A Quick Guide to Finding Trending Products - Even Before Google
This probably isn't news to anyone working in the retail industry but for those who don't get the trade magazines this is a handy 'insider tip'.
Lots of trade magazines, particularly in the retail sector are filled with information on upcoming products that haven't been released to market yet. Quite often the public press releases haven't even gone out yet so only the trade know about them. That's still a big number of people but they aren't searching for the products on Google because they know they're not available to buy yet.
As an example, "The Future" is a magazine published by Gem Distribution, one of the biggest computer accessories and software distributors in the UK. Their monthly magazine profiles upcoming hardware and software, particularly games and device accessories which are always big sellers. While you can attend E3 or watch the videos on YouTube to find out which games are the biggest names coming out, the trade magazines will give you insight from the company and the wholesaler about which products will be 'sold' the most.
That doesn't just mean product sales but Point of Sale instore and online. That's the key info you're looking for. If you know there will be a big push then it's a good time to get your affiliate websites ready and look for related niche items that will draw less competitive keywords.
Start checking Google now and watch for the trending lines around the product start to rise. Now start picking your related keywords.
As an example, in this month's "The Future", Gears of War 3 is highlighted. Every follower of the franchise knows it's coming out and the launch date is 20th September but the magazine also highlights the fact that all marketing will heavily promote Xbox 360 multiplayer functions. So now you can look for Xbox 360 multiplayer accessories, add-ons that will increase in demand but not be as competitive (among keywords) compared to the game itself.
Again, looking at the trade magazines, Gioteck are bringing out a Xbox headset for multiplayer gaming. This is one of many perfect cross-sells to align with your affiliate page and review pages for the upcoming game.
The 'trick' to getting these trade magazines is the key however. Some trade magazines are available to anyone, simply search for 'trade magazine' on Google and you'll find lots of free and paid publications for every industry imaginable. For other subscriptions you need an account with the wholesaler (i.e. prove you're a shop) which isn't very practical for most people.
The other (and much easier way) is to look for the press release suppliers, the people and companies who issue the trade information to the wholesalers.
These invaluable bits of news are normally hidden on the 'boring' parts of a corporate website.
Search any big company's website for "press", "trade", "pr" or "release" and you can usually find their media page. In here you will find the latest news and often there is an RSS or e-mail subscription which means you will be notified at the same time as the retailers when new products are coming up.
This is the press page for Xbox for example:
Xbox Press - Xbox.com
..and for Logitech:
Press
Hopefully this helps some others and if nothing else, helps inspire new product ideas using industry news.
Lots of trade magazines, particularly in the retail sector are filled with information on upcoming products that haven't been released to market yet. Quite often the public press releases haven't even gone out yet so only the trade know about them. That's still a big number of people but they aren't searching for the products on Google because they know they're not available to buy yet.
As an example, "The Future" is a magazine published by Gem Distribution, one of the biggest computer accessories and software distributors in the UK. Their monthly magazine profiles upcoming hardware and software, particularly games and device accessories which are always big sellers. While you can attend E3 or watch the videos on YouTube to find out which games are the biggest names coming out, the trade magazines will give you insight from the company and the wholesaler about which products will be 'sold' the most.
That doesn't just mean product sales but Point of Sale instore and online. That's the key info you're looking for. If you know there will be a big push then it's a good time to get your affiliate websites ready and look for related niche items that will draw less competitive keywords.
Start checking Google now and watch for the trending lines around the product start to rise. Now start picking your related keywords.
As an example, in this month's "The Future", Gears of War 3 is highlighted. Every follower of the franchise knows it's coming out and the launch date is 20th September but the magazine also highlights the fact that all marketing will heavily promote Xbox 360 multiplayer functions. So now you can look for Xbox 360 multiplayer accessories, add-ons that will increase in demand but not be as competitive (among keywords) compared to the game itself.
Again, looking at the trade magazines, Gioteck are bringing out a Xbox headset for multiplayer gaming. This is one of many perfect cross-sells to align with your affiliate page and review pages for the upcoming game.
The 'trick' to getting these trade magazines is the key however. Some trade magazines are available to anyone, simply search for 'trade magazine' on Google and you'll find lots of free and paid publications for every industry imaginable. For other subscriptions you need an account with the wholesaler (i.e. prove you're a shop) which isn't very practical for most people.
The other (and much easier way) is to look for the press release suppliers, the people and companies who issue the trade information to the wholesalers.
These invaluable bits of news are normally hidden on the 'boring' parts of a corporate website.
Search any big company's website for "press", "trade", "pr" or "release" and you can usually find their media page. In here you will find the latest news and often there is an RSS or e-mail subscription which means you will be notified at the same time as the retailers when new products are coming up.
This is the press page for Xbox for example:
Xbox Press - Xbox.com
..and for Logitech:
Press
Hopefully this helps some others and if nothing else, helps inspire new product ideas using industry news.
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