Warning! Don't Be Too Quick to Think a Niche is Saturated. Here's Why ...

Good point. SEO is an important tool of niche marketing, but it's not the be all end all of it. After all, Niche marketing was here long before SEO.

This is the truth! There are so many other ways to market something online. And there are even a lot of good offline methods that you can combine with your online methods in order to set yourself apart.

Good points Rod. I've also had well intentioned people tell me to stay out of certain markets because of competition too. I'm glad I didn't listen.

I know most of them meant well, they just didn't know the level of work, committment and persistence I was willing to put in.

Not only that, if your niche fills a need the "big gurus" in your niche is overlooking or feel is not profitable enough for them to pursue - you can convert even more prospects into buyers.

I have several clients who found that out - where before they just assumed the market was saturated. You never really know until you try is the moral of the story. But of course you have to be smart about it.

I have always taught my people to stay within the most hotly competitive niches, because that's generally where the most money is being made. The "pros" (ie major companies) may spend millions of dollars in market research before entering a niche or launching a new product. And even they may often flop in the marketplace. So being a rather simple kind of a guy, I have found that the heavy lifting in market research, product testing, public awareness, product acceptance, longevity, etc has generally already been done in the most competitive, or "saturated" niches.

The really big mistake is not to try and sell something that everyone else is selling, but failure is almost certain in using the same marketing methods as the direct competition. As I coached my own marketers and writers, there is no such thing as a "saturated" market; there are only saturated marketing methods. Looking for "hidden gems" as in low competition niches is unnecessary, limiting, and ludicrous as a marketing strategy, IMNSHO of course. Apparently marketers these days have become so "Googlized" they are unaware of the myriads of classic and alternative marketing choices available.

The primary directive I used for coaching my marketing team in going head to head against heavy competition was to avoid using the same marketing methods as the competition. For example, the most lucrative niches seem at a cursory glance to be dominated by deep-pocketed SEO professionals, so it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to consider marketing through other channels. Always keep in mind that there is no such thing as a "saturated" niche; there are only saturated marketing methods.

I don't think finding a quote "secret niche to promote and make killer bank" is bunk. That's many people's definition of a niche and the secret behind many success stories . It's just not the complete picture.

You can also find niches in saturated markets. That's the beauty of niche marketing. Most people focus on one or the other, when they should be doing both. That alone would double there chances of success.

I'm glad we're helping to defang and declaw the market saturation myths.

If one person who reads this thread decides to test a competitive market he (or she) is passionate about - it would be worth it.

Good point. The markets not saturated. The
prospects mind is saturated with
"look just-a-like" products and services.