At first glance, it may seem like offering a product that is appealing to everyone will generate more sales than one geared toward a small group of people. But the fact is, this concept rarely ever pans out. Try not to be lulled by the thought. Instead, what you need is to focus on solving a specific problem. Usually the more specific the better.

Marketing is all about being at the right place, at the right time, with the right message. If you try to be there for everyone, your message will become diluted. And if you dilute it enough, it won't be the right message, at the right time, for anyone. Just remember that ? it's a golden rule of marketing.

I'm sure you realize it's impossible to meet everyone's needs. So you need to select a target and attempt to appeal to them and them alone.

? Cater your product to solve their needs?
? Adjust your website to fit with their interests?
? Write your advertising to be compelling to them?

This may seem simple at first glance. But, take it to heart; it really is a sure-fire way to increase your sales.

Here are a few examples of niche websites and ways to make a profit from them:
? Travel is too broad, but traveling in style might be a good niche:
? get people to subscribe to a review of 5 star hotels.
? find travel agencies to advertise with you and pay you a percentage for
referrals.
? write an e-book geared toward the best places to travel to.
? review celebrities and their stylish vacations (virtually everyone is
fascinated by celebrities).

? Recipes are too broad, but new Hungarian recipes are a niche:
? people may subscribe to a newsletter where you offer useful links to
products with your affiliate ID embedded within them.
? write your own specific-type of recipe book and sell it from your site.

? Careers are too broad, but careers in biotechnology might be a good niche:
? discuss how to ace a biotech job interview.
? list where the jobs are.
? if you could get enough companies to post their jobs with you, you might be able to offer subscription based access to your job listings.
? write an email series on Biotech Careers and collect your prospects
information.
? provide a bulletin board for people to exchange their thoughts.
? offer links to online courses that could help advance a biotechnologist's
career and make a commission from them.

I'm sure you get the idea. Just focus in on one specific area. It is impossible for one website (or one product) to fill everyone's needs. And really, don't you think that might be a little more than you can accomplish for now?

After reading this, you may need to adjust your product, your website or your target audience a little (or all of them). Fortunately, websites aren't set in stone and are very easy to change.

Try tweaking your niche a little by making it more specific and see what happens with your profits.

Copyright ? 2005 by L A Parmley. All rights reserved.