COLLECTIBLES. Stamps, coins, salt shakers, jewelry, etc.



HISTORY AND MEMORABILIA. Civil War, Victoriana, etc.

MUSIC. Rock, classical, jazz, folks, country, hot stars, etc.

HOW TO & HOBBIES. Car & motorcycle repair, carpentry, astronomy, etc.

HEALTH AND FITNESS. Body building, athletics

SPORTS. Little known and extreme sports make great niches.

ANIMALS. From dogs and cats, to exotic pets like parrots and lizards.

ARTS & CRAFTS. Model airplanes, ceramics, watercolor painting, etc.

OUTDOORS. Hiking, backpacking, camping, etc.

MONEY. Investing, saving, bargain hunting.

COOKING. Regional, gourmet, desserts, wines, beers, spirits.

KIDS & PARENTING. From infants to teenagers.

HOME & GARDEN. Gardening, home improvement.

MEN & WOMEN.

FASHION. High fashion, large sizes, etc.

1. Choose a niche that interests you and do some research.

After choosing a niche grab a half dozen magazines, buy a cappuccino, pull out a notebook, and start copying down all the advertising and article headlines in those magazines. If your niche is very small or very large, broaden your research.

For example, let's say you've chosen men's health. Don't just look in the obvious magazines on that topic. Also look at hunting magazines, bodybuilding magazines, gun magazines, fashion & trends magazines (like GQ), Sports Illustrated, and some recreational magazines (skiing, surfing, hiking, etc.).

2. Compile a list of at least a hundred different headlines.

This list will yield 80% of the market research you need to choose hot health products for men. You'll know the buzzwords, the hot topics, and the current trends.

The other 20% of your research will be thinking about what kinds of concerns those headlines address. Ask yourself, "If a guy is attracted to that headline, what's worrying him?"

3. Now spend some time reading a few "typical" articles on your chosen topic.

This will give you a flavor for the kind of writing style you'll use on your web site.

4. Study the display ads.

Advertisers spend billions of dollars every year to sell in magazines. They wouldn't be shelling out that much loot if they weren't making sales.

In our men's health example, focus on the ads for power bars, toiletries, beef jerky, prescription drugs, and most importantly, over the counter meds. When you see an advertisement for Tylenol, pay attention to how they sell it. If "fast pain relief" seems to be the focal point, you now know that ads that promise speedy results probably appeal to men. Note down these "buzz words."

5. Go to the back of each magazine and look at the classifieds.

Copy down any classified that grab your attention. You'll notice most are short, and prompt the reader to call for more information, visit a web site, or send a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to a particular address.

Most classified in magazines are basically lead capture mechanisms. So you can be sure that if the advertiser keeps running those ads, they are converting a lot of those leads into sales. What ads seem to appear over and over? What products are they promoting?

6. Use these notes when looking for affiliate products to promote.

Keep referring to those headlines and ads. They'll help you choose products that are likely to sell well, as well as writer strong copy for your web site.

And don't throw that notebook away! It's a valuable piece of market research that you can use to build several interconnected mini-sites - all for the mere price of a few coffees and several hours in a pleasant bookstore.

Magazines are a rich source for finding marketable products and gaining insight as to the buzzwords and marketing techniques. Advertisers in magazines have spent millions of dollars conducting research and finding ways to reach their target audience. You can increase profits by paying attention to products in niche magazines and the methods used to sell them.