22 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
22 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

A niche marketing observation

by TrekkieGrrrl
18 replies
First off, let me say that I am not a know-it-all newbie. I know I have a lot to learn.

That's why when I discover a way to explain things in a simple way I like to share the observation.

Nothing eye-opening in this post for the experienced marketers, but maybe it'll help some of my fellow newbies.

My siggy is in Klingon, for those who don't know.

Probably 99% of the people on this forum have no clue what it says. Of those, probably 98% don't care to know what it is.

But the 1% instantly recognize it and it "clicks" with them.
  • They answer in Klingon
  • They PM me in Klingon
  • They - at the very least - make some kind of Trek-ish comment

That is the group I'm looking for. That is my "niche." It's my "tribe."

Not for marketing purposes in this case (although I do have a sci-fi niche). I just love Star Trek, so I love to connect with Trek fans on forums.

But the principle when you do niche marketing is the same. You're not writing to the masses. You're looking for the X% that read what you write and go, "Yes, that's for me."

When you write - whether it's on your blog, articles, squeeze pages, etc. - don't write to the masses. Choose your target audience and write specifically to them.

And that, as always, is JMHO. YMMV. And I would love to hear how others approach their niche writing.
#marketing #niche #observation
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
    Lots of folks start out thinking that they have a product that "everybody" wants or worse that "everybody should" want. These are oftern dismal failures because if everybody wants it, you have almost no USP to roll with except, everybody wants it.

    That can work for hot trend items marketed in the "right here, right now" style but does not work so well for a continuing relationship.

    The idea of appealing to specific subgroups is a very valid marketing idea and will often make you a ton more money.

    That is kind of what niche marketing is, having people self-identify into groups that want what you have.

    This makes a lot of sense to me.
    Signature


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329402].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
      Originally Posted by JMichaelZ View Post

      Lots of folks start out thinking that they have a product that "everybody" wants or worse that "everybody should" want. These are oftern dismal failures because if everybody wants it, you have almost no USP to roll with except, everybody wants it.

      That can work for hot trend items marketed in the "right here, right now" style but does not work so well for a continuing relationship.

      The idea of appealing to specific subgroups is a very valid marketing idea and will often make you a ton more money.

      That is kind of what niche marketing is, having people self-identify into groups that want what you have.

      This makes a lot of sense to me.
      Thank you.

      I have a very specific niche, and I am one of the very few people who cater to this niche. I'm quite okay with the 99.99% of people who aren't my target market looking elsewhere. I'm also happy with my .01% being very happy that I am around.
      Signature

      Hab SoSlI' Quch!
      YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
      Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
      Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329512].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    You are absolutely right.

    This is the lesson that many people miss about copy writing.

    Your target audience is not the 100% of people who visit your sales page, but the 10% who actually want or need what you are selling.

    Accepting that 90% of people are uninterested in your offer, makes the job of presenting your offer to those who are interested in it much more easy.
    Signature
    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329412].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      You are absolutely right.

      This is the lesson that many people miss about copy writing.

      Your target audience is not the 100% of people who visit your sales page, but the 10% who actually want or need what you are selling.

      Accepting that 90% of people are uninterested in your offer, makes the job of presenting your offer to those who are interested in it much more easy.
      I've started reading and learning about copy writing, and it's very true. You are looking to connect with only a certain number of people - the ones who look at the ad/squeeze page/etc. and immediately think, "I need/want this."
      Signature

      Hab SoSlI' Quch!
      YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
      Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
      Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329495].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author myob
      TrekkieGrrrl brought out an excellent point which needs more attention. Speak to your target audience in their "language". If you are in the medical niche for example, use medical terminology. When writing for contractors you should be familiar with the trade and use their jargon. When writing for Star Trek fans, it is almost essential to understand tlhIngan Hol.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329517].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        TrekkieGrrrl brought out an excellent point which needs more attention. Speak to your target audience in their "language". If you are in the medical niche for example, use medical terminology. When writing for contractors you should be familiar with the trade and use their jargon. When writing for Star Trek fans, it is almost essential to understand tlhIngan Hol.
        That's an excellent point. (And you speak Klingon! *swoons*)

        The quickest way to build a rapport with your audience is to speak their language.

        There is a group on Twitter that only tweets in Klingon one day a month. (The third Wednesday of the month, just as a note.) They warn everyone a day or two ahead of time that all of their tweets will be in Klingon that day.

        It makes it very easy to identify the ones in the group, and it immediately shows who isn't part of the group - mainly from the WTF? @ replies they get from followers that don't know what's going on.
        Signature

        Hab SoSlI' Quch!
        YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
        Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
        Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329588].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          What's not to like about a hot green babe who uses her sig to insult people in Klingon AND uses humor in her 'reasons for editing'?

          Quchqu' SoH 'oH naDev!

          [Translation: Glad you are here!]
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329622].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
            Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

            What's not to like about a hot green babe who uses her sig to insult people in Klingon AND uses humor in her 'reasons for editing'?

            Quchqu' SoH 'oH naDev!

            [Translation: Glad you are here!]
            You read those edit notes!? Ha!

            And I am very glad to be here. Thank you.
            Signature

            Hab SoSlI' Quch!
            YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
            Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
            Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329656].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author myob
              Hab SoSlI' Quch!
              Nuqjatlh? :confused:

              tlhIngan maH!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329686].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
                Originally Posted by myob View Post

                Nuqjatlh? :confused:
                Translation: "Huh?" or "What did you say?"

                I can tell this is going to end up being a bilingual thread.

                Hab SoSlI' Quch! means "Your mother has a smooth forehead" and is an extreme insult in Klingon.
                Signature

                Hab SoSlI' Quch!
                YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
                Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
                Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329722].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author polrbearz
                  You guys probably already know this---but WF'er Mike McMillan is a Star Trek fan and very adept at using Star Trek references to make his point. I found this out when I discovered his free pdf advising newbies with some good ideas on how to conduct themselves on WF. I've found value in posts I've seen of his on other threads as well. So we Trek fans are deep waters sometimes

                  My favorite Trek series at the moment is probably Voyager--and it went right by a lot of people. My enthusiasm is probably partly because I got some of the DVD sets recently and got a lot of the "back story" on the creative process.

                  I second some of the posters on this thread who appreciate a chance to liven up our sometimes very serious discussions. Having a little fun can stimulate creativity in unexpected ways. As well as make the journey so much more enjoyable.
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3332786].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author sanssecret
                    Although I'm a trekkie fan (well, ok, if I'm honest, I'm more of a Picard fan ), I've never felt the desire to learn Klingon.

                    Love the post, (it's very true) but have to admit I am loving your 'edits' even more.
                    Signature
                    San

                    The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. ~Muhammad Ali
                    Pay me to play. :) Order a Custom Cover today.
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3332880].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vicky K
    Totally agree

    When you make your website or write your articles, don't write for everybody, don't even write for "your audience", just write for one person. Picture this person in every detail. How old are they, what do they look like, what is their biggest concern, how do they talk, what do they want to hear? Then write to just this one person. Become their friend. Be there for them, help them out.
    That's when you'll start making lots of money
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329553].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    But the principle when you do niche marketing is the same. You're not writing to the masses. You're looking for the X% that read what you write and go, "Yes, that's for me."
    That's such a true statement. I read a post on tips for song writing and the author said to "write for one."
    Signature
    "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."
    ~ Plato
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3329585].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bareket57
    Originally Posted by TrekkieGrrrl View Post

    Not for marketing purposes in this case (although I do have a sci-fi niche). I just love Star Trek, so I love to connect with Trek fans on forums.

    But the principle when you do niche marketing is the same. You're not writing to the masses. You're looking for the X% that read what you write and go, "Yes, that's for me."

    When you write - whether it's on your blog, articles, squeeze pages, etc. - don't write to the masses. Choose your target audience and write specifically to them.

    And that, as always, is JMHO. YMMV. And I would love to hear how others approach their niche writing.
    Thank you for this great advice You've definitely hit the nail on the head! I also have a very specified niche (birthstones - combining Astrology with Crystal Healing) and I'm looking to build an online community for kindred spirits. For funding I use my online store and do freelance work. I'm determined to keep my site add free.

    Love & Light
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3333195].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
      Originally Posted by polrbearz View Post

      You guys probably already know this---but WF'er Mike McMillan is a Star Trek fan and very adept at using Star Trek references to make his point.
      I like him already.


      Originally Posted by polrbearz View Post

      I found this out when I discovered his free pdf advising newbies with some good ideas on how to conduct themselves on WF. I've found value in posts I've seen of his on other threads as well. So we Trek fans are deep waters sometimes
      Deep thinkers we are, indeed.

      Originally Posted by polrbearz View Post

      I second some of the posters on this thread who appreciate a chance to liven up our sometimes very serious discussions. Having a little fun can stimulate creativity in unexpected ways. As well as make the journey so much more enjoyable.
      I agree. Humor often makes what would be a boring lesson much more entertaining.

      Originally Posted by sanssecret View Post

      Although I'm a trekkie fan (well, ok, if I'm honest, I'm more of a Picard fan ), I've never felt the desire to learn Klingon.

      Love the post, (it's very true) but have to admit I am loving your 'edits' even more.
      LOL No, but I'll bet you at least recognized that it was Klingon. (Pssssssssssssst. I'm a Picard fan, too.)

      I can't believe anyone reads those edits!

      Originally Posted by bareket57 View Post

      Thank you for this great advice You've definitely hit the nail on the head! I also have a very specified niche (birthstones - combining Astrology with Crystal Healing) and I'm looking to build an online community for kindred spirits. For funding I use my online store and do freelance work. I'm determined to keep my site add free.

      Love & Light
      That sounds like a fascinating niche. I think you'll develop your online community well. Are you on Twitter? I'd love to follow you. (NVM - see you have Twitter in your profile.)
      Signature

      Hab SoSlI' Quch!
      YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary LLaP = Live Long and Prosper
      Please Donate To KimW - Warrior needs a kidney transplant
      Coming Soon - the Greatest WSO in History!

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3335977].message }}

Trending Topics