I was in Borders a couple of days ago, looking for a car magazine they carry from the UK. I was pretty focused on the car section which is extensive in Borders, when my wife called my attention to a section of magazines behind me. They all dealt with marijuana…pot…weed…rollin doobies. Why she thought I needed to know about magazines covering the pot industry, I have no idea, but it got me to thinking, as a lot of things tend to do, about the Internet and web sites.
I’ve been working on a laundry list of new projects and methods for making money online through various sources. I want to diversify my income and not be dependent on just one or two key things. As part of the process, niche selection always surfaces. I tend to gravitate towards a few niches I know well and understand, but again, trying to branch out here, so I’ve been looking at adding new ones to my stable of sites and projects.
One of the problems for newbies, as well as seasoned veterans, is figuring out what niche to focus on. It can be difficult to figure out what has a shot at being successful and what to avoid. How focused to get and what may be too broad.
How in the world did weed get me to thinking about this? Good question.
If the pot industry has room for a host of different magazines, and weed seems like a pretty focused topic compared to something like making money online, perhaps there’s plenty of room for another site, service or product that has to do with your favorite niche. Even if it’s a popular one.
Sometimes I think the gurus try and scare us away from some of the super popular niches. While the intentions may be good, I’m not sure they’re always right. One of the drums they beat over and over is “avoid the make money online niche.” Sounds like solid advice…right? But what if that’s what you really enjoy? What if that’s what is going to get you up every morning excited to try new things and work hard? Does it really matter that there are already established players in that niche? Isn’t there room for someone to come along with their own voice, their own experiences, and personal take on how to go about it?
I liken it to the eye opening pot dispensaries they featured in the movie Super High Me (not a great film, but interesting nonetheless). There isn’t just one type of weed. There are hundreds, if not thousands. Different strengths, smells, cross breeds, etc. with creative names like Dubious Doobie, Mama Cita, and Hackers Hash. Now I grew up as a pretty sheltered kid, so this was all eye opening to me.
In the same way, some competition in even the most competitive of niches is good/healthy/right/etc. It does require you to focus on doing things better than your competition, but that should be the case no matter what.
If you’re looking for some niche selection help or ideas, I read a couple of great posts over on ZacJohnson.com that are worth starting with. They’re not the usual “choose something you’re good at” dribble (which actually is REALLY important by the way), but instead take things a step further by helping you evaluate competition, traffic potential, etc. Check em out here:
So You Want To Build A Niche Web Site
How To Find Hidden Niche Markets
As a side note, Zac is one of the few guys in the affiliate marketing/make money online niche that consistently produces good content. Definitely worth reading on a regular basis if you don’t already.
Can't deny that marijuana seems to be an interesting niche, but its definitely not going to be in my list lol. Thanks for the zacjohnson link, going into it now and hope that weeds are not inclusive.
I am sure there are a lot of things to try but promoting drugs or selling them is not the way to go!
LOL…Of course not!!!
Sometimes it’s hard to stay focus on one product or concept, People want to get into too many things. One way to market more then one product is to keep every item closely related to one another.
That's a great idea Dave.
Nice post! Niche-selection is the main thing and newbie also faces in the problem in this. Thanks for sharing such informative post.
That's a good thing to do…………..
Hey i agree with Peter the accountant , really not a good idea for promoting drugs but for niche its ok..
I usually read zacjohnson.com blog and it's really good for niche marketing tips.
Haha, well, one thing's for sure.. I'm not gonna go into this niche! No matter if it gets legal or what, to me.. it's ruining people's lives >.< Too personal experience with this!
Although, gonna have to agree with Dave. If trying to make a market out of too many niches, work will eventually wear one down… So listen to Dave, IMers !
I wonder if High Times is right next to the junk food section (potato chips, Twinkies, etc)…
I agree and can testify that anything in the medical field is paying real good but it's always good to find a niche that very few people are in that has the potential to make thousands just as a quick tip.
nice thought
cordobahotels
Hi Ryan. thank you very much for your article. Nice advice and thank you very much to including zac link.
I find that trying to stay focused is difficult as well. One site starts to get traffic and I spend a lot of time on it at the expense of the others.
I am sure there are a lot of things to try but promoting drugs or selling them is not the way to go!
Hey Ryan,
Pretty good argument you got there. You got to be picky with whom you get training or knowledge from about making money online indeed. One effective thing that I found to be very helpful to me is that I make some really deep digging about the most popular niche myself.
Eric
It really is amazing how many different (and strange) topics people take interest in. Which is good for those of us who are trying to make a living keeping them entertained.
Yeah Ryan I one o my buddies has a blog about paintball. I never knew how many parts went on those guns, seems endless with all the upgrades you can add to a paintball gun once you buy it. So he has a niche but with thousands of accessories.
Thanks for this. I am sure that many readers will also like your post. Full of new
learnings to intake. Great job! Hope to read more coming from you.
the article (post), thank you for this information. The site of the best information. For which to thank all
This is great idea for everyone.I think you also should more details about online income.
Haha very interesting post, thanks!
Agreed, it really is a great idea.
its such a great idea i am really exited.
yea the niche definition is a must by all means
Have you seen the movie Blow? They started with Marijuana business. And they were doing great! =)
Target the niche that you need and succeed. There have been reports that having backlinks from an unrelated site can lead to negative Google rankings. So let's all be careful with the niches. Great post! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hey this is very useful info. Thanks for the sharing….
This is really awkward. Promoting the marijuana over the internet is like trafficking drugs. Might not consider this one.
you know one niche that I have never fully trusted is the online guru niche, where the gurus tell you to join their limited program for several hundred bucks a month and you will be a millionaire. Because there are so many gurus, and some of them link to each other pyramid scam style, its very hard as an outsider to know what is actually a real offer and how easy it would be to follow. Thats some kind of niche that I am sure that many people would like to be in.
marijuana – May be impressive niche but the niche which can be more useful is education.
Yes,obviously pot industry can teach about niche selection.Pot industry organizes on line money making modules like hosting different magazines and product developing etc.So its a great idea of doing niche selection on line development.
Yes, I agree with you. Confirming anything in the medical field is paying well but it is always good to find a niche that very few people are there in that that has the prospective to make thousands just as a rapid tip.
great post thanks for sharing
If its legal … do it. If not find an IM way around it. Is that the crux? A good read!
An interesting point of view with many ramifications … learning from the black market and turning it white.
I find that trying to stay focused is difficult as well. One site starts to get traffic and I spend a lot of time on it at the expense of the others.
hahaha marijuana?
To be sure and may testify that anything within the medical area is having to pay real good but it is always beneficial to locate a niche that very couple of individuals are for the reason that has got the possibility to make 1000's just like a fast tip.