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kennmakk
Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject: So far, this is a total mystery to me... |
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I guess we who are newbies sometimes get “stuck” at some point in the learning curve and can’t seem to move past it. That’s where I am with an issue I just don’t understand—it’s a complete mystery to me.
Nearly every affiliate guru or ebook out there hammers home one point again and again: the more you narrow your focus to a specialized niche, the better your success. The theory seems to be that the broader topics, while they may have demand, are all pretty much oversupplied. So there’s this whole complex science of “keywords” where you analyze supply and demand to a fare-thee-well until you find just the right “niche.”
OK, then, let me pose a hypothetical case here. Suppose I wanted to put up a website on losing weight. Can anyone argue that this is not one of the most search-for areas on the net? Are not many of those who search the topic motivated to the point of desperation?
Granted, the supply for this huge demand is also enormous. But does this mean that there is no longer any room for a good website with a relatively broad focus—like “how to lose weight”? Or to have any chance of success, do we have to slice that down to some “niche,” like “How to lose weight in Montana,” or “How to lose weight while riding in the back seat of a 1958 Buick”?
It just seems to me that regardless of the huge supply, the demand is also so huge that a “generalized” site that is well done with tons of helpful content should still have a chance out there. And if it does have a chance, how would you market it to be heard in the crowd? Are the big topics all off-limits now—so all we have left are the tiny slices? |
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Will
Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 148
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: So far, this is a total mystery to me... |
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| kennmakk wrote: | OK, then, let me pose a hypothetical case here. Suppose I wanted to put up a website on losing weight. Can anyone argue that this is not one of the most search-for areas on the net? Are not many of those who search the topic motivated to the point of desperation?
Granted, the supply for this huge demand is also enormous. But does this mean that there is no longer any room for a good website with a relatively broad focus—like “how to lose weight”? |
If what you offer is that good then sure you could potentially displace the big-hitters, but it would have to be backed by some pretty expensive or clever marketing.
| kennmakk wrote: | | do we have to slice that down to some “niche,” like “How to lose weight in Montana,” |
If you are promoting a localised product/service then targetting a geographical area makes sense. People searching for “How to lose weight in Montana” are more likely to be looking for ways to lose weight in Montana e.g. slimming classes as opposed to buying an ebook that's not relevant at all to Montana.
| kennmakk wrote: | | or “How to lose weight while riding in the back seat of a 1958 Buick”? |
I would suggest that might be cutting the slice too thin however, if you find that this is a popular search without much in the way of supply then it might be worth considering.
Like most markets, if you're entering a saturated, highly competitive marketplace then you have to be offering something remarkable or something that appeals more to a specific group of people than what's currently available.
Let's say you're entering the car market. Do you see that there's a huge market for family cars and decide to wade in against giants such as Ford? Or do you target a more specialised market with fewer competitors such as hybrid family cars?
You don't have to cut your slice too thin. Sometimes, it's just as good to cut at a different angle. |
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BradleyD.Haslam
Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 310
Location: Ogden Utah... The great vacuum of the west!
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Are the big topics all off-limits now—so all we have left are the tiny slices? |
| Quote: | | You don't have to cut your slice too thin. Sometimes, it's just as good to cut at a different angle. |
This is the point kennmakk, there are TONS of markets inside of markets.
But it doesn't mean you are stuck marketing to ONLY that market once you decide.
I wrote a book on resume writing.
That's a pretty broad market as well.
I "niched" it down to the "student resume" market to get it going.
And I plan on taping the "professional resume" market as well.
Same product with slight modifications, same sales process.
It could even have the same back-end, same responder series, etc.
But you need a place to start.
I used this analogy once...
You want to grow like a sneaky little weed in the back corner of the garden.
There is still plenty of light, and you will quickly grow strong.
Then you will dominate your little piece of earth,
and they won't be able to get rid of you 
People think that getting into a small niche isn't going to be worth it.
That it takes a hugely competitive market to make money.
That's just NOT true.
And it stops you from feeling like what your doing is worthwhile.
If you have something that adds value to the market,
you CAN make it successful.
YES, you DO want to work down to a VERY tight niche when you start out.
That's that.
And btw.
No matter where you start,
it's still one step at a time.
Keywords aren't any big deal either,
once you know a few things about them.
See my sig-file.
Hope it helps.
Brad. |
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tcwatts
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:00 am Post subject: |
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I saw this blog about 3 women who journals their weight-loss journey. It was quite intriguing to read their day to day struggles, products they tried, etc. Plus they had all the ads and affiliate links... Call it 'reality TV' for blogs, but the marketing worked. It got quite a bit of attention.
In a tight market, you need a clever twist. That's what the infamous "Rich Jerk" did well selling what is fairly common IM knowledge. |
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