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Ever wanted to start a blog but not sure what exactly you want to blog about?Choosing a niche is often the hardest part about starting a blog, since there are so many interesting things out there.Top bloggers highly recommend specializing in a niche instead of writing about everything and anything--especially if you hope to turn your blog into an online business.If you've hit a mental block when it comes to deciding your niche, this list is for you.Here are 111 of the best blog niche for 2020.Life1. LifestyleThe lifestyle niche encompasses everything under the sun related to daily life.It’s a much broader blogging niche than most and lifestyle bloggers may cover anything from fashion to life advice.Abby Lawson at Just a Girl and Her Blog combines discussing lifestyle topics with promoting paid printables and other digital products.Her blog typically brings in over $40,000 per month based on her published income reports.2. TravelWho doesn’t love to travel?Since most people don’t travel as much as they’d like, travel blogs are a way to live the experience through the written words of a travel blogger.International travel,domestic travel, or even just weekend trips around the local area-- people love hearing about another person’s travel experience and getting tons of suggestions before booking a trip themselves.Blogs like NOMADasaurus take readers with them while they travel the world.Here, It definitely pays to share your travels!Travel bloggers can earn serious cash, with many making $6,000 or more monthly.3. Local City GuideEven if you’ve lived in your neighborhood for a while, there may still be a ton of undiscovered local gems near you that you have yet to experience.Those who run local guide blogs know this all too well, so they make it their mission to share the uniqueness of their town or city with others.Events, restaurants, stores, spots to sight-see-- they’ve got it all covered.Check out the how Medellin Living explores everything from local businesses to night life.4. BeautyBeauty is a huge niche for women, which makes sense considering they purchase makeup and skincare products at a much higher rate than their male counterparts.Beauty blogs like The Anna Edit share beauty product reviews, hacks, and makeup/skincare tutorials.As far as beauty blogs go, most beauty influencers utilize their blog as an additional traffic source for their social media presence.The power of beauty influencers has grown exponentially and transformed traditional marketing, with even major brands like Estee Lauder dumping 75% of its marketing budget on these social media stars.5. FashionFashion has always been a big deal especially as lifestyle and fashion influencers dominate, so this is definitely a popular blog niche to enter.This is evidenced by the many fashionistas making millions from their blogs.Both men and women enjoy looking good, so you can write for one audience or even both.Many fashion bloggers (check out We Wore What) often branch out to include discussions on lifestyle and travel which opens up more creative freedom.Fashion bloggers promote their favorite brands, create sponsored posts, and cross-post to their social media accounts to generate income.6. DatingDating is stressful, unpredictable, and sometimes super awkward.As more people turn to online services for dating (over 49% of dating app users according to Statista), it then makes sense that they would utilize the Internet for dating advice.From determining your ideal partner to tips for the very first date-- you can use your dating blog to better prepare singles for the dating world.Evan Marc Katz shares his expert advice as a dating coach and also advertises his paid products and coaching program.7. ParenthoodThough you’ll often hear scare tactics from news stations, the truth is that younger generations still desire to have children just as much as their predecessors.In fact, according to Pew Research, in 2016 millennial women made up 82% of all births in the United States, though the age at first birth is higher than previous generations.There are so many facets to raising a child from birth to 18 years of age and first-time parents desperately seek advice throughout the journey.Seasoned parents are like a god-send to those entering every new stage, so you’ll undoubtedly build a readership with a parenting blog.Sarah Titus combines parenting advice with fun printables for activities with kids, generating over $200,000 PER MONTH with a combined income from her blog and printables store.8. Wedding & MarriageTying the knot is much more than just saying ‘I do!’There’s caterers, invitations, table toppers….and that doesn’t even begin to cover the complexities of married life after the fact!If you went through the fiasco, have been married for a while, and SURVIVED-- you could benefit from starting a wedding and marriage blog.The depth you want to cover is entirely up to you.Blogs like Marriage 365 delve deep into every area, down to fun date ideas with your spouse.Monetizing your blog can come from many sources including sponsored posts, affiliate links for wedding items, and even offering personalized marriage coaching.9. FamilyThe family unit is one of the most important structures in life, responsible for cultivating happy and well-adjusted adults in the future.Keeping your family close-knit in the midst of a fast-paced lifestyle is hard.Know how to plan fun family outings, engage each member of the family, and maintain a deep intimacy within your own family?Start a family blog!Pair your blog with social platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to develop trust and familiarity with your audience.Check out It’s A Lovely Life for ideas on the topics you can cover to run a successful family blog-- this blog makes over $170,000 per month.10. Personal FinanceThe personal finance niche extends to budgeting, creating wealth, and maximizing potential income streams.Many of these blogs also include information for pursuing a wide array of side hustles and online business opportunities.The good news is you don’t need to be a finance expert to start blogging in this niche, just passion and purpose.Michelle Schroeder started her blog as just a hobby while she worked full-time but she managed to use her own advice and scale her blog to over $100,000 per month.11. Frugal LifestyleEveryone could improve their spending habits but it takes real dedication to stick to a constrained budget.Living frugally entails closely monitoring spending, allocating money wisely, and saving long-term.Naturally, people seek out resources to guide them on the journey to frugal living and your blog will prove very helpful for those looking to make this change.The funny part is it pays to blog about frugality.The Busy Budgeter amassed a huge fan base with her blog that earns her over $86,000 per month.12. RelationshipsWe hold so many different types of relationships with others in our lives.From our parents and partners to our hair stylists and colleagues-- connecting and maintaining reciprocal relationships with other human beings is a key part of life.Even though it’s important…it doesn’t mean that everything goes without a hitch…If you’re awesome at forging long-lasting romantic or platonic relationships and have encountered difficult situations with successful resolution, you can provide value by blogging about relationships.You can target professionals navigating the workplace, people with complex parental relations, or even discuss them all like The Gottman Institute.13. Smart Phones & AccessoriesSmartphones are no longer a luxury, they’re a part of everyday life with over 3 billion smartphone users worldwide-- and this number is expected to increase by hundreds of millions of people in a few years.As people invest in the latest and most expensive models, it makes sense that they’d look for tutorials on features, model comparisons, and phone protection accessories.You may want to decide on a sub-niche based on phone model or brand to focus things better and get more into the nitty-gritty.This blog only includes information for iPhone users ranging from shortcuts to apps.14. Environmental SustainabilityAll experts agree that human beings hold primary responsibility for the majority of negative environmental changes.Yet we have the power to lessen the impact through sustainability and eco-friendly measures.You can create a blog within this niche that focuses on minimizing waste and educating readers on the daily things they can do to help save the planet.You can also niche down further and focus on a smaller sector, such as sustainable fashion design and clothing choices.15. RV LifeThis niche is increasing in popularity each year, as more people turn to alternate housing options.Not many people live and travel full-time in an RV, which is great news for newer bloggers within this niche.Your audience will most likely want to know the logistics of RV life: how you make money on the road, live comfortably in such a small space, and even set up systems like Internet connection.Follow Your Detour uses her blog to educate as well as fund her RV travels, generating around $2,000 monthly.16. Pregnancy & NewbornThis niche is actually pretty specific, though pregnancy spans a large topic range: breastfeeding, nutrition, postpartum care, etc.This time in a woman’s life is both exciting and challenging with so much support needed.You don’t need to be a medical doctor or women’s health expert to blog about the intricacies of pregnancy and caring for a newborn.Being a woman who’s personally gone through the experience is more than enough and also helps you relate more with moms who read your blog.You can create valuable content while generating revenue from recommending your favorite pregnancy and baby products.This is just what the mom behind Swaddles to Bottles does-- and she earns a healthy $9,000 per month doing it.17. MindsetA negative mindset can only get you so far. Consciously working on positive thinking can work wonders in your life.Oxford surveyed 246 entrepreneurs and found that those with a negative mindset were less likely to achieve their goals than those with a positive outlook.Changing your perceptions does take mental manpower and a mindset blog would help others kick-start their personal development.There’s tons of things you can write about related to mindset and the Blissful Mind does it well-- discussing stress, imposter syndrome, and developing healthy habits.18. Organization and DeclutteringMarie Kondo may have been responsible for the decluttering trend that swept across social media last year, but organization has always been a trending niche.The Seana Method follows the same tune as Kondo, emphasizing how the order resulting from organization trickles down positively to all other areas of your life.If you’ve got a knack for getting rid of old junk and turning any space into a clutter-free zone, an organization blog would be right in your wheelhouse.Incorporating video and visual content will help your audience get a feel for the benefits of organization while also attracting readers from social media channels.19. RetirementSaving for retirement is an oft-stressed point made by financial experts, who recommend starting to save as early as possible.The sad truth is that most Americans remain uneducated on how to properly save for retirement, with more than 64% of Americans retiring with less than $10,000 in savings.You can help decrease this unfortunate statistic by educating people young and old with a retirement blog.Follow suit of blogs like Retirement Cafe and pack your blog with accessible resources, break down bits and pieces of a retirement portfolio, and guide readers towards a happy and prosperous retirement.20. Hair CareCurly, straight, wavy, and frizzy-- hair comes in many varieties and each type requires a certain level of care and style.Anyone can be a hair care expert, not just hair stylists.Those who personally deal with the everyday maintenance of curly hair are more than qualified to speak on the topic, just like the blogger behind Curl Centric.In this niche, you can share your preferred hair products and tools to maintain health and luster and also create follow-along guides for cool hairstyles.Photos and videos are going to be crucial for blog posts within this niche.21. Farm LifeYou thought running a farm would be easy?You’ve got to worry about tending to animals, growing crops, and being pretty isolated from the rest of society-- all of which may deter those interested in giving it a try.If you’ve lived on a farm or cared for farm animals, your knowledge could help demystify farm life.There are so many minutiae details involved with running a farm that ideas for content are endless.Consider the wide scope that this blog covers for some inspiration.22. Smart HomesBy 2021, predictions pinpoint the adoption of home automation to around 55% of all households in the U.S. and Canada.Consumers still have a lot to learn when it comes to how smart homes can make their lives easier.Being an expert doesn’t matter as much as the validity and readability of your content covering this complex technology.It’s important to relay this information in your blog in simple ways the everyday non-techy reader can understand.Smart Home Solver reviews a multitude of smart home appliances using a mix of video and text to engage and entertain readers.Health & Wellness23. Ketogenic LifestyleThe ketogenic diet is a low-carb diet which restricts intake of carbohydrates and increases healthy fats and proteins resulting in weight loss and decreased glucose levels.So many people boast massive success with this lifestyle.Jenny Wagner lost over 50 pounds on the keto diet before she started implementing any exercise, according to her interview with The New York Times.Start a keto blog to encourage others with your personal story.You can post workout content, keto education guides, and sample meal plans for your readers to follow.Keto blogs like Cast Iron Keto share tons of homemade recipes and keto alternatives to help others transition to keto smoother.24. VeganismVeganism has taken the world by storm in recent years, highly advocated by many A-list celebs and medical professionals.While people explore how veganism can fit within their lives, an informational blog detailing vegan life can make a major difference in the decision to adopt this lifestyle or not.If you decide to pursue the vegan blogging niche, don’t think you have to be an expert chock full of scientific and medical knowledge in support of veganism.Yup It’s Vegan publishes nothing but recipe ideas for every meal, earning around $2,000 monthly from these efforts.25. Paleo LifestyleSimilar to keto, the paleo diet limits the consumption of processed and artificial ingredients, only allowing foods that the first hunter-gatherers relied on during the paleo era (hence, the name).Approximately 3 million Americans practice this way of life, citing improved digestion, skin, and overall well-being.Knowing what foods are deemed acceptable or not isn’t always crystal-clear to beginners, which makes creating a blog in the paleo niche super helpful.Blogs like Whole Kitchen Sink educate those interested in paleo with recipes and tips to stay on track-- and they net over $6,000 doing it.26. FitnessLet’s talk about getting physical!It’s a new year, which undoubtedly means an increased interest in fitness and exercise.Personal trainers and fitness junkies can capitalize on this demand and offer their knowledge and experience to readers in the form of a fitness blog, potentially opening up a lucrative stream of income.Popular fitness blog Nerd Fitness generates six figures yearly, based on an interview Blogger Jet conducted with founder Steve Kamb.27. Healthy LifestyleA healthy lifestyle includes food, exercise, and positivity.Getting all 3 areas down can be somewhat of a challenge.Small children, demanding careers, and busy lives in general can lead to junk food, decreased activity, and high stress levels.Publish your advice for living a healthy lifestyle in a blog to guide others on the right path.You can discuss many aspects of healthy living.Jessica Sepel not only shares easy recipes and workout ideas, but she also talks about body and mind positivity.28. Body PositivitySelf-confidence is so important to have nowadays, especially in the social media age.The body positivity movement has swept media, print, and online channels, encouraging people to love and embrace the body they are in.Words of wisdom, stories of strength and confidence, discussions on body image--all are potential topics discussed in a body positivity blog.Maria Denne tackles these topics as well as fashion, news, and lifestyle with an intimate and relatable flair through her blog The Curvy Fashionista-- a talent that’s made her a $100,000 yearly earner.29. NutritionA well-balanced and nutritious diet gives you the fuel to conquer your goals.Nutrition bloggers like Sarah B. at My New Roots provide suggestions for meals and snacks, with the added option of 1-on-1 mentoring.Nutritionists, R.D.’s, and other healthcare professionals can promote the power of nutrition through coaching programs, helpful blog posts, cooking and recipe tips, and informational e-books.30. Women's HealthWomen’s health care is severely lacking in the United States.Compared to eleven other developed countries, women in the U.S. are less likely to view their quality of healthcare as excellent, the Commonwealth found.Advocate and educate for better women’s health care with an unbiased blog.Post content related to sexual health, nutrition, pregnancy, and disease prevention, similar to the content over at Healthy Women.Include real-life stories sharing the experiences of other women to foster connection and relatability.31. Weight LossLosing weight is an important and pretty universal goal held by people from all age groups.Starting is the hardest part and a blog solely dedicated to weight loss can provide that extra push your readers need.Some of the things Andie Mitchell talks about in her blog include personal motivation, goal-setting for weight loss, and healthy recipes.32. Alternative MedicineTraditional medicine has made amazing strides, but alternative treatments often provide the peace of mind people seek.In fact, NCCIH found that 38% of adults in the U.S. utilize some form of complementary and alternative medicine.A couple of the most popular forms of alternative medicine are herbal remedies and acupuncture.This blog focuses on educating readers on both practices.Many people are unaware of these other options, so an alternative medicine blog is a wonderful way to increase awareness.33. DiabetesDiabetes is a debilitating illness that affects more and more people each year.Over 100 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes according to the CDC.A diagnosis of diabetes means major changes in a person’s lifestyle from food to exercise, which can be extremely overwhelming.If you or someone you love manages diabetes in day-to-day life you can make it your mission to help someone else in the same situation by creating a diabetes blog.For example, The Diabetic Foodie publishes so many yummy and healthy recipes that those with diabetes can enjoy.34. Mental HealthGoing through life with a mental illness is challenging and draining, so it’s important to have the right help and support.It’s not exactly rare either.In fact, 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental illness based on data compiled by Nami.org.Those living with a mental illness or mental health advocates can start the conversation and keep it open with the accessibility of a mental health blog.Natasha over at Natasha Tracy talks all things bipolar disorder, from locating resources to dealing with symptoms.35. Self CareSometimes we need to take a step back and make sure we’re taking care of ourselves before anything else.A self-care blog can cover tips for self-improvement, advice for major life decisions, and much more.The topics are limitless.This self-care blogger focuses on personal development, healthy thinking, and writing as a creative outlet.36. Yoga/MeditationYoga teachers can potentially create another income stream through a yoga and meditation blog.Guiding beginners through the stages of meditation, offering advice on mindfulness, and establishing yourself as a trusted yoga expert- these are all different topics you can discuss.Allie at the Journey Junkie promotes her workshops, creates helpful guides and articles, and also shares videos she’s created.Her paid coaching programs and retreats made a major income difference for her blog, as she generated $70,000 within 2 weeks of launching her first course.37. Self WorthFeelings of self-worth can be difficult to retain after a traumatic or unfortunate occurrence.Written advice helps soothe and support emotions to make the healing journey easier.Anyone is qualified to write within this niche with the noble aim of helping others cope and thrive.Check out Positive Provocations for a heap of articles, resources, and tidbits to boost happiness and positivity.Business & Career38. WritingBecoming a freelance writer is often thought of as unsustainable in the long run, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.Freelance writers often struggle to position themselves and find good-paying writing jobs.Blogs geared towards guiding freelance writers to prosperity prosper themselves.Jorden Roper of Creative Revolt offers practical advice, resources, and even a paid course.She claims to be making over 5 figures per month through freelance writing.If you’re a seasoned writer, your knowledge is pure gold to newbies. You can coach writers on positioning, branding, and improving their craft.39. TechnologyWe are in the midst of the technology age with still so many major innovations and new developments to be made in the future.Picture just how many industries there are and the number of businesses within each industry that exist-- millions.And technology impacts each and every one of them.Your tech blog can focus on tech news and gadgets within different industries like transportation and security.The interest in tech is most definitely there, as David Risley discovered once he turned his blog Tech Junkie into a six figure business.40. PhotographyPeople need good quality photos for so many purposes, such as for their company website or social media accounts.Other photographers also love to get inspiration for their own work and appreciate what their fellow photographers have created.Whether you’re a nature or portrait photographer, you can also utilize your blog to attract new clients and build an online presence.This is what Erick Im did when first starting his street photography blog.He sold his own products and utilized affiliate advertising to scale his blog to over $200K per year.41. Web DevelopmentWeb developers are booming in demand.It is now 2020, at this point business owners of every industry know a sites value.Those who learn to be full stack internet developers will stack cash (if you know what I mean)Thus, it’s no wonder that the need for these experts is expected to increase nearly 13% by 2028.If you’re a web developer or offer web development services, you could blog all about this field: trending design news, the fundamentals of design, resources, cool tools-- and more!Check out Web Designer Depot for some inspo.42. EcommercePeople have largely started to prefer shopping online, which is good news for aspiring ecommerce business owners.Creating an online store is fairly simple and cheap with Shopify and Woocommerce, yet actually garnering leads and making sales is another story entirely.Got a successful online store or know your way around ecommerce?Educate budding entrepreneurs with advice, case studies, recommendations for tools, and more.Check out Printful to get an idea of some areas you can cover.43. Digital MarketingThis niche is one of the absolute best to dive into as we enter a new decade of technological advancement.The importance of an effective digital marketing strategy is crucial to the survival of most businesses nowadays, yet most people are lost and overwhelmed figuring it all out.Digital marketing experts with a proven track record can serve as trustworthy guides for business owners and other online marketers with a blog in this niche.Plus, you can use your digital marketing skills to rank your site quickly and lead readers seamlessly to your paid products and services.Neil Patel runs one of the most influential digital marketing blogs today and has done all of the above to rake in nearly $400,000 with his blog.44. Interior DesignAs wages improve, people look for inspiration to spruce up their homes.You don’t necessarily need to be an interior designer to blog within this niche, you can also just be an avid lover of design.It pays to blog in this popular niche too, as blogs like The Harper House net over $6,000 per month.45. HRCalling all HR professionals!Employers and employees often have spur-of-the-moment questions that need quick answers.Having a reliable HR blog they can reference during these moments would be super helpful and also lessen the workload of that company’s HR department.Gather the most frequently asked questions and situations you encounter to create detailed guides. Include links to other resources for readers to peruse.HR Bartender also uses their blog to advertise their services, speaking engagements, and books.46. Computer ScienceThis subject is one of the hardest to conquer for most university students.Huge class sizes limit a professor’s accessibility, so many students search for online resources to aid them in understanding.Computer science professional or just a student who whizzed through the course?You can create videos explaining difficult concepts and solving sample problems to better equip students for successful course completion.Take it one step further and diversify your content with industry news and developments like this blog.47. Network MarketingMLM’s often get a bad rep, but they do represent genuine business opportunities.Success isn’t guaranteed and many uplines still teach ineffective methods for running a sustainable business long-term.You can use your direct sales experience to advise fellow network marketers on the best ways to sell, recruit, and build a successful business.If you continuously provide amazing value, you can create a paid coaching program and even attract prospects to your own MLM business.Ray Higdon is a famed MLM leader who has used his blog and vast success to market his services and business opportunity, scaling it to 7 figures yearly.48. SEOSEO is going to become even more important as time passes.Let your SEO expertise shine by creating an educational blog within the SEO niche.Learning effective SEO takes time and your blog will easily get a huge amount of views if your content and delivery makes it a go-to resource for marketers and business owners.The most reputable SEO blog I follow is Backlinko and its founder Brian Dean has used video and super high-quality content to build it into a 7 figure business.49. Career ChoiceIf you’ve landed your dream career, chances are you’ve navigated through many hoops and hurdles to reach this point.Specialty professions that require rigorous certification programs and exams are another beast entirely and you can bet that aspiring professionals are eager for as much help as they can get.Young Architect built a blog chock full of helpful information while also making money off of his value-packed paid bootcamp and training programs.Divulge your secrets in a tell-all career blog where you break down your best tips and resources from personal experience.50. Online Business OpportunitiesMaking money online is no longer a pipe dream.It’s become even more feasible for moms, students, and full-time professionals to create income using the Internet.What better place to find out ways to earn money online… than searching online?Gather all of your research together to create a comprehensive directory of money-making opportunities and side hustles from research and personal experience.Follow the lead of those like Nick Loper to make money from your efforts, combining podcast promotion and affiliate links.51. BloggingBlogging about blogging?Yep! This is actually a niche-- and a trending one at that.People are curious about how to start a blog and potentially make money off of it-- which is obviously the ultimate goal right?If you’ve had success building a loyal following and monetizing your blog, you can jump into the demand and start a blog about making money blogging!You’ll share your preferred tools, resources, tips for driving site visits, and landing sponsorship and affiliate deals.Take a look at a blog successfully generating $100,000 per month within this niche.52. EntrepreneurshipStarting a business seems like the logical next step for those unhappy with their careers and income.However, the U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 50% of businesses with employees last longer than five years.For entrepreneurs to get through this hump, they need a great deal of motivation, support, and positivity.Entrepreneurs like yourself can offer unparalleled first-hand advice with an entrepreneurship blog to pay it forward and increase the chances of others achieving success themselves.Yaro imparts knowledge about everything from mindset to pricing services-- a venture that earns him $40,000 per month.Activities53. Cross FitThe number of CrossFit gyms increased drastically from only 13 in 2005 to over 7,000 gyms today.What this means is that there is a higher demand for content like this as people are constantly seeking knowledge about it.The best part?There really aren’t many blogs dedicated to CrossFit on the Internet (Crossfit appears to be one of the leading blogs).Creating a blog in this niche fills an informational void while also potentially driving profit.54. CyclingWhether you bike professionally or enjoy a cycling session at your local gym, a cycling blog can be a creative way to further your passion.Pros like Juliet Elliott use their cycling blogs not just for self-promotion but also for sharing their personal experiences with training, gear, and competing.55. RunningRunning is a popular exercise for maintaining great health and also a huge competitive sport all around the globe.Experienced runners can create a blog in the running niche to offer up advice on endurance, nutrition, training, and preparation for competition.The desire to be of service can definitely pay off as evidenced by Daniel Hamel’s success with his blog Marathon Nation US which nets over 7 figures per year.56. GardeningGot a green thumb?Those with a knack for growing flowers, fruits, or veggies can let their knowledge bloom with a gardening blog.Whether you specialize in growing tomatoes or arranging beautiful bouquets, your knowledge can assist someone who may have just started.You can find tons of tips for plant care, fun crafts, and design over at You Grow Girl.57. PilatesThose looking to tone up, maintain weight, and even recover from an injury often turn to pilates as the most viable option.Pilates combines endurance, flexibility, and strength movements for the ultimate core-strengthening workout.Pairing an educational pilates blog with another online platform can prove lucrative.Just ask Cassey Ho who makes over $4 million per year from her pilates blog and YouTube channel.58. PokerThe game of poker takes some serious skill to truly compete.If you’ve dabbled in the game for a while and have tons of advice-- share it with a poker blog!Those who aspire to compete professionally or even just avid players could benefit from learning new tips and tricks to up their game.This is exactly the aim over at Upswing Poker, which not only offers training but also news within the industry and surrounding pros.59. FishingIs going fishing your favorite past-time?Perhaps you’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve to get the biggest catches?A fishing blog is a great way to expand your passion and share it with others!Single Barbed discusses all of the fine details of fishing from recommended tools to news about upcoming competitions.60. Arts and CraftsThis niche is fairly broad so you can really let your creativity shine here.People often look for fun craft ideas to entertain their children or create homemade decor.Activities involving arts and crafts are also super popular for events, school functions, and parties.A Beautiful Mess mixes up tons of different crafts from plant arrangements to scrapbooking.Using social media platforms like Pinterest can help drive traffic to your blog and generate leads for selling your own creations.61. GolfGolf is both a famed sport and a casual hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.You might be able to get the basics down…but fine tuning those skills will be difficult without the right guidance.A golf blog can be an amazing resource for last-minute assistance and continuous advice.Even top-ranked golfers see the value-- Stephanie Wei blogs about technique, news, and competition updates.62. MusicMusic transcends language and connects people from all backgrounds.There’s something out there to please everyone’s tastes, from hip hop to classical piano.So the direction of your music blog is completely up to you.Jason Grishkoff started Indie Shuffle to support the music of indie artists, scaling his blog to over $10,000 per week after selling music promotions on the site.You can review newly released music, post updates on your favorite artists, and expand upon concert experiences.63. Horseback RidingHorses are beloved creatures that require tons of love and care.Stacy Westfall utilized her passion for horseback riding to create an educational blog for horse owners and equestrians detailing horse care, advice, and various competitions.You can monetize the experience and knowledge you hold about horses with either your own horse blog or even writing guest blog posts for equestrian magazines.64. Bird WatchingBird watching is still a favorite hobby for many.FWS estimates that more than 45 million people participate in this activity.Bird enthusiasts can document the species they’ve captured on camera while on their travels.Helpful articles on bird behavior and tips for effective bird-watching are also great pieces of content to include in your blog.Take in the sheer amount of varied content found on Surf Birds as an example.65. Martial ArtsLearning any form of martial arts is an ongoing process rife with discipline and skill.Those who practice martial arts often spend ample time outside of the studio educating themselves on different techniques and movements.A blog based around a martial arts form can be a much needed resource for a fighter’s development, giving advice on training, technique, and even health and nutrition.This blog focuses on helping out Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA fighters.Opportunities for income generation include sponsored posts for gear and affiliate links.66. DanceThis niche encompasses a wide range of dance styles from ballet to belly dancing.You can offer insight on proper dance techniques, tutorials for new moves, step-by-step choreography, and just plain advice for becoming a better dancer.Many dance teachers use their dance blogs to promote their online dance classes and coaching programs as a way to make money.Steezy has guides on how to choreograph and freestyle for dancers as well as resources for dance classes with the option for readers to try out their paid online classes.67. ActingActing takes serious dedication and hours of grueling practice.There exist many different acting methods as well as a multitude of roles that an actor takes on.Exploration is part of the process and an acting blog that captures what it means to be an actor would be beneficial for members of the acting community.You can blog about the audition process, resources for new actors, and technique tips, similar to Margie Haber.68. BodybuildingBodybuilders undergo intensive training and follow strict nutritional guidelines to compete at the national stage.Though you can definitely start a blog in this niche if you’re a huge fan, you’ll be able to cover more content and grow a more personable audience if you have real-life experience yourself.This is because you’ll want to discuss workouts and nutrition and give recommendations for supplements, diets, and training routines--- similar to Strong Lifts.Blogs related to gym and special exercises remain popular, with some like Leaving Work Behind raking in $4,000 per month.69. SewingLove to sew?Diversify your income and creative potential with a sewing blog.You’ll be able to create tutorials for making blankets, articles of clothing, and more.It’s recommended to utilize social media platforms that focus on imagery to attract traffic to your blog.Blogs like While She Naps generate income from promoting paid workshops, affiliate products, and books, to the tune of around $3,000 per month.70. PaintingShowcase your work while sharing the techniques you’ve perfected as a painter with a painting blog.If you paint, using social media will be a great tool to bring traffic to your blog.Selling your paintings directly on your website is a great way to make money with your blog.Another option is to include links to your online store both on your blog and social media accounts.As is the case with all blogs, consistent posting is super important to retain viewers.Kem Studios does something interesting.The painter writes a blog post covering something painting related while also featuring her own paintings in each post.71. SportsSports are a favorite global past-time, both to partake in and watch.Fans eat up statistics, player updates, and power rankings.If you’re an impassioned sports fan who enjoys following all aspects of your favorite sport closely, you should explore starting a sports blog.While you can definitely gain views with a general sports blog, deciding on a sub-niche will make things ten times easier.Fan Sided centers on American football and keeps tabs on trade rumors, the draft, injuries, statistics, and much more.72. Outdoor ActivitiesEncourage others to embrace the fresh mountain air-- share your love for all the outdoors has to offer with an outdoor activity blog.There are so many different topics in this niche…you’ll never run out of things to write about!So if you want to discuss backpacking, hiking, or sightseeing, spread the excitement for adventure through your blog posts.The mom behind Mountain Mom and Tots adds a family element to her story-telling, connecting with readers on a personal and genuine level.73. JournalingBullet journaling has become a massively popular way to organize thoughts, plan schedules, and maintain continuity.You take a blank journal and fill it with your own lines, words, boxes, and designs.Many have sworn to the impact this journaling method has had in their lives. Are you one of them?If so-- awesome, you can teach others how to start a bullet journal with a journaling blog.It’s really important to rely on stunning visuals to illustrate examples so newbies can reference your work for inspiration. You’ll need to utilize social media to do so.Take a look at blogs like Life by Whitney for monetization ideas.You can create and sell a journaling course or even pre-printed bullet journals designed completely by you.Interests & Entertainment74. MotorcyclesOwning a motorcycle can get pricey.While a standard bike can start around $10,000, this figure doesn’t factor in insurance, maintenance, gas, gear, and more-- pushing that number as high as $50,000 and over.So it stands to say that motorcycle owners are serious about their passion.Motorcycle hobbyists would love a go-to resource for new bike features, gear, accessories, and advice for maintenance and repairs.The blogger running Bike Exif covers all of this information and more which has garnered him hundreds of thousands of loyal fans.75. Essential OilsThose who use essential oils swear by their healing and health properties.Whether these purported benefits are true or not, that doesn’t stop 34% of Americans from consuming an assortment of these diffused oils.Since these oils are in such high demand and learning the properties and uses for each one takes time, blogs like Recipes with Essential Oils help shorten the learning curve.Several MLM companies also tout essential oils as their main product, notably companies like DoTerra or Young Living.If you’re an avid essential oils users and they’ve benefited your life, share your experience with others seeking alternative treatments or home remedies.76. PetsOver 57% of the world’s population owns a pet, with dogs and cats coming out on top as the most popular.People often seek advice on caring for their pets from the food they should eat down to their daily behaviors.Dog blogs like Puppy Leaks share tips for care, activity, nutrition, and bonding.You can blog about pretty much any pet you want in this niche, whether you prefer goldfish or guinea pigs.77. MoviesThe cinema is a cultural and creative outlet that transcends language barriers.There are always new films to be released and timeless classics to reflect on.Just like there are always going to be people who base their decision to see a movie on a review they’ve read.Start some thought-provoking discussions with a movie blog where you review and discuss films.Cinema Blend takes it one step further and also publishes the latest movie news and rumors.78. TV ShowsDid you see the new episode last night?Not everyone has time to catch up on TV so they seek out updates from online resources and search for ways to watch their shows online.If your friends turn to you for updates on the latest TV shows because no matter what, you manage to squeeze in time for your favorites-- a TV blog is a great way to explore your passion further.TV Fanatic not only shares reviews, but they even go as far as providing per-episode break-downs of popular shows.79. BroadwayTourists from all over the world flock to New York City to watch a multitude of Broadway productions, resulting in over $1 billion in ticket sales in just 2010!Theater and musical lovers constantly research and plan for the shows they want to see.With the Broadway niche, you can create reviews for different plays to serve as a guide for newbies and hobbyists alike.You can also post industry updates, rumors, and Broadway star news just like The Broadway Blog does.80. HoroscopesSuperstitious to some and like gospel to others, the fact of the matter is that people care what their horoscope says.Millennials especially occupy a major market for astrology and horoscopes and they’re consuming them online-- opening up the market for online apps and blogs that are seeing the interest of major investors.Your blog can post daily, weekly, or even monthly horoscopes for each astrological sign.Ganesha Speaks also includes astrology news in relation to politics, business, and more.81. OperaHave you attended opera shows regularly and can make suggestions to ensure others have the best experience?Consider starting an opera blog where you share the latest news, show reviews, and even sell Opera merchandise to earn money.This niche is hot to jump in for newbie bloggers especially since there aren’t many unbiased opera blogs out there that aren’t affiliated with an opera venue (although LA Opera is a good one to peruse for inspiration).82. ComedyLaughter is the best medicine-- it reduces stress, eases tension and anxiety, and can even help prevent heart disease according to Help Guide.Do you have a knack for making people laugh?You can reach even more people by creating a comedy blog!A comedy blog can also help promote your chops as a professional comedian.You can blog about jokes and stage presence while advertising your show dates and merchandise, much like The Chive.83. Video GamesThe video game niche is hot right now.Contrary to popular belief, video games are in high demand for both kids and adults.E-sport gaming has transcended into a $1 billion industry as people compete in competitions playing video games of various genres.Avid gamers consume material on their favorite video games ranging from magazines to online forums, so driving traffic to your blog shouldn’t be difficult.It may help to niche your focus down further to rank higher in the search engines.Go Nintendo only posts news, reviews, and tutorials for Nintendo branded game consoles and video games.84. MemesA meme is a funny photo or video often including text that Internet users share widely on social media platforms.They’re used to infuse humor in news, politics, and everyday life.Finding the funniest meme is a big job to undertake, and you can make it easier with the meme stockpile you’ve compiled within your meme blog.You can even create your own memes and sell them to users.Sebastian Tribbie made meme creation his career and he earns anywhere from $2,000+ doing so for big name brands.85. Board GamesYes people, board games are still around and they’re insanely popular with audiences of all ages.In 2017, over 5,000 new board games were introduced alone with many more released in subsequent years since.Board games are something of a social activity, brought out during parties or social gatherings to provide entertainment.With your board game blog, you can attract readers by unboxing and reviewing newly released board games.The real money comes from creating your own board game, which you can promote to your audience.Matt behind Shut Up and Sit Down takes it a step further and cross-posts video content and podcast episodes.86. Celebrity GossipSocial media has changed the way we consume news, even celebrity gossip!Forbes reports that most people hear the latest news through social media first, which resulted in a 57% increase to news sites referred from social media channels.This is great news for avid followers of celeb gossip, who can capitalize on this trend with a celebrity blog detailing breaking news and monitoring of America’s favorite celebs.More often than not, more controversy tends to lead to more traffic.Perez Hilton made his $50 million fortune from his celebrity blog, though his methods are criticized by many.87. CrimeCold cases, missing persons cases, serial killers-- people can’t help themselves from following some of the worst crimes known to man.The crime niche is pretty general so wherever your passions are, you can still build readership and blog about the things that interest you most.All Things Crime remains broad, creating posts on everything from mass murders to crime literature.Crime bloggers tend to make money by promoting their own e-books and crime novels, in addition to making affiliate income off of referrals to other books and resources.88. PoliticsAhh, politics.People both love and hate discussing and defending their political views-- but hey, that’s what democracy is for!Whether you lean towards the right or left, or even somewhere dead center, you can share your political views and opinions through a politics blog.Ordinary people entering this niche will have more of an advantage, considering most political blogs branch out from media conglomerates or political affiliates.Discussing how policies and laws will affect the everyday American increases relatability with your audience, who may be disillusioned and unable to relate to the musings of political pundits.Study blogs like Think Progress or others within your political realm to see what talking points, discussions,and news they cover.89. ReligionSpreading the faith is not only positive-- it can bring you positive income too.Religion is still a dominant part of people’s everyday lives, with the Pew Forum classifying nearly 71% of citizens identifying as Christian and 6% following non-Christian faiths.You can explore a wide range of topics with your blog as the religion niche is relatively open-ended.Rose at Water chooses to talk about family life and recipes while sprinkling in little tidbits of scripture and faith.And it works, resulting in a nice $8,000 monthly income.90. CarsThe car niche has always been popular, from detailing to simply admiring.Starting a blog around cars will require a focus on visuals, either showcasing cars or providing step-by-step guides to fix common issues.Car Advice could be reviews, testing, comparisons or even opening it up to guest contribution!91. Book ReviewsYes it’s hard to believe, but people still read books for enjoyment.CNBC reported that book sales in both print and electronic format totaled nearly $26 billion in 2018.Passionate readers can start a book review blog to rate,compare, and recommend new and classic novels.This is exactly what the bloggers at Book Smugglers do-- and they also invite blog contributions from fellow bookies.92. DIYAre you talented at making household decorations, tools, and crafts?People are always on the hunt for simple decorations and party favors they can save money on and make at home.Empower others with DIY (do-it-yourself) skills and an appreciation for crafts by starting a DIY blog.Saving money with homemade crafts can also make you money.Check out this DIY blog that brings in around $2,000 every month.93. Product ReviewsThink about that time you searched online looking for the best blender that would make killer morning smoothies.What criteria mattered to you most when deciding which one to buy?If you said customer reviews, your response matches the 90% of consumers who weighed positive online reviews and the other 86% who paid more attention to negative reviews before making purchases.Online reviews continue to be important to potential customers. Facilitate this research and assist others in making the best decisions with a product review blog.Pick your preferred product niche, whether it’s blenders, massage chairs, or photography tools like this guy.Companies always seek out genuine opinions from their customers and you can potentially earn an income with sponsored posts and product referrals.94. Marijuana/CBDThough the federal front hasn’t budged, more and more states are jumping on board with marijuana legalization.Legalization has expanded business opportunities both in marijuana and CBD products across America, with the industry estimated to reach $30 billion by 2023.The consumption of these products is still very new to most people, so an all-encompassing guide on vapes, flowers, and marijuana paraphernalia would prove very helpful.Cannabis Cheri got creative and even creates marijuana-infused recipes for responsible adults to munch on.Build relationships with glass-blowers and artists to sell products for commision and build a large network and readership.Consult your state’s laws on online advertising related to marijuana/CBD before deciding to monetize.95. Social JusticeIt takes one person to foment a movement, but the power of the people to sustain it.Social justice takes up many arms, from defending the environment, racial equality, animals, and the underrepresented.For example, this blog supports eco-friendly measures and advances the tenets of Earth Day.Rally behind a cause and spread the word with a social justice blog promoting your group’s mission.Write opinion pieces, update activists on current news stories, and advance the meaning behind your message.96. Scents & FragranceConsumers’ obsession with smelling good has resulted in a $30 billion industry valuation.If you’re somewhat of a scent snob, you can earn and educate by creating a blog in this niche.Blogs like this one also compare different perfume brands and are able to earn commissions off of product referrals.Perfume and cologne are some of the most popular gifts to give and your opinions could help others make the right choices.97. SneakersCreating a blog in this niche is not only a smart decision for passionate sneaker-heads, it’s also a potentially lucrative move.Both consumers and big name brands have shown major interest in online sneaker reselling platforms, with even the likes of Foot Locker pouring in $100 million investments.You can talk all about your favorite kicks and also get involved in the huge money-making venture of shoe flipping.Successful blogs like Kicks on Fire have made hefty profits from combining both business opportunities.Food & Drink98. BakingCookies, cakes, and cupcakes galore!If you’re a whiz at baking, share your knowledge with a baking blog.People love whipping up tasty creations to satisfy a sweet tooth or finding baked good ideas for parties and other events.Making a full-time income from your baking blog is definitely doable-- just ask Sally over at Sally’s Baking Addiction.99. Restaurant ReviewsHelp people decide where to go for dinner to celebrate a major event with a restaurant review blog.People care about a restaurant’s ratings, as evidenced by the reliance on platforms like Yelp.You can explore restaurants across a certain geographic region, while traveling, or just your local area like Shannon of Urban Chic Guides, who breaks down the best places to dine in Sydney.100. WineThere’s nothing better than a fine wine.With so many varieties and brands of wine out there, even the biggest wine aficionado could use a guide of some sort.The direction you want to take a wine blog is up to your discretion.Vinography reviews wine books, rates restaurant wine stock, and updates readers on the latest wine news.101. CookingCooking is perhaps one of the most popular Internet searches so bringing traffic to your cooking blog shouldn’t be too difficult.There are almost limitless niches within cooking, you will always have something to write about!Cooking and food blogs go hand-in-hand with appealing photography making social media platforms a vital resource for attracting new followers.People love to read about food just as much as they love to eat-- Pinch of Yum earned close to $500,000 from their blog alone in 2015.102. CoffeeBlogging about coffee is a wise choice because it’s one of the most popular beverage choices worldwide, with people consuming over 160 million bags in 2018 alone.Making the perfect cup of coffee is somewhat of an art form and there are various brewing methods, machine brands, and coffee ground types to explore.You can do something similar to Bean Ground and review different coffee machines and gadgets and create follow-along guides.Spread the love for a morning cup of joe!103. TeaYou can’t go wrong with a good cup of tea.For those already so accustomed to their favorite blend, expanding their taste horizons can be a delicate thing.A tea blog with published reviews for different brands and flavors can be the perfect resource for new and curious tea drinkers.Understanding the history and culture behind tea is also important, and Tony Gebely makes sure to talk about this in his tea blog.There’s definitely money to be made in the world of tea.Andy Hayes was able to build a 7 figure tea subscription box business.104. BeerTimes claims that beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the world, with 40% of people surveyed by a Gallup poll preferring beer over other types of alcohol.Popping open a cold one has become a part of life for most people with many traveling to other countries in pursuit of the best-tasting brews.The blogger behind Big World, Small Girl does just that-- documenting her world travels with her blog and consuming some of the best beer everUndoubtedly, the beer community is a huge deal and a beer blog can be a helpful resource for those who love the foamy stuff.Education105. Music EducationA music education blog can help expand a music teacher’s client base significantly.This piano teacher made it his mission to teach pianists to play by ear with a paid subscription.With the help of his blog, he was able to net over 8 figures per year.Music teachers would benefit from creating both video and written tutorials and cross-posting this content to other social media platforms.106. ScienceFrom the food we eat to the medical treatments that save lives-- we definitely owe a lot to the men and women of science.If you’re passionate about a specific scientific field and geek out over the latest news, a science blog may be your best bet.Educators can also use science blogs to foster student interests and promote a love for science.It’s best to niche down further if you decide to go this route since science stems into so many areas.Check out The Culture of Chemistry blog to get an idea of what I mean.107. InsurancePeople need insurance to cover so many of life’s valuables: vehicles, homes, boats, your business, and much more.But insurance policies can be confusing to understand and people may be unsure about what they really need.Spread your specialty insurance knowledge to increase consumer education.You can also use your blog to give recommendations and price comparisons between insurance companies, similar to Insurify.com.You may find quick traction with your blog as not many insurance blogs exist that aren’t affiliated with an insurance or law firm.108. LanguageLearning a language can be difficult despite the library of resources out there.But the pursuit of language learning can be extremely beneficial and even help increase your potential salary by as much as 15%.The language blogging niche offers yet another means of support for language learners.For example, the folks at Spanish Obsessed have lessons, language guides, travel, and culture.Language bloggers may also offer paid memberships, tutoring, or digital products to make an income.109. InvestingThe path to a higher net worth is typically through investment of some kind.Investing isn’t as passive as most people seem to believe as there is a slight learning curve to overcome.Deciding where to pool your money can be stressful whether it’s in real estate or stocks.Take the lead of blogs like Bigger Pockets and educate consumers on smart investment practices, wealth building, and networking.Who knows?Your investing blog could be the next success story to net $100,000 in four short months.110. HomeschoolingThe option to homeschool children is becoming increasingly popular, with the homeschool population growing between 2-8% each year based on data collected by NHERI.The herculean task of educating children can be daunting for parents without a teaching background.Parents who successfully homeschool as well as homeschool educators can create an amazing support system with a homeschool blog.This blog shares sample lesson plans, advice, activities, and connects homeschool parents together.111. CollegeSecondary education is somewhat of an expectation in the United States.NCES estimates that around 20 million students enrolled in college for the fall semester 2019.Many students and parents often find themselves unprepared with all that college entails.Know powerful study tips, smart budgeting tricks, and how to survive a frat party?A blog like this would help support and guide others through the crazy, lackluster experience that college is!Blogs like College Cures can provide inspiration for the depth and quality of your content.Starting a blog can be profitable... but lead generation is still my #1 online business recommendationStarting a money-making blog is definitely doable.But let's face it, it can take months and even YEARS to grow your blog before you start making any money at all.With local lead generation, the results are much quicker and take far less work after the initial process.You don't need to scramble around dabbling in email lists, four social media accounts, and paid advertising to generate profitable leads.You simply rely on the free and powerful influence of good ol' Google.While affiliate income from a blog is often termed 'passive income', you still need to spend time writing and updating a constant flux of blog posts.Lead gen is truly passive income once the site is built and ranked.Some of my sites haven’t been touched for several years…yet they continuously make me money month after month.This is the best business model I've found that requires a small upfront investment for a lifetime of financial freedom.Lead Generation is my #1 Online Business Choice(IMO Less Hassle Than Starting A Blog)Yes Show Me This Biz!Which niche are you going to get rich with?I only went over 111 blogging niches but trust me, there are TONS more out there.Above all else, my suggestion is to go with your passion-- and learn to make money from it afterward.What blog niches did I miss that should be added to the list?Share them with me below in the comments!

Here are selections from my book, Prison & Slavery - A Surprising Comparison, with footnotes omitted and the names of former slaves in bold. Conditions were not as bad as your question suggests:Food, Clothing, Shelter & Work. The supposition in abolitionist and neo-abolitionist literature is that slaves were forced to do things they did not want to do . . . mainly work. From the abolitionist’s cozy library, the idea of a long, hard day of manual labor was horrendous. But people generally like to do what they are good at, and the slaves were good farmers. Yes, many or most enjoyed farming, weaving, cooking, sewing, animal husbandry, blacksmithing, tailoring, plowing, carpentry, masonry, managing others, picking cotton, serving aristocrats, childcare, lumberjacking, driving teams of horses and mules and gardening. Berry Smith at 116 years old confirmed longevity through hard labor, saying “I’d ruther pick cotton dan eat, any day.” Getting up before sunrise is characterized as something tough. Anyone who has worked outside in a Deep South summer will appreciate the advantages of rising early during the growing season, the main advantage being that it is much cooler.Slaves in the fields did not work in isolation. They worked with their families and friends, sang and told jokes. Tasks went faster and easier when the work gang sang songs. Music lifts the spirit, creates a fun atmosphere and satisfies an inner need. Exercise reduces emotional stress and anxiety. Mollie Williams’s mammy preferred fieldwork to housework. Field hands worked under less supervision than factory workers did. Factory-hands were “worse slaves than the Negroes in America, for they are more sharply watched,” according to Friedrich Engels.One of the favored occupations was that of a coachman, a driver of the family’s carriages. The coachman visited homes, towns and plantations, enjoyed a close relationship with the planter’s family, kept up the horses and carriages, wore nice clothes and enjoyed being around horses. The British royal family enjoys coach driving, Prince Philip having been a competitor in four-in-hand events.A favorite pastime of modern Americans, the one that occupies the greatest share of their leisure time, is gardening and yard work. Most slave families either had their own garden patches or a large garden fed the entire plantation. Just as Russian collective workers cared for their gardens better than the fields of their agricultural collectives, antebellum servants cherished their gardens and livestock, too.Some slaves enjoyed plowing. Others preferred to work in timberlands or as boatmen, away from direct supervision and close to nature. Sewing, a favorite pastime for many Americans, was the dedicated career of seamstresses and tailors on the plantation. According to ex-slaves, most chief plantation seamstresses could simply look at a man and prepare a fitting coat and pants for him. Quilting was another festive activity enjoyed by the slaves, often in their own quarters. Arrie Binns of Washington-Wilkes loved to hear the old spinning wheel, loved her plow horse ‘Toby,’ and was “glad she knew slavery, glad she was reared by good white people who taught her the right way to live, and . . . glad I allus worked hard an’ been honest – hit has sho paid me time an’ time agin.”By the time they reached adulthood, all slaves had job training, job experience, and were usually working hard. While they might be sold away, they were not isolated long from co-workers. While the continuous hard work performed by slaves is most often characterized as an oppressive aspect of slavery, unemployment is worse. Unemployment is highly correlated with a host of problems. Many Americans suffer a devastating job loss at least once in their lives. For breadwinners, it is awful. Egos shatter, social status dives, finances tighten, situational depression increases, homes are lost and the school grades of a displaced worker’s children drop. Modern workers who are fired or layed off usually sever ties to most co-workers, people they have worked with for years, and then become more socially isolated. Unemployed felons often return to prison. Employment, a job, is one of the main things that reduces recidivism among new age slaves.Slaves usually occupied the middle and sometimes upper management positions on plantations. The overseer of Jefferson Davis’s Mississippi plantation was his trusted James Pemberton, a man who helped Davis clear the land for Brierfield Plantation. While some states attempted to enforce white supremacy by requiring white overseers, planters routinely ignored this law and had African-American managers of the entire plantation. Blacks were often elevated into the ranks of a specialized trade. Slaves were promoted to drivers (i.e. foremen), tradesmen making more than the average field hand, coach driver and other skilled or favored positions. Slave drivers were very commonly field hands with the strength to enforce work discipline and achieve results from their fellow slaves. Field hands became artisans, drivers, head drivers, coachmen and overseers of the plantation. Women, for example, would start out bringing in wood, move up to maid or waitress, and perhaps ultimately become a cook if they progressed satisfactorily. Uncle Robert Henry was proud that his Pa was the butler at the big house and that his mother had been head seamstress. In the hot months, whites might leave plantations in malarial environments to the sole sovereignty of a slave overseer with greater immunity to tropical diseases.Planters employed many different incentives to boost production and profits: prizes for the best cotton picking, unscheduled holidays, trips to town, extra pay for overtime work, proceeds from work on their own account, yearly bonuses based on performance, patches of land to grow their own crops (which they could use or sell), promotions to artisan, house servant, driver, or overseer, allowing artisans to move to town and assume a freer lifestyle, improvements in food, clothing and shelter, and manumission. Some planters even used detailed profit-sharing plans whereby the slaves earned a percentage of the crops they grew and harvested. It was emphatically untrue, as abolitionists claimed, “that FEAR is the only motive with which the slave is plied during his whole existence.”Plantation visitors gave servants tips for their services, which put servants in the role of mediating Southern hospitality. Guests would be uncomfortable offering money to their hosts, but payment to plantation servants in the form of tips allowed the guests to repay hospitality.Plantation discipline taught the advantages of hard work. Alabama freed-woman Jane proclaimed, “I raise my chillums jes’ lak Ole Mistis raise her’n en’ dats de way to raise ‘em, to wuk en’ keep outen debilment.” Sam Polite of South Carolina gave slavery credit for his work ethic: “W’at I t’ink ‘bout slabery? I t’ink it been good t’ing. It larn nigger to wuk. If it ain’t mek nigger wuk, he wouldn’t do nutting but tief (thief). . . Me – I slabing for self right now. I don’t want nobody to mek me wuk, but slabery larn me for wuk. . . Slabery done uh good t’ing for me, ‘cause if he ain’t larn me to wuk, today I wouldn’t know how to wuk.” Hard work was not in itself bad. “Work never hurt nobody,” said Charles H. Anderson. On her deathbed, Julia Cole’s mother asked their master to make men out of her two sons by making them work hard, and he did what she asked. Many slaves in their later years appreciated learning to work hard and disdained the generation of their people born in freedom. Perhaps as important as specific trades, antebellum methods inculcated the culture of productivity found in successful organizations today.“Overdriving” slaves to the point of ill health or shortened life expectancy was bad business. Published accounts of successful slave owners and slaves repudiate the common misconception that slaves starved or worked past the point of exhaustion or to death. Slaves were productive until their very old age, often learning valuable trades, and working into their 70s if they lived that long. The dark legend that Southern slaves were worked to death was propagated by Harriet Beecher Stowe and then by Karl Marx in Das Kapital: “Hence the negro labour in the Southern States of the American Union preserved something of a patriarchal character, so long as production was chiefly directed to immediate local consumption. But in proportion, as the export of cotton became of vital interest to these states, the over-working of the negro and sometimes the using up of his life in 7 years of labour became a factor in a calculated and calculating system. It was no longer a question of obtaining from him a certain quantity of useful products.” As with many of his “facts,” Marx had it wrong. Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Adams wrote after his 1854 journey that the slave’s workload was “no more toilsome than is performed by a hired field hand at the north.” Dr. Ulrich B. Phillips successfully disproved the myth of slave exhaustion from overwork. But the misconception persists. In 2008, the Public Broadcasting System website proclaimed, “The diets of enslaved people were inadequate or barely adequate to meet the demands of their heavy workload.” William L. Dunwoody remembered differently: “The slaves ate just what the master ate. They ate the same on my master’s place. . . He had hogs, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks. . . My old master’s slaves et anything he raised.” The sweeping generalization of PBS cannot be true; there was wide variation in the way slaves were treated. Many accounts of plenty in the Slave Narratives clearly refute PBS’s blanket proclamation. Rias Body said, “No darky in Harris County, [Georgia] that he ever heard of ever went hungry or suffered for clothes until after freedom.” While food was usually “allowanced” at regular intervals, some had free access to food supplies. “Food was there in abundance and each person was free to replenish his supply as necessary,” said Pierce Cody, who also remembered an abundance of fish and wild game. Slaves didn’t always have to wait for fish to bite their lines, because they often used seines to bring up substantial quantities of fish and turtles. “Our white folkses b’lieved in good eatin’s,” said Carrie Hudson, who expressed the view of the majority of slaves. Mama Duck said, “I reckon I a heap bettah off dem days as I is now. Allus had sumpin’ t’ eat an’ a place t’ stay.”Agricultural work is exhausting by its very nature, and requires substantial sustenance, but there were times of the year when agricultural work was necessarily less strenuous. Agricultural workers in pre-modern times typically worked very strenuously on a regular basis. As Mary Rice observed, “De fiel’ han’s had a long spell when de crops was laid by in de summer and dat’s when Massa Cullen ‘lowed us to ‘jubilate’ (several days of idle celebration). I was happy all de time in slavery days, but dere ain’t much to git happy over now . . . Niggers dese days ain’t neber knowed whut good times is. Mebbe dat’s why dey ain’t no ‘count. And dey is so uppity, too.” Cotton growing itself only takes four months, about one-third of the entire year. Preparation and other crops took up an additional two months. The entire growing season was only for about half the year. The planters had other work for the slaves to do in the late fall, winter, and early spring, but it was during the growing season that work took on urgency. Statements that slaves worked 6 days a week from sunup to sundown did not refer to the winter months or rainy days. “All of de hard work on de plantation wuz done in de summertime,” Mrs. Amanda Jackson said, “In rainy weather an’ other bad weather all dat dey had to do wuz to shell corn an’ help make cloth.” On rainy days, which are very common in the South , the slaves could rest from their heavy manual labor. Rule 13th of published Rules of the Plantation states: “The overseer is particularly required to keep the negroes as much as possible out of the rain, and from all kind of exposure.” During the summer, the slave workforce often went to the river to eat, swim, cool off, and be with their co-workers and friends. A mid-day break, often in the highest heat of the day, was common, and slaves were thus allowed rest during the daylight hours.Slaves took breaks and naps in the field or back at their cabins. Breaks are not usually mentioned when the working hours are stated in the popular media. One TV mini-series, a more balanced soap opera, depicted these down-by-the-river mid-day breaks. On small plantations, whites worked alongside blacks. In those more intimate work relationships, it was even less likely that slaves would be overworked.Task Systems. Under “task systems,” slaves had tasks to do, which allowed them to finish early and enjoy some free time. In North Carolina, “The slave lumberman then lives measurably as a free man; hunts, fishes, eats, drinks, smokes and sleeps, plays and works, each when and as much as he pleases. It is only required of him that he shall have made, after half a year has passed, such a quantity of shingles as shall be worth to his master so much money as is paid to his owner for his services, and shall refund the value of the clothing and provisions he has required. No "driving" at his work is attempted or needed.” On South Carolina and Georgia cotton and rice plantations, “These tasks certainly would not be considered excessively hard, by a Northern labourer; and, in point of fact, the more industrious and active hands finish them often by two o'clock. I saw one or two leaving the field soon after one o'clock, several about two; and between three and four, I met a dozen women and several men coming home to their cabins, having finished their day's work. Under this "Organization of Labour," most of the slaves work rapidly and well. In nearly all ordinary work, custom has settled the extent of the task, and it is difficult to increase it. The driver who marks it out, has to remain on the ground until it is finished, and has no interest in overmeasuring it; and if it should be systematically increased very much, there is danger of a general stampede to the " swamp" - a danger the slave can always hold before his master's cupidity. In fact, it is looked upon in this region as a proscriptive right of the negroes to have this incitement to diligence offered them; and the man who denied it, or who attempted to lessen it, would, it is said, suffer in his reputation, as well as experience much annoyance from the obstinate "rascality" of his negroes.” In yet another system, tasks “were light enough so that a worker could complete them in three or four hours. His time was his own when his task was done, and it was not uncommon for slaves, in their free time, to work the acres that were uniformly allotted to them by their masters and thereby to accumulate personal property. It was more common for slaves to double up on their work — to do two or even three tasks in a day — and then to take several days off, during which they might travel many miles by horse or boat to visit friends, family, or lovers on other plantations. The task system became the norm in low country plantations, allowing slaves to grow crops on their own account, sell the produce to their owners or others and accumulate significant personal property.”The age of the slave largely determined the job they performed. While the field hands were the hardest working, the older slaves gravitated to more sedentary jobs, or were promoted to drivers of work gangs, carriage drivers, house servants, shoemakers, nurses, blacksmiths, baby-sitters, machine operators or artisans.African-Americans played a prominent antebellum role as jockeys. One jockey, Uncle Robert Coltin of Louisiana, spoke fondly of riding the stallion Equinox in a big race he won, competing against an English jockey named Kilpatrick and the fastest horses in Louisiana. Winners filled his cap with money after the big race, tips from those who won their bets on Equinox. Successful African-American jockeys enjoyed a good lifestyle with much more freedom and higher status than ordinary slaves. Some were freed because of their victories. After jockeying, these athletes would typically become jockey and horse trainers. Horseracing was the only American sport for many early years of our country’s existence. Later, African-American jockeys would win most of the early Kentucky Derbies, until forced out of the sport well after the War, proving again that for decades, in several ways, slaves had it better than freed people. The “Jocko” lawn jockey, to the extent is represents the prominent role African-American jockeys played earlier in history, is not as racially insensitive as it is sometimes regarded today.The skills learned in slavery helped after Emancipation, according to Booker T. Washington. “For two hundred and fifty years, I believe the way for the redemption of the Negro was being prepared through industrial development. Through all those years the Southern white man did business with the Negro in a way that no one else has done business with him. In most cases if a Southern white man wanted a house built he consulted a Negro mechanic about the plan and about the actual building of the structure. If he wanted a suit of clothes made he went to a Negro tailor, and for shoes he went to a shoemaker of the same race. In a certain way every slave plantation in the South was an industrial school. On these plantations young colored men and women were constantly being trained not only as farmers but as carpenters, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, brick masons, engineers, cooks, laundresses, sewing women and housekeepers.”Many slaves purchased their freedom by making money at various trades. “Mr. Adams, in a large degree, derived his unusual power of mind from the training given his hands in the process of mastering well three trades during the days of slavery. If one goes to-day into any Southern town, and asks for the leading a most reliable coloured man in the community, I believe that in five cases out of ten he will be directed to a Negro who learned a trade during the days of slavery.”“In later years, I [Booker T. Washington] confess that I do not envy the white boy as I once did. I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Looked at from this standpoint, I almost reach the conclusion that often the Negro boy’s birth and connection with an unpopular race is an advantage, so far as real life is concerned.”“I was free now,” Uncle William Baltimore explained, and “I went to Dersa County and opened up a blacksmith shop. I learned how to do this work when I was with Dr. Waters. He had me taught by a skilled man. I learned to build wagons too. . . I made my own tools.” The prized skills and trades learned on the plantation, which could support freedpeople included blacksmithing, building, carpentry, cooking, masonry, sewing, shoemaking, tanning, weaving and midwifery. Once servants learned these valuable skills, they did not go back to the fields, according to Uncle William Jones of Vicksburg, because their time was then too valuable.Food. Contrary to widespread belief, adult slaves received adequate nutrition. They would be sold before they ever starved to death. The Slave Narratives indicate most slaves ate well, which is not surprising in rich agricultural regions. “Was Marse Moseley good to us? Lor’, honey, how you talk. Co’se he was! He was de bes’ white man in de lan’. Us had eve’y thing dat we could hope to eat: turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, poke, vegetables, fruits, aigs, butter, jmile . . .” said Aunt Clara Davis. “Our food den was a-way better dan de stuff we eats today,” Emma Jones said . . “Ole Massa had a big garden an’ we useta git de vega’tables we et f’um his garden. De folks was plenty good to us. Sometimes de mens would hunt . . . Us had eve’ything” Ellen Claibourn agreed: “De food peoples eat these days, you couldn’t have got nobody to eat.” Smart slave masters kept the bellies of their servants full and made sure their human property received proper nutrition. On Sack Gee’s huge Louisiana plantation, Isaac Adams noticed that the field hands “looked pretty clean and healthy” and his master “fed them all good and they all liked him.” “Us sho et good dem days, said Georgia Baker, but “Now us jus’ eats what-some-ever us can git.” The variety was impressive on some plantations. “Dere wuz always plenty to eat ‘cause dey raised everything dat you c’n think of,” said Mrs. Amanda Jackson, “Dere wuz all kinds o’ vegetables an’ big fiel’s of hogs an’ ‘bout fifteen or twenty head’a cattle dat had to be milked everyday.”Modern research shows that slaves consumed 88% of what they produced economically, that slavery was economically profitable, and that it was efficient, too. The FEDERAL WRITERS’ PROJECT Slave Narratives prove that slaves ate well . . . better than after the War. While victim-oriented ex-slaves typically complained of their owners taking “everything” they made or produced from them, the financial and economic reality was that they consumed most of their output. Detroit, Michigan Congressman John Conyer’s official website continues this assertion as part of his claim for reparations: “It is undisputed that African slaves were not compensated for their labor.” In actuality, slaves were paid with food, clothing, shelter, good medical care, free burials, festivities, a safe neighborhood, the use of country estates, mates, security and other benefits.In prime growing conditions, Southern plantations – whose mission it was to grow and raise things – produced an extremely wide variety of food. “’Course dey had a gyarden,” said Rachel Adams, “and it had somepin of jus’ about evvything what us knowed anything ‘bout in de way of gyarden sass growin’ in it.” Abolitionist Fanny Kemble bemoaned the slaves on Butler’s Island not having much “meat,” meaning pork, beef and mutton, but noted the slaves were surrounded by waters teeming with fish, oysters, shrimp, and prawns – enough to attract dolphins from the Atlantic Ocean – kept their own fowl in abundance, and ate chicken, ducks, pigeons, turkeys, venison and wild game. Some of the slaves who remembered mistreatment still thought those days were better, for the reasons Henry Cheatam articulated: “Fact is, I believe I druther be alivin’ back dere dan today ‘caze us at least had plenty somp’n t’eat an’ nothin’ to worry about.”Adult slaves consumed adequate amounts of meat, and the energy value of their diet exceeded that of free men in 1879. The daily diet of slaves exceeded the modern recommended daily levels of the chief nutrients. Slaves usually settled in areas with the best soil, the Black Belt of the lower South, river valleys and other prime agricultural areas owned by the wealthier planters. Slaves were by no means evenly distributed across the South, as slave population density maps show. Good soil made these plantations more productive, and food easier to grow, raise and find. Malnutrition more often adversely affected babies and very young slaves (due to lack of protein, premature weaning, and feeding raw milk to infants), but when they grew up and started working, slaves grew rapidly and became healthy adults.Shelter. Slaves commonly lived in log cabins. A good case can be made that log cabins are superior to homes made of brick and plank, because log cabins are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. One planter, a former physician, built brick homes for his servants, noticed they were ill more often, and then replaced them with log cabins because of their superiority as human shelter. Clay, plentiful in the South, effectively chinks holes in log cabins.To read some accounts of slave quarters, one would think that all slaves lived in log huts with plenty of air coming in through the logs, but Frederick Law Olmstead, a Northern visitor, observed otherwise in his travels. “In the main the negroes appeared to be well cared for and abundantly supplied with the necessaries of vigorous physical existence. A large part of them lived in commodious and well built cottages, with broad galleries in front, so that each family of five had two rooms on the lower floor and a large loft. The remainder lived in log huts, small and mean in appearance; but those of their overseers were little better, and preparations were being made to replace all of these by neat boarded cottages.” On the Louisiana plantation belonging to Valcour Aime, “The negroes were well housed, clothed and fed; the hospital and the nursery were capacious . . “ While accounts of slave housing varied, several European observers and even some abolitionists noted that slave housing was as good as the homes of the poor in Scotland, England, and Europe, and generally equal to or even better than the homes of non-slaveholding whites. Some bondspeople improved the quality of their housing, and whitewashing parties in the spring became more common as time passed.Housing cannot be taken for granted by emancipated new age slaves today. “Securing housing is perhaps the most immediate challenge facing prisoners after release.”Clothes. Slaves did not walk around in rags the whole time. Their clothes were often appealing. Homespun cloth made stronger and more durable clothes than the “store bought” variety. Sallie Paul said, “de cloth was better wearin den . . .” Clothes made on the plantation were sometimes superior to those made elsewhere, although this varied from plantation to plantation. Experienced weavers on the plantation could make different kinds of cloth. Martha Colquitt said her grandmother “made heaps of kinds of cloth.” Slaves, especially those on large self-sufficient plantations, knew how to make their own cotton and wool threads, cloth, dyes, and clothes. Being able to make their clothes from scratch was a source of pride. Unlike the socially conscious world of high fashion, slaves were not likely under the same pressure to dress well, although many did. Slaves were dressed more or less uniformly, which focuses attention on more important things, eliminating superficial concerns. Former slaves fondly remembered the style and durability of homespun cloth and clothes. Plantation seamstresses and tailors possessed great skill. Despite all the advancements in textile technology, wool cloth is still hard to beat for keeping warm, and cotton cloth still keeps us cooler most of the time.Anti-slavery literature portrays young bondspeople as disadvantaged or humiliated because they wore long shirts as their only clothing in the summertime. This simple outfit was actually cooler than any other garment, a clear advantage in the hot and humid South. Most young slave boys wore these when they were not in the swimming hole. Some masters liked to dress up their servants. Lina Hunter’s master did not just dress his young slave boys in long shirts: “Our Marster had plenty and he did lak to see his Niggers fixed up nice” William Wells Brown said his mistress, “Mrs. Price was very proud of her servants, always keeping them well dressed.”Good Healthcare. From the perspective of the slave, a commonly named advantage of slavery was the healthcare provided by their owners. Sick slaves were attended to by the plantation mistress or master, other slaves chosen to nurse the sick person, and later by a physician if the illness was serious. The same doctor who cared for the white plantation family also treated their servants. Infirmaries, nurses, herbal and home remedies, bed rest, nutrition, childcare, mid-wives and the genuine concern of their owners were remembered positively by most former slaves. Whites on the plantation truly cared about the health of their slaves. If their concern was 100% selfish, they were anxious to preserve their valuable assets. Superior medical care helped the slaves overcome illnesses and prevented disease. Of the seven leading causes of modern African-American deaths – heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, accidents, homicide and HIV/AIDS – most were much less of a problem or non-existent during slavery.Doctors were concerned about the health, safety and the general well-being of everyone on the plantation. Physicians who travelled to many different plantations were a valuable source of information to planters about the healthiest conditions. They could easily compare plantations, seeing what worked and what failed. Physicians were also in a position to find and report illegal cruelty to slaves, which they sometimes did.Some slaves actually received medical care superior to their white owners. Whites and blacks received the same medical care, except that slaves were not typically bled, a discredited medical practice. For various reasons, after age 20, slaves lived about as long as whites did. We can compare the slaves’ generally good medical treatment to the constitutionally inadequate healthcare California inmates received in 2005, where a California inmate was dying needlessly every six or seven days. In 2009, because of its terrible prison healthcare, California was found guilty again of violating 42 U.S.C. §1983, the same 1871 statute intended to curb the Ku Klux Klan.One Southern medical doctor wrote on the subject of slave diseases. One of the “diseases” was preceded by the slave acting sulky and dissatisfied. Dr. Cartwright had the answer: “The cause of this sulkiness and dissatisfaction should be inquired into and removed, or they are apt to run away or fall into the negro consumption.” The primary recommended procedure was to ask the slave what was bothering him or her, and then eliminate the problem. To another mental illness, Dr. Cartwright also advised: “Remedies should be assisted by removing the original cause of the dissatisfaction or trouble of mind, and by using every means to make the patient comfortable, satisfied, and happy.” Under the guise of science, this medical advice sought to eliminate the sources of slave unhappiness.[The ultimate purpose of my writings is not to praise antebellum slavery compared to freedom, but to highlight the problems with our peculiar form of New Age slavery, modern mass incarceration.]