10 replies
hi all....i am new to this forum(well not exactly as i've been reading without posting) and would really appreciate some advice.i want to start IM and even identified a major niche but the problem is it has many sub-niches and i'm confused. Do i...1.start a website/blog on the major niche with subniches as categories within it(with each subniche SEO'ed)..kind of like minisites within a site or....... 2.start and optimize a website/blog on each subniche
I am inclined towards the first option because i can provide content across all the subniches easily,the second option i think might limit me in terms of content provision....I think i would want traffic driven to my sub niche pages...is this advisable?? i know this is a lot to take in but i really need help thanks in advance
#advice
  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    I went the second route of creating lots of mini sites, which in theory could work, but in practice left me spread too thin and not focusing enough on any.

    So I would agree that a bigger site is a better idea. That way you can focus until you start to see what keywords are bringing traffic into your site and what products are converting. Later down the line you can always expand and create sites based around the smaller niches. By then you'll know what works better in that niche.

    ~Ruth
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541263].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chinemerem
      [QUOTE=Ruth P;3541263]I went the second route of creating lots of mini sites, which in theory could work, but in practice left me spread too thin and not focusing enough on any.

      So I would agree that a bigger site is a better idea. That way you can focus until you start to see what keywords are bringing traffic into your site and what products are converting. Later down the line you can always expand and create sites based around the smaller niches. By then you'll know what works better in that niche.

      ~Ruth[/QUOTE
      Thank you so much....thought as much too]
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541320].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author petelta
    I would do both...but start with one site at a time. If you want to create a powerful business, plan to take over your niche. Start with 1 mini niche site to get your system down, then add on to that. Create 1 a month or something.

    The mini-niche subjects are more than likely going to be easier to rank in the search engines and more than likely the conversion rate will be higher on selling a micro niche specific product. That's not always the case, but the majority of the time it is.

    Starting in a large niche can be very difficult for newbies because you are not focusing on one ideal buyer. Covering a large range of topics can make it more difficult to learn how to sell products sometimes. Like I said, if you are a newbie, make it easier on yourself.
    Signature
    TEESPRING Student Rakes In Over $116k In Less Than 3 Months
    Niche Pro Profits - How I raked in OVER $120k in 9 months with authority niche sites...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541273].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chinemerem
      thanks pete...you ve been very helpful...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541360].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brian Terry
    I wouldn't create dozens of sub-niche sites because you're going to spread yourself way too thinly.

    It's going to be much easier to create 1 single authority website that contains a category for each of the sub-niches.

    Creating 1 big authority site that covers all the topics of the niche is much more effective (and easier to manage) then 100's of smaller sites that only talk about a few tightly connected topics of the niche.

    Have you considered interviewing the people in the niche you want to get into? This is by far the easiest way of getting content.

    You interview the experts who are already established in the niche, you offer the interview recordings to your subscribers, you could either sell the transcripts or use them as content for the blogs. You could even sell the CD recordings of the interviews as a special package of some kind.

    It's quite likely those other experts will link to their interview on your authority website giving you an instant source of traffic and quality back links.

    The biggest side benefit of this approach is by interviewing all the experts in a niche you also become seen as an expert by your target market. Then it becomes easier to own that niche.

    I hope this helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541326].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author chinemerem
      brian...wow....thanks a lot...i'll try that..
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541380].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Tyson Faulkner
        Having a huge authority site with a ton of information across all the sub-niches sounds great, but it's really not feasible when you're getting started. There's just too much content to create.

        Instead FOCUS on 1 subniche and make that your specialty. The more specialized you are the more your visitors will see you as valuable.

        Do you think of About.com as a site that you'd buy a high dollar info product from? Probably not...since they have a little bit about everything. But the marketers who get extremely focused can.

        You won't be all things to all people, so just focus on one little thing. If your visitors are interested they'll stick, if not they'll leave, which is OK.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541408].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author BenoitT
        Go for an authority site and provide values to your visitors like a mad man. Best way to start Think in term of value you give at your customers. If you think what you're writing is worth telling it in front of a 1 million audience, then it is probably worth for your blog. The idea of interview is a great value, but don't only do it. Start with one idea and focus on it for at least 30 days. After that, you only make sure you keep the ball rolling and you can try something else.

        Don't do a micro-site just because it is easier.

        Unique content is king here in the Internet.
        Signature

        Benoit Tremblay

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541421].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chinemerem
    now,as a newbie is it okay to start my site with an opt-in??if its okay where do i put it?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541422].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
      Originally Posted by chinemerem View Post

      now,as a newbie is it okay to start my site with an opt-in??if its okay where do i put it?
      Yes of course.

      When were you planning on starting a list?

      Begin now and build it up. AWeber has a one month trial for $1, then it's $19 after that. Considering you can make some nice money off of your list, $19 is nothing.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3541452].message }}

Trending Topics