Scratching that niche... The right niche.

[Sunoshow]

I am a little confused about what is involved in picking a niche.

My confusion stems from seeing others who know what they want to market and they seem to STICK with that niche. For instance, Rosalind has a site on Online Dating. I believe I have seen she had an interest in this area and began in that direction and has and still is doing well in that niche.

I, on the other hand, want to pursue in the direction of personal achievement since this is something near and dear to my heart. I believe I have quite a story to tell as I have come a long way to get to where I am today. I have had many mentors along the way that I would LOVE to promote. Now that may be a niche I know something about, yet it may not make me much money.

I guess my questions are…

Could I have something I am VERY passionate about and still make money with it? If I am to make any real money, do I have to pick the hottest and greatest thing going? Is every SUPER affiliate constantly changing their niches as the market changes? Are most SUPER affiliates keeping with the one thing they really like and enjoy, then have other sites on the latest and greatest niches?

I hope this does not peg me as a pessimist. I am extremely hopeful about affiliate marketing, however all this is completely new to me. My head is spinning with all this new information and ideas. I want and WILL make this work. I also recognize I may need others to help me sift through this quagmire in my brain. I only learned about this concept about two weeks ago and I am thrilled!

Thank you.


Bill

[Griff Grumbein]

Hello Bill,

Having something you are that passionate about is a big bonus for you! For the sake of this post, we'll call this something your "passion niche".

1. Sit down and bullet list all the aspects (read: keywords / phrases) of your passion niche (some of these aspects may be marketable as sub-niches of your passion niche):

pros and cons
what is required to support or enhance it
what hinders it's progress or growth
What do you know now that you didn't know when your passion started?
Write it out in detail, break it down to bite (blog post) sized pieces.

2. Start a blog about your passion niche and post your detail bites to establish yourself as knowledgeable / an expert in the field:

Tell your story about where you were and where you are now in your blog. If it is well written, you could post as "chapters" to captivate your viewers and keep them coming back for more.

What tangible or digital products are related to your niche that you could market (what do you buy to support your passion niche) that you could market / affiliate market to others?

Tell them about (read: market) the products or services that helped you get where you are today. If your are experimenting with something new for your passion niche, post about it so your viewers will want to ride along to see where you go with it, and / or, if it works for you, PROMOTE it to your viewers and get them to opt-in to a mailing list for updates / special offers about those marketable things that enhance your passion niche.

What would you like to see available for your passion niche that isn't currently available? If you want it, it's likely others who feel the same would too. Poll your viewers, what passion niche related things are THEY looking for? Show viewers where to find them (on your blog or website) or if it doesn't exist, CREATE it, MARKET it, and get affiliates to sell it for you (the ultimate goal).

All of the above stated, not everything we are passionate about is EASILY marketable, but if you are indeed passionate about it, somewhere out there in the masses someone else is too, or COULD be if you convey your passion properly. Some (few, really) take off like a rocket, but most just take time and exposure. NEVER give up! If you think you've exhausted all possibilities, YOU HAVEN'T! Most unsuccessful IM'ers quit when they don't get the "instant gratification", the successful ones are in it for the long-haul and are always seeking ways to improve and prosper. . .and they DO!

Hopefully this will give you some food for thought. Let us know how it progresses for you, and don't forget - the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!

[Sunoshow]

WOW!!!

Thanks Griff. Sometime we need to be hit with a 2x4 to see things a little more clearly. That was wonderful advice. I guess I now have my work cut out for me.

Thank you.


Bill

[Griff Grumbein]

You are most certainly welcome! It wasn't a 2x4, just a floatation device to help keep your head above the "quagmire"!

[Sunoshow]

LOL!!!

I think I am beginning to see my way out of the quagmire.