan(Mkpouto Akaninyene Usua). I am a Nigerian blogger and CEO of MK Wealth Co., publishers of FASTCLICK. My major interests includes entrepreneurship and blogging. You can visit and read my blog for lots of blogging tips. You can also follow me on Twitter @mkakan.
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Although I will admit that one of the overall themes of my blog is make money online, I always try to expand into the micro niche by exploring eCommerce, article marketing and business.
I chose the niche because I work full time at a successful eCommerce company which allows me to constantly test new ideas and implement them.
It’s okay if you’re writing about blogging or make money online as long as you explain more than just theory. Theory, in my opinion, is merely introducing a topic but not entirely going further into it to explain why it’s worth doing, what you’ve learned from doing it and how others can replicate the success.
There’s always a gap which can be filled within each of these subjects on blogs. Take the initiative and fill the gap with the best content you can possibly create.
.-= Murlu´s last blog ..How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Blog =-.
I agree with the theme a 100%. There are so many “how to blog” sites now that you just don’t know which ones to follow. I’ve got one or two of those in my reader and don’t even bother visiting new ones even when real friends send me links via twitter.
On the other hand, everybody gets lured by the make money online dream while others blog about how to blog even when they’re newbies in those fields. When we get to this, it means that the whole niche is now being polluted.
.-= Sachin @ Web Design Mauritius´s last blog ..Google MAYDAY update is affecting long tail keyword rankings. =-.
True, very true… Its one of the many things I’m sure we know and know we should do, but end up not doing it.
I guess, it also depends on what you do in real life, like Murlu said. If you’re a blogger in real life, that’s what you would tend to talk about. I work for an SEO company, so I go along that way. And anothery thing, remember another golden rule on blogging. You blog on what you’re passionate about. If you’re passionate about blogging, well then, go figure!
Nicely written Mkakan
.-= Tola @ SEO for Beginners´s last blog ..A Simple SEO Case Study – Connect4Free =-.
Haha,
It’s obviously really tough, but it’s still very profitable if you do it the right way and make sure your blog can hang with the major players in the game.
It’s so true, there are so many blogs that teach you how to blog and make money online, and I’m guilty as charged.
I agree with this statement, but people want to be seen as winners. They believe they can compete with major web pages. Most do not see how hard it is.
@Murlu,@tola
iagree with your positions but as long as you are coming after another person and do not bring something totally new to the table ,you may only become second best…
@Sachin..well i would not say poluted because many bloggers in these niches still give great content and sometimes much better than the top guns,but i know that the early bird usually eats the early worm..meaning when you start something first and is known for it,it takes a lot to push you out of that spot …
i have nothing against blogging and people who write stuff about making money online..their content is very helpful and valuable after all iwrite about the same subject.
It may also seem ironic that i blog about blogging .well, i am doing it for a very different reason and purpose .it may sound pessemistic ,but i know i may not make my best impact on the internet if i follow this crowd.
it is also okay to blog your passion and about know stuff you know…but you can only stand out more when you go against the crowd…
thanks for the comments and tweets
This article critical of meta-blogging is itself a blog about blogging on a website about making money from blogging. The examples of blogs mentioned are both blogs that blog about blogging and how to make money doing so.
“Be remarkable” is what every blog author says (starting with Seth Godin on down), hence the message “be remarkable” is itself unremarkable.
What would be remarkable is if someone were to actually make a living doing something other than meta-blogging.
.-= Duff´s last blog ..Can We Love Our Enemies Without Idiot Compassion or Shaming? =-.
I totally agree, which is why I’ve decided to start one of each, but with specifics…sub-niches I guess you could say, and practical action advice and not just theory.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Web Income Experiments DotCom Wins Hands-Down! =-.
It is recommended that blogging on make money online, if you actually making money from your blog. I think most of internet entrepreneur already know the possible way of making money online. Again during these tough competition you can not achieve the top ten rank on google for keyword “make money online”. I fever that only blog in which field you have enough knowledge, it will make easy for write for your blog.
.-= chandan@work at home blog´s last blog ..7 Best Work At Home Marketplace For Freelancer =-.
People have managed to break into blogging about blogging by going about it with new tactics(grey hat tactics). They had to reach the top of the search engines though or get links from people at top of the search engines(See blogger illustrated). Mostly people visit blogging about blogging sites for some way to get links(Darren’s blog is do-follow) or ideas of how to get links. You can never have too many links
.-= Tyler Davis@Increasing Height´s last blog ..Grow Taller with Hyaline Cartilage? =-.
Your points are well taken and exemplified however – I cannot help but deem this article as a dichotomy , for if we look anywhere on this particular blog , we will see articles related to making money online , tips on making money online & how to make money online as well as what to do – in essence : this is a niche blog .
Therefore : this article is a dichotomy. We must in essence practice what we preach . What I will agree with is the fact that there is no originality left anywhere in the cybersphere – meaning : everything has been covered , done , redone, hashed & re-hashed – to the power of 1000000 ! I believe that blogging is simply a different approach to writing - , simply done through technological means instead of pen & paper .
If one is a writer at heart , they will simply WRITE . Electing to write about a particular topic is even better of course , so that one’s blog isnt covering 100 various topics and confusing its readers . Having a passion about what one is blogging about will enable great content and user info . I dont believe that ads & having 20 people write for your blog will gain you fame & fortune & success as a blogger , as much as your content will . many people who embark upon blogging do so for the money .
They are under the impression that they will get online and enlighten the world w their great content and they will become wealthy in a matter of time – but if these are anyones reasons for blogging all I will say is : keep dreaming . There are individuals out there who possess killer writing skills & have PH.D’s and 2-8 yrs of higher learning degrees – and if they are not in the fortune 500 , dont expect miracles to happen . There is some great content out there and then , there is pure rubbish and recycled crap – the main thing is : to be focused on what you are doing it for and to do it exceptionally well . Your content will speak volumes where your adsense wont !
Good write up btw
Cheers !
.-= Mia´s last blog ..Review : The Webs Best New Up & Coming Web Designers =-.
Your article sounds EXACTLY like the real estate bloggers I know. They are all blogging to be top real estate blogger when there are sooo many real estate blogger blogging to be the top blogger. Funny thing is that other real estate bloggers are not their next customer, it’s the buyer or seller in their home town that is the next paycheck that puts food on their children’s plate.
I’ve noticed the ‘make money online’ crowd does the same thing,- they are blogging to each other. I think that if the Make Money Online crowd were to take their skills (and there lots, that’s why I read these blogs) and blog to their home town, they would truly ‘Make Money Online!’
.-= Colleen@Kennewick Real Estate´s last blog ..North Richland Washington Homes For Sale and Real Estate =-.
I agree 100%, but it’s funny that write this guest post on a blogging blog and you also write a blogging blog!
.-= Alison Moore Smith@Start Blogging in 1 Week´s last blog ..How to Create Compelling Content that Ranks Well in Search Engines =-.
Alison,well that is ironic, the reason i am blogging is because of what i do,i publish and i need to lead by example.
like i said in my first comment, i know i would probably not really make so much impact like Darren or make money as much(at least i know that ) and i have other stuff online and blogs not related to blogging about blogging)..
I agree with most of your points here. But you are blogging about blogging as well so theres a bit of an irony here. What do you think?
.-= Melvin´s last blog ..Upcoming Blog Contest & Call for Sponsors =-.
Melvin
,like i told Alison,it is ironic, the reason i am blogging about blogging is because of what i do,i publish information about stuff like this and i need to lead by example.
i know i would probably not really make so much impact like Darren or make money as much( i could in my country) and i have other different stuff online and blogs not related to blogging about blogging.
.-= mk akan´s last blog ..Why You Find It Hard To Think Up Blog Content Ideas =-.
Given the choice, I have to respectfully disagree. This is saying to absolutely not to blog about blogging, but what if that is your interest? It might not get you to the top but at least you LOVE what you do. What’s the use of blogging about ultra fusion or black holes even if you can rank first if you don’t like it?
Also, isn’t it good to have something to strive for? You are not on top now but anything is possible with enough dedication and passion. Even Problogger and Seth Godin started with nothing. Remember that.
You can’t start a fresh new niche just for the sake of starting a fresh new niche. Even if you are only a small part of the blogosphere, you are still part of it. At least you are representing something you feel strongly for.
most of newbies realize that they can compete with high ranking website in popular niches although it is very hard to see the required results with those sites.
.-= wire stripper´s last blog ..Wire stripper =-.
It’s a bit mad how everyone is blogging about blogging… But then again, there is a need for it so you have to give the people what they want I suppose.
.-= Jorgen Sundberg´s last blog ..How to Breathe Life into Your Twitter Bio =-.
This post is interesting for a couple reasons:
1. You’re telling people to stop blogging about blogging or in the make money online niche and yet you yourself have a blog in this niche.
2. I believe that writing in this niche is ok, but only if you actually have experience from other blogs / websites. i.e. I have a blog in this niche, but I am on track to earn close to six figures from my OTHER websites that aren’t even related to making money online which is precisely why my blog is growing rapidly and gaining new readers.
At the end of the day people will keep blogging in these niches because they don’t know anything better.
.-= Chris Guthrie@Make Money on the Internet´s last blog ..MaxBlogPress Ninja Affiliate Review =-.
this seem to be the only question every one is asking and i will keep replying it.
i blog about blogging because i am a publisher and must lead by example …and like i keep saying ,i know that my impact may not be so great (in the last part of the post ,i wrote if you want to make a great impact,then leave the crowd,i also mention that it depends on the purpose of your blog)
if you just love to write or blog about blogging-good,nothing stops ya, but if you really want to make a great impact, leave the crowd.
my blog is not to make money online or anything,it is to lead people by example…if after 5 years it grows to have a strong impact…well good but i am not betting on it…
.-= mk akan´s last blog ..Why You Find It Hard To Think Up Blog Content Ideas =-.
Disagree Completely. There is enough room for everyone, the Internet is a big place. Don’t you blog about blogging?
.-= Tycoon Blogger @Promote a Blog´s last blog ..Are you considering Guest Blogging? Do NOT Do it! =-.
I say blog about whatever you want to blog about. If you’re good, you’ll get noticed. If not, then forget it. It’s really that simple.
.-= Mike Roosa´s last blog ..I’m Giving Away The Farm — Read This If You Like Free Stuff =-.
Though I agree with the gist of your post, I have a different point of view and please execuse me if I disagree. Many well equipped friends might say, its waste of time?
1. If you are new blogger, start blog about blogging
I started to blog about blogging because I did not know anything about blogging. Paradoxical, isn’t it? But it is ture. When I did not know anything about blogging, this was the area I need to learn first. Contents will be generated where I am active. So, everyday, I’m learning and sharing my experiences and added knowledge with my readers. This way, on one side I am learning what blogging is and what are its different aspects to master upon and on the other hand I am blogging too! No matter on what I blog about, I need to learn blogging first, am I right? I wonder what I would have been doing if I was blogging about Aesthiticism without knowing the technincal aspects and blogging tips and tricks.
2. Its now time to Blog about Make Money
when you blog about bloggin you’ll start building a community. When you make a blog stand, the second, third, fourth and so on are much easier. After blog about blogging, its time to blog about make money. After all you need to make some money to bear the cost of blogging.
When you gather sufficient ideas on these two areas of blogging, now, its your turn to Blog about your passion!
I welcome disagreements and criticisms. It will polish my learning. Welcome!
.-= Suresh Khanal´s last blog ..Prove Yourself NOT SPAM Register commentLuv.com =-.
I can’t believe how many blogs there are about blogging, haha. Not to say that there is anything wrong with it, but it just strikes me as funny. Hundreds and hundreds of blogs about blogging. I would rather read an article that is different than the rest!
.-= Ryan Cowles@Metacom Creative Design´s last blog ..Hiking to Headstones – Granby and Simsbury, CT =-.
i totally agree. Many newbies just create a blog and start blogging about what they have not even mastered yet. They should realize that the niche is too competitive.
I agree with you. And I would rather be #1 out of 100 thousand than #1000 out of 1 million. I like to think of it like this: your niche may not take off today, but a year from now you may be the leader of your niche.
This is the greatest mistake I committed when I was still starting to blog. I can’t imagine myself before competing against the likes of those in the A-List bloggers. But why did I blog about blogging and Make money? I tried to imitate the gurus and I failed. But nobody in the A-List didn’t say this and there are a lot of newbies who are still committing this mistake. Its good you write it here and I hope more newbies can read this fact.
Hmm… I think If you like to blog about blogging then you should give it a go. Chances are, if you really like what you do then you’ll be passionate about it, and if you are passionate about it then you will become something. And if not, then at least you took a shot.
For me, this “rule” should only be applicable to those whose sole purpose of blogging is money, instead of having people also benefit from their blog. In this case, they shouldn’t blog about anything at all (unique or not), to contribute to the pollution of the blogosphere.
My blog is not famous now, but I would like to believe that ANYTHING is possible with enough dedication and passion. That’s actually what plowed the way of Problogger to success in the first place anyhow, and you know what, Darren Rowse started with a PR 0, just like the rest of us.
Just my two cents, anyone is entitled to their own opinion.
.-= Tini@ SEO and Blogging´s last blog ..Hell, I will Blog About Blogging Even if You Don’t Want Me To =-.
These are very saturated niches and I get the idea. as Tini said , if your main aim is to make a quick buck then you are not going to succeed. If this is your passion, then you are allowed to blog about blogging but the best thing is to find your voice, approach things from a totally different angle that makes you unique. Then you can create a little niche for yourself in the mmo niche and be number one
It is really hard to rise to the top in a saturated niche but you can do it by finding a unique voice and not do things in conventional ways… This will help you carve out a niche in an otherwise massive niche. Good stuff, MK
I agree that there are way too many blogs about blogging and make money online blogs. And if you really don’t have any experience with either of the two topics, then you probably shouldn’t create a blog about them. With that said, I think that there is tons of room for people in these niches if they actually have something to offer or are very interested in the topics. Just because there are thousands of other similar blogs does not mean that you can’t grab a slice of the pie.
You are pretty much right Mkakan, the Blogging niche has pretty much got too saturated and I think competing for it would be a fool’s idea. I think it would be better if we target the sub niches in blogging and money making online niches which have not been saturated and which still has chances for use to rank