How to make money online: Get a new angle

As promised, I'm going to grab some of your comments from Creative Ways to Make Money Online: A Call for YOUR Passions and throw out a few of my ideas about how you might turn your passions into income-making online opportunities.

Again, my disclaimer is, don't take my ideas and run with them. There are a few niches I know well, but a whole lot more I don't. These ideas are intended to get your creative juices flowing. Do your research and hang out online a lot before deciding whether or not it has good potential!

First up is this one (read the whole comment here):

I would love to start a motivaional blog, a place where anyone especially kids could go to that is safe, and fun. Parents could go and find out ways to have fun with there kids, have patience with there kids, make time for there kids. Kids could go there and look at safe fun things, i.e. games that teach them about how to act in society, how to help out each other, how to not judge each other by the way everyone looks or acts. Also kids could go there for homework help, advice on the many questions that our kids have but are afraid to ask. I just really want to help kids, in any way possible.

I admit, when I started reading this comment, I thought, "Hmmmm…well, if there's one niche that's full-to-bursting, it's this one. Not sure what to say…"

BUT!

(Before I get to the "but" I want to mention this again: A big niche has pros and cons. It's a pro because it means there are lots of people hungry for the info but on the other hand, it's a con because it makes it much harder for your blog to stand out.)

So at first I was at a loss. BUT THEN, I realized this comment was written by Scott. You see, I read the comment before I saw wh wrote it; I had just assumed it was a woman.. Of course, women with the same passion are awesome in their own right (!), but frankly, we need more men like you in the world joining us, Scott, that's all I have to say!

Sidebar: Do any search on "statistics on fathers and children," "fatherless children" or something similar and you will be inundated with very sad statistics about kids who grow up without fathers or positive male role models in their lives and how it impacts them negatively on so many levels.

Now, before I go any further, I realize this topic always seems to ruffle a few feathers. I hope what I'm about to say does not come across as bashing men or fathers in any way.

First, I want to give a MAJOR shout-out to single moms and to women all over the world who are raising kids on their own when the men in their lives are unable or unwilling to be involved. It's sad when a father steps out of their child's life by choice, but I realize it is not always a choice. I know many fathers would be right there if they could, but military service, death, illness or any number of circumstances prevents them from doing so. I know it's not only painful for the children, but for the men too (and the women)!

Another MAJOR shout-out goes to the men in the world who have stepped up and devoted themselves to another man's child or children. You may be a step dad, a foster dad an adoptive dad, a mentor, coach, teacher or another role that puts you in direct contact with kids that don't otherwise have a positive male role model in their lives. You've filled a huge gap and I, for one, am very grateful for you!

OK, so now I'll get off my soap box and get back to business.

All that to say, Scott, I think your passion is awesome and it certainly comes through in your comment. "Mommy blogs" are numerous and I know there are some great "daddy" or "dad" blogs too, but they are far fewer in number (as far as I can tell). For that reason, Scott, this is exactly what I've said many times which is, "If your passion is in a crowded niche, find a unique angle!"

You want to help and motivate kids (that's the crowded niche) but the fact that you're a male (and a teacher) is your unique angle. I think a blog from your perspective could really work. You could go the "traditional" blogging route and accept ads etc. You'll have to figure out hat you'll write about and what really, really useful information you're going to offer to both parents and kids alike. What you said about how to "how to act in society, how to help out each other, how to not judge each other by the way everyone looks or acts" struck me, especially in light of the bullying we've seen in the news lately. Kids need to know how to act well and I think you could have a voice here!

Now, I wish I could give you a list of really great similar blogs, but I don't know of any. So, READERS! Help Scott out here. Where can he find some people who are already doing this from whom he can watch and learn? Anyone? And does anyone else have any great ideas or tips for him?

Thanks for your comment Scott. It was a pleasure to read!

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