Self help sites, are they still worthwhile?

by 14 replies
18
Hi folks,

Working on a self help website. Want to start something like Steve Pavlina kind of thing, writing about self development in general (or at least 5 to 7 categories), giving my personal view and experiences on it.

Do you think there is a good possibility to make money in it? Or 'dyou think it's worn out?
Is there anything you'd recommend?

Cheers,
Tijs
#main internet marketing discussion forum #sites #worthwhile
  • Its a tough grind, or at least I have found it so. Been in the field for years and I have found that breaking into the filed you are suggestion, on the Internet, with the SEO and keywords, page rank issues, very very tough.

    Hate to rain on your parade, but in my opinion, get ready for a really tough slog.

    Bryan
  • Not to be the bearer of bad news but I don't think that you have the proper mindset in order to be successful in the self-help niche because you're asking the wrong question.

    It sounds like you're entering this niche ONLY to make money instead of entering this niche to offer people value and to HELP people.

    Your question should instead read, "how can I offer people something so value that they'd be willing to PAY me for it?"

    Change your question, fix your mindset, and you will soon achieve success.
    • [ 5 ] Thanks
  • The self-help market, collectively, is huge. And yes, the competition is fierce and gigantic.

    If I were you, and of course I'm not, I would look for a very specific corner of the market, a niche where there is some need but maybe not a lot of vendors in that space.

    I would also focus on a niche where I had a personal story to tell. How I rose above a problem I had. People want to hear from others that they can identify with and those that have empathy for their situation because they've "been there - overcome that."

    I don't know Steve Pavlina but no, I wouldn't try to do a "Steve Pavlina kind of thing." I would create your own "kind of thing" and be unique.

    Personal development is a different kind of niche topic from many others. It's . . . well . . . personal. It's where the "I hated my life - and now I'm loving every minute" kind of personal story and experience can really create a following of those struggling with the same issue.

    No, I wouldn't I wouldn't go after "at least 5 to 7 categories." What you call categories others call a niche and there are multiple, very comprehensive authority web sites/businesses in every one of those niches.

    Being a generalist in self-help, in my personal opinion, is not where you want to be. I don't think that's where you will have the best chance to break into the money in the self-help market.

    Become a specialist - a very focused and laser-targeted specialist in a niche where you have something to offer that's unique and valued.

    The very best to you,

    Steve
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [2] replies


    • Thanks for the answer, it still looks like an amazing field to get involved in to me :-) Going to give it a thought or two.



      Nope, I'm not in it only for the money. Been practicing in this field for 8 years now and want to give something back, want to share my experiences.
      Since it are so many, I was just wondering how to approach it looking at monetizing.

      Question was about money 'cause this is a forum about making money ;-)



      Thanks a lot Steve! Well, I guess you're right on drilling down to one thing. It is always possible to go onto the next when youre done with the one you started with.

      There is a lot of generalization in the field going on and they don't seem appealing to me (so I guess to others they won't either).

      The personal story is there already, so only need to drill it down into a good category.
    • This man is right. Yes self help is a booming market and is a evergreen that will never stop, you have to find your niche though within self help.
      You need to learn keyword research and find a profitable micro niche for that say 4,000 to 15,000 searches a month.

      You can make good money with a good product there.

      I myself hate self help cause I am no good at it. Others are great though.

  • Banned
    [DELETED]


    • [1] reply
    • It will never be worn out as long as humans chase happiness and self-improvement.

      Can you make money at it? That depends on you and what you have to contribute to the lives of those seeking help.
  • Worn out?

    It'll never be.

    Its EVERGREEN and falls into the category of "the hottest markets of all time".

    ... and unless we, as human beings, are going to stop chasing happiness, motivation, success, dreams and goals..it will always be extremely profitable.

    Actually I find it very fascinating improving the life of other people, helping them achieving their goals.

    This market is HOT, its a billion dollar one, so yes it is very profitable.

    Why it is so profitable? Because everyone wants a change, a transformation, a personal growth.

    Everybody wants a better life. And will buy every book that helps him improve something.

    Now, which subniche would you like to start with?

    This market has endless niches, think about;

    Gaining self esteem/confidence
    Improving relationships
    Achieving success
    Getting rich
    Beat the resistance to a change
    Finding happiness
    Mind(the conscious mind, the subconscious, the superconscious, unconscious)
    Dealing With Fear
    Purpose
    Natural talents
    Passion
    Seeing the big picture
    Goal-setting
    Affirmation
    Mental push up to improve your intelligence
    Spirituality

    and on and on...

    As any other market/niche, the secret is to do an initial market research, find a very specific problem, focus on it and provide the solution people is looking for.

    Self help is like an ocean...

    Sky's the limit here...

    Best
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I think it is a great niche, there are tons of topics to talk about. Your market in the niche tends to be very loyal readers, place lots of comments and love to spend money over and over. There are plenty of ways to put your content out there, and I don't feel the competition is as fierce as some think. I am a huge self help follower, and I think the key now days is people who can disseminate all the information out there on the internet and present it in a way that makes your readers come to you before going elsewhere.

      Start a site, give good content, advice, stories, etc. Then monetize it later. Plenty of opportunity. Honestly, nothing is worn out. Business is real simple:

      1. Find out what people want
      2. Give people what they want
      3. Tell everyone you can that you have what they want.
      4. Sit back and collect checks.

      Saying a market is worn out is like saying there will be no more inventions, or no music artist can ever come in and make a #1 chart topper because the best have already been out. There is always someone bigger and better coming and it might be you!
      • [1] reply
  • Well, I think you could do it.

    Do you have interesting and uplifting stories to relate? Do you have sage advice?

    Pretty much any niche is a possibility IF you can do it better than anyone else. Do you think you could do that? Do you have some unique ideas or thoughts that would set you and your site apart? Remember, all great men (and women) are simply standing on the shoulders of the great people before them.
  • Narrow it right down to one small niche section or you have 0 chance.

    Maybe one for say more confident sex. 10 things to motivate before you get in on the action ,etc?
  • It's a glorious niche! Especially during this recession, people are looking more towards self-fulfillment and getting more out of life etc.

    I see many people say you should go and become a real market leader in a sub-niche. I'd agree.. somewhat. I'm also in the self-help niche, and I cover quite a lot of stuff. Maybe I will fail due to the fact that I haven't laser-focused my niche either. It's about living a balanced life - so therefore I talk about ALL the main aspects of human life and how we can balance each one, resulting in happiness and excellence etc.

    I'm enjoying every step of the way though. The learning process is immense though, but the thing I love the most in the self-help niche, from my experience - is that people WANT to see your website super successful. I get messages, from forums, YouTube, E-mail etc, actually giving me some advice on how I can improve and garner more traction. It feels like another world compared to some other niches imo.

    Good luck!
  • Banned
    I think it sounds like a good niche if you can provide good content. If I had started posting once a day when I wanted to do it years ago, I'd probably be wealthy now! However, you have to have the right mindset and be an outgoing person. But I think there are still great possibilities here
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed