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Chip Tarver on Niche Marketing Notes
Posted 08-12-2008 at 04:43 AM by Chipt
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Chip Tarver on Niche Marketing Notes
By Chip Tarver
This article on niche marketing is not like the other articles you’ve read.
Why?
Because all the hype about niche marketing is nothing new. The only half–way new part of it is that some people tagged the word ‘niche’ onto it.
Cute term.
Before someone tagged the word ‘niche’ onto this aspect of marketing (trying to sell you something you don’t even need,) people in the real (non–Internet) world called it 'segment marketing.’
You’ll do much better in segment (niche) marketing than you’ll do trying a broad – market approach. Take that to the bank.
Same Thing, Different Day
Segments (niches) are simply groups of people and businesses that have similar interests, wants, and needs you can find and identify. Segments require precision and produce profits.
One immediate segment is your current customers. Selling this segment more or more often will always be easier than finding new customers. But if you want new clients, that’s doable, too.
Finding Your Segment (Niche) Keywords
Online, once you have identified and located your target market, find the specific keywords that match what your target market is looking for. Many (most?) times, these terms are not what you’d expect.
Frankly, there’s nothing hard about it if you know what to do.
Point: 'drill down' as far as you need to go to optimize your site, your offers, your marketing, and everything else for more specific segments not general catch–all markets. Big is usually difficult.
If you don't subscribe to a 'high-end' keyword tool, you can find free keyword info in other places – and it’s all free. But look for ‘left–handed Florida golfers’ as opposed to ‘golf.’
Be specific.
More targeted keywords in your keyword phrase equals more specific segment (niche) traffic. And targeting your proper keyword phrases will usually generate less - but more qualified - traffic.
Today the new cute term for this is ‘long tail keywords.’ The bottom line is that they are the same ol’ phrases they always were…
Simply go after the people who are looking for your specific keywords. Now you have the right audience looking for you. And you won't break the bank if you go with PPC or PPA traffic…
You’ll Spend Less and Make More
Again - on purpose - you’ll get less traffic overall, but the traffic you get will be MUCH more likely to buy from you. The most important thing you’ll do offline or online is to identify your hot target market before you do anything else.
The opposite of this is ‘shotgun’ marketing’ or ‘shoot–and–pray’ marketing where you’re convinced your product is so good people will beat a path to it… or that it will sell because YOU think it’s great.
These sorts of marketers usually spend fortunes on brand building as opposed to direct response…
Nope. Don’t do it.
Nothing is More Wrong
Segment (niche) marketing is very cost-efficient and usually has high ROI. All you have to do is give people precisely what they’re looking for. Give them what they think they want. Give them what they think they need.
(NOTE - People who try to sell you some expensive something to teach you this are wrong in doing that – unless you’re too lazy to do it yourself.)
Next, tell people what they want to hear (but be sure it’s the truth.) If you did your research, this is also easy. Use words they identify with to solve problems they have now.
Don’t tell them how great you are. Don’t plaster your logo all over the place. Most people just don’t care. Tell them how fulfilled their life will be when they use your product. People buy benefits, and could frankly care less about you or your product’s features.
Paint them a picture… of their own benefits you provide.
If you’re not sure what to do, invest some time and go spy on your competitors. This is also very easy to do if you know how. See what they are doing, and "copy" it.
View the source code on their websites. Learn how and why it works…
Make test offers…
Try test copy…
Create tests and measure the results…
And – if you can’t find any competition, more times than not that’s a bad sign. The likelihood that you’ll come up with something that’s never been tried before is pretty small. So if no one is doing what you want to do, there might not be any money in it for a variety of reasons.
To close – remember that you’ll do much better in segment (niche) marketing than you’ll do trying a broad-market approach.
Since you aren’t Crest, Nike, Listerine, Starbucks, Kleenex, or Tide – and you don’t have a billion dollar marketing and PR budget – it probably makes good sense for you to go after specific segments (niches.)
And one more thing – finding what people want and need is very simple. But if for some reason you can’t manage that – just ask them.
Or just go to your local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Check out the magazine rack and bestsellers list. Or go to any number of competent trend-watching websites. Or buy a list. Or do targeted ezine solo ads.
You can find everything you need to get started in these places – without lining the guru’s pockets and increasing your credit card bills.
One last promise I’ll make you is that this will cost you something.
You’ll invest your time, your dollars, or both. You’ll also have to learn how to build long–term, profitable relationships.
So don’t fall for the crap that says you can do it all really fast and free while hanging around in your underwear.
You decide.
Chip Tarver
Author, “First Contact Secrets”
"Insider Tips Reveal How to Successfully Connect With Anyone, Any Time, for Any Reason"
**************************************************
Chip Tarver knows that you NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression. That's why he published "First Contact Secrets." Listen to the Masters of Internet marketing teach you how they make first contact with people they want to do business with. Just model their success and success will become yours! Learn more now at ... Business to Business Experts & Entrepreneurs on Business Networking, Business Introductions, Business Contacts, Networking, Business Relationships, and Business Joint Ventures.
Also check out Cut Your Gasoline Costs up to 25% to 50% NOW! if you want to start saving up to 25%, 50% or more on your gasoline bill starting today!
(c) 2008 Chip Tarver and FCS
Chip Tarver on Niche Marketing Notes
By Chip Tarver
This article on niche marketing is not like the other articles you’ve read.
Why?
Because all the hype about niche marketing is nothing new. The only half–way new part of it is that some people tagged the word ‘niche’ onto it.
Cute term.
Before someone tagged the word ‘niche’ onto this aspect of marketing (trying to sell you something you don’t even need,) people in the real (non–Internet) world called it 'segment marketing.’
You’ll do much better in segment (niche) marketing than you’ll do trying a broad – market approach. Take that to the bank.
Same Thing, Different Day
Segments (niches) are simply groups of people and businesses that have similar interests, wants, and needs you can find and identify. Segments require precision and produce profits.
One immediate segment is your current customers. Selling this segment more or more often will always be easier than finding new customers. But if you want new clients, that’s doable, too.
Finding Your Segment (Niche) Keywords
Online, once you have identified and located your target market, find the specific keywords that match what your target market is looking for. Many (most?) times, these terms are not what you’d expect.
Frankly, there’s nothing hard about it if you know what to do.
Point: 'drill down' as far as you need to go to optimize your site, your offers, your marketing, and everything else for more specific segments not general catch–all markets. Big is usually difficult.
If you don't subscribe to a 'high-end' keyword tool, you can find free keyword info in other places – and it’s all free. But look for ‘left–handed Florida golfers’ as opposed to ‘golf.’
Be specific.
More targeted keywords in your keyword phrase equals more specific segment (niche) traffic. And targeting your proper keyword phrases will usually generate less - but more qualified - traffic.
Today the new cute term for this is ‘long tail keywords.’ The bottom line is that they are the same ol’ phrases they always were…
Simply go after the people who are looking for your specific keywords. Now you have the right audience looking for you. And you won't break the bank if you go with PPC or PPA traffic…
You’ll Spend Less and Make More
Again - on purpose - you’ll get less traffic overall, but the traffic you get will be MUCH more likely to buy from you. The most important thing you’ll do offline or online is to identify your hot target market before you do anything else.
The opposite of this is ‘shotgun’ marketing’ or ‘shoot–and–pray’ marketing where you’re convinced your product is so good people will beat a path to it… or that it will sell because YOU think it’s great.
These sorts of marketers usually spend fortunes on brand building as opposed to direct response…
Nope. Don’t do it.
Nothing is More Wrong
Segment (niche) marketing is very cost-efficient and usually has high ROI. All you have to do is give people precisely what they’re looking for. Give them what they think they want. Give them what they think they need.
(NOTE - People who try to sell you some expensive something to teach you this are wrong in doing that – unless you’re too lazy to do it yourself.)
Next, tell people what they want to hear (but be sure it’s the truth.) If you did your research, this is also easy. Use words they identify with to solve problems they have now.
Don’t tell them how great you are. Don’t plaster your logo all over the place. Most people just don’t care. Tell them how fulfilled their life will be when they use your product. People buy benefits, and could frankly care less about you or your product’s features.
Paint them a picture… of their own benefits you provide.
If you’re not sure what to do, invest some time and go spy on your competitors. This is also very easy to do if you know how. See what they are doing, and "copy" it.
View the source code on their websites. Learn how and why it works…
Make test offers…
Try test copy…
Create tests and measure the results…
And – if you can’t find any competition, more times than not that’s a bad sign. The likelihood that you’ll come up with something that’s never been tried before is pretty small. So if no one is doing what you want to do, there might not be any money in it for a variety of reasons.
To close – remember that you’ll do much better in segment (niche) marketing than you’ll do trying a broad-market approach.
Since you aren’t Crest, Nike, Listerine, Starbucks, Kleenex, or Tide – and you don’t have a billion dollar marketing and PR budget – it probably makes good sense for you to go after specific segments (niches.)
And one more thing – finding what people want and need is very simple. But if for some reason you can’t manage that – just ask them.
Or just go to your local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Check out the magazine rack and bestsellers list. Or go to any number of competent trend-watching websites. Or buy a list. Or do targeted ezine solo ads.
You can find everything you need to get started in these places – without lining the guru’s pockets and increasing your credit card bills.
One last promise I’ll make you is that this will cost you something.
You’ll invest your time, your dollars, or both. You’ll also have to learn how to build long–term, profitable relationships.
So don’t fall for the crap that says you can do it all really fast and free while hanging around in your underwear.
You decide.
Chip Tarver
Author, “First Contact Secrets”
"Insider Tips Reveal How to Successfully Connect With Anyone, Any Time, for Any Reason"
**************************************************
Chip Tarver knows that you NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression. That's why he published "First Contact Secrets." Listen to the Masters of Internet marketing teach you how they make first contact with people they want to do business with. Just model their success and success will become yours! Learn more now at ... Business to Business Experts & Entrepreneurs on Business Networking, Business Introductions, Business Contacts, Networking, Business Relationships, and Business Joint Ventures.
Also check out Cut Your Gasoline Costs up to 25% to 50% NOW! if you want to start saving up to 25%, 50% or more on your gasoline bill starting today!
(c) 2008 Chip Tarver and FCS
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