CBC Reba: Demographic VS Niche

Continuing my Cross Blog Conversation with Reba Collins of Internet Marketing Boomer.  In her last post she asks me…

Kelly, was there a point in time that you realized you needed to “tighten” your focus or that you realized you had chosen a demographic instead of a niche? If so, what occurred that helped you realize you needed to make a change and how did you go about making that change? If not, are you just that smart or did you just get lucky?

(Reba you crack me up!  Am I smart or did I just get lucky? ROFL! )

Ok, was there a time when I realized I need to tighten my focus.  Yes!  At the end of 2004 I had learned a lot about internet marketing and I was applying it everywhere I could think of.  I had mistakenly subscribed to the ‘niche marketing’ ideal which was to tackle multiple niches with mini sites and lists – which is a popular internet marketing strategy – but one that had me rabbit trailing all over the place.  I was making money – but I was working HARD for it.

I decided to scrap the ‘multiple niches’ program and embrace one single target market.  It was the best decision ever!  By the end of 2005 I was making a lot more money and enjoying the process much more.

The market I chose was the WAHM market of course.

Did I choose a Demographic instead of a Niche?

I don’t think so – I understood pretty early on that I was going to focus in on the internet based Work at Home Mom who was interested in being her own boss versus working for others.  Even within that definition there are some ‘neighborhoods’ within the niche that I wouldn’t identify as my target market. (Get rich quick programs, product-less MLMs, etc.)

So, was it Smart or was it Luck?

I don’t believe in luck   I’m don’t hold any golden keys when it comes to internet marketing.  Business advice about target market and unique selling proposition can be found everywhere.   I’m applying the same tried and true principles that anyone else could learn.  (Emphasis on APPLYING!)

I find that many people who get exposed to the same message about focusing in on one target market are afraid to truly focus.  They don’t want to ‘exclude anyone’.  They are more comfortable targeting a demographic.  The problem with that is that it is hard for a solopreneur to monetize a demographic.

My next question for you: Reba, what have you been thinking about in the last week or so since your last post?  How will you be tightening your market and what is helping you to make these decisions?

Recommended Resource: The Power of a Focused Business