How to Choose a Hub Topic
78This hub is one part in a series on how to make money on HubPages, designed specifically to address one of the most frequently-asked questions in our forums: How do I find the right topic for hub that will make me money?
Picking a Topic for a Money-Making Hub
Internet marketers are constantly trying to discover which niches--and more specifically, keywords-- are the most profitable in internet publishing. There are discussions on this very subject on virtually every webmaster forum in existance, and countless ebooks claiming to have the ultimate list of super-secret money-making keywords. That's exactly the problem; those topics are like the town bicycle. Everyone and their mother is having a ride.
In my experience, there are a few important criteria in choosing a topic for your hub:
- Is it interesting to me?
- Is it interesting to people who don't know me?
-
Will it continue to be interesting for a long time to come?
Is it interesting to me?
Others might argue, but I think whether or not a subject interests you should be one of the determining factors in whether or not you write about it. Not only does this make your job as a hubber easier and more enjoyable, and consequently increase the likelihood that you'll stick with it, it also shows in your writing itself. Readers can tell the difference between a dry recitation of the facts and a passionate imparting of knowledge, and they're much more likely to respond favorably to the latter. Think back to your school days. Did you take any classes you thought were going to be awesome, only to find that the teacher succeeded in sucking all life out of the subject? Remember that required course you were dreading, that the professor somehow managed to make exciting through his or her own enthusiasm for the subject? If either of those scenarios ring a bell, you'll understand why it's key to pick a hub topic that in some way engages your own interest.
- Example: My hub on wu-yi tea, which has, on occasion, earned me close to $200 in a single day, was born out of the frustration I felt seeing advertisements for a diet product I could clearly see was a scam.
Is it interesting to other people?
On the other hand, if the subject is interesting to you and only you, that doesn't help you much either. Once you've hit upon an idea you might like to pursue, think about whether or not people who don't know you from a hole in the wall would be interested in the topic--and more importantly, whether or not it is a topic that other people will proactively search out. While some things might hold someone's attention if he or she happened to stumble upon it, not all of these things are worth hubbing about, unless you are doing so for your own enjoyment. For the purposes of making money, choose a subject that's searchable.
- Example: I have a passion for eating disorder awareness. Instead of writing a personal rant about how misunderstood the disease is in popular culture, I wrote a hub about eating disorder myths, finding a way to make the topic more general,
Will it continue to be interesting?
This is a point all of us HubPages staff are constantly harping on in the forums. Our CEO Paul Edmondson even wrote a hub on the concept of evergreen content--content that will continue to be relevant (and actively searched!) for months and years to come. While I sometimes use Google trends to rustle up ideas, I pass over the news-related phrases and hit on keywords I believe will have a longer shelf life.
- Example: My 199th hub on tapeworms was taken from a recent Google trends list. It started earning right away, but more importantly, I anticipate it will continue making me money in the long term.
Answer a Hub Request!
- Is anyone else excited about Valentines Day tomorrow?
Is anyone else excited about Valentines Day tomorrow? - 10 minutes ago
- How many people here play X-box role playing games?
How many people here play X-box role playing games? - 17 minutes ago
- Do You Write for Passion or to Make Extra Cash?
Do You Write for Passion or to Make Extra Cash? - 32 minutes ago
- What is the best source to look for a job?
What is the best source to look for a job? - 34 minutes ago
If You're Stuck for Ideas...
If, when evaluating an idea for a new hub topic, you answer "yes" to all three questions, you're well on your way to writing a money-making hub.
However, getting an idea to evaluate in the first place can be a struggle for some people. If you ever run out of inspiration, check out Google Trends (linked above) and the Hub Requests section (feed at right). Just remember to check those topics against the questions above before you dig in!
Also, two types of hubs that almost always do well are how to guides and product reviews, and these are easy enough to write about because 1) I'm pretty darn sure all of you do something every day that could use explaining, and 2) I'm absolutely sure you use products every day, be they electronics, cosmetics, food, or clothing. And guess what? So does everyone else.
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Good advice..thanks!
Question Maddie: I am writing a product series at the moment and am experimenting by writing a number of small hubs on different keywords rather than 1 long comprehensive hub: more the capstone model rather than the flagship model: do you have any thoughts on which is better and why?
Woohaaa... I hit the motherload with this one. Dang Maddie, your Tea hub isn't even frickin' long. This series is going to kick ass. (I sill want the baithing suit hub though, and think you're dodging it by sharing all this other stuff.)
Lissie:
I think it depends on the subject. Sometimes it's smart to dedicate hubs to more specific areas within a more broad topic--for example, if you're doing a set of hubs on a type of product, it would be best to write one hub for each product you are reviewing, as opposed to a longer hub with each product itemized. This makes it easier for people who are searching for something very specific to find their way to your hubs. The thing about more comprehensive, Flagship-type hubs is that they are great linkbait, and they tend to work better for things like how-tos or guides.
Shadesbreath:
Fortunately or unfortunately, I don't have enough photos of myself in bathing suits to merit an entire hub. It would be substandard, and I'd have to flag myself.
Hi Maddie, this is a very helpful hub and would be following the entire series --definitely! :)
Maddie,
Thank you for your well written hub. I have been hubbing on a variety of subjects I enjoyed from my youth, ie skateboards, guitars, unicycles and answered one request for "What the world will be like in 100 years?".
My experiment is to see which of these subjects elicits the greatest response, and then focus for a time on generating additional content within that subject category.
The 100 years article has elecited the most comments, so I may continue down that path as I continue my research.
My goal is to write one or two hubs per day for the next thirty days, and see what appears to be the best subjects to continue with.
I certainly enjoy your writings, they are well composed, interesting, and demonstrate your command of the subject. Thank you!
Respectfully, Nicholas Chase
I think we should have a NaBloPoMo type contest here at HubPages. Writing one hub a day for a month...
Maddie, I agree you. Writing on a subject you're really interested in always seems to stand the test of time. The readership seems to continue growing. Besides, it's easier and tons more fun to write about something you have a real interest in. That comes through in the finished product, as well.
This is all based on the assumption that the content holds information others are also keen to know, and is evergreen, of course.
Great hub, Maddie! Thx for sharing.
great hub, i agree with you as well as most do here.. it helps if our hub will be looked at in the near future too, you gave me a good idea to check out google trends hehe from this, you can know that i'm really inexperienced>.< but still, i'll be trying my best thanks for sharing a great hub.
Hahahaha, that was awesome. I'm seriously still laughing.
gr8 Hub Maddie. I so far only have written on topics which i personally have knowledge without checking whether the keywords would pay me off.
You lay it out in simple terms and that is just what we need to be reminded of...at least I do...namely to KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid!...as Bill Clinton ? once said. At any rate, I have a tendency to complicate things beyond all proportion, and I think perhaps many others do as well. Your Hub has reminded us of a simple Truth--simple does not mean silly or stupid...it means seeing things objectively...and that is never easy but it is the secret I think you are really alluding to. :)
Hi Maddie. Great hub! Thanks for the information!
Maddie, great ideas
good hub maddie
Great hub. Great information,
Thanks for all the fantastic ideas on using hubber...
Much appreciated.
Write on what you find interesting - I think you've hit on something there! When I finally got the confidence (thanks to HP) to start my own site, I chose a topic that's dear to my heart, because I knew I'd enjoy doing it - but I really didn't expect to make a dime. So far in its first few months, I've made $62! Now, I know that's not earth-shattering, but we all know it takes a while for a new site to get established, so I'm absolutely rapt.
So my advice would be, even if you're not sure whether others will be interested in your pet topic, write the Hub anyway - you'll enjoy it, so it won't feel like work, and you never know what might happen.
Thanks for nice topics. It will help me.
Great info., thx Maddie!
Thank you for this hub.
Thank you for the info:)
Maggie, I never thought that Hub pages was a money maker. When I write, it all comes from my internal search engine. I speak every Monday night at the local jail and never run out of material. I hope the same happens to me on my hubs. I see many people get their content from the news or the net. I like to give it from the heart. "Kind of challenging with just a 9th grade education" I do the best I can do. But if I make money That’s a bonus. Because really that really not my intention..Even though, I did get introduced to hub pages that way. But when I write it's like when I speak at the jail or at a local rehab or school. I don't get paid. However I receive a reward that is priceless. Can you understand that? I hope so. Anyway you did give me something to think about. I could always use the money…. Honey I need some money, Dad I need this, Dad I need that. So another money tree would be nice..Thank you so very much.
Peace, Love, Health, Happiness and Massive Success… JosephDiego
Thanks for the Hub!
Thanks sooo much Maddie for the invaluable information you are providing for us in your series. It is greatly appreciated!
I am very thankful this hub and the ones you have grouped with it, Maddie.
--Reg
Oops. Dropped a word. "for"
:-D
Great hub! This may really help me, as you've boiled things to just three good questions that I can ask myself regarding new hubs that I'm about to write. I've written about things that are interesting to me, and you are right about looking for things that are interesting for you when you write a hub, as the writer is more enthused. I need to work on the other two questions and I have noticed that, some of my hubs draw far more visitors than others. One of my hubs, about saving money by drinking tap water instyead of sodas and other drinks consistantly draws fewer visitors than my other hubs.
Again, thanks for the info.
Maddie; I learned a lot from reading your hubs. I need all the help I can get and look forward to reading more hubs.
Good Hub indeed Maddie. I always follow what you have suggested and always try to write Hub that are sort of "How to's" but there are still times when I really get struck (like I have got struck now) and I am not able to derive any new idea even after refering to Google trends etc...... and do you think it is really posssible to earn $200 in a day? I hardly find people clicking on the ads in my Hub...... :(
Great hub and great ideas for how to decide on the topic ...
thanks for share. Suppose I could choose the right topic of this HUB. thanks again
Thanks for the google trends link, this is something I've been searching avidly for the last several weeks! Im sure this advice will further improve my writings, thank you again!
Thank you for writing this hub: It really opened my eyes to some mistakes that I have been making.
Oh, this is very helpful, as I am relatively new here, thanks.
Very appreciate and right on target. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Thanks for sharing this information Maddie - will now try and make it work....cheers
This is helpful advice Maddie. After eleven months here I've only made $25! Maybe I just don't have profitable interests!
I already knew about Google trends, but why in the world didn't I thought about making the connection with hubs?
Sometimes we get so busy that we forget the basics. Nice reminder for me. Thanks a lot. I will definitely use trends now.
Very helpful advice. I have come to realise I write much better when talking about things that do really interest me.
Must say I'm impressed with your tea site success and it shows what is possible.
Thank you for your advice.I have published a lot of hubs not knowing how to be found and your advice has helped me to see hubpages in a different light. regards Brian
Maddie,
Your writing is excellent and you have a firm insight on your presentation of answering a question. I must say I have learned from you, but being a computer idiot I remain challenged.
Maddie, this is a great hub. I write about things that interest me and find that it flows for me easier. I like to think people will be interested in my topics, but my keywords selection is just improving.
Im off to your Google trends link and i thank you for that particular tip.
Welldone & Thank you for the insight.
Gret Hub. Very informative. Thanks!
Very helpful
thank you
Thanks Maddie. This hub was a lot of help to me as a brand new contributor to hubpages.
Thanks Maddie!!! I loved this hub and am now pointed in the right direction to get hubbing lol
Thanks for this great hub! :)
I am brand new and searching - this hub was very helpful to me in allaying my fear that I am not up to this challenge! You gave me hope :)
great tip, I am new but stuck on what to write already and I learned a lot.
Thank you for sharing your point of view. I agree completely writing articles that will be needed for years to come. Articles that will never go out of style. I get it. Thank you.
mailxpress
Great information. I am just starting out myself and trying to navigate around. I am going to take advantage of the ideas you provided about. Thank you again.
Do you actually make money on hubpages as you had mentioned, i am using hubpages since 8 months ago but not make even a single $$$.
informative hub.. thanks for sharing
Really informative hub. Excellent.
very good information you share, thank you.
great advice ~ thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
Thanks for this useful hub
The light bulb just came on. I have been reading and working on HP for months and just now I think I might understand it.
Good hub, it has a lot of useful information. Thanks!
Wow! Great ideas listed here! Excellent. Appreciate this, Maddie! Cheers!
Great advice thanks!
Nice hub and packed with useful advice and points to think about. No matter how many articles or hubs you may have written in the past, there are still days when we all need a helping hand :)
Hey Maddie thanks for sharing. Right now I am stumped about what to write next and I've only written 11 hubs so far. I keep starting and then changing my mind. Also, I've only been writing about things I like or do or am interested in without giving much thought to keywords etc so I am not earning much. Today I am lacking inspiration. I did enjoy reading your hub though. Thanks
I'm enjoying this series -- nice work, and excellent writing!
thanks for the information, I know sometimes I get stuck on what to write about.
This is one of the best hubs on hubpages :)
Very informative, thank you for the information. is there a continuation to it.
Thank you, this was very useful.
Deciding the subjects of my hubs and keyword phrases takes most of my work time. Great advice here!
Great hub, thank you. I'm always searching for good ideas, and your metaphor about the town bicycle is so true!
Thanks for sharing all this useful info.
It really sounds a good article but is it always applicable to hubbers. Some write on very vague topics which people never heard or thought off but still have very high page views. How was that explainable?
You say that you made money from your hub wu-yi tea. How? I read it and you are really bashing the product and others like it. Why would they buy it.
Sorry if this sounds dumb. I am brand new. I got here from a link on the learning page. I like the looks of your hubs and hope one day to be able to do just as good.
Will follow and bookmark.
gr82bme:
You don't have to recommend a product to make money from a hub. You make money from the people clicking ads, which may be for the product, for rival products, or for other sites that review similar items. So what you're really looking for is a topic that will get a lot of visitors... visitors who are out looking for information or to buy something (not necessarily even the product you're talking about). Sometimes the best way to get a lot of traffic to your hub is to address a controversial topic or give a negative review.
Do you get paid even if all they do is click on the ads??
Thanks for the advice, hub bookmarked.
Thanks for sharing the info.
Hi Maddie;
I'm new here and am still reading all that I can to learn. I read your hub and agree completely, and commend you for a well written and authoritative hub. My question here is, why don't you have adsense on the hub? Does it distract or is there another reason?
Hi HBS Group:
I don't have AdSense on hubs that are designed to help out hubbers, as opposed to hubs that will make money from search engine traffic. Hubbers don't tend to click on ads on HubPages anyway, and I think it is nice for users to feel like I'm offering real advice, not just out for a buck.
Hi maddie. you are absolutely right we should write hubs about interesting topics.
I love the 2 ending sentences! They just made me rate it as "funny" great hub!
Great information. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. This newbie really appreciates your good advice. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing all these information. I'm thinking of starting to write a hub and I find this very useful!
Hi Maddie! This is a very informative hub. It's really true that what interests others are worth a topic for. Enjoyed reading it, truly. Thanks!
Hi Maddie, thanks for the tips on Google Trends, it's a source of inspiration when we're running out of topics to write on. Very informative Hub, voted up!
Good to know about Google Trend. Thanks for the tips =)
kasparu 3 years ago
Great hub, for many it is obvious to write about what they like to write about, but still nicely coined, and some good tips.
Explain what HubPages is all about, write about what you like to write about, everyone is an expert on something.