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Starting in the Dog Niche- Advice needed

by perbsh
25 replies
Hi all,

This is my first post here, I've been in and around the internet marketing space since 2010 on and off. I got started in the "IM make money online" niche promoting various programs and was unsuccessful. I've promoted a few products on amazon via YouTube and done OK.

I'm an owner of a Chow Chow dog and this is something I'm passionate about and have a real interest in, I've been thinking about setting a site up providing "advice" on how to maintain their coat and grooming/dog training etc. I would then promote amazon products or any other associated affiliate programs. I would build a list and aim to be an "authority in the niche".

I'm aware that setting such a site up will potentially take years to build a good reader base up and get some good rankings that will be profitable. I've mulled over the idea of just using YouTube as I've had some success on there before and I'm not a huge fan of writing blog post after blog post.

If you was starting out would you create a niche info type site and look to promote amazon products or is there a better way of doing this?

Any advice would be much appreciated
#advice #dog #needed #niche #starting
  • Profile picture of the author unifiedac
    If you prefer video, do what you're most comfortable with. You could always transcribe (our outsource the transcription) of your videos to blog posts.

    Here are the basic steps I take when setting up a niche site:
    • Identify the audience that will be visiting my site (i.e., chow chow owners, breeders...)
    • Identify the value I will provide to my visitors
    • Identify what actions I want them to take when they get to my site (this may be different for different pages/posts)
    • Identify what follow-up methods I will use to reach out to past visitors
    I find that if I follow these steps, I rarely need paid traffic methods. If you provide value, they will come.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

    I'm aware that setting such a site up will potentially take years to build a good reader base up and get some good rankings that will be profitable. I've mulled over the idea of just using YouTube as I've had some success on there before and I'm not a huge fan of writing blog post after blog post.
    I mentioned this on another thread, but it bears repeating.

    You do need a good reader base, but it does not have to be your readers, especially when you first start out.

    "Borrow" other peoples' audiences via things like YouTube videos, guest posts, blog commenting, article syndication, posting to social media, etc.

    Your objective is to lure some of those people to your site and your email list in particular.

    Get real links and visitors, and the rankings will follow. People buy things, not SERPs, so focus on bringing in the right people, delivering value, and getting permission to keep in touch. Just making that mental shift can shave years off the time you need to build your audience.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post


      "Borrow" other peoples' audiences via things like YouTube videos, guest posts, blog commenting, article syndication, posting to social media, etc.

      .
      An effective way of marketing can be YT commenting on a highly viewed YT video. You could use a YT username that is unique and piques curiosity to get clicks to a link to your Site or own video in the comment. Anyone else done YT commenting similar to blog commenting with any results ?


      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
    Originally Posted by perbsh View Post


    I'm an owner of a Chow Chow dog

    I'm aware that setting such a site up will potentially take years to build a good reader base up and get some good rankings that will be profitable. I've mulled over the idea of just using YouTube as I've had some success on there before and I'm not a huge fan of writing blog post after blog post.
    I'd do a show about "My Chow Chow" and just stick up new videos every week with the dog. May not necessarily take years to get a good reader base. Be sure to watermark those vids with your website.


    If you was starting out would you create a niche info type site and look to promote amazon products or is there a better way of doing this?
    This is going to be purely a testing/tracking/tweeking thing for you to figure out the best way to monetize.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Like yesterday, I was talking to a dog groomer. She hates her low pay job because every day she is getting bitten by angry canines. Both of her arms are cover over in scars. Maybe you can design some special gloves to assist dog groomers. Certainly, there is a need and the demand exists for this product, but I do not know how to got about creating some. Keep looking up. Oh yes, best of luck to you.
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    • Profile picture of the author agmccall
      Originally Posted by seobro View Post

      Like yesterday, I was talking to a dog groomer. She hates her low pay job because every day she is getting bitten by angry canines. Both of her arms are cover over in scars. Maybe you can design some special gloves to assist dog groomers. Certainly, there is a need and the demand exists for this product, but I do not know how to got about creating some. Keep looking up. Oh yes, best of luck to you.
      Why not just slap a muzzle on the dog. That is what they do at Petsmart if the dog nips or bites.

      al
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

    I'm aware that setting such a site up will potentially take years

    Potentially, it can . . . but it doesn't have to!

    You can get a site up very quickly these days - I'd suggest WordPress. And as John stated, you can tap into existing audiences almost immediately.

    Jill gave some good advice about testing and tracking what you're doing so you can focus on what works best for your target market.

    Certainly, you will have to build up your followers over time. Start building a list immediately and just realize that you have to start somewhere and be consistent over the long haul. Internet business is almost never about making a quick killing and moving on to something else.

    One of the great things about online business is that you can choose to do the tasks you want/like/are good at . . . and arrange for others to do those things you'd rather not do.

    Good luck to you,

    Steve

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    • Profile picture of the author tomham
      1- start with a very minimal site: landing page plus a page with articles, vids, pics.

      2- Then go to FaceBook, and join every group that has ANYTHING to do with pets, dogs; and post your URL on them.
      3- Begin to advertise on FaceBook when you can scrape together $5.00 per day.

      4- Repeat #'s 2 and 3 continuously.
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  • Profile picture of the author shmol
    I would, as has been suggested, use wordpress.

    One thing I would advise, do not worry about how long it takes to build up your site.

    Set short terms goals, like up loading one new video per week.

    Or writing three blog posts per week.

    Along with that, start checking out the big blogs in your niche--and commenting on the posts.

    Take your time, leave very good comments--this way they will stick.

    After a while, reach out to the blog owners and see if you can do a guest post.

    Also, set up accounts with the big boys, facebook, twitter, reddit, etc, and share your videos.

    Keep going at this, and your traffic will, chances are, grow.

    Hope this Helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author perbsh
    Thank you for all your replies, they've been really helpful and given me some real direction.

    I'm thinking I will create a Wordpress blog and use YouTube and Facbook etc, at the minute I'm just thinking in terms of content on the site, the problems but also I want to provide value so people view this as a real resource.

    How would you build your list? would you just have an opt in at the sidebar offering something of value?

    Thanks in advance.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

      How would you build your list? would you just have an opt in at the sidebar offering something of value?

      Thanks in advance.
      Put the opt-in in the side bar.

      And at the end of each blog post.

      And at the end of each video.

      And on your FB profile.

      And in an exit popover.

      Over time, create multiple opt-in incentives. If you find a particular post really resonates (lots of links, shares, etc.), consider creating a "content upgrade" in exchange for the opt-in. Even if the upgrade is simply a checklist, cheat sheet or just a pdf or audio version of the post.

      You should build up a library of opt-in incentives, sometimes called lead magnets, that you can deploy on your site and other assets. Code your opt-in form so you know which incentive they signed up for and use other incentives as lagniappe (a little something extra) from time to time.

      Be consistent, create good content (both for a site and your list) and be diligent in promoting it, and you can shave years off the time it takes to build an audience using the post&pray method with a subscribe form in the sidebar.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post


        You should build up a library of opt-in incentives, sometimes called lead magnets

        r.
        Yep totally agree. Also building up an inventory of PLR ( high quality ones) and Bonuses for your own products is something I also concentrate on myself.

        You just can't go wrong doing this stuff over time. Basically your building up a variety of "deployable" assets that can directly affect your bottom line if utilized correctly


        - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author perbsh
    My goal is to build a 10,000 per month site and then scale it up from there. Does anyone have any links to good WordPress sites for this type of site?

    Is instagram a good way to promote affiliate products in the dog niche?
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

      My goal is to build a 10,000 per month site and then scale it up from there.
      This is certainly attainable within a short period of time (a few months - not years) by writing for publications which are read by dog owners.

      A few suggestions that have worked exceptionally well for me are:
      "Modern Dog"
      "Family Dog"
      "Best Friends"
      "Bark Magazine"
      "Dogster"
      "Dog News"
      "Whole Dog Journal Magazine"

      In addition, there are tens of thousands of ezines specializing in various aspects of this industry. Consider also general market publications, as nearly half of the population in the US has a dog.
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      • Profile picture of the author perbsh
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        This is certainly attainable within a short period of time (a few months - not years) by writing for publications which are read by dog owners.

        A few suggestions that have worked exceptionally well for me are:
        "Modern Dog"
        "Family Dog"
        "Best Friends"
        "Bark Magazine"
        "Dogster"
        "Dog News"
        "Whole Dog Journal Magazine"

        In addition, there are tens of thousands of ezines specializing in various aspects of this industry. Consider also general market publications, as nearly half of the population in the US has a dog.
        How would I write for these? as a guest blogger?
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        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

          How would I write for these? as a guest blogger?
          These are offline publications, although they also publish online editions simultaneously.

          Article submission to these are perhaps quite different from what you may be used to, but learning the process is well worth it.

          Generally, you would send a query email with your idea for an article, and include a brief summary of any experience or previously published articles.

          An excellent reference for submission requirements and what publishers are looking for is Writers' Market.

          You can get this on Amazon.com. There is a UK edition as well, available on Amazon co.uk.

          Many of the mass market publications may be open to general interest articles about dogs. It really isn't necessary to limit your articles specifically to publications in this niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author aligouda
    Dog niche is a very profitable market. It’s also one of the evergreen niches so you can expect to gain steady traffic to your website. You can easily make good income using Adsense. You can also monetize the site using Amazon, Clickbank or even sell your own product.
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  • Profile picture of the author tristatemedia
    build a wordpress site and run paid traffic to it from facebook. use adsense or amazon to monitize the site and you will build up very fast. remember like mentioned before , make sure you get their email before they go.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tesslady
    If I were you, I would both create a blog and a YouTube channel to best explain it. I would post my Amazon affiliate links on both platforms. So each of them directs each other. Anyway, good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author socialluise
    I think it's great that you are thinking long term with this. Find your target audience. Maybe even target down to a specific breed? Look at all major social networks like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Look at what other people are doing in the dog niche and try to think of ways how you can do it differently. When you have products grow your audience one at a time and look into ads and Influencer Marketing. Best of luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    You could also write a short book to sell or giveaway on Kindle. Put a link to your site in the book with an incentive for them to visit and opt-in to your list.

    Facebook groups for Chows might be another good option. Or start your own group.

    Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    I would start a list and send people straight to opt into your newsletter.

    Then I would pick an affiliate offer (or your own) and promote it to your subscribers.

    Then when everything is in place, start to do paid ads because this will get you faster and better results NOW.
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  • Profile picture of the author perbsh
    I'm based in the UK and can't decide if I should gear the site to the UK market or US, using amazon.com or co.uk etc. Same with a domain com or .co.uk

    Does anyone know any good Wordpress sites that would be good for something like this?
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

    Why not just slap a muzzle on the dog. That is what they do at Petsmart if the dog nips or bites.

    al
    Works on people, too.

    I was watching one of those 'reality' cop shows, and the perp kept spitting at the cops and trying to bite them. The cops put a mesh hood over his head...
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  • Profile picture of the author KinneyJ2014
    Originally Posted by perbsh View Post

    Hi all,



    I'm aware that setting such a site up will potentially take years to build a good reader base up and get some good rankings that will be profitable. I've mulled over the idea of just using YouTube as I've had some success on there before and I'm not a huge fan of writing blog post after blog post.

    --Writers block? Or just a lack of motivation?

    If you was starting out would you create a niche info type site and look to promote amazon products or is there a better way of doing this?

    Any advice would be much appreciated
    There are many many ways to promote Amazon here are just a few

    1.) Mini Niche Sites (Build a mini website promoting a single Amazon product)
    2.) Authority Sites PR 3-4
    3.) Facebook (Everyone has a facebook account so adding 12 Amazon Stores to a single fan page is a great way to promote Amazon)
    4.) YouTube ( using Youtube to advertise free on youtube and get people to promote your products for you )
    5.) Hubpages ( Another great Free way to build sites promoting Amazon
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