One of the things I've learned about writing in these last few months is that it is really hard to predict what people are going to like. Sometimes you pour your heart and soul into an article that you've heavily researched for days only to have it completely bomb. Other times, you see a funny picture on Flickr and expand it into a weird article on Toast Art and it goes to the number one spot on Hot Content! That article has received over 4,800 views in 2 days! I must admit that I don't quite understand why even though I think it's awesome that people like it so much.
Here's a list of topics that I think tend to get people more interested in your content. I hope it helps!
1. Holidays: People really like to read articles pertaining to whichever holiday is near. Halloween is a great example of this. I wrote several articles on costumes, including kidscostumes, grown-up costumes, and cat and dog costumes. Each of these articles received over 1,000 views. Another great thing about writing about holiday topics is that each year when the holiday comes around, you are sure to receive revived interest in your article. This is a great way to keep your articles earning you money and drawing more traffic over time.
2. Art: I've found that there is a huge interest in different and unusual art. I've written a whole series of articles on Artistic Recycling which has received tons of views and interest from readers. One of the articles has even received over 14,000 views! I really think that the key here is to make sure that the art is unique in some way. People are interested most in things they've never seen before.
3. Green: As mentioned under the previous topic, my Artistic Recycling series has been one of my most popular topics. It combines two very interesting topics -- that of Art and being Green. People are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the world around them. Green is the new black, so they say. I would definitely recommend writing about all things environmentally friendly.
4. Crime: People are intrigued by what makes criminals different than them. I've found interest to be especially high in articles about serial killers. These articles really require a lot of research though so if you've got no real interest in the topic itself, I wouldn't recommend it. I've written many successful articles on notorious serial killers such as CharlesManson, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer. These articles have all received views into the hundreds and sometimes thousands.
5. Current Events: In the short term, you can receive a lot of interest and views about current events. However, in the long term they may be poor performing. We might all be interested in what Cindy McCain was wearing a couple of months ago but now, who cares? Still, if you're an avid follower of news like I am, writing about current events can be a way to share your interests and views. There are a huge amount of writers writing about current events so you'll need to be sure to publish your best possible work in this area.
6. Humor: Many people who are reading articles online are not looking for anything really besides a giggle. Humorous articles can be a way to draw traffic but the key is making sure that they are actually funny. I've read some articles where you can't even tell if the author is joking or not. It makes you wonder a little if they're crazy or kidding. To write funny articles you have to be funny yourself. If you're not, don't bother with this one.
7. Random: I've found that it is best to keep your readers guessing as to what exactly you're going to write about next. It keeps them interested. Is your next article going to be about Barrack Obama or fashion or a recipe or Christmas decorations? Once you've gained a "following" of readers who enjoy your work, it's best not to let them become bored and able to predict everything you're going to write. Keep 'em guessing!
8. What you love: Finally, the best topic to write about is that which you love, topics that interest you. These articles are sure to receive more of your own attention. This will hopefully, lead the article to be better written and will lead to more views.
Good luck writing everyone. There are so many topics and so little time. I love seeing what everyone will come up with!
