A few years ago I recall reading about a couple in Virginia who began remodeling their home on their own and they started a blog to show how they did each job. Soon they began selling ads to companies that manufactured or distributed products related to home improvement. Eventually one of them quit their job in order to keep up with the blog and then so did the other. They were making enough money from their blog advertising so they no longer had to work at their regular jobs--and they had both been working as attorneys! Talk about successful pro blogging.
Home decor or repair is a great theme for blogging as the topics are virtually endless. There are already a good many blogs that deal in the subject, but there is always room for more. How to videos can also be added to YouTube and embedded into blog posts. Whether you're looking to make money or not, home improvement is an excellent blogging topic.
Any kind of blog posts dealing with how-to's or hobbies can receive good traffic and can expect to have lasting search engine presence if there is enough interest in your topic. Handicraft focused blogs are good opportunities for a crafter to display or even market their wares. There are blogs that can deal with positive issues such as hopes or negative topics such as hate--not a topic that I personally would encourage anyone to blog about and one that might get you banned from the blogging platform you're on if overly hateful in a bad way.
Tossing It Out started out as a Halloween blog, but that theme didn't last too long for me. I got a bit tired of talking about nothing but Halloween after just a few posts. I had too many other things I wanted to say! But there are actually a number of Halloween blogs that I've run across and they do it far better than I did.
What are some "H" blog themes that you can think of? Have you ever changed your blog subject to something different? Do you sometimes get tired of the subjects you blog about?
I am happy what I blog about, mainly I write about what is or happened in my life.......apart from the A to Z, I do miss having my music playing on my blog but found Hypster couldn't get onto my blog.
ReplyDeleteYour blog today Lee was great to read and most helpful in many directions.
Have a nice day.
Yvonne.
Nah, I love writing about writing and when I get bored I have two other blogs -one on living the simple life (lots of room for philosophical musings, recipes and sharing my obsessions) and one about living in Labrador as I love to share a part of the world most will never experience! I used to have a blog on Rumi poems but like Halloween it soon paled...
ReplyDeleteSome blog topics seem like a good idea until you actually start doing them on a regular basis. I've seen this with other start-up blogs as well. Then again some bloggers just don't have what it takes to keep a blog going with regularity.
DeleteLee
Home decor does sound very interest. :)
ReplyDeleteMy blog: FLAMING SUN: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in/
is all about whatever I want to write about - it's a mixed bag and hence gives me a lot of freedom. I write reviews of films, books, restaurants, travel articles, alternate healing therapies, spiritual articles and more :)
If my blog is named as H I would probably call it Hoi polloi - anything to interest the common man ;)
*very interesting
DeleteYou have an eclectic blog like I have here.
DeleteLee
Home movies, but that would be really creepy.
ReplyDeleteI could make money through my blog. I'm asked about ad placement every week. Just not something I am interested in.
Yeah, I get those ad placement offers too. I have Google Ads but I don't think they're too bad and I don't have anything of my own to sell so I guess the ads don't hurt that much.
DeleteLee
My blog was originally started as a fan site for actor Vincent D'Onofrio to post pics and stuff. But at the time my fellow VDO fans with more computer savvy than me also started blogs with fabulous slide shows and videos, so I changed mine to just be about life in general, day trips, crafts, etc.
ReplyDeleteI was always puzzled about the D'Onofrio sites. I'm glad you decided to do what you're doing now. I find it more interesting.
DeleteLee
You were a Halloween blog, nice... I started out with zombies with a site that was all pink. The zombie crazy hit and like a dope I changed it to retro things... now Hollywood stuff. I am so confused. lol. I am thinking about going back to the zombies.
ReplyDeleteJeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]
There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?
Keep experimenting with your ideas and something might eventually click. Or like me you might just meander through a world of topics which is okay in my opinion.
DeleteLee
I started out blogging about anything, and even though I occasionally post random topics, I have narrowed down my posts to writing, books, and host to weekly meme's (to keep me on track).
ReplyDeleteIf you have a formula that draws and keeps an audience then it's probably good to stick with that formula.
DeleteLee
I do get tired of blogging. Not sure if it's the blog or subject or just myself. Titled Writing: the ups and down, I cover both my writing, the writing of others and posts regarding my life. Since my husband passed away I feel discombobulated and not together. I'm trying to get back to writing and the process of creating my own life but it AIN'T easy. Barb
ReplyDeleteYou apparently have a lot on your mind. Have you tried experimenting with topics regarding your adaptation to your life change? Play with topics and see if that injects new spirit into your blogging. I think my eclectic approach keeps me interested.
DeleteLee
Such a great blogging idea, Arlee! I've seen quite a few DIY/handicrafts blogs, but not many home repair ones. I definitely think that's a market bloggers could tap into and flourish.
ReplyDeleteI don't really get tired of blogging; sometimes I get too busy to blog, but the A to Z Challenge is definitely proving to me that I am capable of making the time when it's absolutely necessary!
By the way, I'm hosting a chapter critique giveaway on my blog as part of my A to Z journey. Would love it if you came to participate and be a part of the fun :) You can find it on my blog under "G is for Giveaway" - don't forget to use the Rafflecopter form!
Have a great day, Arlee!
-Wendy
http://wendyluwrites.com
The nice thing about the how-to blog is that you can pair it with a Youtube channel. The demonstration how-to videos can be big business. Of course you need to have the capability of creating somewhat decent videos, but if you can manage that there is a potential of making a good income from the how-to blog/video channel double whammy!
DeleteI'll try to make it to your giveaway. I hope the Rafflecopter isn't too complicated for me.
Lee
Since I only blog twice a week I do not get tired of the topics I post. I wish i could post four times a week. I just don;t have the time and I don;t think people post and visit as much as they used to.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you need to reach out to some fresh bloggers. Some of the old crowd has dropped out or pulled back from blogging a bit.
DeleteLee
I find it fascinating when someone starts blogging about what they're doing (especially when they know virtually nothing about it). As they learn, they gain followers, and voila. The blog becomes a money-making machine.
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing, though, I don't wand Ad Sense on my blog. I don't want all of those annoying pop-ups that come with blogs that exist to make money. It's not enjoyable reading (for me) no matter what the subject matter is. So, I guess I'll remain a mostly obscure blogger who makes zero dollars from blogging.
Hopefully my adsense ads aren't too annoying. I do hate it when a blog has pop-ups, redirects, or things that freeze my computer. Ads on the page are one thing, but when they start taking control then that's obtrusive.
DeleteLee
What a success story, those attorneys who traded their careers for blogging. Brilliant! I would love to make money blogging but it would have to be in a way that wouldn't be annoying for the readers. I hate intrusive pop-up ads!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
You can still go for your jewelry idea. It is worth a try. Maybe even some how-to jewelry making posts? One of my sisters got into jewelry making and she became obsessed with it for a while. She's kind of like that though with her obsessions.
DeleteLee
The home repair blogs and the shows are really popular. I don't get tired of my blog subject but still try to use some variety.
ReplyDeleteThat and food shows, Susan GK, but I guess that makes sense because we all gotta eat and a good many of us have homes to repair.
DeleteLee
Every October and into early November, I change my blog template to Monster, though I don't change the entire content to Halloween-themed during that time. As much as I love the holiday, I don't think I could come up with original, inspiring content related to it for an entire month, every single year.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, some Halloween bloggers manage I guess, but I wouldn't know for sure since I'm not ever interested enough to regularly visit those blogs.
DeleteLee
I tried a gardening blog, but it didn't last too long. I have tips to share, but I realized that it wasn't enough for me to keep going. Works for some people though.
ReplyDeleteMy entire theme is Home.
ReplyDeleteHaapiness and food is something that I can think of :-) Like home decor or improvement, food can also be a never ending topic. But I blog about only fiction and books!! Great to meet you, happy A-Z blogging.
ReplyDeleteHi Lee - I wasn't sure what to blog about .. but in the end the rather 'vague' choice I made has worked out really well - and I do love blogging - as I learn so much from each of my posts.
ReplyDeleteI could see that couple doing really well - and if you've a real talent that could definitely open a lot of doors ..
I could write about a lot of things .. but I'd get bored and like my eclectic choices .. cheers Hilary
Hmm... I could do a blog on how to destroy your home through home repair. I'm not sure that would sell any products, though.
ReplyDeleteThat's me too, Andrew. I usually screw up more than I actually fix. Maybe start a repair referral site like Angie's List.
DeleteLee
My blog was originally a writer's blog, and my original idea was to write about writing. After a few months I realized that there were so many writer's blogs out there that were doing a better job than I was, and that writing about writing was boring, and I decided to capitalize on the things that interest me (music, TV, radio, all this crap I've accumulated in my head all these years). I'm much happier and like blogging a lot more since then. There's no real focus on anything in particular, just stuff I find interesting.
ReplyDeleteJohn Holton
Blogging from A to Z 2015 Cohost
The Sound of One Hand Typing
I used to have a craft blog for my handmade jewelry, but I struggled to keep it updated, so I got rid of it.
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I started hoping to make money, but once Adsense kicked me off I never did anything more. Someone was telling me the other day how much people have made on YouTube but your really have to have something interesting. Me I just blog about what interests me that day.
ReplyDeleteHow about a blog about hashtags? There would certainly be an endless stream of material.
ReplyDeleteI started out blogging about writing and my life. Then I wandered into doing 'hump day funnies' (oh, another H!) and people seemed to enjoy those posts so I settled into that. But I'd like to expand back into other topics, if I can find the time.
I have two blogs and find I post on the one about everyday life and things that interest me more than I post on my writing blog. I want to post useful things there and there are lots of people writing about writing, so generally I post book reviews, etc there and a few neat things I run across.
ReplyDeleteThe everyday life blog has whatever I feel like writing about from my cats, to life in the desert, to recipes, to rants, to growing up in the south and family stories, or any other subject I want to talk about. I never run out of material.
I think a home improvement or repair blog would do great along with the videos, but I'm not good at either one. Usually home repairs are frustrating.
I've dabbled in lots of crafts over the years to the point that my husband says I'm obsessed. But there's no time for another blog. I have a hard time keeping up with two sometimes.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
Blog fatigue actually got to me a little while back, which was why I vanished from the scene for a while. Blogging five days a week without relent can tire a person out for sure!
ReplyDeleteI've had several blogs. I've never blogged everyday, but weekly is the most I've been able to manage. The one I'm doing now about middle grade stories is the most interesting. The runner up was a website where I did Indie Reviews but it was hacked and destroyed.
ReplyDeleteLee, my A-Z has been on homeowners and the things we repair, replace or do to keep the home going. It's been interesting to note where the comments fall to determine if the subject could be taken a step further after A-Z.
ReplyDeleteApril 6th was my nine year blogging anniversary, for my regular dcrelief blog. My joke blog began in 2007; BOTB in 2015.
I have a few blogs, but honestly I am so busy it is hard to keep up.
ReplyDeleteI long for all kinds of time and all kinds of blogs.
Pam
I never get tired about what I blog about. I love creating my cards but then I found someone who not only created cards but had some snark and answered 5 questions that someone else asked. It was funny. I started looking at what the people said and that is how I found Alex and then it just grew from there. I love Halloween-it is my second fun time of the year(after Christmas as Halloween is not a holiday). One can blog about hats! Hobbies are a great one as you mentioned. There are so many hobbies out there. Honey-The stuff bees make-I love honey. Halos-one thing that is not above my head...I guess the list goes on:)
ReplyDeleteLee ~
ReplyDeleteI truly had a field day on your blog this evening. I started out blogging every day. Then I bought a salon. And I couldn't figure out how to do both well every day. THEN, I took a terrible fall, had two surgeries, and took a sabbatical from everyday writing.
This challenge was exactly what the doctor ordered for me to get back to daily blogging.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
:-)
A H blog could be a realtor's one for home. I did change emphasis with blogs and made a new one few years back, taking the emphasis off from the dog "A Corgi in Southern California" to "A Bench with a View". I still blogged about him but pretty much just blogged whatever came to mind. When I was blogging about the stuff we were dealing with because of the clutter we had to get rid of as a result of living in hubby's parents'' home I wasn't tired of the blog posts, just tired of the clutter :)
ReplyDeletebetty
There are a number of realtor blogs and it is something that makes a lot of sense for one in that business to do.
DeleteCleaning Clutter would be a great blog theme. You could get rid of something every post and write about it.
Lee
Must admit to visiting a few of those bologs and even following a couple. They make interesting reading.
ReplyDeletehttp://spudsdailyphoto.blogspot.co.uk/
A Halloween blog? Interesting. I guess I write a fair amount about hearth and home, with a few handcrafts thrown in. I have trouble focusing on one subject, however. In a blogging class I was told to narrow the focus of my blog, and I just can't do it.
ReplyDeleteI think the recommendation to create a niche is geared more toward those who want to become pro bloggers or attain better SEO status.
DeleteLee
A blog on Halloween? :P
ReplyDeleteFor bloggers having multiple areas of interest, it becomes really difficult to focus on a blog in one specific niche. So I can understand why you decided to let go of that theme. I like home decor blogs and hobby related blogs.
That's some blogging success story! Something to think about, but to me, blogging is a creative activity, not a commercial one. I added Google adsense and Amazon in hopes they would generate a little money to help with the hosting and other expenses, but nothing so far and it's been over a year. As for subject matter, eclectic is my preference too. Interesting that you had a Halloween blog, but I can see where that would have limited appeal. Topics for "H" blogs? How about health? That's a popular subject, especially for all of us Baby Boomers.
ReplyDelete