Need help deciding on a niche

by StephS
7 replies
I'm hoping someone can help me, I'm truly at my wit's end. Maybe some objective input will help me focus. I am trying to decide on a copywriting niche. I want to write direct response copy, preferably B2C. And that's where I get stuck. I have the Direct Marketing Market Place book and I've tried going through there to choose a niche since the companies listed are direct marketers, but I'm completely overwhelmed.

Everything I read says to use your background for determining a niche. My background for the last 12 years has been real estate and mortgage. I'm in the mortgage industry now, but on the back-end negotiating short sales for a major bank. Although home building has started up again, there are gray clouds on the horizon for real estate. And being a former agent, I know real estate agents aren't too keen on paying four figures for sales letters. I thought about mortgage brokers since I used to work on the front-end as an underwriter and worked very closely with brokers, but again it's hard to see if the demand would be there.

Others say to start with local businesses, but again, where to start? Maybe I should just write some industries down on sheets of paper, close my eyes, and pick one. The important thing is just to get started, right?

Any suggestions? I would truly appreciate it.
#deciding #niche
  • Profile picture of the author OutOfThisWord
    Start with any small biz where you are dealing directly with the owner.

    Get some successes under your belt and grow from there.

    You won't get 4 figs out the gate without a proven portfolio.

    Also, there is plenty going on in the Real Estate biz. I personally do 6 or so projects every year and they run the gamut from niche seminars, leasing agents, short sale lead gen., software, you name it.

    So there is plenty to do in the industry you already know. And forget about the storm clouds you see for your industry as you simply use them to formulate an appeal based on current events.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Not sure this will help, but...

    Grab a piece of paper draw a stick figure, which is YOU...

    Start with age and where you are currently at on your lifeline. Example: I am a 33 year old woman, a mother of two, wife, sister daughter with the following interests; I like to cook, shop for antiques, etc. etc.

    What you will SEE is a person with many interests and experiences. Perhaps one of those experiences would be a good place to start, especially a hobby or a passion.

    YOU are more than a RE agent or broker. For this exercise, let's say you want to TARGET RE moms with small children and offer them a book on coping and profiting and being a great mom at the same time.

    Don't DEFINE yourself in career terms, SEE the broad picture and include all of your experiences you've had along your PARADE OF LIFE.

    Where do you stand in your parade? Someone with 12 years of experience isn't a youngster, and you may not be a senior...so you have learned a lot and perhaps you have a lot more to go.

    So, for what it is worth, START with a good look at yourself and SEE someone with a lot of potential work, because ANY thing you write on this piece of paper about YOU...represents a niche of potential customers.

    Example. You love to quilt. Visit: Jinny Beyer Studio

    She has built a wonderful business and I don't know if she wrote her own copy or had someone write it...but even in this small niche, there awaits opportunity.

    USE this paper as a tool to give yourself more opportunity and perhaps you'll see something you can sink your teeth into.

    gjabiz

    Originally Posted by StephS View Post

    I'm hoping someone can help me, I'm truly at my wit's end. Maybe some objective input will help me focus. I am trying to decide on a copywriting niche. I want to write direct response copy, preferably B2C. And that's where I get stuck. I have the Direct Marketing Market Place book and I've tried going through there to choose a niche since the companies listed are direct marketers, but I'm completely overwhelmed.

    Everything I read says to use your background for determining a niche. My background for the last 12 years has been real estate and mortgage. I'm in the mortgage industry now, but on the back-end negotiating short sales for a major bank. Although home building has started up again, there are gray clouds on the horizon for real estate. And being a former agent, I know real estate agents aren't too keen on paying four figures for sales letters. I thought about mortgage brokers since I used to work on the front-end as an underwriter and worked very closely with brokers, but again it's hard to see if the demand would be there.

    Others say to start with local businesses, but again, where to start? Maybe I should just write some industries down on sheets of paper, close my eyes, and pick one. The important thing is just to get started, right?

    Any suggestions? I would truly appreciate it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Have you thought about writing an info product about short sales from the perspective of an insider?

      Folks buying all those get-rich-with-short-sales products would give their left arms to know what goes on behind the scenes. And what negotiating tactics would get them the lowest price.

      Then use your copywriting skills to sell it. You'd get experience writing copy and a track record to point to when going after copy jobs.

      Something to think about.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author StephS
        First of all, you guys are absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much!

        Originally Posted by OutOfThisWord View Post

        Start with any small biz where you are dealing directly with the owner.

        Get some successes under your belt and grow from there.

        You won't get 4 figs out the gate without a proven portfolio.

        Also, there is plenty going on in the Real Estate biz. I personally do 6 or so projects every year and they run the gamut from niche seminars, leasing agents, short sale lead gen., software, you name it.

        So there is plenty to do in the industry you already know. And forget about the storm clouds you see for your industry as you simply use them to formulate an appeal based on current events.

        Good luck!
        I've been trying to think of other ways to approach real estate...I tried researching companies that market to the real estate industry and kept coming up with the ones that market postcards and website templates. I like your suggestions, gives me some other ways to search...and that's what I was missing. Thank you!


        Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

        Not sure this will help, but...

        Grab a piece of paper draw a stick figure, which is YOU...

        Start with age and where you are currently at on your lifeline. Example: I am a 33 year old woman, a mother of two, wife, sister daughter with the following interests; I like to cook, shop for antiques, etc. etc.

        What you will SEE is a person with many interests and experiences. Perhaps one of those experiences would be a good place to start, especially a hobby or a passion.

        YOU are more than a RE agent or broker. For this exercise, let's say you want to TARGET RE moms with small children and offer them a book on coping and profiting and being a great mom at the same time.

        Don't DEFINE yourself in career terms, SEE the broad picture and include all of your experiences you've had along your PARADE OF LIFE.

        Where do you stand in your parade? Someone with 12 years of experience isn't a youngster, and you may not be a senior...so you have learned a lot and perhaps you have a lot more to go.

        So, for what it is worth, START with a good look at yourself and SEE someone with a lot of potential work, because ANY thing you write on this piece of paper about YOU...represents a niche of potential customers.

        Example. You love to quilt. Visit: Jinny Beyer Studio

        She has built a wonderful business and I don't know if she wrote her own copy or had someone write it...but even in this small niche, there awaits opportunity.

        USE this paper as a tool to give yourself more opportunity and perhaps you'll see something you can sink your teeth into.

        gjabiz
        This helps a lot! You're right, I'm definitely not a youngster...I'm 40...so I've seen and experienced quite a bit. I think I've put myself in a box, so this exercise will definitely help me see myself differently, and provide me with some more ideas. I appreciate it!

        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        Have you thought about writing an info product about short sales from the perspective of an insider?

        Folks buying all those get-rich-with-short-sales products would give their left arms to know what goes on behind the scenes. And what negotiating tactics would get them the lowest price.

        Then use your copywriting skills to sell it. You'd get experience writing copy and a track record to point to when going after copy jobs.

        Something to think about.

        Alex
        You know what? I thought about this a couple of years ago. But I didn't act on it and as time went on I told myself that it probably wasn't needed. Although I have never found anything free or for sale with the information I would add. The debt cancellation act has been extended until 2014, so there is still be a small window for short sales. It wouldn't take me long to write a product at all....something else to very seriously consider. Again, thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Murdaugh
    Something else to consider is generating your own leads for real estate agents/loan officers. Check your local laws on that, but warm leads are worth a fortune. Walk into any place that can use them, show them how responsive they are and they'll sell themselves.
    Signature

    Over $30 Million In Marketing Data And A Decade Of Consistently Generating Breakthrough Results - Ask How My Unique Approach To Copy Typically Outsells Traditional Ads By Up To 29x Or More...

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  • Here's another way to find a "niche" that excites you.

    What would you happily save up for, religiously tucking money away week in week out.

    You are more than a little passionate about this "thing" you are so looking forward to buying.

    And the "thing" will give you immense emotional satisfaction when the golden day arrives when you do buy it.

    So, you may really enjoy writing for all the people who sell it.


    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author StephS
      Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter View Post

      Here's another way to find a "niche" that excites you.

      What would you happily save up for, religiously tucking money away week in week out.

      You are more than a little passionate about this "thing" you are so looking forward to buying.

      And the "thing" will give you immense emotional satisfaction when the golden day arrives when you do buy it.

      So, you may really enjoy writing for all the people who sell it.


      Steve
      DEFINITELY never thought of that! And I can think of two things, instantly, that fit this description. Thank you!

      Truth be told, I could write about a lot of things. I have an insatiable curiosity, and I'm one of those people who know a little about a lot of things. People look at me cockeyed sometimes when they mention something random and I actually know something about it. I absolutely adore research and learning. I guess my issue is fighting overwhelm and focusing. The suggestions in this thread are definitely helping me with this.
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