Jan Barley

There are multiple reasons to start a blog at any time.

Starting a blog can shake up your personal and professional life in some surprising ways. Most folks assume blogging is just about typing up posts, but honestly, there’s a lot more to it.

Blogging opens doors to new income streams, helps you build valuable skills, and connects you with people in your field. Whether you want to share what you know, grow your career, or just make something you’re proud of, a blog gives you a place to do all that.

Establish A Personal Brand

When you start a blog, you put your personal brand out there for everyone to see. It’s your small corner of the internet where people can get a feel for who you are and what you’re good at.

My favourite thing is that we get to decide how and when to show up online. By posting regularly, you let potential employers or clients see what you know and what you care about.

Your writing style and the topics you pick say a lot about your personality. That’s how you stand out in a crowded field, and if you write helpful content, readers will start thinking of you as an expert.

Generate Additional Income Through Ad Revenue

One of the primary reasons to start a blog is to create passive income and ad revenue is ideal fo that. I built up enough traffic within a year to get approved with Journey by Mediavine. To be honest, I didn’t like AdSense, so I made Mediavine my goal.

Display ads appear as banners or small boxes on your pages. You earn revenue from either people clicking on ads or from impressions (or both).

Sponsored posts are another route, and some companies have paid me to test their software and write an honest review. Plus, I get free software that helps me build my blog or YouTube channel.

Once your content regularly appears on the first page of SERPs, you may get approached by companies.

If you want advertisers to notice you, you’ll need steady content and solid SEO. Blogs with loyal readers tend to get better ad deals.

Hone Your Writing And Communication Skills

Blogging is one of the best ways to sharpen your writing skills. When you write posts often, you naturally get better at getting your ideas across.

Over time, you figure out how to make complicated stuff sound simple. That’s a skill people appreciate.

As you write more, your unique voice starts coming through. Putting your ideas out there builds confidence. It gets a little less scary every time you hit publish.

You’ll also get better at editing by catching your own mistakes before anyone else sees them.

Build A Professional Network

One of the most beneficial reasons to start a blog is networking, building connections with others, including potential clients.

Other bloggers might reach out if they like what you’re doing. That opens the door to collaborations or guest posting swaps. I get several emails a week from writers offering to contribute content to my website.

Your blog kind of works like a business card that’s always out there. People find you through Google or social shares, even when you’re offline.

Improve Your SEO And Online Presence

SEO may not be one of the reasons to start a blog, but it makes your site easier for search engines to find. Every post you write (and optimise for SEO) adds a new page that could show up in search results.

Google loves sites that keep things fresh. I suggest adding an updating plugin that refreshes the date when you update a page.

You can target specific keywords in your posts. That way, people searching for those topics have a better shot at finding you.

If you keep your blog in good shape, you’ll look more authoritative in your field. People trust businesses that provide helpful information.

Other websites might link to your blog if they like your content. Those backlinks can boost your search rankings over time.

Create A Portfolio For Future Opportunities

If you’re looking for clients or new employment, it’s one of the best reasons to start a blog.  Your blog doubles as a living portfolio. Every post showcases your writing and expertise in your field.

Hiring managers can check out your work before you even talk. That gives you an edge over folks who have only submitted a CV.

Your posts show your problem-solving skills. Employers appreciate gaining insight into your work style.

You can spotlight specific projects with detailed posts. It’s way more impressive than a quick bullet point on a resume.

Regular blogging proves you can meet deadlines and keep at it. Those are traits every employer wants to see. That alone can open doors you didn’t expect.

Express Creativity And Original Ideas

Of the many reasons to start a blog, unleashing your creativity is near the top, or at least it is for me. You get a blank canvas for your ideas, and can write about whatever fires you up.

Writing often helps you shape your creative voice. You’ll figure out new ways to explain tricky concepts.

You can experiment with various styles, such as storytelling, lists, or personal essays, whatever feels right.

Read: Unusual Blog Niches that Can Make a lot of Money

If you’re into cooking, gardening, or photography, your blog can be a creative outlet for those passions.

Original content makes people remember you. Over time, readers will recognise your unique take on things.

Make Income From Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the main reasons to start a blog. It’s a simple way to earn money by recommending products. Last month, I got my first big commission from a Pinterest course sale. It was exciting to receive that email.

When someone buys through your link, you get a commission. Choose to align with merchants whose products you have used and enjoy using. For me, that’s mostly:

• VidIQ – YouTube growth software
• ElevenLabs – Voiceover software
• Systeme – Marketing platform
• CapCut – Video editing software
• Uppbeat – Royalty-free music
• KoalaWriter – AI Writer

I use these six platforms daily for my blog and YouTube channels. Between them, they save me probably a day or more of work each week.

Check platforms like Partnerstack and Impact for merchants in your niche.

Always add a disclaimer on any page where you’re using affiliate links (see mine after the conclusion). A quick disclosure in your posts keeps things transparent and builds trust.

The Long-Term Benefits of Blogging

Blogging sticks with you. As your reputation grows, new doors open, and you end up meeting people you’d never expect. I’ve published over 110 blog posts (as of July 2025), but in just the last month, AI software platforms gave me over £1500 worth of free AI software and cash payments for honest reviews.

Building Authority And Credibility

When you blog regularly, you begin to establish yourself as a knowledgeable voice in your niche.

Search engines notice fresh, quality content, and it’s relatively easy to get featured in the AI Overview with good content. Your posts help boost your site’s visibility when people search for your topics.

Key credibility indicators include:

• Well-researched articles
• Regular posting schedule
• Proper citations and sources
• Engaging with reader comments

Your collection of posts turns into a portfolio. Clients or employers can see how you think and what you’re capable of.

Creating New Opportunities

Of the many reasons to start a blog, I hadn’t considered the multiple opportunities that started coming my way after my first year. My Google presence is strong, with many posts ranking on the first page, which comes with numerous benefits.

Blogging can open doors you never saw coming. Companies sometimes find writers through their blogs and offer freelance gigs or full-time jobs.

Common opportunities include:

• Media interviews
• Teaching positions
• Consulting projects
• Book publishing deals
• Freelance writing assignments

Some people turn their posts into courses or workshops. Your blog can easily become the backbone of paid educational products.

Establishing A Professional Network

Blogging helps you meet professionals from all over. Other bloggers often reach out for collaborations or to bounce around ideas.

Comment sections can be goldmines for networking. Readers who engage with your posts can sometimes become valuable contacts.

Networking benefits include:

• Guest posting opportunities
• Joint ventures
• Mentorship relationships
• Industry partnerships
• Referral networks

Social media gets your blog in front of more people. Shares can expand your network way beyond your usual circles.

Overcoming Common Blogging Challenges

Getting a blog off the ground is exciting, but honestly, you’ll probably run into two big headaches. Writer’s block can kill your momentum, and staying consistent is more challenging than it sounds.

Addressing Writer’s Block

Writer’s block hits every blogger at some point. You sit down to write, and nothing happens.

• Keep a running list of blog post ideas:Whenever a topic pops into your head, jot it down. Honestly, your phone’s notes app or a scrappy notebook works fine.
• Use ChatGPT for brainstorming ideas: or consider using an AI writer for your first draft. I use KoalaWriter. After testing it extensively, I became a paid subscriber. It provides me with a great first draft that I can refine within an hour, potentially saving me 4-5 hours of writing from scratch.
• Change your writing environment: Get up, move to a café or a library. Sometimes, a change of scenery can spark something new.
• Check out other blogs in your niche for inspiration: Please don’t copy, obviously, but see what topics they’re tackling. That can nudge your brain into gear.
• Write about your daily experiences: Maybe share what you learned from a recent mistake or challenge. People connect with that kind of honesty.

Staying Consistent Over Time

Consistency builds your audience and sharpens your writing. However, most bloggers find regular posting challenging, including me.

Create a content strategy. Plan your posts a few weeks ahead. Mark down actual dates for each topic—don’t just wing it.

When motivation strikes, write a few posts in one go. Save those drafts for weeks when you’re struggling to find the motivation to write.

It’s very easy to get blogging burnout – as I found – so it’s essential to develop ways to stay fresh. As I have ADHD, once I upped my content creation, I began feeling exhausted. However, I found ways to overcome that as you will learn below.

Set a posting schedule you can stick to. Once a week is usually better than promising daily content you’ll never deliver.

Batch similar tasks together. Perhaps write all your posts on Sunday and then do the edits on Monday. It saves you time and a bit of sanity. I usually draft 3-4 in KoalaWriter, put them in the “to be edited” folder, and then tackle them another day.

KoalaWriter also offers a bulk blog creation option if you want to produce a large amount of content in one go.

Read about how KoalaWriter helped me overcome blogging burnout.

Conclusion

There are far more reasons to start a blog, but these are the fundamentals that I follow on my blogging journey. My goal is to increase ad revenue, drive affiliate sales, build an email list, create digital products to sell, and maximise every aspect of my blog.

Begin with the end in sight and ask yourself what you want to achieve long term, and then work towards it.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Benefits Of Blogging For Personal Development?

Blogging lets you practice writing regularly, so your skills get sharper over time. You start to organise your thoughts better and learn to break down tricky ideas for readers. You end up learning a ton about the topics you care about. Researching for posts pushes you to dig deeper and stay curious.

How Can Starting a Blog Improve Your Online Presence?

A blog gives you a digital footprint that’s all your own. Search engines index your posts, making it easier to be found online.

When you publish regularly, it shows potential employers or clients that you’re serious and reliable. Your blog essentially becomes a living portfolio.

What Role Does Blogging Play In Marketing And Brand Strategy?

Blogs let businesses build trust by sharing genuinely helpful content. When you share insights and solutions, people begin to see you as an authority.

Content marketing through blogging usually costs less than traditional ads. Plus, your posts keep pulling in readers long after you hit publish.

When you blog consistently, people begin to see you as a thought leader. Even your colleagues and competitors might turn to you for insights.

How Do I Set Up A Successful Blog?

Select a niche that aligns with your interests, expertise and, ideally, passion. Choose a domain name that’s catchy and fits your topic or brand.

Go with a reliable platform such as WordPress or Squarespace. Install plugins for SEO, security, and analytics so you’re set up from the start. If you’re serious about blogging, I advise choosing a VPS (virtual private server) because most WordPress hosting is shared, and as I’ve found, the site eventually slows down, which can lead to Google penalties.

Note: I’m switching to a VPS this week and experiencing numerous problems. My site looked a mess for three days as there was a technical problem. Then there was a dashboard issue and I couldn’t update plugins or widgets. It was stressful, but these things happen.  I wish someone had advised me from the start so I didn’t have to go through these migration issues.

Plan out a content calendar and aim for a regular publishing schedule. Having 10-15 post ideas before you launch makes things way less stressful.

Is AI Overview Affecting Blogging Performance?

AI-generated content summaries in search results significantly reduce click-through rates to blogs. People often grab the answers directly and skip the original source.

However, personal insights and real stories continue to draw in readers. AI can’t mimic that authentic experience or your one-of-a-kind perspective.

The experts suggest leading blog posts with the answer, so they get picked up by AI Overview. Lean into storytelling and keep the content on point.

Choosing the right blog niche is one of the most critical steps in your blogging journey, but not all niches are created equal. The worst niches for blogging might surprise you. Some topics are notoriously difficult to succeed in because they are either oversaturated, have low earning potential, or struggle to attract engaged audiences.

Understanding which blog niches to avoid can save you time, effort, and disappointment.

The worst niches for blogging often include areas such as ‘make money online,’ beauty and fashion, or alcohol-related content, primarily due to fierce competition and limited advertising opportunities. These niches may seem tempting because they appear popular, but breaking through the noise and generating a profit is a significant challenge.

My numpty effort at a food blog lasted about two weeks. I had watched a YouTube video from someone I trusted, showing how to make money from blogging recipes and food articles.

My progress got as far as posting half a dozen recipes and then quit. I wasted a chunk of my life in one of the worst niches for blogging.

If you want your blog to grow and earn, it’s essential to be strategic in your niche selection. Avoiding tough blog niches where others struggle can give you a better chance of standing out and building a loyal readership. Learn more about which topics are known for being hard to crack and why in this article.

What Makes a Bad Niche for Blogging

Choosing a bad niche can block your blog’s success before you start. Factors such as the niche’s competitiveness (there are gazillions of recipe sites if I’d half a mind to research!), your earning potential, and your ability to build trust all impact your growth.

High Competition and Oversaturation

When you pick a niche flooded with blogs, it’s tough to stand out. High competition means top keywords are often already claimed by established sites, making your content less visible. Oversaturated niches lower your chances of ranking well in search engines, no matter how much effort you put in.

I have a bit of a head start, as I have been working as an SEO writer since 2020. I can get my content ranked on page one, and already 55% of my traffic comes from the new AI search.

To avoid making the same mistake as I did with the recipe blog, do thorough keyword research. Look for topics with steady interest but fewer competitors. That gives you a better chance of attracting visitors and growing your audience without getting lost in the noise and finding yourself in one of the worst niches for blogging.

Limited Monetisation Opportunities

Even if you write excellent content, some niches offer minimal opportunities for earning money. Low monetisation potential shows in fewer available affiliate products, little demand for ads, or services that don’t pay well.

If your niche has limited options to earn via ads, affiliate sales, or sponsorships, your blog won’t generate much revenue.

You should prioritise niches where you can promote affiliate products easily or where ad revenue is substantial. Otherwise, you might struggle to turn your blog into a profitable venture, despite the time you invest. That said, there are plenty of opportunities for diversity by selling courses, digital products and services.

Lack of Authority or Expertise

It takes time to build authority and be seen as trustworthy and knowledgeable in your niche. Lack of authority also makes it harder to get ranked, build a loyal audience or secure affiliate partnerships.

Choose a niche where you have experience or genuine passion. That enables you to create authentic content that stands out and builds trust with your readers. Not only that, because of the time lag for blogging success, it’s easy to lose motivation if you don’t have passion for your subject.

Blogs that fail to establish authority – Google still uses the E-E-A-T model – often result in low engagement and poor search visibility. The worst niches for blogging just don’t rank unless you have authority.

Notorious Worst Niches for Blogging

Some blogging niches are crowded and tough to stand out in, while others have low earnings potential. Choosing one of the worst niches for blogging means you’ll face intense competition or struggle to monetise effectively. The following are specific examples that often cause frustration for bloggers.

Food and Recipes

Food blogging is saturated, with thousands of creators sharing recipes daily. To succeed, you’d need a unique angle or top-notch photography to grab attention. Generic recipe blogs struggle to rank in search engines due to a market saturated with similar content.

Thousands jumped on the bandwagon of making ‘easy money’ by generating recipes with ChatGPT, but they flopped because, well, Chatty isn’t a chef! Having tested every recipe my mate Chatty spat out at me, I can report 95% of them flopped – literally in some cases. Wraps made with coconut flour resembled something the dog chucked up.

Monetising can also be tricky unless you have a substantial, engaged audience. Many food blogs rely heavily on sponsored posts or affiliate marketing for kitchen products, which demands consistent high traffic. Plus, copyright issues with recipe duplication sometimes arise.

If you’re considering this niche, focus on a unique angle or dietary style to avoid being lost in the masses.

Lifestyle and Beauty

Why is lifestyle and beauty one of the worst niches for blogging? It’s another highly competitive space where standing out is challenging. This niche covers everything from daily routines to fashion tips and skincare reviews. Since many beautifully air-brushed (or AI?) influencers dominate this area, new bloggers struggle to build a distinct voice.

Monetisation depends mostly on brand partnerships and sponsored content, which require a large following. Additionally, there’s the risk of fluctuating trends and rapidly changing audience interests, which means your content must constantly evolve. It’s exhausting.

If you choose lifestyle or beauty, consider a narrower focus, such as sustainable fashion or cruelty-free beauty, to improve your chances.

Book Reviews

Book review blogs often attract a niche audience but rarely generate substantial income. You won’t get high advertising revenue because visitors spend less time clicking away or buying through your links. Additionally, the RPM is low, so you will earn a pittance.

The competition includes large book clubs, Goodreads, and established reviewers with more authority. Additionally, authors and publishers often provide free review copies to many bloggers, making it challenging to obtain exclusive content.

Risks of Blogging in YMYL and Controversial Niches

Blogging in particular niches carries specific risks that affect how your content performs and how you manage your reputation. These are the worst niches for blogging because they require strict accuracy, expertise, and sensitivity to avoid penalties or backlash.

Health and Wellness Topics

When you blog about health and wellness, you are dealing with information that can directly impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. YMYL (your money or your life) topics in health require high-quality, accurate advice, as misinformation can cause harm and erode trust in the industry.

Google’s algorithm updates frequently prioritise content from verified experts or authoritative sources in the health and medical areas.

If you lack recognised credentials or sources, your blog may struggle to rank and risk legal issues if you provide misleading health advice. Staying updated with medical research and citing reliable references is essential. Your tone should always be cautious and avoid promising cures or guarantees.

Personal Finance and Investing

Personal finance and investing are classic YMYL niches where readers expect trustworthy, well-informed advice from a financial expert. Your content influences people’s financial well-being and decisions about money management, saving, and investing. Without expertise or proven credibility, your blog may struggle to gain Google’s trust.

Competition is intense, as established financial websites dominate rankings. Inaccurate or outdated advice can damage your reputation and lead to legal problems related to financial regulation.

Adult and Sensitive Content

Adult content blogs often involve topics that are subject to strict rules and heightened scrutiny from search engines and hosting platforms. You must be cautious about the type of material you share, as it may be subject to content restrictions and potential censorship. Monetisation can also be limited compared to other niches.

Controversial Subjects

Controversial topics tend to provoke strong opinions and debate. While they can attract attention, they carry risks such as backlash, polarised audiences, or conflicts with platform policies.

Writing about politics, religion, or social issues means you must be especially careful to check facts and present balanced views. Google may penalise misleading or harmful content under algorithm updates targeted at maintaining quality.

Avoiding Poor-Performing Blog Niches

Choosing the right blogging niche means avoiding common mistakes that can limit your success. Focusing too broadly or selecting a niche without genuine interest often leads to poor results. Narrowing your topic and aligning it with your passion can help you create content that endures and attracts a dedicated audience.

Potential Pitfalls When Choosing a Niche

Many new bloggers fall into niches with high competition or limited income potential. For example, broad topics like “make money online” or general “technology” often face saturated markets. That makes it harder for your blog to stand out or earn good affiliate commissions.

Another issue is selecting niches that seem popular but have low monetisation options. These often offer lower RPM (revenue per thousand impressions) from ads.

Niche Down for Less Competition

Focusing your blog on a specific subtopic within a broad niche helps you avoid overcrowded markets and reach an engaged audience. For example, instead of blogging about “technology,” niche down to “affordable web hosting for small businesses.”

Niche selection through subcategories gives you the advantage of being one of the few covering that exact topic. It often translates into easier ranking on search engines and better chances of attracting quality traffic.

By narrowing your topic, you also attract advertisers and affiliate programs that seek targeted audiences, thereby improving your chances of making money online.

Ensuring Passion and Longevity

Blogging demands consistent effort, so a lack of passion for your niche can lead you to quit early. Choose topics aligned with hobbies or interests you enjoy. It makes writing easier and helps maintain your motivation, even when results take time to appear.

It was over a year before I began seeing results and got monetised with Journey by Mediavine for ad revenue.

Passion enables you to create unique content that resonates with readers, which is crucial for building loyalty and a sustainable blog. If you choose a niche purely for financial gain, without genuine interest, you risk burning out quickly. Been there. Done that!

When selecting your niche, ask yourself: Will I enjoy researching and sharing information about this topic for years to come? The answer can guide you towards a niche with better long-term rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right blog niche affects how easily you can grow your audience and earn money. Some topics face tough competition, while others struggle to engage readers or generate revenue.

Which Blog Niches Are Considered Oversaturated?

Niche topics like “Make Money Online” are as overdone as a steak left on a BBQ overnight. Unless you are the financial equivalent of Harry Potter, it’s harder to stand out and rank well on search engines. Lifestyle and parenting blogs tend to be easier to enter but still face stiff competition.

What Types Of Blogs Typically Have The Lowest Engagement Rates?

Blogs that focus on highly technical or controversial subjects often experience lower engagement. For example, alcohol-related blogs may experience low reader interaction because major ad networks restrict certain content, which also affects audience growth.

Which Blogging Topics Are Known To Have Minimal Monetisation Potential?

Some niches, such as specific hobby blogs or niche topics with limited audience appeal, struggle to convert visitors into income. Blogs about unusual or niche subjects often struggle to attract consistent advertisers or affiliate sales.

Are There Certain Blog Niches That Tend To Be More Challenging For SEO Ranking?

Yes, competitive niches such as finance, health, and making money online have challenging SEO landscapes. It’s challenging to rank well without strong authority and high-quality backlinks, which makes it more difficult for new bloggers to gain organic traffic quickly.

What Are Common Pitfalls When Choosing A Niche Deemed Unpopular?

Choosing a niche simply because it has less competition might backfire if there is little search interest or audience demand. You risk writing content that few people want to read, which limits your growth and earning potential over time.

Which Blogging Niches Often Result In High Bounce Rates And Low Reader Retention?

Blogs that cover broad or vague topics without a clear focus can quickly lose readers. Additionally, niches with saturated content or those lacking fresh perspectives tend to experience high visitor turnover, which can damage long-term engagement and page views.