Can you search for a niche or does a niche find you?
In my goal to create a web development service for a niche I always focused on the hospitality businesses because is where I have the experience. I tried and tried but something didn't felt natural.
Then slowly I start having work proposals from other niche (real estate) but I was so focused on the hospitality businesses idea that didn't even thought that this must be it.
But today I decided to pivot as the signs have been more evident and the ideas fell good.
As any of you working with a niche market? How and why did you choose it?
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I'd say that a niche is good if you're able to 1. find potential customers who 2. have a willingness to pay for what you're building. So, I'd ask--in which niche are you able to find potential customers who have a willingness to pay?
I run a small incubator in Maine that helps founders go from idea to their first paying customers. My niche is "first-time founders". I had worked as an independent researcher and designer for a long-time until I started teaching at a small college in Maine and discovered that many students and community members needed help bringing their ideas to market. One thing led to another, and now I work w/ > 100 founders a year here through partnerships with various colleges and nonprofits.
I think what "felt natural" for me was that I was interested in improving the solution that I was delivering. I discovered that I had a customer who needed my help (and I'm able to find lots of potential customers). They had a willingness to pay, but not always the ability. So, I found a business model that works--I sell to colleges and nonprofits, and founders get cohort-based classes and prototyping services for free--out of necessity.
My customer hasn't changed. I love working with first-time founders. It's so exciting to see when so much effort and time leads to their success. But, the solution I'm delivering has changed significantly through trial and error. I think that I've been able to stick with serving the same customer for so long because I like the customer I'm serving (and I've discovered a model that satisfies my ability to get paid).
I hope that this reply might help!
What do you think, Ricardo?
It did help Nick, thank you. It feels natural the move, I think because for so many years I work in the hospitality business I thought that would be the niche to bed when creating products and services, even that the back of my mind it felt difficult as there is not much interest, money and difficult to find the right customers.
So for your point number 2 ( willing to pay) this niche makes more sense indeed
That's so great to hear, Ricardo! Sounds like you're absolutely on the right track then.
If there's something that you could use a hand with as you dive deeper, I'd love to help. So, please don't hesitate to get back in touch with me.
Yeah, You are 100$ right. As at the start of my blogging journey I choosed the gaming niche and settled https://apktreee.com/gloud-games-mod-apk/ site. With the passage of time and my researching and applying different tricks. Now my business has captured alot of users. And I considered this success as the selection of correct niches.
Would love to know more about your journey!
At Micro SaaS Ideas, we are solving this problem differently by giving more exposure to various niches and how people are making money in various niches. So far covered close to 80 niches with 800+ profitable ideas.
When you are just starting with a blank mind and not sure where to start, studying the current market helps a lot. That is the basic premise of Micro SaaS Ideas. Each niche also covers related technical chops, marketing chops and costs analysis for 100 customers to pick a given idea in that niche.
Over a period, it grew to 8000 subscribers (free & paid) and is one of the unique newsletter/communities for Micro SaaS builders. The Pro subscriber interact via the Micro SaaS HQ community.
Loved your product. Where the idea came from?
1.: What @NickRimsa said.
2.: Additionally, I like to check the market using these pointers:
But this is in the beginning and only the initial plan. Eventually you will change and adopt, and as entrepreneurs we are all opportunists, no?
So I fully understand your approach to go with the flow and switch target market. Personally, I was sure about the market but not sure about the niche, many times. In this case, I like to iterate into it. ;)
"Can I find the clients easy? (super important - don't make your life harder than it should be)"
Absolutely, positively. If you can't find potential customers to learn from, how will you be able to sell to them?
Can I find the clients easily? (super important - don't make your life harder than it should be)
Are people willing to pay for the solution?
These were the points that led me to pivot the niche. They found me and they are willing to pay.
After that many ideas start opening to me and felt natural.
But well the proof is in the pudding so let's make it count.
Thank you
I find simple boring online tools as my idea areas to start on.
I discover these simple boring ideas through keyword research such as the keyword volume.
You need to start somewhere, and the easiest area is connecting to an existing skillset and group you already have experience with. Because you will more intimately know their problems and potential solutions. But, sometimes the market is not large enough or not willing to spend the time/money on your solution. So, then you can pivot to providing a similar solution to a more viable market (like what you did), or pivot your solution offering to something that the market you are already experienced in finds valuable enough to pay for. There is no straight path for sure!