The Expanding World of Niches
People more and more are leading parallel lives one connected to the here and now, the garbage bin is full for most of us bin day comes once a week and the other is online in the cloud or virtual world. Kind of like living with dual citizenship. The first grounded here on earth, the second one is lived across borders and is not confined by location. Having said that all of us flux between the two.
One of the things that has created this scenario is the up take of mobile technology, which some folks say is good and some folks say is bad. No matter what you think there is a massive change happening, it is one of those times in history where everything starts to align, for better or worse it is here to stay.
Like much there is no going back and if you do it is never quite the same.
This change is rewiring much of what we think and how we connect and interact, with ourselves and others. Case in hand I am sure I have rewired my brain since coming to the online marketing world, or should I say a month at WA and your life will never be the same again, a year and it is signed sealed and delivered.
Change equals niche opportunities in the world of marketing. Like all frontiers new and exciting opportunities.
Become an observer
The key is to become an unbiased observer, just see things for what they are.
Driving through a city I observed a group of teenagers boys and girls lying and sitting on one of those grassed areas, in the central square, all connected and engaging, the only thing was it wasn't with each other, every single one was on their phones, they were engaging but engaging somewhere else.
That vision has stuck in my head, it struck me as being so strange, I was observing change and change in the marketing world equals opportunity.
People watching, can not only be a fun pass time but also in terms of marketing an invaluable skill. Sitting at the temporary local cafe, I observed two little old ladies sitting on a seat connected and engaging, not with each other but with their devices, I just about fell off my perch. Twenty minutes later not a word said, what I am observing once again is change.
I can imagine daughter out with girlfriends, doing the coffee thing and the conversation could go something like this.
" I am so worried about mom, she is online all the time, she's worse than the kids"
Watching the news I learned of a new occurrence, digital divorce, from what I gather it is where one partner gets so connected online that a disconnection occurs in the relationship which in the worst case scenario leads to separation and divorce in the " who's turn is it to take the bins out today world ".
So in the marketing world, if we can observe change as it is happening there are so many possibilities for creating and servicing new and ever expanding and exciting niche opportunities.
Urban legend talks about the parallel universe, it was this kind of abstract concept, looking and observing I think it has arrived in the right here, right now and we are all living it. Many folks don't realize, and are unaware, as marketers the task can be to keep looking for change, that can be where some new untapped opportunities can be lurking waiting to be explored.
Happy exploring.
Alex Evans
Recent Comments
47
Most people do not "talk" - no communication with friends, just tapping away at their device.
A very much changing world, where the person without a device is an exception.
I do get rather annoyed when a person is texting whilst walking - oblivious to their environment
We are living in a changing world Denis, for sure. It is very much a transitioning phase as folks adjust, thank you for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated.
Go forward only. Be like a kangaroo as it is the only animal in the World that cannot walk backward.
Yes, everyone is on their mobiles nowadays. A person just having their coffee in a cafe and not pressing the buttons at the same time would seem strange. When I am on the bus, I see the same picture. First, a person takes their seat , then they pay the fare and take out their gadget. Good or bad, it's life.:)
It seems that many if us observe the same things, Vera, it seems to be a world wide phenomenon, it is changing the way we interact, it in turn creates some possibilities fit us as marketers.
You can not beat person to person communication.
Yep! And this is what we can ha ve here at WA- global person to person communication...:)
So true Vera, it's an amazing and unique situation that we are in here at Wealthy Affiliate.
Very thought provoking Alex. I love people watching but do find it sad when you see groups of people all on their phones. Mobile phones are great tools and useful for safety when you are out alone walking and driving but I do try to limit my use.
As marketers we definitely need to be aware of new trends and people watching is an interesting way of doing this!
Best Wishes
Hazel
It is change happening before our eyes Hazel, it is interesting on so many different levels. Looking at it that change creates opportunities fit us as marketers. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing. That's interesting about the older generation also getting involved with the technology craz.
Tried and True
Elaine
Hi Elaine, it is happening, folks are living longer, it would be interesting to see the age break down of the WA membership.
Even on the affiliate marketing niche a lot if older folks are looking at ways to supplement incomes.
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Great post, A. Iaughed at the 'digital divorce' part...my husband talks about 'social media' and 'cell phones' as the 'anti-social media' and the 'worst invention' for people communication...I have to agree with him on some points.
M
Hi Michelle, thanks for sharing, it is one of the things that folks are grappling with the world over, the way, when and how we communicate is changing so much, some folks like it while others struggle, the same goes for us folks marketing online.
Times are certainly changing, I guess we need to be like water and find our own levels, where we are happy and comfortable, although pushing the boundaries is good also.
Well said, Alex. Being in our 'line of work', we definitely 'walk a thin line' when it comes to our 'living' and the 'business'.
Yes, we have to establish our 'own flow' indeed.
Have a great week.
M