Do you have to like a niche to be successful?

16 years ago

No you don't have to be, it's more important that the consumer is excited about it. For instance men have sold cosmetics for years , weight loss etc. that are targeted mostly at women, so obviously the majority of those men aren't using the products, well in today's day and age, who knows. The main thing is what aare other people going to get excited about, in my opinion.

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Lindsay Brynn

16 years ago

I think it helps to be in niches that you are passionate about if you are doing the writing and work yourself. You are more likely to stay motivated and get the work done. If you are outsourcing most things it wouldn't really matter since you don't have to do the work.

However there are certain niches I don't get into that are profitable just because I don't really believe in the products.

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JayXtreme

16 years ago

It's important to understand and relate to a niche, that doesn't mean you have to like it

Peace

Jay

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NetOpps2

16 years ago

I think you should be proud of your offerings at the very least. I genuinely wouldn't be able to generate the enthusiasm for selling rubbish. This I accept is a major barrier to a successful career in IM.

Be well,
NetOpps2.

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Zeus66

16 years ago

rant

Like the topic of a niche? Hell no. I hate all the rubbish spread around about how you have to be passionate and love something to stay motivated about it. Nonsense! You have to be passionate about your success. This is a business. I'm not saying personally enjoying a topic doesn't help some people succeed. Whatever motivates you to work and make bucks is all good. I'm saying your focus needs to be on providing what people want to buy - whatever that is (legal and within your own moral boundaries, of course). I have no use for all this gobbledy-gook new age blech about having to love your niche. Know what I love? Making money. If that means making sites about something I have not a whit of personal interest in, so be it. I'll stay plenty motivated dreaming of $ signs.

/rant

John

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Lance K

16 years ago

Well said, John. But I'd say that's more the voice of reason than a rant.

Originally Posted by Zeus66

rant

Like the topic of a niche? Hell no. I hate all the rubbish spread around about how you have to be passionate and love something to stay motivated about it. Nonsense! You have to be passionate about your success. This is a business. I'm not saying personally enjoying a topic doesn't help some people succeed. Whatever motivates you to work and make bucks is all good. I'm saying your focus needs to be on providing what people want to buy - whatever that is (legal and within your own moral boundaries, of course). I have no use for all this gobbledy-gook new age blech about having to love your niche. Know what I love? Making money. If that means making sites about something I have not a whit of personal interest in, so be it. I'll stay plenty motivated dreaming of $ signs.

/rant

John

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Bfranzo

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Zeus66

rant

Like the topic of a niche? Hell no. I hate all the rubbish spread around about how you have to be passionate and love something to stay motivated about it. Nonsense! You have to be passionate about your success. This is a business. I'm not saying personally enjoying a topic doesn't help some people succeed. Whatever motivates you to work and make bucks is all good. I'm saying your focus needs to be on providing what people want to buy - whatever that is (legal and within your own moral boundaries, of course). I have no use for all this gobbledy-gook new age blech about having to love your niche. Know what I love? Making money. If that means making sites about something I have not a whit of personal interest in, so be it. I'll stay plenty motivated dreaming of $ signs.

/rant

John

I certainly don't think this was a rant! Couldn't have said it better myself! Sure, I enjoy certain niches more, but I agree - You have to be passionate about your Success - whatever it takes, whatever hot niche. As long as I'm making money, I'm good!

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aj113

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Zeus66

rant

Like the topic of a niche? Hell no. I hate all the rubbish spread around about how you have to be passionate and love something to stay motivated about it. Nonsense! You have to be passionate about your success. This is a business. I'm not saying personally enjoying a topic doesn't help some people succeed. Whatever motivates you to work and make bucks is all good. I'm saying your focus needs to be on providing what people want to buy - whatever that is (legal and within your own moral boundaries, of course). I have no use for all this gobbledy-gook new age blech about having to love your niche. Know what I love? Making money. If that means making sites about something I have not a whit of personal interest in, so be it. I'll stay plenty motivated dreaming of $ signs.

/rant

John

Amen dude, if the money isn't motivation enough, you're in the wrong game IMO.

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NetOpps2

16 years ago

The power of my basic point stands: those that REALLY succeed are the ones that are passionate about what they do over and above sheer greed.

Be well,
NetOpps2.

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Lance K

16 years ago

Originally Posted by NetOpps2

The power of my basic point stands: those that REALLY succeed are the ones that are passionate about what they do over and above sheer greed.

Be well,
NetOpps2.

Some people are passionate about running businesses. Doesn't matter what kind. And it isn't because of "sheer greed". It's because building businesses is exciting, challenging, etc.

I think this topic gets blurred by the fact that some people are in business for themselves to own their job while others are doing it to build a business.

Neither way is wrong. Just different.

There's no sense in owning a job you don't enjoy. So if you're mostly looking for more flexibility and more freedom, I agree, you might as well enjoy it (it = specific job).

But when it comes to building a business, the thrill is in the challenge and the process. Not whether you enjoy the a particular job/industry or not. An true entrepreneur's passion is building businesses.

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TelegramSam

16 years ago

I love my niche, but just can't seem to make any money from it.

It is:

"Falling asleep whilst watching crap dvd's and drinking beer" niche.

Very popular but I just can't figure out how to monetize it.

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TerryTelford

16 years ago

Hi

Anyone can make money in a niche by simply marketing efficiently, but if you really want to prosper and stay happy and have fun at the same time, I would suggest sticking to niches you are passionate about.

It's easy to put up a website and drive traffic to it, but what happens when you hit a few bumps in the road? If you don't really care about your niche, you can pack up and go home and lose out on the future earnings. But if you are passionate about your niche, you'll overcome everything and keep on running your business, which is much more satisfying. There's more to it than just making money.

Enjoy your day!
Terry

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JayXtreme

16 years ago

Originally Posted by TerryTelford

Hi

Anyone can make money in a niche by simply marketing efficiently, but if you really want to prosper and stay happy and have fun at the same time, I would suggest sticking to niches you are passionate about.

The money making bit is fun enough for me..

I enjoy the process, the marketing standard itself excites me, that's where I get my buzz from... whilst I'm working...

My business is a business.. clinical in execution and timely to get me off doing the important stuff like enjoying my family.

It's easy to put up a website and drive traffic to it

Yup... sure is

but what happens when you hit a few bumps in the road?

I look at my fiancee's shoe collection and it spurs me on to make more money

I sort of get your point, but I don't agree with it, passion in a niche isn't required to keep you motivated....

Peace

Jay

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LittleMike

16 years ago

Originally Posted by TerryTelford

Hi

Anyone can make money in a niche by simply marketing efficiently, but if you really want to prosper and stay happy and have fun at the same time, I would suggest sticking to niches you are passionate about.

It's easy to put up a website and drive traffic to it, but what happens when you hit a few bumps in the road? If you don't really care about your niche, you can pack up and go home and lose out on the future earnings. But if you are passionate about your niche, you'll overcome everything and keep on running your business, which is much more satisfying. There's more to it than just making money.

Enjoy your day!
Terry

I agree with Terry. I don't think you need to love your niche necessarily, but the reason that people say you should have a passion or at least a strong interest in it is because you're not going to want to do the work involved in making it a successful business. And we all know that it takes work, right?

Completely off-topic but Terry, I was checking out your iClick sales page and you have some major typos. Enroll has two L's in it, for example.

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Rod Cortez

16 years ago

Originally Posted by spiceman

This question was lost in one of my initial posts... but i am just curious... i have a couple morale dilemas with CPA's for my current niche so i am looking to find another niche to use...

So the question is i have is do you have to really appreciate/understand a niche to be successful in it? ... or is just all about the numbers...

I've learned over the years that it depends on the individual. Some people that I've met and talked to generally have to have a passion about the niche that they are in in order to do the work necessary to succeed in it.

Some people, like yours truly, are passionate about the business they create, regardless of the niche they are in. Certainly there are markets I would never go in since I would prefer to work in markets / niches that do interest me. If you're having a moral dilemmna with any niche, I would not do it, but the, that's just me.

Good luck.

RoD

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cashcow

16 years ago

I have no use for all this gobbledy-gook new age blech about having to love your niche. Know what I love? Making money.

You took the words right outta my mouth!

Of course, if you are having to write a ton of articles yourself then it helps to like the niche. And, if you understand the niche you could probably have a good understanding of what your customers want to buy. Then again, there are many niches where it's pretty obvious what people want to buy and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.

Plus, I've noticed over the years that any niche site I have the starts making me a lot of money, I suddenly seem to develop a keen interest in the topic!

Lee

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EmpoweredCreator

16 years ago

I believe it's all about personal feelings. If you are like Zeus and are motivated by money then do whatever makes you money, within moral reasoning of course.

If you are motivated by dump trucks or the effects of sand when the wind blows then do something in that. The main thing is to pick a niche that people are actually looking to spend money in. If you are going to target a niche where people don't want to spend money then you are just going to waste your time. Like any niche that is looking only for free stuff, that's a bad one.

Almost any niche can make you money, but you have to understand the people in that niche. Otherwise, you will have a hard time relating to them.

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Marhelper

16 years ago

I do not think so. You can lack desire for the niche but have passion to make money and provide a service for others.

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Zeus66

16 years ago

Of course! If you're lucky enough to be really passionate and know a lot about the topic of a niche that ALSO happens to be lucrative, JACKPOT! I would never suggest the two are mutually exclusive. But you don't have to have both. Obviously, I would argue that you really only need the latter, as long as you're truly passionate about your business and seeing it succeed.

John

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Warrior Globetrotter

16 years ago

I think if you are just developing one quick product for a niche you dont have to like it...but dont even dare to start a blog or anything you have to update regularly ...if you dont like the subject matter... i have learned this the hard way and wasted time.

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Rita012

16 years ago

If you're going to work in that niche every day, why not do it on something you love? Life is too short.

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Zeus66

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Rita012

If you're going to work in that niche every day, why not do it on something you love? Life is too short.

This is fine (even recommended) if you're running a hobby site or blog. That's what I'd do... have done in the past when I had more free time. But this is a forum about Internet Marketing and making money online. These are businesses. If you follow the quoted advice (especially newbies), it's a recipe for disaster... unless you just get really lucky and the "something you love" is a popular, easily monetizable (is that a word?) niche.

What newbies need first is to embrace a love of working for themselves and the freedom that comes with having extra money. These are just dreams for newbies, but that's where their passion needs to lie... in what "might be." That's what wakes you up early to get in an extra page of content or a few more links. I know... I was a newbie once upon a time. Don't you all remember that burning desire that kept you awake at night? I'll bet it wasn't always (or maybe even ever) about the niche topic itself, right? Wasn't it about how to succeed and the vision of being your own boss and having all that free time and money to spend? Was for me. Still is. I'm not done with that journey yet. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. THIS is my passion. THIS is my Everest. Not any one niche.

John

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EmpoweredCreator

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Zuess66

What newbies need first is to embrace a love of working for themselves and the freedom that comes with having extra money. These are just dreams for newbies, but that's where their passion needs to lie... in what "might be." That's what wakes you up early to get in an extra page of content or a few more links.

Well said John (Zeus66)! That is what still get's me up. I have dream boards on my computer, all over my house, everywhere.

But I am also passionate about helping people succeed. So it's really a win/win for me. But the lure of having freedom, more time, and more money is all a driving factor in this Wide World of IM otherwise why would we even be doing this? Just "GP" ? I doubt it.

Passion is a great thing to have but this is a business, be passionate about that first before anything.

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Franck Silvestre

16 years ago

hmm, I made truckloads of money as a pizzeria owner... and I don't like pizzas, they are not good for my 6 pack ab.

But I used to enjoyed running the pizza business.

Franck
The Body Guard Marketer

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writergirlk

16 years ago

Some people need to be excited about the niche in order to even work on it (that's me!) but some don't. What matters in the end is the copy and the site or blog or article is presented to the reader. It can get the job done regardless of if you are passionate about the topic. But for me, I can't even stomach working on projects in subjects I don't enjoy.

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NicheProdigy

Banned 16 years ago

From personal experience, I am not a big fan of the niches that I am in and yet I still profit from them. Those niches do earn money, yet those really feel more like a job and a big pain in the butt.

I don't like doing them, yet they are a necessary evil. Unfortunately.

In other cases, I have gotten bored with the sites, which ultimately caused me to dislike them.

The best thing is to be able to make money on something you love doing, that way it doesn't feel like work. Find a niche or a bunch of niches like that and you will be happy and rich

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NetOpps2

16 years ago

Yes, the more financially successful IMers tend to be the better BS merchants, this is true, and this goes for the wider business world too to a lesser degree. I don't dispute the power of insincere BS.

Personally, though, I take pride in what I produce and sell and I want it to be of high quality and value. I do appreciate though if your niche is battling foot fungus with vinegar, you might not necessarily adopt such an "artsy farty" approach to your innovations. I think there can be an equilibrium between enthusiasm and the profit imperative - Bill Gates seems to have done OK.

NetOpps2

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Dexx

16 years ago

Well I know for myself, and niches I will look at to create software programs for, I don't focus on things I "like" but I will look at niches I find interesting!

For example I might not "like" digital photography...but if I can see there's an interesting problem I can create software for to help those that DO LIKE digital photography...then I can like doing that!

I think its a matter of liking what needs to be done, instead of liking what its for...

If I DONT LIKE writing articles...then it won't matter what niche I target, I will find it to be a boring and painful task that I'll try slack off and avoid...

know what I mean?

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NetOpps2 16 years ago

Dexx mate, you really need to sort that comma after copy on your sales page. It is jerky and disjointed and completely unnecessary.

It is doubly alarming bearing in mind the wider pitch. The removal of that one little comma will greatly improve the look and flow of your page.

It is just my humble advice and you are free to take it or leave it, but if I were you, I would take it.

Be well,

NetOpps2.
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cashcow

16 years ago

Maybe it depends on what you are selling or what type of site you have, but I don't think that NOT having a passion for your niche necessarily means that you are churning out low quality, insincere BS.

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NetOpps2 16 years ago

Maybe it depends on what you are selling or what type of site you have, but I don't think that NOT having a passion for your niche necessarily means that you are churning out low quality, insincere BS.

No, but you are probably more likely to.

IM is about marketing. I do get it.

I`m not disagreeing, Lance. I am simply making the point that taking pride in what you do can only help.

NetOpps.
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felise32

16 years ago

Originally Posted by spiceman

This question was lost in one of my initial posts... but i am just curious... i have a couple morale dilemas with CPA's for my current niche so i am looking to find another niche to use...

So the question is i have is do you have to really appreciate/understand a niche to be successful in it? ... or is just all about the numbers...

You don't have to like a niche to be successful, but I think it helps ALOT if you do.

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Michael Franklin

16 years ago

You do not have to like the niche....Just make sure that there is a hungry market!

More importantly, be sure that regardless of the niche that you are adding value to your customer's overall experience.....That means, if you are setting up a website or email list. Don't bombard them with sales messages. Your ratio of value messages to sales messages should be 3:1 if not more.

I know it's sounds unconventional but that's the formula I follow and it works. Remember, "add value" and then the money will come...regardless of the niche.

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spiceman

16 years ago

wow... looks like i really sparked some good conversation... great input from everyone and alot of different points of views...

thanks

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MarkWrites

16 years ago

Though I do think it may help under some circumstances, I don't think you need to like a niche to be successful. I do however think you need to like success to be successful.

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Fox30

16 years ago

I don't think you necessarily have to like the niche...but an understanding I think is more important. Otherwise, how would you sell something you don't understand?

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Nicholas William

16 years ago

I'd say that if you're planning on spending time in the niche, it sure helps if you're interested in it. Things wont seem so mundane if you look forward to the content area...

But it also helps if your audience is fanatical about the niche. Folks like that will often buy up anything on the market, which will help your conversions greatly!

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Johnadab Banned 16 years ago

I think all this "passion" talk is a load of BS !!

Not only that but its putting people off creating a quality product
because they don't feel this "mystical passion".

To create a good product, you need to research it very well,
find out what people in that niche are wanting to learn about,
answer their questions.

With time and good quality research your interest will automatically
be eletavated - who knows you may get enthusiastic and OH no ...
passionate about it .

But for goodness sake don't worry about being passionate, enthusiastic
or even particularly fond of the niche to start with.

Just do the research and produce a great product that helps people.
The rest will take care of itself.

( IMNSHO) In my not so humble opinion.
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- NetOpps2 16 years ago
  
  Yes, I do have some sympathy with the "hard" point of view. Making money and lots of it is good thing, and I hope my passion for my subject areas will make me insanely wealthy.
  
  The point that many are missing is that success very often comes as a by-product of passion. So, logically, try and do something you are passionate about. For me, it just seems sensible.
  
  NetOpps2.
  
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cashcow

16 years ago

Sometimes when you have a passion for something and you turn it into your "job" it ruins the whole thing for you. Then you no longer have a passion and you end up hating the very subject.

Lee

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