My product idea exists nowhere, am I fooling myself here?

I have not 'done' CB University - but I wouldn't consider Clickbank the final say in whether a niche has potential or not. If the plan is to sell only through CB the potential in that particular marketplace is important - but it's not the only sales platform available.

I'm not sure what feedback is possible - would not be wise to reveal your niche or your product and without knowing that no one can tell you if the idea might be viable.

Sounds like what you need is advice on other methods of evaluating your product/niche potential market.

Hard to evaluate 'potential' but you can consider the size of the offline target audience and how well products do in the niche...pretty much guaranteed online presence will only increase.

It sounds to me that this is a classic start up. You seem to think that your idea is going to trend up in the near future but has not fully matured online.

If I am correct in my assessment, then you already know the answer to your own question.

Be the first and reap the benefits and accept the risk of being the first.

Well, I've started generating leads for the real life side of my business and see what metrics for just my particular tourist destination look like, so I assume there are other opportunities in other places and other people looking for information that can be packaged.

I think you're correct in assuming I know the answer. I was looking for reinforcement like what you provided.

Clickbank is just a platform.

Don't get hung up on it. The reason is, look who clickbank attracts as affiliates. Mostly IM'ers.

What do IM'ers want to affiliate? MMO offers, weight loss etc.

So, there are a number of affiliate platforms in the travel niche, go look there. Then, places like Commission Junction and others are more main stream, look there.

Then, you could set up your own affiliate program and likely do very well.

Set up a killer funnel and really rake it in.

If you need help just PM me.

Steven,

Rather than relying on a random public forum outside your niche, wouldn't it be preferable to do some market querying and trend research within the niche? Feedback from your prospective clients is absolutely critical when trying to evaluate a business idea. Besides, the vast majority of members here are not experienced marketers and would have no idea of the preferences of your projected audience.

Just beware, there may be good reasons why your product idea isn't found online. It could be that others before you have tried the idea and couldn't make it work. Or that a buying audience has not formed yet or accepted your product premise.

Exploring the ClickBank marketplace as a source of discovering niche acceptance and competition will only tell you so much. I think there are better places to find travel enthusiasts. Doing your proper market research should tell you the places to go online to find your best prospects.

Good luck on this project.

Steve

I am surprised and delighted that this was selected for the feed.

I agree with most points here, especially market research in the same field as the niche.

I have a few ideas, chiefly reddit (if there is a subreddit for this) as well as another site that focuses on our subject within the travel niche.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.

I would definitely not rely solely on Clickbank - especially for a category such as Travel.

I would spend some time on Amazon to dissect travel subcategories and see if there is demand around your travel sub-niche.

I would also do some general Google searches such as "Best selling ebooks on travel + YOUR SUBNICHE" - do the same for courses, training programs, seminars, etc...

I would also go up to Udemy, Teachable, etc...and look for video courses around your niche/sub-niche

Many other little tips around market research you can use before you can really validate or dismiss your market/idea.

Most of the "travel" products on CB are "How to make money" from travel, "Get cheap flights," "Astral travel," "Time travel," etc.

I only found two destination guides for the Philippines and Disney World. The DW has sold at least one copy. The only others that seem to sell are "Get cheap flights" and "Make money."

I would suggest you go anywhere but CB if you have a destination guide.

Do you know Rick Steves Travel? Rick has been selling destination guides for a long time and may be worth studying.

Brent

we are not buying what you're selling.

go where your potential customers live and test the waters.

look for repeating problems people and if your product solves that then you're good to go.

All the best,
Ike Paz

If you believe in it then go for it.
You'll never know until you try it. Give it a go!

First of all, analyze the niche. How popular is it?

Saying that your idea exists nowhere because you don't find it on Clickbank is kind of like saying girls don't exist because you didn't find any in a monastery.

As you say, travel is a multi-billion dollar a year industry.

Since it sounds like you have a specific travel destination in mind, I'd start with any available tourism boards or chambers of commerce. Local, state and national government agencies may have marketing data available for the asking.

Travel industry associations, travel magazines, even Google Trends are sources of information.

Then there are the classics - online forums and social groups. Do they exist for your location? That's a good sign. Visit them and see what people are talking about.

How about blogs? Destination specific, or travel type. For example, you might not find blogs about eco-travel to your destination, but if you find a broad interest in eco-travel, you know you have a chance.

Going through these exercises will tell you two things:

> Is there interest, or potential interest, in your idea?
> If there is, how easy will it be to reach people who are or might be interested in your idea?

Perhaps there isn't a need for your idea?

Research a lot before you throw money at this.