New to Online marketing - looking for Niche - Maybe the Senior Niche

by ERazz
32 replies
I am new to online marketing - I read here that you should focus on a 'niche' that you have some knowledgeable about, you have passion or interest in.


There is a 'niche' that I am interested in - that is the Senior Niche (if that is a niche). I am over 56 years old so I am interested in the 'issues' relating to this new phase of my life. I don't know if this is a 'good' area to dive into and if it is a good niche any suggestions on how to get it going...


My very inexperienced approach would be to create a site that addresses several issues that seniors are dealing with; aging, lose weight, sex, travel, etc. The revenue sources would be products, ad sense, and affiliates. Please give me comments... Like I said, I am new to this so I have no idea if this is way too much to start with, etc.


Thanks

ERazz
#marketing #niche #online #senior
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    Well there are plenty of baby boomers hitting "senior" status. It is just a matter of finding something that will pique their interest and get some traffic there. I have one such person that talk to a couple of times per week and here are a couple of things he didn't know:

    1. How much should I spend on a basic computer where all I really do is surf the net and check email?
    2. How can I connect my computer to the TV?
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Thanks - I need to figure out how to how to present these interesting topics to bring them to my site.
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  • Profile picture of the author nitesh
    To make a site popular you will need backlinks from too many good authority sites and for this you will have to write articles and submit to maximum high ranked sites. Now coming to your niche, as far as I know most of the article directories and blog sites do not have the niche of your choice.

    Please check Ezine if they have the niche of your choice.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Nitesh - You are right I did not see that category in directories - obvilusly thast will limit article exposure. Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author reckless
    my suggestion to u if u choosing senior niche

    senior dating cpa offers are always hot in social market.
    learn some basic cpa dating promotion here in warrior.

    and promote them on FB & POF

    hope this helps
    thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Originally Posted by reckless View Post

      my suggestion to u if u choosing senior niche

      senior dating cpa offers are always hot in social market.
      learn some basic cpa dating promotion here in warrior.

      and promote them on FB & POF

      hope this helps
      thanks
      Reckless - if I am reading your suggestion correctly - stick to senior dating and not beyond that - is that right?
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  • Profile picture of the author RockNRolla
    I've not got any experience focussing on that demographic in particular but I think you know yourself that "losing weight, sex and travel" are all extremely strong niches in almost every demographic.

    If you can penetrate that age group specifically well with these broader niches then you might find some success.

    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Originally Posted by RockNRolla View Post

      I've not got any experience focussing on that demographic in particular but I think you know yourself that "losing weight, sex and travel" are all extremely strong niches in almost every demographic.

      If you can penetrate that age group specifically well with these broader niches then you might find some success.

      Good luck.
      RockNRolla - Are my categories to broad in you opinion?
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  • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
    Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

    I am new to online marketing - I read here that you should focus on a 'niche' that you have some knowledgeable about, you have passion or interest in.


    There is a 'niche' that I am interested in - that is the Senior Niche (if that is a niche). I am over 56 years old so I am interested in the 'issues' relating to this new phase of my life. I don't know if this is a 'good' area to dive into and if it is a good niche any suggestions on how to get it going...


    My very inexperienced approach would be to create a site that addresses several issues that seniors are dealing with; aging, lose weight, sex, travel, etc. The revenue sources would be products, ad sense, and affiliates. Please give me comments... Like I said, I am new to this so I have no idea if this is way too much to start with, etc.


    Thanks

    ERazz
    Hi ERazz

    Sounds like a great idea you have I haven't looked into the "senior" niche so might be worth Googling around and seeing what others similar blogs are out there.

    If it's something you want to try, my advice would be to dive straight in. Register a domain name and hosting, install word press and start writing blog posts.

    To drive traffic to the site; hang out in online "senior" communities/forums to understand what the community wants to talk/hear about. That way you'll have a better idea of what to write about on your blog and you can also link back to your blog.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Originally Posted by SimonJBell View Post

      Hi ERazz

      Sounds like a great idea you have I haven't looked into the "senior" niche so might be worth Googling around and seeing what others similar blogs are out there.

      If it's something you want to try, my advice would be to dive straight in. Register a domain name and hosting, install word press and start writing blog posts.

      To drive traffic to the site; hang out in online "senior" communities/forums to understand what the community wants to talk/hear about. That way you'll have a better idea of what to write about on your blog and you can also link back to your blog.
      Simon - Like I said I am just starting out. From your comments I guess here are my first steps:
      1) Get a domain name
      2) Create a web-site
      3) start blogging
      4) Find new topics of interest to blog on by hanging out on other senior sites

      Is that correct? If so any suggestions for creation of a web-site?

      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
        Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

        Simon - Like I said I am just starting out. From your comments I guess here are my first steps:
        1) Get a domain name
        2) Create a web-site
        3) start blogging
        4) Find new topics of interest to blog on by hanging out on other senior sites

        Is that correct? If so any suggestions for creation of a web-site?

        Thanks
        Yes that's correct. I'd recommend word press for creating a website. It's free, simple to set up and maintain. Many popular hosting providers will install it for you for free too.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Maturing seniors, baby boomers, etc., isn't a niche. It's an enormous market. Someone mentioned dating for this demographic. That would be a niche, a good one too. Another robust market within this market is seniors who haven't properly prepared for retirement.

    In plainer language, "The how to financially make up for a lot of lost time so you don't have to fish your dinner out of the dumpster niche." A smart marketer might put together an MMO product specifically targeting baby boomers.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Thanks travlinguy - I agree I need to narrow way down.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Sounds like I need to narrow down my scope to an actual niche.

      Again please excuse the ignorance. If I want to concentrate on an actual niche such as seniors who haven't properly prepared for retirement, do I create a website and blog in it and guide them to the products or the affiliates or is there a different way to 'sell'?

      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

        Sounds like I need to narrow down my scope to an actual niche.
        For a newbie, that's probably a smarter way of getting started. Once you get your knowledge base to a point where you're making consistent profits, you can then start thinking about putting up an authority website for seniors.

        From there you can set up individuals blogs or other niche sites that will funnel traffic to your authority website. You'll include the URL in your newsletter as one, of many, websites that you'll send people to.

        Again please excuse the ignorance. If I want to concentrate on an actual niche such as seniors who haven't properly prepared for retirement, do I create a website and blog in it and guide them to the products or the affiliates or is there a different way to 'sell'?

        Thanks
        No problem, that's how you learn is by asking. Well, what you've mentioned is ONE way to do it. There really isn't enough room here to really be able to guide you.

        I think what's more important for you at this point is to learn more about marketing online. The basics: like copywriting, effective website design (not necessarily for you to build websites, but so you know what converts), how to get traffic, how to build your own list, how to do market research.

        One of the fastest ways to do this is to get some solid coaching. Like anything, do your research and ask for references. The only coaches that don't give references are either too arrogant or are just bullshitting you. And you want neither one of those.

        RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author NataliaF
    First of all, congratulations on making such a decision to enter Online Marketing.
    Senior niche is good one to relate your activity to.
    I have one more suggestion:
    I've heard of a new interesting trend:
    There are lots of questions and ideas now about the way to teach seniors how to browse internet efficiently, how to be an advanced Internet and PC user. However, as far as I heard, no reasonable ideas on how to do this (if they are on your website, the've found it and managed to use Internet efficiently).
    Seniors may also be looking for some cooking recipes, weather broadcasts, currency exchange rates, etc.

    If you have any idea on how you could implement the above mentioned, go ahead.
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    • Profile picture of the author ERazz
      Natalia - Thanks! Very good idea! Yes I think seniors have lots of time in their hand and more and more are discovering the web as a source of entertainment, communication tool, etc. That is one of the reasons I am interested in it.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    this is the only guideline for knowing if a niche is good, a lot of competition.. the more competition there is the more proven and profitable the niche is.

    Seniors isn't a niche though it's a market.

    A niche would be prostate health in males over 50... that's an example of a niche.

    Word to the wise, careful who you listen to, there's a lot of people making no money, giving advice on how to make money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

    I am new to online marketing – I read here that you should focus on a ‘niche’ that you have some knowledgeable about, you have passion or interest in.
    And bear in mind, if you have no knowledge about it you can always:

    1. Teach yourself and become competent enough in it.

    2. You can always outsource other people who have the knowledge base you need.

    There is a ‘niche’ that I am interested in – that is the Senior Niche (if that is a niche). I am over 56 years old so I am interested in the ‘issues’ relating to this new phase of my life. I don’t know if this is a ‘good’ area to dive into and if it is a good niche any suggestions on how to get it going…
    While it's not a niche, but a very large market, there are TONS of niches and sub-niches in the senior market. Think of things they desperately need or want. A need would be something like Long Term Care Insurance, something they might desperately need would be a health-related issue.

    My very inexperienced approach would be to create a site that addresses several issues that seniors are dealing with; aging, lose weight, sex, travel, etc. The revenue sources would be products, ad sense, and affiliates. Please give me comments… Like I said, I am new to this so I have no idea if this is way too much to start with, etc......

    People are already doing that so it's a viable idea. You can build an "authority" website and take a macro approach. The key here would be obtaining targetted traffic and converting that traffic. You'll also want to build a list so you can market to these visitors over and over again.

    Another approach would be to do some research and narrow it down to ONE niche, get your feet in there (example: long term care and affiliated products and services that you could market), and then spring board from there.

    RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author CRGreen
    Seniors is too broad of a niche. You need to narrow it down to a more specific niche like Rod mentioned above. Once you narrow down your niche, think about a problem that specific group of people has and figure out a way you can provide products/services/etc to solve that problem(s).
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    My very inexperienced approach would be to create a site that addresses several issues that seniors are dealing with; aging, lose weight, sex, travel, etc. The revenue sources would be products, ad sense, and affiliates. Please give me comments… Like I said, I am new to this so I have no idea if this is way too much to start with, etc.
    This is a good approach you have planned, you are targeting a group of old aged buddies, issues in their life, so definitely you will attract them easily.
    you can also do seo to make it reachable.
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  • Profile picture of the author perfect
    All the niches you mentioned are fine, the further thing to do is to do keyword analysis to narrow and identify profitable niches among them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Virtualghost
    Alot of seniors have pets (Cat or Dog)and spend a ton a money on them.Worked at a petsmart for the winter as a p/t job,since retired @ 55.They spend it and boy do they pamper them.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

      RockNRolla - Are my categories to broad in you opinion?
      Way too broad, as is the notion of a "senior niche". Even if there was such an animal, niche-ing by age would cover multiple groups just by itself. The concerns of a mid-fifties type like me are different than the concerns of late seventies types like my parents. As would be the concerns of someone approaching the century mark.

      I don't know anyone in my age bracket or above that specifically looks for a site for seniors. In fact, a lot of us don't think of ourselves as "seniors" - in our minds' eye, we're still kids ourselves.

      Look for specific wants (several have been mentioned above) and spend the time necessary to understand the perspective members of that group have. In other words, learn your market just like you would for any other market demographic.

      There is no "senior market", any more than a singular black market or gay market. Certain approaches can help you relate to mature, or black, or gay members of a niche, but to lump them all together because of one characteristic they share is silly (and likely to prove unprofitable).
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  • Profile picture of the author TonyNorton
    John is right, you haven't identified a market so much as a marketing demographic.

    Here's an example that might help illustrate the difference between a niche, and a market.

    A "hobbiest" is anyone who enjoys a particular activity, no matter what that particular activity is. That would be a general market.

    Now take model trains, or radio control (cars,boats,helicopters), or fishing... those are all niches within the hobbiest market. I'm sure you can see how people from many different age demographics would be interested in any of those topics.

    You could even dig deeper within each niche to find sub-niches, until you get to a point that not enough people are interested to make any money from.

    You've made a common mistake,don't sweat it. Sounds like you're on the right track now anyway.

    But, if you need help finding a profitable niche to play in let me know. I've got a guide that covers this exact subject and I'll be glad to hook you up with it if you want.

    Hope that helps,

    Tony
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    This thread is pretty timely to me and not because I'm a Boomer either. I joined a writers group last week in my community. We meet in a library. Members read stuff they've written and get critiques and encouragement from other members. I didn't know what to expect but there were two members who read stuff that blew me away, very talented writers indeed. One was likely in her seventies and the other probably in her early sixties.

    I was quick to suggest they both get their stuff on Kindle. You would have thought I suggested they crawl across hot coals at noon in the summer. Man, were they resistant. And the reason was they didn't feel comfortable enough with computers. And one of them actually uses a computer at her job.

    But the story doesn't end here. I love yard sales and thrift shops. I've literally found some really valuable treasures in these places. I once paid fifty cents for a first edition copy of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs but that's a story for another time.

    I've met several people at swap meets and other second hand, antique-type venues over the past few weeks who would earn a lot more than they're getting if they'd put their stuff on eBay and several other online marketplaces, like Amazon for example. And again, I'm finding they don't want to do it because of the learning curve involved with listing something for sale online. Some don't have the basic computer skills while some do but are intimidated with the process of listing and selling online.

    This spells opportunity. Obviously there are plenty of middle aged and beyond folks that are quite proficient with computers. But there are also plenty that aren't. By accident I've identified two particular groups needing help. People looking to publish on Kindle but don't know how and those who would like to sell stuff on eBay and maybe on their own sites.

    Why not offer classes or videos teaching them how to do this stuff? Or offer the type of simple computer instruction it would take for them to do it themselves. I'd bet there would be hundreds, even thousands of people in a city of say, 100,000 who would be interested. You could get a meeting room in a church basement or a hotel and put on classes teaching computer skills, eBay listing classes, Kindle publishing and other courses people would like to learn.

    Marketing would be simple, just reach out to particular groups letting them know what you've got. You could probably get started with flyers and short classified ads in the local papers. I'd bet this could really take off. It's not like this isn't being done but here are two niches where one might specialize. Just a thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author twinkenterprises
    You could do a social community for seniors. I'd start by creating a blog and reviewing products and services that you promote that seniors might like.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by twinkenterprises View Post

      You could do a social community for seniors. I'd start by creating a blog and reviewing products and services that you promote that seniors might like.
      :rolleyes:

      Either you couldn't be bothered to read the whole thread, or you haven't been paying attention.

      Do you really believe you could create a community and select offers that would appeal to anyone simply based on the number of trips around the sun?

      Tell me, what kind of products would you promote 'that seniors might like'? :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author SimonJBell
    Is @twinkenterprises half correct? It's a good point, but it's the next logical step, after the niche has been properly identified. Once a good niche has been chosen, reviewing products and services in that niche (e.g. remote controlled car/plane/boat hobbyist) would make sense. Start to 'create' the community around the website, then gently sell/promote to them?
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  • Profile picture of the author mrgoe
    Originally Posted by ERazz View Post

    I am new to online marketing - I read here that you should focus on a 'niche' that you have some knowledgeable about, you have passion or interest in.


    There is a 'niche' that I am interested in - that is the Senior Niche (if that is a niche). I am over 56 years old so I am interested in the 'issues' relating to this new phase of my life. I don't know if this is a 'good' area to dive into and if it is a good niche any suggestions on how to get it going...


    My very inexperienced approach would be to create a site that addresses several issues that seniors are dealing with; aging, lose weight, sex, travel, etc. The revenue sources would be products, ad sense, and affiliates. Please give me comments... Like I said, I am new to this so I have no idea if this is way too much to start with, etc.


    Thanks

    ERazz
    Go for a subniche of that.. don`t just think of old people. Think of something that old people need, like, use the internet for. Start low and scale up, don`t do it the other way around.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    If I wanted to pursue it, I would go into the senior dating market. It's huge, it's growing, with plenty of active seniors. I would create an infoproduct on giving them advice on how to get back into the dating world again.

    I know this first hand since I'm a part-time dating coach with an offline business practice. I get quite a number of seniors who are divorced, widowed, etc. and are looking for advice on how to get back into the dating world.

    This would make for an excellent information product.

    If I didn't have other projects in the works I would dive into this. As I always like to harp until I'm blue in the face, do your market research first and survey your potential market.

    RoD
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