Choosing A Niche Topic (Part 2)

In my last post, I reviewed one way to pick a niche topic. That was by browsing the contents of various affiliate networks.

My results? I am attracted to the idea of sites built around the following topics:

• robes and pajamas (sounds impossible, but fun)
• sofa covers (we have a couple of them at home)
• gifts for men (I’m a guy and could help women shop)
• model airplanes (used to build them as a child)
• sleds and toboggans (always loved sledding in winter)
• patio heaters / fire pits (I want to stay warm outside, too)
• custom t-shirts (sounds like fun)
• futons (we have one ourselves)
• toolboxes (I’m a guy who likes tools)
• toys that kids can ride (sounds like fun)
• candelabras (just sounds cool)
• credit cards (very popular because of the high commission rates)

In the above list, I’m just choosing based on the fact there is at least one website that sells the above products. I’d like to have more than one vendor to promote, so I’ll have to do some more research on each of these topics.

However, I’m just assembling a list right now and these topics are interesting enough for me to pursue further. More research ahead!

Topic Selection Method #2: Create a Big List of Products

This method is taken from James Martell’s Affiliate Marketers Handbook. The core idea is to walk through every room in your house and make a list of everything you see. The goal? Just to make a list of possible topics without trying to filter out or restrict any ideas.

For example, in my kitchen I see:

a breadmaker cooking utensils oven mitts silverware cooking pots (two sets of 3) frying pans (set of 3) gas stove over-the-stove microwave oven drawer organizer step ladder night light refrigerator magnets kitchen sink sink faucet kitchen cabinets a refrigerator a rolling pin a "replacement window" a hanging light fixture a ceiling-mount light fixture a recessed light fixture over the sink a 2-slot toaster teakettles a KitchenAid stand mixer a Cuisinart Chopper

Wineglasses a Soap dish a Spice rack Ceramic mugs Custom ceramic mugs Cookie cutters Set of China Cat food a cat calendar a Bulletin board Dry erase markers a Dutch oven Mixing bowls an Electric wok a regular gas-burner wok hand towels oven mitts Stone flooring Wind chimes a Hot Air Popcorn Maker an Iced Tea Maker Wicker baskets a Broiler Pan a Bread box a portable travel refrigerator

… and more items are in the cabinets . Lots of individual products!

You probably have the same items in your kitchen plus maybe even a coffee maker, under-the-counter radio, hanging pot rack, roll around cart, pasta maker and more!

All of these items can be bought online, some at the providers listed at Netshops ! Therefore, all of these items could be potential topics of niche shopping websites.

In other words, you could create a whole site devoted to "hand towels", including an area on "hand towel racks" "hand towel holders", and maybe, for variety, a separate section of your site for "aprons".

Or you could create a whole site devoted to "popcorn poppers" OR "bread boxes" OR "woks" OR "refrigerators" OR "stand mixers". (Note: the operative word here is "OR" … as in one of these topics OR another one of these topics … not "AND".)

Of course, you could create a broader site around the idea of "cooking utensils" on which you could promote pots, pans, oven mitts, cookie sheets, spoons, drawer organizers and other related topics.

However, building a site around the topic of "kitchen stuff" would be too big and broad, unless you’re willing to make a site that covers every single thing a kitchen can contain. Too much work, and too diluted to be effective.

Inside, Outside and at Work

Martell’s home inventory method involves going through every room of your house (or apartment), including the basement, closets, and garage or carport. Include anything used for hobbies and recreational interests.

Once you’re done inside, then you go outside and continue the list being sure to include patio furniture, benches, patio umbrellas, individual gardening items, replacement windows, doors, gutters and even siding or bricks.

Once you’re done at home, then you repeat the process at work! You’ll find your list includes items like computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, monitor stand, laptop docking station, filing cabinet, fax machine, picture frame, desk, shelving, rolling office chair, carpet protector, and much more!

As Martell writes in his Affiliate Marketers Handbook, the idea is to "become very, very product focused! And stay there." He also says the list will easily go on for several pages! (In his handbook, Martell even gives a "form" you can use for your list, but you can also just use any regular pad of paper.)

The general idea here is build a site around something you already know about and use. Chances are, the things you buy are the same things that other people buy just in different models, colors and varieties!

After doing the home inventory, then I can start analyzing which look like winners or not.

Wow, have I got a list to make! Off I go!