Determine Your Niche & Be Successful

What's a niche?

Dictionary.com provides a great, twofold definition:

  • "A situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature."
  • "A special area of demand for a product or service."

    • It's safe to say you will be most successful and fulfilled in business if you provide a product or service that others want or need, in an area that is "right up your alley."

    There are thousands of business opportunities but just because something worked for someone else, doesn't mean it will work for you. Doing something you love is undoubtedly your best option.

    "But," you say, "what I love is just a hobby. I can't make money from doing that."

    Well, chances are you'll be able to figure out a way to turn a profit from it. All it takes is a little creativity.

    Answer these questions to hone in on a business idea that will suit you and therefore, set you up for success. When answering the questions, don't limit your answers. Brainstorm. Write down everything that comes to mind, regardless of how silly, impossible or unprofitable it seems.

    • How do you spend your free time?
    • What is your dream job?
    • When you were young, what did you want to do when you grew up?
    • When others need help, what do they ask you to help them with?
    • If you didn't have to worry about making an income, how would you spend your time?
    • What would you pay someone else to let you do?
    • What are you passionate about?
    • What are you good at?
    • How do you have fun?
    • What do others appreciate in you?
    • What brings you fulfillment in life?
    • What's your hobby?
    • If you could get paid to do anything, what would it be?
    • What jobs have you enjoyed in the past?
    • What do others say you're good at?

    Once you've jotted your answers down, review them and see if you pick up on any themes. Again, don't write anything off at this point, just group like things together.

    Maybe you listed your job as a teacher's assistant (TA) in college as being one you enjoyed. Perhaps several friends have told you you're really good at explaining computer problems. These two items would constitute a theme such as teaching, troubleshooting, finding answers, etc. The theme "name" isn't important; the job characteristics are.

    Now look at the your themes. Are there any that stand out above the rest? Any that really stir up passion and excitement in you? This is your niche in the larvae stage. All it needs is a little "fleshing out."

    Time to get creative. Look at your theme from all angles. Try to figure out a way you can make money from it. What are others doing with it? Google some keywords to see what kinds of websites pop up. Ask people around you for ideas. Take advantage of the creativity of other entrepreneurs and small business owners in online forums and offline networking groups.

    If a second or third theme emerged during your brainstorming session, come up with ways to integrate them into your primary theme.

    Think outside the box but stay true to who you are. The possibilities are endless!

    Amy Andrews is the owner of SimplyComplete.com, where businesses & individuals post their to-dos for free and find virtual assistants to help get their to-dos done!

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Meet Success: Business Profile of Sylvia Acevedo, Communicard Owner

    Sylvia Acevedo needed a break from her technology job so... Read More

    Oil Change Guys History; Part II

    Franchise companies are not born they are made and when... Read More

    Used-Book Case Study

    Dwight Payne and Gary Heap reside in Santa Barbara, CA,... Read More

    Use Your Youth To Your Advantage

    You should wait until you're older and have more business... Read More

    Franchises - Success and You

    Many people believe owning a franchise will make them rich,... Read More

    Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians

    To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and... Read More

    Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - Control Your Destiny

    Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?When you think of becoming... Read More

    Entrepreneurial Traits that Drive Sales

    Frequently overlooked and hidden deep within our marketing tool box... Read More

    Something From Nothing, With Something To Share

    Betrayal, it can hit you like a load of bricks... Read More

    Playing Hookey Can Help! A Surprising Secret To Small Business Success!

    Would you like to increase your chances of business success... Read More

    Mobile Car Washing Long Term Opportunities in the Market

    The long-term outlook for the Mobile Car Washing industry is... Read More

    My Nemisis

    Living in the twilight zone has its advantages. In the... Read More

    Rx for Falling Corporate Profits

    Once again the squeeze is on as renewed inflation worries... Read More

    Franchise Business and Franchise Businesses

    Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business... Read More

    Making the Financial Transition

    Making the financial transition from paid employment to earning a... Read More

    Territory Limitations Policies for Franchised Companies

    All franchised companies must have Territory Limitations to maintain the... Read More

    Find Me the Expert on This!

    Many people who set up as consultants never make more... Read More

    Differentiation ? Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

    Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to... Read More

    An Entrepreneurs Biggest Cost

    When launching a new product or company, an entrepreneur must... Read More

    How To Find Focus And Turn Your Talent Into A Thriving Professional Business

    There are tons of books and articles available to help... Read More

    The New Paradigm for Entrepreneurial Success

    Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More

    Achievements Outweigh Education and Experience

    Q: When it comes to succeeding in business, which do... Read More

    Good Questions, good Answers; Bad Questions, Bad Replies

    I'm convinced that asking the right questions is one of... Read More

    The Myth of Undercapitalization - Six Ways Entrepreneurs Achieve Success in Spite of Start-Up Money

    This year more than 17 million people will become entrepreneurs,... Read More

    Entrepreneurs - 9 Top Mistakes to Avoid

    1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can... Read More

    Could a Non-Profit Structure Be Right for Your Business?

    If you have a business idea, or an idea for... Read More

    Online Women Entrepreneurs Need To Pace Themselves

    Saving time means pacing yourself, being organized, and always prioritizing... Read More

    What is Entrepreneurship?

    In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I... Read More

    Three Cs - What Startups Need to Get a Business Loan, Part 1

    You want to get a good, solid overview of what... Read More

    Are You Ready To Be Your Own Boss?

    You have this burning desire you want to be on... Read More

    Youve Found Your Guru, Now What?

    In my last article, "Follow That Guru", I told you... Read More

    Isnt it Time You Started to Fly?

    I am going to begin this article by sharing a... Read More

    Face The Fear, Ladies

    Okay, I'll begin by telling you that I've been divorced... Read More