9 Niche Blogs That Shouldn’t Be Successful But Are
When it comes to niche blogging, the conventional wisdom might suggest steering towards broad appeal to capture a large audience. However, conventional wisdom isn’t always right, and the digital landscape is dotted with unexpected success stories. Today, we’re taking a look at nine niche blogs that, against all odds, have carved out their corner of the internet and thrived. You might be surprised at what topics have garnered loyal followings — from the quirky to the esoteric.
1. The Toast (The-Toa.st)
Niche Focus: A mix of literary and feminist humor
While The Toast is sadly no longer publishing new content, during its time, it was a beacon for a very particular type of reader. Offering a blend of wit, feminist critique, and offbeat takes on literary classics, it’s not the type of content you’d expect to gain a mass following. Yet, The Toast developed a devoted audience, largely due to its unapologetic niche voice and high-quality writing.
Key to Success: Authentic voice and strong community engagement.
2. Atlas Obscura (AtlasObscura.com)
Niche Focus: Curious and wondrous travel spots
Atlas Obscura caters to the intrepid traveler keen on exploring the hidden wonders of the world. It covers places you won’t find in a regular travel guide, from abandoned buildings to local oddities. This could seem too limited in scope, but Atlas Obscura’s detailed storytelling has led to a robust, engaged audience of adventure lovers.
Key to Success: Unique content and a robust database of intriguing travel locations.
3. Hyperbole and a Half (HyperboleAndAHalf.blogspot.com)
Niche Focus: Personal stories and drawings
Featuring crudely drawn MS Paint illustrations and personal anecdotes, Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh doesn’t fit the mold of a typical successful blog, yet it garnered a massive following. Its candid, humorous, sometimes heartbreaking stories deal with depression, identity, and the absurdity of life.
Key to Success: Honest storytelling with a relatable and unique visual style.
4. Wait But Why (WaitButWhy.com)
Niche Focus: In-depth analysis on everything
What began as a blog with stick-figure drawings and meandering articles on diverse and complex topics, from artificial intelligence to procrastination, certainly stands out. Despite (or perhaps because of) its long-form content, often spanning thousands of words per post, Wait But Why has captured a readership fond of deep dives into cerebral topics.
Key to Success: Thorough research and engaging, accessible presentation of complex topics.
5. Cake Wrecks (CakeWrecks.com)
Niche Focus: Professional cakes gone wrong
A site dedicated to showcasing professionally made cakes that have turned out horribly wrong seems like it might run out of content quickly. Cake Wrecks, however, has been going strong since 2008, providing daily entertainment with a side of frosting. Its success can be attributed to the universal language of humor—everyone loves a good cake disaster.
Key to Success: Consistently humorous content with a simple, photo-centric blog format.
6. The Sartorialist (TheSartorialist.com)
Niche Focus: Street fashion photography
Fashion blogs are dime-a-dozen, but The Sartorialist carved a niche for itself by focusing not on fashion runways, but on everyday street style around the world. Its photographer-founder, Scott Schuman, has a keen eye for capturing personal style in the wild. It’s a niche that turned out to have a broad appeal among fashion enthusiasts and cultural anthropologists alike.
Key to Success: High-quality photography and a unique perspective on fashion.
7. McMansion Hell (McMansionHell.com)
Niche Focus: Critiques of poorly designed McMansions
On the surface, making fun of oversized and tackily designed houses might seem like a petty pursuit. McMansion Hell, however, has carved out a niche audience that delights in its detailed roasts of architectural monstrosities. It’s not just about humor; the blog also educates readers about architecture and design principles.
Key to Success: A blend of humor, education, and detailed critiques.
8. Pen Addict (PenAddict.com)
Niche Focus: Pen reviews and news
A blog dedicated entirely to pens: fountain pens, ballpoints, gel pens, and everything in between. Pen Addict deals in-depth with a product most people don’t give a second thought. Yet, among writers, artists, and stationery enthusiasts, the blog has found a dedicated following by offering detailed reviews and news in the world of pens.
Key to Success: Filling a specific need with detailed, expert content for enthusiasts.
9. Monsters Under Your Bed (Not a real blog, hypothetical example)
Niche Focus: Exploring the history and cultural impact of mythical monsters
This hypothetical blog thrives by diving into the less-trodden path of folklore and mythology, investigating the origins and societal impacts of the monsters that haunt our collective nightmares. By combining educational content with a touch of intrigue and fear, it piques the curiosity of readers worldwide.
Key to Success: Focusing on a unique segment of history and culture with an engaging twist.
Best Practices for Unexpectedly Successful Niche Blogs
To wrap up our exploration, here are several key takeaways that can be gleaned from these unconventional success stories:
Target a Specific Audience: Even the most unconventional niche can have an audience. Tailor your content to their desires and interests.
Be Authentic and Unique: It’s not just the niche that matters, it’s the voice and perspective that you bring to it. Be unafraid to be different.
Offer High-Quality Content: No matter the niche, quality is king. Do your research, write well, and provide value.
Engage Your Community: The most successful niche blogs often have a strong relationship with their readers, encouraging comments, discussions, and sharing.
Optimize for SEO: Even niche blogs benefit from good SEO practices. Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and encourage backlinks to make sure your blog is discoverable.
Consistency is Key: Regularly update your blog with fresh content to keep readers coming back.
Utilize Social Media: Spread the word and target potential readers through social media platforms they frequent.
In the end, these blogs demonstrate that with enough passion, a clear voice, and a commitment to providing value, even the most unexpected niche can lead to a successful blogging venture. Whether you’re in it for profit, influence, or simply the joy of sharing your passion, there’s a space for you in the blogosphere. Keep your content strong, your SEO sharp, and who knows? Your niche blog might just be the next unexpected success story.
