I remember, two years ago, while working through the Thirty Day Challenge, trying to get my head around how to brainstorm niches. My mind would immediately rate whatever I thought up as “a goer” or “not a goer” or “stupid”. I wasn’t very successful.
In the years in between I have developed an exercise to get my mind thinking in niche search terms.
Disclaimer: This is my personal way of working up niche ideas and may not work for you (if you think in different ways to me). Also, if you use any of the search terms I use here you will probably be fighting with a gazillion others who read the blog as well.
My Niche Brain Exercise Method
I set a day a “Niche Day” (as in Have A Niche Day!)
Tools: pen, paper
Time: 24 hours
From the minute I wake up I do a sense inventory. What do I see, hear, smell, touch + taste? I then continue that during the day.
To “see” niches you need to be hyper-aware of your surroundings. On Niche Day you are going to be a giant sponge absorbing everything that is around you, from the mundane to the out-of-the-ordinary. Let’s look at a few entries from my Niche Day yesterday
Hour 1
Mmmm warm doona
Shower – need hot water
Need breakfast, hungry
Get ready for Work
And so it goes on…very basic yeah?
Now break down the activities into items that you are using
doona, duvet, sheets, pillows, wardrobe, carpet, dressing gown, slippers, pyjamas, nightie, chest of drawers
hot water heater, towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, exfoliate, shower head, tiles, steam, soap scum
breakfast foods, diet, carbohydrates, balanced diet, fruit, coffee, tea, milk
hairstyle, hair dryer, makeup, jewellry, corporate clothing, work shoes, dry cleaning, laptop bag, cell phone…..
And it goes on. A whole lot of things that your eyes normally travel over, but don’t really notice .
I went on to do the next part of the chunking down process and came up with some viable ideas, but at this stage I will not race ahead of the thirty day challenge teachings for 2008.
So get out there and start noticing things!
Planned and executed my exit from the corporate world. Walked away with a 6 figure payment to boot.
That’s a great and timely article Alison, Thank you
I’m sure with the ‘Ed Dale’, set task of coming up with 10 niche ideas your article will open quite a few eyes – mine included!
Michelle
Brilliant…I was getting headaches trying to come up with niches…and, like you said at the beginning of your article…filtering them out. I have just started bringing my book along with me and have to kick myself in the pootie (plug for team, there
)) to start writing things down.
Thanks for the ideas, it has helped me avoid major trauma to the brain. ;o)
Excellent way of bringing niche finding down to the everyday occurrence! Even newbies will be able to banish the excuse of not participating because they “can’t think of anything.”
If you see it, smell it, hear it, taste it, touch it, see it, or use it – it’s a potential niche.
Sincerely,
Meg Meyer
http://MegMeyer.com