Starting Out as a Content Writer
When I started as a content writer, I was fresh on the scene, eager to build my skills and make a living. Like many beginners, I took on assignments from bloggers across Nigeria, diving into any topic they handed to me. But the topics weren’t what I expected; they often seemed oddly specific, even eccentric. I remember sitting down to write pieces on everything from catching cockroaches to senior living tips and skateboarding techniques. I often laughed at the assignments, wondering who on earth would be interested in reading about such things. But back then, I didn’t know the power of niche content—something that has since become a core principle in content marketing.
Writing About “Weird” Niches
I still vividly recall the hours I spent researching ways to exterminate pests like cockroaches, bed bugs, and lice. I mean, who would voluntarily choose to spend their time digging into roach-killing techniques? My search history from those days was filled with terms like “best way to get rid of cockroaches” or “how to remove lice.” I could only imagine the surprise of anyone who might’ve come across my searches, thinking I was in the middle of a personal bug crisis! The truth was far from it; I was simply creating content for blogs that sought to address these very specific, very unusual topics.
At the time, I felt these assignments were a bit pointless. I couldn’t see why someone would look up “how to kill cockroaches” instead of simply stomping on them or grabbing a can of insecticide. I often questioned if people actually wanted this information or if it was just random content bloggers thought might boost their site traffic. I was doing my best to create high-quality articles, but I had no understanding of why these topics were even chosen. To me, they were just tasks, but I was soon about to realize how much strategy went into them.
Discovering the Strategy Behind Niche Topics
It wasn’t until I started using keyword research tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush that I discovered what lay beneath these “weird” topics. With these tools, I saw firsthand the sheer number of people searching for answers in these exact niches. People were actually searching daily for how to kill cockroaches, get rid of bed bugs, and remove lice. And I’m not just talking about a few curious individuals—there were thousands of people actively looking for this information each month. It completely blew my mind.
I was floored to see such high search volumes in topics I had thought were so specific that nobody would care. I realized then that these bloggers weren’t just choosing topics at random. They were strategically selecting niches that had high demand and low competition, creating a goldmine of opportunities for content that could attract organic traffic. Once I understood the significance of these niches, my approach to content creation changed entirely.
The Appeal of Niche Content
This experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons in content marketing: there’s an audience for every kind of content. Even the most specific, niche subjects have their readers, and sometimes, the more specific the niche, the more loyal the audience. People aren’t just looking for generic advice—they want targeted, detailed information that meets their needs and answers their questions.
The pest control example stuck with me as I continued to write. To this day, I’m still amazed to see people actively searching online for ways to get rid of pests or for advice on topics like senior living and skateboarding. I came to understand that these types of topics serve a real purpose for many readers. They might not attract everyone, but for those who need the information, that content is invaluable. It’s not just about writing what we assume people want; it’s about understanding what people are actively searching for and delivering content that satisfies their curiosity or solves their problem.
The Key Takeaway: Go for the Best Niches
Reflecting on those early days, I now recognize the power of niche content and the value it brings. Niche topics can drive dedicated traffic, improve a website’s relevance in specific areas, and even establish authority in unconventional fields. There’s a world of opportunity in writing niche content, but the trick is in choosing the right niches.
As a content creator, knowing which niches have both demand and value is crucial. With tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush, we can uncover what people truly want to know and craft content that resonates with those audiences. For anyone stepping into the content world, I’d say this: be open to unexpected topics. You might just find yourself building an audience in places you never thought possible.
The lesson I learned is that, indeed, there’s an audience for any type of content online. But to be effective, you need to understand your audience, embrace the niche, and deliver the best information possible. So yes, dive into niches—but go for the best ones, the ones that truly connect with people’s needs.