Anyone here make a successful blog NOT for money?

5 replies
Let me explain more precisely. Is there anyone here that started blogging about something they were passionate about for no other reason than to blog about that passion which eventually turned into making money?

I've tried to start monetized blogs a few times in the past but I feel like I've failed because I didn't need the money. I don't have "a wife with a baby on the way" or some other struggle to riches story. I was simply making blogs that I was trying to monetize from day one and the lack of initial income frustrated me into quitting.

That said, I've identified a clear need for information and help in my current career field. The topic is very interesting to me and i feel like I can write valuable content from day one even if only 10 people see it. To me blogs like theminimalists.com or nerdfitness.com (no affiliation with either) seem like the type of blogs that were started out of passion THEN monetized later. Anyone have a story like this?

I've just been to a few "guru" blogs in the past that would say things along the lines of "no need writing quality content from the begining because you don't even have an audience to read it!" meanwhile their page is just nothing but one giant landing/opt-in page with bright yellow buttons to join their email list so they can blast you with "the top 5 ways to get started blogging" etc.
#blog #make #money #successful
  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    I usually do pretty good with blogs that I make that I'm not really passionate about because I've been doing it for a while and follow a strict formula.

    I know what you are getting at, though.

    Recently, I did start an Instagram account about one of my hobbies that I'm passionate about and was pretty shocked to see how fast it grew and how many followers I was able to get in just a short time.

    There is something about being passionate about your niche that people pick up on and it makes them want to interact with you.

    I still have not added a link to my profile for this Instagram account, but I'm thinking when I do it is going to get quite a few clicks.

    I started it about two months ago and already have it built up to 1200 followers and I have been adding one pic every other day, so there are not even that many pics on it. I guess there are around 40 or so right now.

    One thing I learned about Instagram is finding and using the right hashtags and also liking and following others in your niche is important if you want to succeed there.

    I know it's not really blogging, but it's along the same lines. I was just really shocked to see how fast the account is being built up with REAL followers who actually come and look at and like & comment on my pics!
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  • Profile picture of the author HellaFamous
    thanks for the reply. I created an instagram for my blog just a few weeks ago haven't utilized it yet but I certainly see where you could get real interested people in your cause/niche. thanks again for the two cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by HellaFamous View Post

    Let me explain more precisely. Is there anyone here that started blogging about something they were passionate about for no other reason than to blog about that passion which eventually turned into making money?

    .
    About the closest I have been to this is starting a Blog 8 years ago about an Issue that hit close to home ( a sick relative) and it ended up being a big earner for Adsense.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    Yes, my flagship site started out that way..

    All passion and never really intended to profit from it until I hook my head out of the sand and decided to add a 'small' forum. I would been over the moon if I got a handful of members.. but 30,000 people joined in the first few days. Mind = blown.

    I think it's the most authentic way to build an audience to be honest and people can really connect with your site easier when they see your passion for the topic.. remove money from the equation and would you still be doing what you do? In a lot of cases, personally, I would and I think that comes across to the audience.
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  • Profile picture of the author mogulmedia
    Originally Posted by HellaFamous View Post

    Let me explain more precisely. Is there anyone here that started blogging about something they were passionate about for no other reason than to blog about that passion which eventually turned into making money?
    Back around 2008 I started a Nintendo gaming blog just because I'd gotten into Wordpress and like videogames.

    It was just for fun and because I had an interest in the topic but as I was updating every day after about a year I found it more of a chore than passion. Over that time it had built up regular traffic (though not massive) and I ended up selling it. Got more than I thought I would too which was a bonus!
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    Converting sales copy and professional press releases -> Here <-

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