Business can be a pleasure if we get things right from the start. One of the keys to being a successful business owner is the ability to identify an industry gap and your niche market. I am sure a lot of us hear about niche markets all the time, internet marketers always advice – find your niche, know your niche! So is all the hype really worth it? Yes it is!
In this blog, I want to demystify how you can identify a niche for your business idea or improve on what you have.
The Wide Reach of the Web
The World Wide Web is just as it name implies, a web that collects all sort of information from all over the world. Cyberspace is versatile and reaches the most remote parts of the earth. So how do you compete with a business in Mongolia or another in Kenya?
You Find your Niche Market
When you decide to start out in business and if you are like me, ideas might come in drones and crowd your mind with so much information. They might overwhelm you and some people even quit at this stage…yes before they start! The solution is not to quit but to start your quest by identifying the things that interest you.
If you are interested in motorcars, you may not be able to compete with the likes of Mercedes or Ford Motors. There is a likelihood that you can offer what customers are missing from the big competitors. Even though they eat the cookies, there are bound to be some crumbs that may fall on the ground. Just imagine if you keep collecting the crumbs every time they get a cookie. Before you know it, you may have a cookie of your own!
Analyse Your Products and/or Services
What do you want to offer? Is it an area you are very knowledgeable about? Or is it something you can learn? Your product may seem like a great idea to you, but will your customers feel the same way?
For example, your product may appeal to mothers but what kind of mothers will your products appeal to, mothers of toddlers, mothers of boys, mothers of teenagers or grandmothers?
Narrow Down your Search
Once you have been able to identify your market e.g. toys for toddler boys. You need to determine the keywords that describe your market. You can now use the best keyword search facilities to identify how many people search for what you have to offer. You may discover that there are many people looking specifically for what you have to offer but very little competition. If the competition is low, you may have found your market.
Revamp a Product or Service
There might be a lot of competition for your proposed product or service, but don’t give up! There might be nothing new under the sun (According to King Solomon of the bible) but there might be better ways of doing things. Can your product compliment an existing one? Can you offer an extension of what is currently available? You should study your competitors and think of how you can make your business unique.
Find the Right Description
When people ask about your business, develop a well thought out description of your niche market. For instance if you are a personal trainer, never introduce yourself as ‘just a trainer’. Introduce yourself as ‘a personal trainer with over 12 years experience of providing Thighs and Abs Training, specialist area being Abs and Thighs training for mothers who have had a C-Section’. Now you bet people will pay attention! (this may be idea for someone out there).
Identifying a niche market for your business can help it stand out from your competitors. Before you embark on your business there are other issues you will need to factor in as well. Using a niche market strategy in isolation may not guarantee business success. But it will compliment your other efforts as you embark on developing your business concept.
Check out my brainstorming sessions – your virtual business partner when you need one.
I wish you good success.
Temi
Photos courtesy of sxc.hu Spekulator and Lockheed.
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