Niche Marketing for Small and Home Business, Professionals and Entrepreneurs

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Niche Marketing Article

“Real Marketers Eat Niche”

- by Karyn Zoldan, Bridge Marketing

Niche marketing is the opposite of mass marketing. It's a focused product or service with a very specific target market.

I recently became the proud but obsessed owner of an ex-greyhound racer. I had no idea how many products and services were out there for dogs in general and greyhounds in particular. What with the marketing of Petco, Petland, PetsMart and Petcare—pets are a $28 billion dollar industry. That would, at first glance, seem like mass marketing for people with pets.

Take it one further, however, and think about pet grooming (on wheels), gourmet pet food, doggie attire, bakeries, supplements, grooming tools, books and "how to" videos, doggie travel accommodations, pet anti-depressants, pet insurance, etc. I even know a greyhound owner wanting a doggie wet suit for swim therapy.

Here are some tips to consider about niche marketing:

Sell a service or product that excites you or have great knowledge about.
Determine your target market.
Who uses your product or service?
Who can afford your product or service?
How do they benefit by your product or service?
What publications do your target market read for business or pleasure?
What organizations do they belong to?
In what interactive lists are they participating?
To what radio stations do they listen?

Network with people who know people in your target market. Create a demand for your service or product by knowing your market inside out. Size up your competition and improve upon it with better service or additional features. Target consumer and trades publications with press releases.

Karyn Zoldan is the owner of Bridge Marketing. There are five steps for successful marketing; finding your niche is one of them. Please visit www.bridgemarketing.com for more information.

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