Finding Your Niche - Is It An Easy Or Difficult Task?

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I am fifty plus going on fifteen, and one of the biggest challenges I have dealt with my entire life is finding my niche. Sure, I am employed, have a multi-topic niche website, enjoy specific hobbies but determining what I want to do when I grow up has always alluded me.

In 2018, I have spent much time working with my bride of thirty plus years to developing her niche of paracord crafts, and I am proud of how she has been able to concentrate on building her local presence and during the winter of 2018/2019, we will develop her online presence.


We have worked craft shows in gymnasiums, street events, niche festivals, farmers markets, and sales events in the middle of empty hayfields to learn which products sell and where to invest our time in 2019.

During 2018, we have lost money, broke even, and been in the black, but Renee has decided this is what she wants to do now and in the future when we travel the country attending events. I love it when someone can choose what they can focus on but for the life of me, I cannot.

I am very focused, but in time my interest changes much like my need to relocate. There are many reasons why I have itchy feet that drive this trait, but I believe the primary reason why is my time in the military.

It has been over twenty years since I retired from the military and during my career, I trained technicians, rode fast attack submarines, and was responsible for repairs on fast attack and ballistic missile submarines. I never spent more than three years at a command, location, or in a job thus my continual need to do something new and relocate.


Once I retired from the military, I have worked for maintenance companies where I have moved up the ladder from repairing equipment at customer locations, managing hundreds of technicians, supply chain and logistics management for thousands of pieces of equipment, developing new product lines to service, and outside sales. Once again I have always transitioned to different positions and locations after a short number of years which again reinforces my need to do something new and relocate.


So, I find myself in a position where I need to find a long-term focused niche that I can ride into the sunset, and I believe I have decided on a direction allowing me to move forward. I think my decision process is simple and follows guidance I have received at WA but would love to highlight the steps I am taking to determine my focused niche.

  1. Identify areas of existing expertise or topics to become an expert in.
  2. Determine areas of passion that mirror areas of expertise.
  3. Verify the target audience, and research desired delivery?
  4. Identify a unique aspect and determine a differentiator?
  5. Understand the market.
    1. Identify if there are any hot topics.
    2. Determine monthly search volume, competition, and specific search agent trends.
    3. Verify the ability to monetize.
  • I am sure there are other items I should consider that are not listed and would much appreciate your feedback.

You need to love what you do to be successful but what you love must also be a potential revenue generator. Since joining WA a year ago, I have developed a multi-topic blog website to learn with and having accomplished this I am ready to move on to the next phase.

When I came to WA, my goal was to be generating income by the time I was sixty since I am balancing my 9 to 5 job with WA. I am confident we will be generating revenue from Renee's once finalized and now that I determined my focused niche, I am excited to get started on it.


Being fifty plus going on fifteen can be fun when you have new challenges in front of you. I am right on schedule and appreciate everyone on WA and WA.

Thanks for stopping by and providing feedback.

Jay

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Recent Comments

20

Being 21 with 36 years of experience and ex military I understand what you are meaning, I think the suggestion of two websites is great and that is exactly what I have done and so far so good.
Butch

Butch, thanks and it is good to hear from someone that has a similar experience. Appreciate the confirmation. J

Good Morning Jay,

Perhaps this multi-niche website you have can be made into various ones each following a more specific direction.
The world is changing so fast and often the old ways become obsolete.
As time seems to be much more important these days the ways goods are delivered have changed. In old times horses would do, then came bikes and cars, boats and planes and trucks. Now we order on the internet and drones will deliver the goods. Have you ever thought in the direction of having a drone website?

Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske

Taetske, I will check out the idea of a drone website and thanks for the suggestion. You are correct about constant change. J

A logistics read supply support, background is great for e-commerce!

Mike, interesting thought and the challenges of supply chain and logistics can make or break a company. Thanks for the suggestion. Jay

Hey Jay,
Your blog is very helpful and well put together.
When I was selling my house I had a pros and cons list of what I should do.
Can I make a suggestion: I don't know you personally so take this for what it's worth. You mentioned that you like to change jobs frequently. Some people have a number of websites just for that reason. They will work on website "A" for awhile until they get the itch to change. Then work on website "B" and so on. You can have up to 25 free websites as a premium member. Just a thought!!

Tried and True

Elaine

Elaine, I like that idea and that is why I did a multi-focus blog but your direction makes more sense. Thanks.... I do get bored doing the same thing day in and day out. Even though I have only worked at two companies the past 40 years, I was always working towards a position of a greater challenge. Jay

Well done Jay.
You’ve come up with a well thought out and highly detailed approach.
And here I just went with my gut!
All the best.
KyleAnn

KyleAnn, Thanks and there is nothing wrong with gut feeling. I have an eye, hand memory so if I write and view or type and view I recall and analyze best. J

Hey Jay I wish you the best of luck in your chosen niche.
Mary

Mary, Thanks for the kind words and i am excited. J

Thank you Jay for sharing this very detailed article.

I agree that Wealthy Affiliate offers the possibilities to become successful at our chosen niche/s.

I love the way that you have made this thought provoking.

Wishing you all the best here and keep up the good work.
Jennifer

Jennifer, thanks for stopping by and your motivating comments. There are endless possibilities but it needs to be you. Jay

Yes as mentioned early I agree.

Have a wonderful week
Jennifer

You have a wonderful week also and thanks. J

aaah thank you

Jay,

This is exactly what I needed. I started a niche and website but it is not my love. I struggle with writing on it. I couldn’t decide what to do with this niche and where to go with a new one.

I am going to sit down and write out your guidelines and research. You helped me make my decision to abort and begin doing what I love.

With your guide I will be able to figure out how to monetize what I love.

Thank you Jay
Laura

Laura, Thanks and let me know what you develop. I am going to maintain my multi-focus website but reduce my postings and work on the websites that will generate some $$$. Best of luck and keep in touch. J

Thanks, Jay. I feel like I am making big strides now. I am on a roll and really appreciate you.
Laura

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