Competitive Niche.. But it's what I love. NEED HELP.

45 replies
Hey Warriors,

I have been into working out for ten years now and have sculpted my body from a skinny kid to a lean 200lbs without steroids, just eating healthy and and supplementing with natural stuff.

Everyone say's to get into what you love, but I'm just not so sure while being somewhat new to IM that this is where I should begin.

I have a site up (not fitness related)that earns a small amount from adsense each month but the niche and keyword was just easy to rank for so that's why I did it. I'm just finding it hard to stay motivated because it's not of interest for me and the return on the time invested for this niche is not keeping me interested.

Since fitness,diet and building muscle is something I love should this be a target for me? I know it seem's obvious, but The whole point is to make money and not spinning my wheels for the next 5 years because of the difficulty of the niche.

I'm thinking of just building my brand and building a relationship with my list and supplying them with my own products and videos and just making a name for myself as a regular guy not a guru in the industry and basically teaching everyone that you don't have to be a personal trainer or to be taking steroids. You just need the blueprint handed to you with some hard work and determination and someone to keep you motivated along your journey.

Should this be something to start or did I miss the boat and everyone is already doing this like me?

***UPDATE*** Does anyone have any suggestions on whether I should use wordpress or another platform? I'm just thinking if I have videos and stuff, a blog style might not be suitable for this style of site, or maybe it is. If anyone has a wordpress theme recommendation that they like or have on there site and might suit these needs feel free to toss it out there please.



Thanks,

Sean
#competitive #love #niche
  • Profile picture of the author 0oo0
    Giant industries may seem hard to break into, but the health and wellness industry is like a 60 billion dollar per year industry. and if you sell a $100 "get jacked" system you only need to sell 500 of them to make 50k that's not that big of task considering the millions of people looking to do it.

    give it a shot, you'll never make any money by wondering.
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    • Profile picture of the author subten101
      To stay motivated in this game it is best to go into what you like as it will never feel like work, I also like this niche but if you enjoy it you will be a lot more motivated and will not make a website for your own needs but the needs to help others succeed just as you have done.
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  • Profile picture of the author topnotch85
    Thanks a lot for the input. I'm thinking this is the path I should venture down.
    This definetly won't feel like work for me.

    Greatly appreciated all feedback is welcome.
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    • Profile picture of the author lukedidit
      Just an idea here, so going to run with it...

      1. Get a HD Cam, with a basic tripod (you get small ones which you can put n a table / chair to raise higher) - not as expensive as you think, something a $100 could cover.

      2. Find a cheap venue (or ever free!) / gym / warehouse or perhaps even a room with the furniture out.

      3. Show people work out routrines. How to lose xmas belly, strengthen core muscles for back pain, get abs, tone arms etc etc

      4. Learn a bit about youtube SEO (way more simple then Google). Upload videos to YT and then embed them on your site where you can have a members area / newsletter, forum etc.

      5. Build, Build, Build..
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      • Profile picture of the author Larquini
        I was thinking this niche to be my next project. Yeah it's a competitive niche but you probably know what ya talking bout 'content' wise by the look at your profile pic. I would give it a go if I was you.
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      • Profile picture of the author daveyace
        thats a wicked idea
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      • Profile picture of the author daveyace
        Originally Posted by lukedidit View Post

        Just an idea here, so going to run with it...

        1. Get a HD Cam, with a basic tripod (you get small ones which you can put n a table / chair to raise higher) - not as expensive as you think, something a $100 could cover.

        2. Find a cheap venue (or ever free!) / gym / warehouse or perhaps even a room with the furniture out.

        3. Show people work out routrines. How to lose xmas belly, strengthen core muscles for back pain, get abs, tone arms etc etc

        4. Learn a bit about youtube SEO (way more simple then Google). Upload videos to YT and then embed them on your site where you can have a members area / newsletter, forum etc.

        5. Build, Build, Build..
        thats a wicked idea
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by topnotch85 View Post

    Hey Warriors,

    I have been into working out for ten years now and have sculpted my body from a skinny kid to a lean 200lbs without steroids, just eating healthy and and supplementing with natural stuff.

    Everyone say's to get into what you love, but I'm just not so sure while being somewhat new to IM that this is where I should begin.

    I have a site up (not fitness related)that earns a small amount from adsense each month but the niche and keyword was just easy to rank for so that's why I did it. I'm just finding it hard to stay motivated because it's not of interest for me and the return on the time invested for this niche is not keeping me interested.

    Since fitness,diet and building muscle is something I love should this be a target for me? I know it seem's obvious, but The whole point is to make money and not spinning my wheels for the next 5 years because of the difficulty of the niche.

    I'm thinking of just building my brand and building a relationship with my list and supplying them with my own products and videos and just making a name for myself as a regular guy not a guru in the industry and basically teaching everyone that you don't have to be a personal trainer or to be taking steroids. You just need the blueprint handed to you with some hard work and determination and someone to keep you motivated along your journey.

    Should this be something to start or did I miss the boat and everyone is already doing this like me?

    Thanks,

    Sean
    You should totally go for it. Health and fitness is profitable, something you know about and something you have a passion for. Don't look at competition as a bad thing. It just means there are lots of opportunities to make money. There are tons and tons of keywords you can get ranked for and bring in big money -- product-related ones and beyond.

    Remember, you don't always have to aim for the most competitive keywords. Lots of times, it's easier and can be more profitable for you to go after lots of highly-targeted keywords that get less traffic than go after ones that get mountains of traffic that you won't get any traffic from.

    Once you're able to get traffic from lots of highly-targeted keywords that get less traffic, Google and the other search engines will look at your site and say, "All of these people are coming to this site for X, Y, and Z" and will start sending you traffic for really competitive keyword phrases that get more competition -- even though you don't show up on the first page or whatever. I've experienced this a lot in the IM niche.

    Good luck,
    Joey
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  • Profile picture of the author greenleaf5
    Follow your heart and choose the niche you like.

    Work not only hard, but also smart and you will find success.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    My brother wants to get into the bodybuilding niche, and i told him that he should go for it - with my help of course. I personally think you could bust into almost any niche online and make a killing there. You just need the right and intense marketing plan. It's all about getting your "money pages" out there (content) and getting them seen and read. The more money pages you have out there, the more likely you'll get sales on a consistent basis. Sales 101.
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    I would never advise someone to go against their passion If you are truly interested in this, you can succeed no matter how competitive it really is. It might require a lot of hard work, but I am sure you will be more than willing to put it in since this is your passion. I would just suggest doing extensive keyword researching, to see which keywords related to your niche have the least competition, and working extensively to rank highly on this. Once you become established, you can start working on the keywords with a crazy amount of competition. Best of luck
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  • I highly recommend looking up anything by Alexa Smith and myob about the article syndication model as a way to drive traffic without Google - it's a great way to circumvent your competition in a niche like this.

    While you're at it, put a heavy emphasis on social media and viral marketing to get your readership spreading the word about you.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        It's only a competitive niche if you intend to target the typical subjects within that niche.

        There are new and bizzare fitness products and methods being introduced to the market every day.

        I sell within the niche and I sell fairly well, mostly due to the fact that I'm selling speciality products.

        The fitness niche isn't saturated and any suggestions of it being saturated are false. The umbrella is just way too big. It's the equivalent of suggesting the IT sector is saturated or has vast competition. It doesn't for the sole fact there's a billion and one topics within it. There will be people suggesting the Earth is saturated next...

        Think outside of the box and you can thrive from any niche.
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  • You raise an interesting question. I'm sure along the way you'll get a range of answers from "go for it" to "stay away it's way too competitive". Of course it is competitive but it's competitive for a reason - it pays out for that those that can make something of it.

    I can't remember who wrote it, but I was once pointed to a blog by a marketer who was trying to show that anyone could profit from a tough niche. He decided to tackle a make money online keyword blog and he got himself on page one of Google and stayed there with what he described as a no frills (and maybe even free) blog, purely through regular updates with quality content. My point being that even the most competitive niches are doable.

    The good news for you is that you are passionate about a niche that pays out and if that's a shot of you in your avatar then you can demonstrate you also walk the walk.

    What is also good about the niche is that it also gives you scope for continuous content, an important subject that Steve Wagenheim touched upon such as this:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-yourself.html

    If you want to get into it, why don't you try a test in a micro niche around a very specific body building subject that you can dominate in the search engines. Yes it's small beer but you could build a series of micro niche sites that collectively add up to something steady. Build lists on these sites and introduce them to a range of paid products.

    I had a very quick five minute free tool look and found a micro niche keyword that has some searches. I also think it's a subject that many bodybuilders have difficulty with, so makes for a great little "Big Secret" type report that could draw people to your subscriber list.

    I think a quick search of the forum on micro niches might help you make something of it.

    There is an exact . com domain available for it and if you go with one that has discount codes you could get it cheaper. I'm not an SEO expert but a quick Google search shows that at least one (if not both) of the top two pages are gettable. The second place site has no backlinks that I can see. With some great content on it and some relevant contextual backlinks you could be on your way.

    In case you're interested I've PM'd you the keywords and an idea I remembered that might help your complimentary report.

    Hope it works out for you.
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    Be a business - wherever you are http://nomadentrepreneur.blogspot.co.uk/

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  • Profile picture of the author topnotch85
    Thanks so much for all the replies. What a great forum. You guys are awesome.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Only 200 pounds?
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  • Profile picture of the author MisterMunch
    My personal advice is to stay away from SEO for the first year.

    Instead of getting traffic from Google search focus on a fitness forum similar to WF, become the guru on Yahoo Answers or Linkedin or any other Q and A website, work with YouTube or wathever you choose. Just don't pick to any focus areas.

    The goal is to build a community, build an email list and other followers and continue from there.
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    • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
      When I started out some years ago, I just jumped in and started websites in some of the most competitive niches without regard to the competition.

      What I found was that if you drill down you can do well. Find one aspect to focus on, enjoy some success and expand from there if desired. In some cases it only takes one page on a website to earn a good income.
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      Pen Name + 8 eBooks + social media sites 4 SALE - PM me (evergreen beauty niche)

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  • Profile picture of the author GerryMedia
    Definitely build your name as a brand in the fitness niche. Doesn't matter if you use a pen name (if you have some privacy concerns)

    I noticed a trend in this niche that people look up to people who are successful. So build a blog that offers value (create videos definitely!), the build a following with an email list, RSS subscribers, Twitter and Facebook.

    Then work towards creating your own product (video series, book or private membership/coaching)

    Good luck!

    Gerry
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  • Profile picture of the author SamuelUherek
    In my opinion you should stick to whatever you are passionate about. The main reason why I think you should do this is that if you want to build SOMETHING you have to be able to keep building. Your main goal should be to make something that could grow and could make you enough to live the lifestyle you want.

    Thus, if this niche is what you are able to commit to and work on it the next 3 - 6 months even if you don't see huge results, go for it. As mentioned above this niche is so competitive for a reason. There is money in it.

    So now when you've done the first step (finding something you are passionate about), you should start to think on the end goal. I think only people who can't make money in that niche would say stay away from it. Because they don't understand you can make money in every niche you want. You just have to have a plan and stick to it. And after several months you would get what you desire.

    So once again, GO FOR YOUR PASSION.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dimitris
    In my personal opinion, the only right way is the heart way!

    Go for it man.
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  • Profile picture of the author jphilips
    I think you should build a personal brand. Use social media to gain a following and foothold.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris30K
    Stop overthinking, just do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Brauer
    I would totally go for it.

    Not only are you an expert in your niche, the niche you are in is HUGE and constantly seeking more information. Plus they have a problem that they desperately need help with!

    I'd rather have a small piece of something huge, than all of nothing!

    In my opinion niche marketing is super overrated....

    Plus, if you are passionate about this, go for it and don't look back.
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  • Profile picture of the author solado
    Gettings front page of google isn't the only way to drive traffic aswell.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tech19
    No market is too big to break into. Sure some are more competitive than others, but you can make it happen. Find out who and what is having success in your niche, and simply do it better. If your products are top of the line and you are committed to helping people, then you will outlast the other 98% who are just looking to make a quick buck.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Having a long term business, in my estimation, requires of love of the subject matter you are dealing with. Motivation is hard to come by some days even if you love your subject. Get into a field you could care tripe about and you're going to be facing other problems that are a lot more insurmountable than competition. Trust me on that one.

    I also write. I used to write for others frequently. It didn't take long to figure out that writing even a 500 word article can be excruciating torture if you have to deal with a subject that you can't muster any interest in. How do you excite people about something you can't find any interest in yourself? The idea of making whole websites on subjects I have no enthusiasm about is horrifying at best. Most of the writing I do for others now is very genre specific. If it excites me, I'll do it - if not, find someone else. I'll write my own products on something that does turn my crank.

    You can always find a way to get around the competition. You can start by using them as your study guide. What can you offer that is related enough that their patrons would be interested in but the competitor doesn't supply - what do you do differently and why does it work for you better than what they are doing? Is there a way you can structure your efforts to compliment a strong competitor's business instead of trying to run over it?

    What's the worst that will happen if you pursue the business and it doesn't make the money you want to make? You will have to diversify. That's not much of a crisis that I can tell.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author Charley Brown
      Honestly, if it is something you love doing, you might as well pursue it. It may be tough to break into that particular niche, but as long as you have patience, you'll be successful.
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  • Profile picture of the author richfit
    I'm a firm believer in dong what you absolutely LOVE and nothing else. When you pursue your passion doors will open for you that you've never imagined! Pursue what you're passionate about and put EVERYTHING you've got into it. You'll create your own success!
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  • Profile picture of the author topnotch85
    Thank you to everyone who has replied, and also to the people who have pm'd me about partnership. I am going to do my keyword research and dig into a specific area that I feel I can give the most value to my customers and build a great relationship with my list.

    Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    It's a lot easier to create a site on something that you love than something you don't love. People who put more into their sites because it's a passion will create sites that people love to visit. I'd go with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author TCrosby
    HEY topnotch.

    I have actually just started out on a similar venture. All my previous work has been uninteresting to me, but I have just launched a blog on a competitive niche that I love.

    If you'd like, I can fill you in on what some of my plans are for making a dent in this niche, show you my blog, brainstorm, whatever.

    Hit me up if you want, email is tcrosby89@gmail.com.

    PS - My niche is related to yours
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  • Profile picture of the author Osman_M
    I really think you should consider building a list. Build on, build an entire brand around your success and sell that to people. One thing I have noticed in the fitness industry is that people tend to want to relate like-minded individuals and what brought them success. You could ditto the entire process of your success and teach it to other people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kev_K
    The fitness industry is huge. If you focus solely on that niche, you'll surpass a large majority of perceived "competitors" and you can surpass the rest by out executing them. In short, don't let competition in a niche like that keep you from pursuing it.
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  • Profile picture of the author topnotch85
    Should I use wordpress for this site if i want to add videos? I just don't want to have that blog style to it. If you have a theme recommendation that looks more like a html site toss it out there.

    Thanks,
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  • Profile picture of the author Davmac40
    Where there's competition there's gold and you seem like just the right type of guy to succeed - The problem with many that attempt to break into a competitive niche is that they don't do anything original, you sound as though you could.
    Remember the wheel is already invented but a new bright shiny wheel will still sell.

    Good luck,
    Davmac
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  • Profile picture of the author topnotch85
    @NY1- haha I hear ya, it's alright with me though, because I get questions like that at the gym right now. I was there once to and thats how you learn.


    Thank you again to everyone that has taken the time to help me out with this, I really appreciate it.

    Sean.
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  • Profile picture of the author deefondee
    I agree with the others who encourage you to jump into what you know and love.

    A friend once pushed me along these same lines by reminding me...."would you not sell Coca Cola in your store just because everyone else is selling it?" Made sense to me
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    • Profile picture of the author MrDack
      As you're already in the game then it's the perfect niche to get into. Although the fitness\bodybuilding market is very competitive, it's also full of misleading and inaccurate information (although well marketed). I started lifting weights in 1987 and we both know how much rubbish is out there in the mags and on forums.

      I've had a small amount of success promoting the products of others in just about every niche. Over Xmas, I decided to pack it all in and start creating my own products in the bodybuilding niche.

      My game plan is to establish myself, via my own sites and the forums, as someone who knows what he's talking about and syndicate my own articles to bring in targeted traffic. I agree with others, read what Alexa Smith has to say about article syndication.

      I'm now knocking out several articles per week and they're doing very well, bringing in targeted visitors and getting good feedback on the forums. Writing high quality articles about bodybuilding is something I find easy and enjoyable.

      As for SEO, since the Panda update, Google are taking more and more steps to rewarding quality. I now don't bother with any SEO efforts and let syndication of my high quality work bring in the punters!

      So yes, go for it, you'll find it much easier to succeed in something you enjoy.
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      Failure is one step closer to success
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  • Profile picture of the author jaiganeshv
    irrespective of the competition, if you are serious you can just focus and work on your site and gradually rank for long tail keywords in your high competitive niche. As the traffic increases you will know if you can sell your products...

    I also like high competitive niche because i look for long term and i produce more quality content in volume and concentrate less in SEO and stuff...

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    If you love it, go for it. I have a successful site in a rather competitive niche... the key is avoid focusing on SEO. Produce quality content and gain traffic in other ways.

    You can start driving traffic by posting on niche forums, guest blogging, Youtube, article syndication, and things like that.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      A fairly quick way to break into this niche (as with most such competitive niches) is to write articles in publications targeted to your market. This has been my most successful method for many years now. Besides the virtually unlimited online outlets such as ezines, websites, and blogs, consider offline publications. Some of the specialized magazines in this niche are Muscle & Fitness, Muscle Magazine, Reps, Flex, as well as featured categories in the many hundreds of mass consumer publications in fitness, health, diet and weightloss. I often recommend a few excellent resources to invest in for starters such as: Turn Words Into Traffic, Directory of Ezines and Writers' Market.
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  • Profile picture of the author MarketingChad
    A fraction of a percent of a lot of money is still a lot of money. This is an evergreen niche and it's evident there's money in it.

    If your product is compelling enough, you can certainly find the right way to market it and make more money than you thought possible.

    For starters, find a killer feature that sets you apart from the rest of the competition. Brand it, own it, and use that as a reason why people should choose you over the thousands of competitors out there. That's your niche and you can build upon it to gain customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author sentinelsoft
    When you are passionate about something then you need to give it a shot, try it and learn from it. You can use wordpress and there are beautiful themes that fit your need, search for them.
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