56 replies
I started a blog on a subject I love and really don't want to do anything else, but I'm wondering if others have actually started blogs and sites on subjects they don't even enjoy yet still made money anyway?

In other words, is the best way to make money to do something you love? Or is that irrelevant?
#love #marketing #masochism #money
  • Profile picture of the author zannix
    The strongest benefit you will gain from being in the niche you love is that your passion about the subject will be expressed in the content, and people notice that sort of thing.

    Second, you'll find it musch easier to research, write and post about things you're interested in as opposed to things you find boring
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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    passion will make you go far in your niche or work
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Well, I agree with you guys, but I'll bet there lots of folks who look at it just from the money standpoint and would argue that their passion is making money...Don't want to speak for anyone tho...
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      • Profile picture of the author George Langer
        Some "truths" about that (not from my head):

        • Doing what you love in your job will make your life much happier
        • If you want to be successful you must do what you love AND what brings you (so you won' be sucessful with doing something you love but not makes you much money or vice versa):confused:
        • Start doing something profitable even if you don't love it yet. You will start to love it as soon as it will start to bring you big money
        Have a perfect day
        George
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  • Profile picture of the author muyenp
    ideally, you want to work on a niche that you love that is also profitable, though sometimes you may also have to venture into niches that you have no interest in, but is potentially profitable
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  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

    wondering if others have actually started blogs and sites on subjects they don't even enjoy yet still made money anyway?
    I have in the past and abandoned them because I just couldn't get motivated
    to work on it. It wasn't that I hated the subject, but rather I just had no feelings
    for it. So the money didn't seem to matter.

    Maybe a little twisted logic, but there has to be some kind of feeling for it for
    me. Obviously everyone's different.

    In other words, is the best way to make money to do something you love? Or is that irrelevant?
    There is no universal answer because of our differences. What ever works for you
    or each individual would be the best approach. I think some people have probably
    inadvertantly sabotaged their own efforts because they followed advice or suggestions
    that were incongruent with their natural tendencies and characteristics.


    Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author jrodriguez315
    I find that I have great love and passion for profitable niches. Don't you?
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Originally Posted by jrodriguez315 View Post

      I find that I have great love and passion for profitable niches. Don't you?
      Okay, but here's another way to look at it: maybe all niches can be profitable if you love them enough??

      Just a thought...
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      • Profile picture of the author IdeaViator
        Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

        Okay, but here's another way to look at it: maybe all niches can be profitable if you love them enough??
        I have to agree with you. Everything can be profitable if you know how to SELL it.

        In my opinion :

        Passion + Good Marketing = Winner

        Think BIG. If your niche is not popular, MAKE it popular and profitable. Of course it won't be easy, it will take a lot of time and cost you a lot of sweat but if it's really your passion You won't regret.

        Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author Joey89
    It can be difficult when you know what your passionate about isn't really that hot when it comes to being able to sell it and you know of something else that you know you can make money at but is not really your passion.

    I think doing something you are passionate about is the best option because you don't have to think and you can be more creative with it. The more your interested in something the more you will be able to produce.

    It's funny because when you start learning something, you can actually start to become passionate about it. I am a bit of a newbie marketer but I am learning more and more each day, and I really love it.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    It's quite possible to have a passion for a lot of things that simply don't make money. I have more of a passion for my projects becoming profitable. I don't worry about blogging about things I'm passionate about. It's about doing the research to find profitable niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    I'm lucky in that my passions are writing and the guitar. Both are pretty profitable niches.

    I do have a magazine site for creative work that doesn't make a dime.

    I am happy today because I finished a commercial project so that I can dedicate some time to it.
    Yeah, I have one blog that I really like to write for. It's a blog that I enjoy the content, but I don't expect to make a dime out of it. That's the difference. It's ok to blog about things that you are passionate about but not all passions will be profitable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Why9999
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Yeah, I have one blog that I really like to write for. It's a blog that I enjoy the content, but I don't expect to make a dime out of it. That's the difference. It's ok to blog about things that you are passionate about but not all passions will be profitable.
      You're positive you couldn't make money off of it? I'm not trying to be pushy or annoying, but I think sometimes we don't realize that, if we're interested, there's probably an army of people out there that are int'd as well. Of course, you've probably done your keyword research and concluded there's not much money in it, but I thought I'd just ask...
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

        You're positive you couldn't make money off of it? I'm not trying to be pushy or annoying, but I think sometimes we don't realize that, if we're interested, there's probably an army of people out there that are int'd as well. Of course, you've probably done your keyword research and concluded there's not much money in it, but I thought I'd just ask...
        I threw some adsense on it and have made exactly .01 cents so far. Seriously, this blog makes me happy when writing for it. It's cathartic. I spend plenty of my time actually making money and don't feel compelled to monetize this blog. Putting profit pressure on the blog would reduce my enjoyment of the blog.
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  • Profile picture of the author shahriyar
    It could be difficult or great (depending on niche), nonetheless I really do support it. Once I did something I love, there wasn't huge profit in it, but I stuck to it and made the most out it. Made me happy and enjoyed it.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    The best way to make money is to do something you love that is lucrative. The best way to be happy is to do something you love whether or not it is lucrative.
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    • Profile picture of the author HankTheCowDog
      Great topic.

      I enjoy what I do for a living in the offline world, but have concluded a) It will not make me rich, b) It's getting harder and harder to pay the bills.

      Point A I don't care much about, but Point B has caught my attention.

      So I will be swinging little bit of both - taking what I love to do and repackaging it.

      I also realize there's easier ways to make money without regard to passions or even morals. BUT, feeling good about what I'm offering is vitally important to me.

      So I'm here to learn about IM. Not how to make money in IM, but IM as a tool.
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    • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
      Originally Posted by O0o0O View Post

      The best way to make money is to do something you love that is lucrative.
      This is the ideal, and I think it is more than possible for most people. I would also
      guess that many people give-up before discovering what is possible. Another point
      is some may think they love something, or it sounds good, but then after getting
      started they realize otherwise.

      The best way to be happy is to do something you love whether or not it is lucrative.
      Of course happiness is subjective and qualitative as are lucrative, professional, amateur
      and what constitutes passion. I have found a common, but not absolute, theme in
      my many years of working for and around other people. Those who 'seem' to be
      relentlessly focused on ideas of what is professional, non-professional and even
      amateur are passionate about image, ego and desperately trying to convince others
      of something they may be lacking.

      There are always multiple perspectives from which to view any situation. I don't think
      the need/desire to have some interest, and therefore associated feelings, constitutes
      having 'passionate' feelings for it.

      But it does not matter if you, or anyone else, feel the need to have passionate
      feelings as a prerequisite for business involvement. Doesn't matter at all. Yet, you
      will always find those who habitually demonstrate insufficient ability to grasp the
      finer details and possibilities, and then make declarative statements such as why the
      presence or absence of people can only mean one thing.


      Ken
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      • Profile picture of the author JWatson
        Originally Posted by KenThompson

        I have found a common, but not absolute, theme in my many years of working for and around other people. Those who 'seem' to be relentlessly focused on ideas of what is professional, non-professional and even amateur are passionate about image, ego and desperately trying to convince others of something they may be lacking.
        Isn't it wonderful what we find in the world?!

        Though, "it" is rather vague; "wonderful" is subjective; "we" has multiple interpretations and "world" has multiple meanings.

        Originally Posted by KenThompson

        Yet, you will always find those who habitually demonstrate insufficient ability to grasp the finer details and possibilities, and then make declarative statements such as why the presence or absence of people can only mean one thing.
        Indeed. I am frequently fascinated by how far some will go to create certain declarative statements.
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        • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
          Originally Posted by JWatson View Post

          Isn't it wonderful what we find in the world?!

          Though, "it" is rather vague; "wonderful" is subjective; "we" has multiple interpretations and "world" has multiple meanings.
          Not only wonderful what we find in the world but also wonderful what
          crops up in forums, too.

          All of which is subject to qualitative interpretation.


          Indeed. I am frequently fascinated by how far some will go to create certain declarative statements.
          Sometimes I am not only fascinated, but amused as well, with how far some
          continue to go with their comments.

          I'm sure you know what I mean.


          Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author fated82
    From a business point of view you may think that you are doing wad you love...but soon, you will realize that you have to undertake things which you hate. Like managing outsourcer, accounting etc.

    So, the initital stage would be fun until you find that you cant pay the bills and you have to expand and scale up.

    Conclusion? Your passion must be able to pay your bills, not just make you happy
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by fated82 View Post

      From a business point of view you may think that you are doing wad you love...but soon, you will realize that you have to undertake things which you hate. Like managing outsourcer, accounting etc.

      So, the initital stage would be fun until you find that you cant pay the bills and you have to expand and scale up.

      Conclusion? Your passion must be able to pay your bills, not just make you happy
      True, the real world rarely lets you have your cake and eat it too.

      Even if you're in a niche that you're passionate about, inevitably you'll come across certain aspects of your business that you aren't going to find appealing at all, but it's work that needs to be done anyway in order for you to remain or become profitable.

      It may be a little easier for you to stomach those unpleasant tasks if you're in a niche you're passionate about, but nevertheless it's not going to be all rosy and perfect, no matter what it is that you're doing.
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  • You'll definitely hear both sides of this one, with both being just as adamant as the other.

    For me, one of my most profitable niches is pregnancy-related, but as a male I've never been pregnant a day in my life.

    If it makes me money, I love it!

    I have to agree with Suzanne above. There's absolutely nothing wrong with blogging about something your passionate about, doing so just because you love the topic and want to share, but sometimes those niches don't really have a big enough market to support it or, worse yet, it's over-saturated and you can't compete, anyway. Then it becomes a matter of: "Am I doing this for myself, or to make money?"

    There's nothing 'wrong' with either of these answers (or doing both) but, in the end, only you can answer that.
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  • Profile picture of the author vidhujain
    everything depends on your passion..
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  • Profile picture of the author tiwi
    Not everything that love will bring in the bacon...but doing something you are passionate about will make you happier and in the long run, the passion will fuel you to work harder to succeed..and when you're there don't forget what is it that makes you happy and what it took to get there.
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  • Profile picture of the author rekerlolz
    I would suggest writing about something you love. Who knows you might be able to make a lot of cash off of a site you had no intentions of making money with.
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  • Profile picture of the author RickDayle
    Go with your passion first.

    If visitors notice your passion, and respond, you will succeed.

    Going for something you are not passionate about, just for the money is artificial and many people will sense the artificiality and be turned away. In the end, an honest approach with something you truly love will more likely be successful, though sometimes it may take a while before people notice and sales increase as a result.

    Don't give up. Follow your dream. Even if it looks like a few others may be making more money with things you don't believe in, you will eventially prosper as a result of you efforts.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert X
    I just read something yesterday about how you will never make money online if that is all you are trying to do. The guy also said,, if you write about what you're passionate about, the money will come.
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  • Profile picture of the author vanalli
    It certainly helps if it's something you love, but if you're in that mindset, it can limit your potential earnings.
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  • Profile picture of the author ShawnPeter
    Don't put the horse before the cart. having passion in something doesn't always guarantee profits. You really need to do your research to find out what profitable niches you'd like and then concentrate on them.

    Build products/services that people would love to pay you for and not products and services that only you LOVE or are passionate about.
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  • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
    Stick with money, passion can be outsourced...

    Someone else wrote that in a thread like this and thought I'd pass it on.

    Look I have very little passion in regards to helping clients with their menial tasks, creating websites about "red heeled shoes" etc. I don't get a lot out of that so I don't do it...others do it for me. I do enjoy, however, working with people and helping them grow, scaling projects efficiently, etc and so I try to stick to things that are at least interesting for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    A little disclaimer here. While I don't believe that you have to have a passion for "products" or niches you choose, there are products and niches that I wouldn't touch no matter how profitable they are. Products that promise a cure for diseases that are not curable would be one, but there are others.

    I'm not much into affiliate marketing. I mostly create my own products, so I do have a passion for my business model. I like what I do and I feel good about my products.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      There are some niches I have no feeling for at all - or interest in. There are a few niches I find distasteful. I stay away from those niches - even if they made money working on them would be a chore every time. Don't need that.

      I don't have to have a passion for a subject - but I do need to have some interest in it or curiosity about what makes it tick.

      kay
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  • Basically stay away from any niche that is morally wrong, can't go wrong with that

    I'm open to learning, so I find an interest in anything I write about.
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  • Profile picture of the author ben_ashley
    So in the end its not Money Money Money its Love Love Love. Got it my friend?
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  • Profile picture of the author NestZone
    For the Love of Money people do what they do,
    But when you do what you Love you end up making more money.
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  • Profile picture of the author mologic
    You gotta love what you do to go far.
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  • Always go with what you love. That way your passion will shine through and it wont seem like a chore to write posts etc. If you do it for the love the money will follow. Try reading Brendon Burchard's Millionaire Messenger... He has a great blueprint for how to monetize your gift to the world
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  • Profile picture of the author omk
    I think if you're looking for something long-term, you will be better off with something you like or enjoy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

    is the best way to make money to do something you love? Or is that irrelevant?
    It varies from person to person. For some people, it's highly relevant - for others, a lot less so. You'll hear many shades of opinion.

    There are even people who genuinely believe that if you follow your own passion fervently enough, then regardless of the niche, the money will necessarily "just appear" ... you don't hear that one quite so often, perhaps because many of the people who believed it may no longer be here.

    In marketing, overall, professionals tend to start by identifying a viable market and then finding ways to sell to it, whereas amateurs tend to look at things more the other way round, I think.

    For myself, I don't need any "passion", but I do have to have just about enough interest in a subject to be willing to write about it, because I'm an article marketer. But I then usually find that my enthusiasm for those subjects tends to increase as the income does.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    This is what outsourcing is for. Sometimes a good copywriter can stir up more passion than the actual "expert". Just because you're passionate about something, and the "expert" in that niche, that doesn't necessarily mean that you know how to convert that passion into sales.

    If you find a good copywriter and a desperate niche, you'll make money. I mean after all, I don't know anyone that has a passion for hemorrhoids, but someone's making money on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ekolipik
    I believe that if you are working on something you love the sucess will come together but if the thing you love doen't make you earn money enough you have to try another way.
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  • Profile picture of the author 4Frankie
    When I started IM(newbie to 4mths ago) 1st subject I didnt know a great lot about 2nd subject is a genuine interest yes 2nd Subject was easier to write about and a passion for, and yes sales are 3 to 1.
    The 1st subject I am learning more and getting more enthusiastic about:rolleyes:
    I also have a subject I want to try later on probably wont make much money, so wait until I'm earning some better money 1st.

    Like any business some bits you love and some you struggle. Attitude to everything is a big help and setting your goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author Monidelgagrillo
    I agree. I would much rather do something that makes me happy and that I love doing.

    I live by the quote:
    "Find something you love doing and you'll never work a day in your life."
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    • Profile picture of the author tkboy101
      It's not either or.
      It's both, and.

      Your passion will fuel your motivation to produce profitable results. Whether this passion is blogging about bloggers who blog about blogging, writing weekly updates on erectile dysfunction, or simply creative writing... I think the formula goes:

      passionate topic + adsense + banners + affiliate products + your own product and/or services = $dough$

      I would have never guessed people would pay to see blue men pound sticks on plumbing tubes. But hey, I've been wrong before. I wouldn't have ever told you that I bet a guy who enjoys wrestling crocodiles and getting bitten by poisonous snakes would end up making a career out of it. If you would have asked me what I thought of Facebook when it just started, I would have laughed. And I did.

      My point is, no matter your passion, there is a way to monetize it. Whether directly or indirectly. If you have a passionate crowd, you can even create a continuity program for your more valuable content. Sky's the limit bro.

      ~Luke
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  • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
    **** love. Go for money and the love will follow.
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  • Profile picture of the author ARS
    I always work in niches that I have an interest in since I find it easier to write about, promote, etc.
    Just much more fun.

    When you're promoting something that doesn't interest you, it's boring and difficult.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joey89
      Well there are some pros and cons to writing what you love or writing about what you are just interested in.


      Writing about what you love:

      • You will be enthusiastic which will help you sell better
      • It will be done better
      • You can relate fully to your market

      Writing about something your interested in:

      • Lets you focus more on your finance's
      • Allows you to do work in multiple niches
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  • Profile picture of the author David Hooper
    There is something to picking the "right" niche, where you have a ton of passionate or in-pain people who are willing to spend money on what you have, but if you're looking at doing something really big, you have to have some kind of passion yourself, because the competition is just too great for you to be able to succeed without it.

    Perhaps there is a way to frame what you love so you also have a hot market on your hands?
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  • Profile picture of the author SparringMind
    Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

    I started a blog on a subject I love and really don't want to do anything else, but I'm wondering if others have actually started blogs and sites on subjects they don't even enjoy yet still made money anyway?

    In other words, is the best way to make money to do something you love? Or is that irrelevant?
    Since it's a blog, it HAS to be about something you enjoy, otherwise it won't be of quality, and won't go anywhere.
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    Find yourself... or find yourself lacking.

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  • Profile picture of the author George Chernikov
    Originally Posted by Why9999 View Post

    I started a blog on a subject I love and really don't want to do anything else, but I'm wondering if others have actually started blogs and sites on subjects they don't even enjoy yet still made money anyway?

    In other words, is the best way to make money to do something you love? Or is that irrelevant?
    If you do not enjoy the subject matter, how and why did you become an expert on it?

    If you are not a subject matter expert, why are you blogging about it?

    There is no such thing as an overnight expert - no amount of "doing research on the Internet" will ever substitute for authentic, first-hand, extensive experience of doing something.

    Don't worry whether you are writing about things you love - ask yourself instead whether you are writing about things you know.
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  • Profile picture of the author JaisonG
    Like previously mentioned, passion does have a great role in your content, but I personally believe if your niche has no target audience and isnt really a great niche, then I think that you should switch since you will get more traffic when you rank your website!
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  • Profile picture of the author Beatrice
    I wouldn't start a blog on a subject that I think is morally wrong, but I will do a blog on a topic that I am not strictly "passionate" about if it makes good money. In time, I will grow to love it!
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