Religious Niches..Anyone?

I totally agree with ncmedia. Im not a very religious person, but I cant bring myself to profit from it.

Its a shame because I have came across some really good regilious keywords that would probably be great money makers.

Hmm. IMHO, shame denotes that you are doing something wrong or that IM is in somehow immoral.

This is not so. Furthermore earning a profit is not immoral either.
Earning an illegal profit or taking money without providing value is immoral. Promising something that you can't deliver is immoral, but offering products to Christians I don't see the problem with.

If you're providing real value I don't see the problem.

Walk in any bookstore and you'll see tons of products helping people of faith live more authentic lives or helping people raise their kids in faith.

I guess I have a different opinion of what earning money means. To me exchanging money for something of value is a good thing. But understand that not everyone will agree.

I didn't know the Christian religions forbid making money or regard it as "immoral"... (and I even used to preach whenever the pastor was on vacation or had to go somewhere else ).

I don't remember anything neither in the Old nor in the New Testament as the basis to be ashamed if one makes money.

Don't forget, this capitalist rat race we live in, historically has been based on the Protestant (work) ethic - see more in Max Weber's works.

It is not more immoral to make money by selling products of value to Christians as selling products of value to atheists.

Some people have been making big bucks on "doomsday" products recently. I personally wouldn't cash in to this, it just feels wrong.

doesn't religion profit from itself anyway? So where's the difference in IM doing the same thing?

OK, I'll be serious now.

If you are a person of faith and you feel that your products are acceptable according to your beliefs, I don't see the problem with it. If it's not acceptable, that's on you and whatever afterlife / consequences you believe in.

I do think there is a very large market for religious marketers of any belief.

I think it's also a market where once your IN, business could be booming. Provide something of quality and get a thumbs-up from a couple of mega churches and business could be very very good.

BTW, I didn't get my bible free so it's not like selling religious products online or off is a sin.

Well I am a little religious and to me it just sounds so very much wrong. be you are free to persevere in there if that is what you want to do and if that is what will bring you the $$$ that you need.

Unfortunately I have no advice for you.

I am a Christian and don't see anything wrong with profiting from this sector. What is the supposed conflict. We, as human beings, believers or non, are supposed to support ourselves. If this is how you can make money and support yourself, provided you do it in a moral fashion, I don't think there is a conflict.
Kate

I would have some problems with certain items such as trinkets, amulets, etc. However I would have no problem selling a church a prefab steeple, baptistery, pulpits, pews, books, videos, etc.

Just like if the Pope mobile pulled up to my gas station, (if I had one), fill'r up for ya?

Old Dog

I agree 1000 percent.

I'm not sure this fits exactly with what you're asking. But I'll toss it out to consider.

My 20+ years in the print-and-ink and ebook business has not focused on the IM crowd, even though I do have several products in that niche. Ninety percent of my products have been developed for the education market... for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers, etc.

This is a fact (don't ask me for screenshots or proof), but two of the largest growing markets out there include the homeschooling market and the market comprised of materials for adult continuing education.

Many homeshooling families school their kids at home because they want to keep their kids out of the public factory school system (which I don't blame them for--I was an inner-city high school teacher for 14 years) and provide a wholesome, ethic-based and often religious-based education.

The market for homeschooling families is huge and growing. Go to a Barnes & Noble store and look though the magazines. There are 3-4 very popular magazines for homeschooling parents. They will have both classified and display ads from both large and small companies offering materials to supplement their kids education. No rant intended, but one of the reasons many parents homeschool is because they would die before exposing their children to the social-engineering, pluralistic new world order themes running through American textbooks.

If you can develop even relatively simple learning materials that homeschooling families find useful you can make sales and a lot of them if your materials are good. You can also approach catalog companies catering to homeschooling families and try to get your products (hard products, not digital) into their catalogs for a 50% discount (this is what I did). This is big business and it's growing!

You don't have to give lectures on the Gospels to cater to homeschooling families. Especially for younger students, just providing materials, even simple story books, that provide lessons in ethics, values, relationships can do well.

--Some thoughts, Mike

Wow. I never thought of people of faith as being weak or weak minded. Furthermore there is a clear distinction between marketing to a group of people and exploiting them.

The candy companies are all up in arms around this time of year because it's Easter. Are you saying that Mars Co. is exploiting peoples weaknesses and using their belief system to sell Easter candy? What about the clothing stores selling those little white gloves? Oh marketing to Christians is the foundation for the retail marketplace- can we say Christmas?

Last but not least, my question was not regarding the morality of marketing to the group only whether or not it was working for some people.

Actually I was considering creating PLR for local churches and websites and you have only solidified the fact that the market is wide open.

Thanks.

Religion and making money don´t mix. Didn´t Jesus threw the merchants out of the temple?

Your religion is not just something you believe in. It´s what you are. Like someone raised as a catholic, protestant, muslim or hindoe, will stay this for the rest of his life. Like a computer using a certain type of operating system, that makes him different from the same kind of computers using another operating system.

If you trade what you are you are selling your soul.

I do honestly thank everyone for their opinions. Especially those who shared their experience in the niche, as that was the information I was looking for.

I'm of the opinion that if you do dastardly deeds you will have to answer for them no matter how you earn your living.
If you lie cheat and steal to make a buck - it's wrong no matter the customer. If you're honest and offer a valuable service - it's fine no matter the customer.

I'm perfectly ok to agree to disagree on this one.
Not quite ready to believe that selling PLR material to churches is the same as peddling prayer cloths on infomercials.

I have a website that is a religious niche, but I have had a hard time monetizing it. I'm being pretty selective about what I will or won't promote on the site and have not yet found something I'm comfortable with that sells.

A good niche in the rising is the New-Age niche or Spiritual for that matter. Just do some research on the keyword Spiritual and you will see what I am talking about. ZERO COMPETITION.

"The worker is worth his wages" Matt 10:10

and " Do not muzzle the ox " Deut 25:4

I'm sorry, but ( speaking from a Christian point of view - and my humble opinion ) YESHUA HIMSELF worked! So did Paul! You are paying your minister 10% of your income every month, and in most cases they do not even help you!

Yet, you, who have products that deal with the issues of value to christians and you think it wrong to charge? It dont work like that. Charge your fair price! Be calm and know that it is through your products that YHWH can actually help people!

I think it is one of most non profitable niches, but good for relationship and social things like datings

I'm pretty sure in the Catholic church they pass around the money basket and people put money into it all the time. That's the church making money. Immoral or not?

Then you have this Joel Olsteen preacher who does infomercials on tv and sells out arena's. He's making a killing, and I'm sure he's giving back but at the same time..HE'S MAKING A KILLING.

So why feel bad?

If it's a void that needs to be filled in someone's life then by all means.

cheers!

I would have to say that the Christian Dating niche is pretty explsoive right now. I see it all over the Internet on banners ads and in TV commercials.

Maybe you should consider being an affiliate for ChristianMingle.com?

I bet you could really rake it in!

Hi PP,

If I remember correctly, I think that SusanUSA's first eBooks were Christian-oriented. You'll probably have to click the link in her sig to get the full details...
http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...revisited.html

[Edit: Yeah, I did remember correctly! Scroll down to post number 34...]

I don't see anything wrong with that as long as you are not cheating anyone or committing some fraud. There are plenty of religious niches and associated programs available so a lot of people are actually in those niches..

Here's an example
30 Christian Affiliate Programs To Join

(Not my site)

Cheers,
Anup

There's nothing wrong with religious niche. You will profit from it but... not that profitable than other niches. if you want to profit more than what you think, maybe find some niche that is profitable.

If someone wants to buy a gospel CD and you have a store - online or off - that sells them; I have a hard time seeing why people find this wrong. If someone wants to buy an inspirational devotion book and you spend hours writing one...should you be required to give it away for free?

Now if you were promoting a cult that takes people's money using some sort of fear or control factor; that's a different story.

But there are Christian bookstores all over America. Are they immoral for selling books that Christians want to buy?

As already stated, the homeschooling market is huge. Parents are always trying to find good materials that they feel match with their core beliefs.

Rose

Every faith group has people making money in it that includes but not limited to Islam and Judaism.

Just type 'Muslim Dating' into Google and see the amount of responses that comes back. It's a MASSIVE industry, and it's going through the roof at the moment.

Most of my sites revolve (directly or indirectly) around my faith (I'm LDS). Even if you're not, the fundamentals can be applied to anyone's life. I focus more on the cultural aspect of things.

All that being said, I have a domain that would kill in the Jehovah's Witness niche (shout out to my J-Dubs out there)! I plan on launching a site geared towards them in the near future.

Lastly, there's some great tips in here, as I expand into different niches...thank guys! :-)

This is just my personal opinion but it seems to me that one of the reasons we are put here on this sorry old world is to spread the word of God. Now, that being the primary motivation I honestly do not see anything wrong with making a little (or perhaps more than a little) money in the process as long as the person never forgets that spreading the word is most important. God will know your priorities if they stray from this.

One of my first affiliates was the Medley Affiliate Network. Ironically, they have dating sites targeted at Christians, and then they have the Friend Finder, then they have the rest...

Well, let's just say I watched a documentary 2-3 years ago, and the creator/owner was banking over $100 Million a year. As a believer in a "Higher Power" myself, somehow, I don't think you'll burn in hell for making a living by selling religious products.

My old Pastor was a trip, he used to bust my chops because I smoked cigarettes. He used to say; "No, I don't think smoking will keep you out of Heaven, but it damn sure might get you there quicker!"

Look at the number of author's/writer's who've earned great livings writing spiritual based books. Even the "Laws of Attraction" types and Napoleon Hill's are still well respected and they wrote what may have been considered a bit controversial.

I think controversy instigates change, so I say; "Heck yeah, go educate, equip, and edify the people!"

All the Best,

Art

PS- Forgive me, I intentionally skimmed the thread, so I hope my contribution holds some relevance. Religious and political debates often interfere with my spiritual peace and awe, so it's easier not reading all the posts.

You're not gonna get rich out of it but you might make enough to live out of it:-)

Evidentally the Bible is the best selling book. Maybe if you can get them cheap enough, you can sell them online, or maybe a PDF version?
Just my thoughts.

I have 2 eCommerce websites that sell religious items, one of my projects right now is to build a platform that allows people to sell religious handcrafted items. I profit from one, and the other goes towards donations. One being a religion I have no affiliation to, and the other I do.

If what I do is considered exploitation, then I would have to sit down and try to figure out why I should care.

The religious niche is pretty profitable if you know what you are doing, but many steer clear of it for a bunch of reasons, but they are far and large pretty loyal buyers

This question has been asked... well sort off...

Is it worth it to jump on the religious band wagon? The reason I ask is because I have am planning a subscription based magazine with a feature filled website. The target audience: Christians.

The reason for this is because ours has become a religion hated by the world because of people who abused it, causing most Christians to live lives of no social relevance.

I believe that what we have to offer is totally unique.

Click on the link in my signature and just leave a comment. I will post the details shortly.

This is the same as giving advices for cancer patients and other deadly diseases. For some believers this is immoral and I think this stand for me also.

Okay here is the thing.


This is what i think.


Making money from religion itself is no problem.

Lets clarify somethings here.

If u are comparing owners of religious tv programmes and authors of religious books with yourself then u must also be either writing ur own book or have ur own tv show.

If u are just marketing products then u should be looking/comparing urself with retail bookshops like popular, haris, times, etc.

Okay so lets talk about being a writer and having ur own shows, Yes those people earn money of their shows and books. BUT their main aim is to spread what they believe and not to profit. Logically and practically they need to profit obviously to cover cost and live as well, they are also on earth arnt they?

So if you are a christian for example, and u want to write a book on christianity and what u believe and then sell it, WHY NOT?

But if u are not a christian and u want to just write a book to sell to christians just for the profit and that its a good market THEN THAT IS NOT OKAY.

Unless of cos u write a review or a neutral point kind of book.


Now lets talk about promoting this stuff that u dont own.
If u are pure marketer, meaning u do not have any personal belief then i guess it is no problem for u to do such things.

Promote an christian book to a christian is just like other products and niche, its just helping people find what they want. SO if u can market a christian book to a christian who is finding that book and he buys it then u make that money, why not?
AGAIN this is if u are not into any religion.

Now if lets say u are in a religion then things get abit nasty.
Lets say u are a christian, and just because there is a good market for atheist, by marketing to them and cashing in would be going against ur own belief.

Is like saying you are against values of pornography, but because its a good market u go into it and promote it for profits.

Get what i mean?


So be clear which category u are in, and exactly what kind of person u are.
I am a christian, so if u ask me to sell a christian book to the christian market i have no problem doing that, but if u ask me to promote an Anti-christ book to anyone i wouldnt. That is simply it.

peace out!

Wow, you mention religion and so many jump to espouse their philosophical views. Personally, I try to live for Jesus but am frail and fallen like the rest of this BUT that has NOTHING to do with your question.

There are many religious niches that are wide open ... many. What is it that you fancy?

im just surprised this thread stayed up.

I know a best-selling pagan magick product giving a $150 a sale for its affiliate
Very tempting, but it's "not for me"

Hi,

promote religion items-why not when your believe in youre religion, and you will help people?

my 2 cent noob question here; to promote religion books, crafts and so on,what isbest method to do?
push up many product slideshow videos to youtube (30-50 seconds slideshows) with a link in the description to my religion store who has short description about every product??

But with books you not earn high commissions max 5-10% (without amazon) and does people who look the youtube slideshows buys religion books for 50$ ore more??

Or is it better to make own videos like some "gurus" or how I should name it, you tell in a 5-10 minute video topics/ chapters from your religion and blend in your video the link to your religion store or in the video description.

What is better method?

But so many say here religion niches are high profitable-how it can be with the low commissions you earn with books???? How you will make good money with this low commisssions??
You must push up min.50 own videos every month to youtubeand must build 50 webpages every month to your religion book store?????

Or how?????? But (I'm european) I don't know if the european market is profitable does they have high ctr and conversion rates with little webstores and youtube videos-product slideshows???

best wishes
marco005

You don´t need to promote books from Amazon. You can also use Ebooks from Clickbank. You could make a video about numerology and look for a numerology-product on Clickbank. The top numerology product pays $39,72.

Im a Christian and my mothers a priest, I grew up around religion and have a good understanding of it! the way I see it, marketing to religious people is no different to marketing to anyone else! why does religion have to be different? I don't understand those that are against!

Example: I bought my mother a salvador dali painting of Christ, online, which when delivered my mum was absolutely thrilled with it and loves the painting!...it brings her pleasure looking for it. Now the seller has given me pleasure and value for my money by selling me something that gave my mum such joy!......regardless of the sellers beleifs.. a great transaction took place where all parties involved left happy! wheres anything immoral about that??

....I think the folks here who have the problem with it, find the thoughts of the religious buyers getting exploited by marketers is disgusting....which it is! but isn't that the same regardless of niche???

I think that this can definitely be profitable. Just don't sacrifice your values in making it so!

If everyone thought selling to Christians (or other devout religious followers) was immoral, where would religious people buy stuff? Would it all have to be given to them? I'm not trying to make fun of any other posts, but do you see the disconnect here?

Perhaps it's the idea of non-Christians (or non-Muslims, etc.) selling to people of faith that bothers some.. Again, where are they to buy things - must they only deal with other people of their own faith? Some religions do espouse this, but, and again, not to step on any toes, but for those religions that do allow commerce with non-believers, why limit their choices, if there's a non-Christian (etc.) marketer who promotes a product that can enrich their lives in some way?

Jesus recommended that his followers continue to work for a living as others did (except for the 12 Apostles, that was different). He also said "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's" (money, taxes). He gave lots of advice about dealing with society, and in employment issues and those dealing with commerce, it all leans toward interacting with society as others do, only with a pure heart and noble ethics.

Again, I hope I haven't seemed dismissive of anyone's sensitivities, but as a Christian myself, it sometimes amuses me how "squeamish" folks are toward religious people - Most of us aren't that scary

Christian niches are very good, christian dating is even better!

I'm in a niche basically related to mental health, but in combination with spirituality.

I believe that most people are interested in mind + body + spirit instead of the classical religions of the past.

This is a profitable niche because it is about healing based on holistic medicine, and not just praying and hoping that God may help you.

I have a collection of Hindu niches ,but not of christian niches.

It´s true that Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple and the combination of religion and commerce is always something where one can lose his soul.

The title of the thread "Religious Niches..Anyone?" seems to imply that Halcyon has a specific belief and wants to convince others of his idea of god. He wants to target different niches and sell something that makes a good profit to these people. This could be called immoral too.

But what about all the commerce at Christmas? Do these merchants, shopowners etc. all go to hell?

Religion is a very broad term. Numerology belongs to the occult amd most Christians belief one should stay away from the occult. But what is religion without magick? Magick is the belief that one can alter the naturally occuring reality with the power of the mind. Something animals cannot do. Christians, in a way, also belief this. Belief that one can go to heaven or hell because of the things one thought or did in the past. Something the mind did. Also when Jesus was born there was a bright star at the heaven. Believing in stars is something from astrology and astrology also belongsto the occult and is also related to numerology.

But religious niches probably do not make more money than other niches. So people who want to make money and fear for their souls have sufficient alternatives. Or you need something you strongly believe in and write your own book or make your own videos. A controversial video about the origins of Christianity:

Wouldn't touch religion myself.

But I can see how this could be stupidly profitable considering that you're tapping into a belief system so powerful that people will all sorts of crazy things.

I am a full-time marketer in the Christian niche and 99% of what I do is in that niche. It is very profitable and fulfilling at the same time. I even have a course on it as a WSO.

Its a brilliant niche. Go for it.
Religious niches have a massive audience. Why do you think religion became so big? because it is profitable. I say go for it. If its the means to put food on your table, keep your electricity and pay the rent. Then go for it.

Hi,

Religious blogs do work well just like any other blogs if it has religion-focused content targeted towards religious people. You can do check out a list of these religious blogs that do rank well on search engines.


A list of top 50 Religion blogs by Blog Rank

Thanks,
Chintan