Find Niche Markets in Five Unexpected Places
I’m so glad you’ve decided to be a part NicheChick!
One of the most often asked questions by internet marketers, both new and experienced, is – “How do I find new niche markets?” There is much written about online places to locate new hot markets – Google Trend, Amazon and eBay hot items, Froogle, etc. However, although these online techniques can reveal amazing niches, they are not how I have found ANY of my most profitable niches.
Here’s how I DID find them. I paid attention to the life going on around me.
Let me explain. What is a “niche market” anyway? It’s a group of people who are interested in a certain thing and who search it out on Google. I think the key part of that sentence is “group of people.” Marketers often focus on the “numbers” of a niche and ignore the people factor. When you look at the number of searches a keyword gets per month, I think it’s important to keep in mind that each of those numbers each represent a real person who sits down at their computer, is curious about something, and types it into Google, looking for information.
Since niche markets are composed of real people living their everyday lives, it stands to reason that you can glean some great niches from real people and real (non-internet) things that you see everyday. Here are five of my favorites:
1) Magazines - Magazines have their finger on the pulse of what their target market is currently interested in, and what they are becoming interested in. If you see a group of articles, or even one interesting article, that catches your eye in a magazine, chances are there’s a market for that subject. Magazines would go out of print if they didn’t consistently put out articles that appealed to their target market.
2) Newspapers – For more timely and up and coming niches, turn to newspapers. Newspapers have their finger on the pulse of what, not just a particular niche demographic is interested in, but the whole world! New breakthroughs, entertainment new, technological advances, as well as interesting cultural happenings will all be reported through newspapers. There are niches to be mined there. 
3) Movies – Many niches relate to interests and hobbies. Pay attention to unusual interests, job, or hobbies that characters have in movies. Pay attention when they talk to one another. If something has been included in a movie or a television show, chances are it is because it resonates with a large enough segment of the population to be interesting.
4) Conversations - When you talk to the people in your life, listen to what they talk about with a marketer’s ear. Are they thinking of moving to a new city? Did they just get a dog? Do they have a medical issue they’ve been searching for answers about? Are they trying to solve a problem with their finances or around the house? If they are, chances are good that others are trying to solve the same problem.
5) JUST ASK! – If all else fails, strike up conversations with brand new people that you meet – at the coffee shop, in the grocery store, in line at the post office! Ask people about their lives and their interests. You would be surprised how eager people are to talk about themselves and their passions.
It’s a good idea to carry around a pocket notebook and a pen around with you to jot down all of the new ideas that will be flooding into your brain so that you can do specific keyword research later!
Here’s a fun challenge – do this for a few days and post in the comments how many new niches you were able to come up with! I bet it will be more than you think!
*melanie
Your information will never be compromised
Hello, Dear Niche Chick:
I am grateful for you finding me on Twitter.
I think you have an amazamazing spirit, and great creativity,and I am blessed to have you as a friend.
Sincerely,
Tedi May
Thanks for mentioning this site to me on Twitter. I signed up for your tip of the day, and am enjoying them.
Wishing you all the best… and then some.
Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder
Women’s eCommerce Assoc.
Melanie (Nichechick)
This niche idea a day concept is really good and something I look forward to taking advantage of.
Sincerely-E.Umana
Hi Melanie, i’m really stuck for ideas for a niche, a friend sent me your link and here i am. I liked your blog post and it’s got the grey matter churning.
I’ve signed up to your newsletter so hopefully it’ll kick my behind into direction.
Great blog, thanks
Regards Barry
NicheChick, this is absoltely awesome to have the resources at the ease of a button. With all the hard work pretty much done. I look forward to keeping this as a valuable secret to help gobble up the competition,lol..
Cheers,
Jimmy R Williams
The Methodical Marketer
I just found you on Twitter and have opt-in to your newsletter.
This is a great service that you are offering and I thank you.
Many days, my creative side of my brain is stagnant and needs a boost. Your niche ideas will be the push I need.
Thank you.
Hi Melani.
It’s great and very helpful. Changed the way of thinking and acting. I liked your post and blog.
Just found you on Twitter and couldn’t resist your offer.
I currently teach people how to do keyword resources using freely available resources. It is actually more about doing market research to understand you market more than anything.
Looking forward to your daily tips.
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Coming here from twitter.
Thanks for this good content. I can tell you this kind of information has real great value. Usually you can find it on 2000 bucks courses or seminars.
Many thanks.
I am going to link your blog to mine.
By the way, if I may say, I love your opt-in at the bottom of the post. Did you use a plug-in or another kind of script?
I look forward to hear from you.
What a facinating article. I’m looking for a marketing expert to help with a project, could you help?
Thanks Melanie,
I really appreciate the emails because they are really helpful….you ROCK!
Very cool Blog and great idea. Look forward to receiving my info. Thanks very much for this.
Cheers
Derek
Hi Melanie,
thanks for following me on twitter
I’ll be looking forward to your niche ideas – you’re doing excellent work, keep it up!
Greetings from Estonia,
Margot-Helena
Hey Niche Chick, your Niche a day concept is great. I have an internet marketing buddy who does this, but charges a fortune. It’s a well needed service because although I get niche ideas from ehow.com, mygoals.com, pulse.ebay.com, google trends, etc, it’s a time-consuming task that I don’t really like. So kudos to you for this. Thanks.
I just realized you were following me on Twitter. I had to come and see what you had to offer on your site. I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the work that you do, as it is much needed now with so many offline business coming online.
I love creative approaches to internet marketing!!
Make it a great day!!
Therese Prentice
The Outsource Squad
I think #5 is the best. Just ask is a great way to find out about what’s on people’s minds. Thanks for the great article.
I hope we can start follwing each other on Twitter for I am anxious to see what you have to say. Thanks alot.
Aaron Joseph AJ Richard
MySpace’s Official Airhead of the Airwaves
YOU absolutely RULE!
Where have you been all of our lives?
Thank you for everything!
Hi you
just come across you and like wot I’ve read so far–I agree with you that all sources could be mined for the one idea that makes you richer after all its the folks you talk to that buy