Can't pick a niche? Do THIS instead.

Gillian Perkins
21 Jun 202216:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of choosing a niche for a business, but it also highlights the common struggle of feeling restricted by a niche. It explains that 'niche' can mean different things to different people, including a specific product or service or a targeted customer group. The speaker suggests that businesses often develop niches over time, after working with various customers. The key is to focus on the value provided by the business, which is the primary reason customers engage with it. The video offers strategies for determining the business's value proposition, such as starting with a specific problem to solve or a passion to monetize. It advises against defining a niche too early or too narrowly, which can limit potential customers. Instead, it encourages clarity on the value offered and a broader approach to targeting customers, allowing the market to define itself over time.

Takeaways
  • 🧐 **Understanding Niches**: Realize that the term 'niche' can mean different things to different people, including a specific market or a specialized service.
  • 🎯 **Choosing a Niche**: It's better to be specific, but not so narrow that you limit your potential customer base or opportunities.
  • πŸš€ **Niche Development**: Niches often evolve over time as businesses interact with customers and identify the types of clients they serve best.
  • πŸ› οΈ **Defining Your Business**: Start with identifying the general industry or category your business will fit into, such as health, fitness, or education.
  • πŸ”‘ **Value Proposition**: The specific value or problem-solving aspect of your product or service is crucial and should be clearly defined from the start.
  • πŸ“ˆ **Market Research**: Conducting interviews and understanding customer struggles can provide insights into how to define your business's value.
  • πŸ“Š **Avoiding Mistakes**: Two common errors are choosing a niche too early or too narrowly, and not defining the product or service's value clearly enough.
  • πŸ’‘ **Identifying Value**: Consider starting with a problem you want to solve or a service you enjoy providing, then decide how to help and for whom.
  • πŸ“ **Product and Service Clarity**: Be clear about what your product or service does and the problem it solves to make it easier for potential customers to see its value.
  • πŸ’Ό **Target Market**: While it's important to have a target market, avoid defining it too narrowly at the outset to prevent limiting your reach.
  • ⏳ **Evolution Over Time**: Allow your niche to evolve naturally as you gain experience and insights into your customers' needs and your business's strengths.
Q & A
  • Why is choosing a niche considered important for a business or brand?

    -Choosing a niche is important because it allows a business to stand out in a specific market segment, rather than being lost in a sea of competition. It helps in growing the brand, marketing the business, making sales, and gaining followers by focusing on a smaller, more defined target audience.

  • What does it mean to 'niche down' in the context of business?

    -To 'niche down' means to specialize in a particular area, often by offering a very specific service or product. It involves becoming an expert in that area and focusing the business's content and brand messaging around that specialization.

  • What is a common struggle entrepreneurs face when starting their business?

    -A common struggle entrepreneurs face is choosing their niche. Many find it difficult to decide on a specific market segment or specialization for their business, often feeling that they are limiting their potential by doing so.

  • What are the two different ways the term 'niche' is used in the context of business?

    -The term 'niche' can refer to either the specific product or service a business specializes in, or it can refer to the target market, which is the specific type of person the business aims to serve.

  • Why is it a mistake to choose a niche too early or too narrowly?

    -Choosing a niche too early or too narrowly can limit the potential customer base and make it difficult to find clients. It can also lead to a business feeling pigeonholed and missing out on opportunities, as the niche may not be based on actual experience or a genuine understanding of the market.

  • What is the first step in defining a business's value proposition?

    -The first step in defining a business's value proposition is to identify the specific problem the business aims to solve for its customers. This involves understanding the general industry or category the business fits into and the specific value it provides within that space.

  • How does the concept of an 'industry' relate to a business's niche?

    -An 'industry' is the general market or sector in which a business operates, such as health and wellness or technology. A business's niche, on the other hand, is a more specific segment within that industry, focusing on a particular product, service, or target market. The niche is typically developed over time as the business grows and identifies its most successful areas of operation.

  • What is the recommended approach to identifying the value a business provides?

    -The recommended approach is to start by identifying a specific problem that the business can solve for its customers. This could be a problem the entrepreneur has personally overcome or is passionate about helping others with. The next step is to decide how the business will help overcome this problem, whether through a product, service, or other means.

  • Why is it beneficial to start with a passion or skill when considering a business niche?

    -Starting with a passion or skill ensures that the entrepreneur enjoys what they are doing, which can lead to greater motivation and creativity. It also helps in identifying how the business can provide value through services or products that the entrepreneur is knowledgeable and experienced in.

  • How should an entrepreneur decide on their target market when defining their business?

    -An entrepreneur should decide on their target market by considering the specific problem they are solving and the type of customers who are most likely to benefit from their product or service. Initially, the target market can be defined broadly to avoid limiting potential customers, with the understanding that it may become more refined over time as the business gains more insight into its customer base.

  • What are the two biggest mistakes people make when trying to choose a niche for their business?

    -The two biggest mistakes are choosing a niche too early and choosing a niche that is too narrow. Both mistakes can make it difficult to find customers and limit the business's growth potential. Instead, entrepreneurs should focus on defining the value they offer and the problem they solve, allowing their target market to become more apparent over time.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ€” The Struggle with Choosing a Niche

The video begins by addressing the common advice that businesses should choose a niche to stand out in a competitive market. However, the speaker acknowledges that many people feel restricted by this advice. The speaker, who has experienced this struggle personally and witnessed it in others, explains that the term 'niche' can mean different things to different people. Some interpret it as specializing in a specific product or service, while others see it as targeting a specific type of customer. The video emphasizes that understanding these varying interpretations is crucial for choosing a niche that feels right and isn't overly restrictive.

05:00
πŸš€ Defining Your Business: Industry, Value, and Niche

The speaker outlines a three-layer approach to defining a business: industry, value, and niche. The industry is the general category, such as health or education, where the business operates. Value refers to the specific product or service that the business provides to solve a customer's problem. The niche is the most specific layer, which may involve targeting a particular group of people with a specific solution. The video clarifies that while having a niche can be powerful, it's not a necessary starting point for a business. Often, businesses develop their niche over time based on their experiences with customers.

10:01
πŸ’‘ Finding Your Business's Value Proposition

The video suggests two methods for determining a business's value. The first method involves identifying a specific problem that a group of people face, which the business can solve. This could be a problem the business owner has personally overcome. The second method is based on a passion or skill the business owner enjoys and wants to monetize. From there, the business owner must decide how they will provide valueβ€”through consulting, courses, products, or other means. The market that the business serves should be defined broadly at first, with a focus on the value provided and the problem solved.

15:03
πŸ“ Avoiding Common Niche-Selection Mistakes

The video warns against two common mistakes when choosing a niche: selecting a niche too early or choosing one that's too narrow. It advises business owners to focus on defining the value they offer and the problem they solve, keeping the target market broad initially. The target market will naturally define itself as the business grows and interacts with customers. The speaker emphasizes that defining the business's value is a crucial part of creating a marketing plan, which also includes product creation, pricing, marketing strategies, and setting goals.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Niche
A niche refers to a specialized segment of the market that a business targets. In the context of the video, it is emphasized that choosing a niche is often misunderstood and can be approached in various ways, such as specializing in a particular service or targeting a specific type of customer. The video suggests that while having a niche can be powerful, it is not a prerequisite for starting a business and often emerges naturally as the business grows.
πŸ’‘Market Research
Market research is the process of gathering information about customers or markets. The video mentions conducting market research interviews with individuals starting their businesses to understand their struggles, particularly with choosing a niche. This process helps in identifying the needs and preferences of potential customers, which is crucial for defining a business's value proposition.
πŸ’‘Value Proposition
A value proposition is a statement that communicates the unique value a product or service offers to customers. The video stresses that the value proposition is the most important aspect of defining a business, as it is the reason why customers choose to engage with the business. It involves solving a specific problem for the customers, which is the core of what the business does.
πŸ’‘Target Market
The target market is the specific group of potential customers a business aims to reach with its products or services. The video discusses that while defining a target market is important, it should not be overly narrow or arbitrary. It should be based on actual interactions and preferences of the customers the business has served, rather than a preconceived notion of an ideal customer.
πŸ’‘Industry
An industry is a category of businesses that share similar products, services, or markets. The video explains that a business must first fit into a general industry, such as health and wellness or fashion, before it can define its specific niche. The industry provides the broader context within which a business operates and helps in positioning the business's offerings.
πŸ’‘Monetization
Monetization refers to the process of generating revenue from a business asset. In the video, the concept is explored in the context of turning a passion or skill into a profitable venture. It suggests that by identifying activities one enjoys and considering how they can provide value to others, a business can be built around monetizing these skills or interests.
πŸ’‘Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is the process of finding solutions to issues or challenges. The video highlights that a business's primary function is to solve problems for its customers. This is central to defining the business's value proposition and is what drives customer engagement and retention. Examples from the script include helping people get out of debt or assisting parents with autistic children.
πŸ’‘Content Creation
Content creation involves producing material such as text, videos, or other digital media. The video touches on the idea that the type of content a business creates is often influenced by its niche. However, it also suggests that focusing too narrowly on a specific topic can limit the business's reach and potential for growth.
πŸ’‘Sales Funnel
A sales funnel is a marketing model that illustrates the customer journey from initial awareness to making a purchase. The video briefly mentions the importance of planning and setting up an effective sales funnel to improve conversions and revenue. It is presented as a key component of a business's marketing strategy.
πŸ’‘Product or Service Clarity
Product or service clarity refers to the ability to clearly define and communicate what a business offers. The video advises that businesses should be specific about the value they provide through their products or services. This clarity helps potential customers understand the benefits and makes it easier for them to decide to engage with the business.
πŸ’‘Business Plan
A business plan is a strategic document that outlines the goals, strategies, and financial projections of a business. The video suggests that defining the business's value is a crucial part of creating a business plan. It also involves decisions about product creation, pricing, marketing, and setting goals, which are all essential for the success and growth of the business.
Highlights

Choosing a niche for your business is crucial for standing out in a competitive market.

Being a big fish in a small pond is preferable to being a tiny fish in a sea of competition.

The concept of a niche can be misunderstood, leading to the feeling of being pigeonholed.

Different people interpret the term 'niche' in various ways, which can complicate the process of choosing one.

Some define a niche by the specific service or product they offer, while others define it by their target market.

Choosing a niche too narrowly can limit potential opportunities and make it hard to find customers.

Most businesses develop their niches over time, not at the outset.

Understanding your business's industry or category is the first step in defining what your business does.

The value your business provides should solve a specific problem for your customers.

Your business's value proposition is more important than your niche when starting out.

Defining your niche should come after working with various customers and identifying a specific type of person you want to serve.

Starting with the type of person you want to serve can help define the value of your business.

Choosing what you enjoy doing can also lead to identifying how you can help people and monetize your passion.

Avoid defining your niche too early or too narrowly to prevent limiting your business's potential customer base.

Defining the value of your product or service should be specific, but your target customer should be left fairly open initially.

The biggest mistakes in choosing a niche are doing it too early and making it too narrow.

Focus on the value you offer and the problem you solve, and your target market will naturally define itself.

Creating a marketing plan involves not only defining your niche but also how to create, price, and market your product.

Transcripts
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: