Should you choose a niche you’re passionate about, or choose a niche that will be profitable?
When starting an online business, many people will advise that you to do what you love and the money will follow. But what if it doesnt? Or what if you want to capitalize on a profitable niche, and dont happen to be an expert on the topic? Is that even necessary?
No, it’s not. I’m an expert at being a non-expert, and so in this tutorial I am going to show you how you can make money online in a niche market you know absolutely nothing about…
Passion is great, and you’ll have tons of fun starting an online business doing something you truly enjoy. However, not everyone has a passion… and maybe your passion just isnt profitable as a business model. And let’s face it - sometimes its just cool to tap into a niche and make some money…
As you probably recall, I just set up a new niche affiliate site for musical instruments. I do not play. I do not own an instrument. I have no personal experience and have ZERO knowledge about the products.
Ana asked: Lynn, you just mentioned that you started a site on musical instruments without any knowledge … How are you handling the credibility thing if you know nothing about the topic? What qualifies you to run that site? source
Credibility is an issue if you are offering professional advice, answering questions, or otherwise working directly with your target market.
With most niche affiliate sites, you are not doing any of those things. You are simply creating web pages that lead them to the products they are looking for online. My musical instruments site being a good example.
Rosalind Gardner has many dating affiliate sites, for example. Whether or not she is an expert in online dating, I dont know. I imagine she’s learned a lot about the industry along the way, as an affiliate, though! But her sites are very successful, and she sends her visitors to authority sites within that industry (via an affiliate link, of course).
Where To Start, When You Know Nothing About The Niche
Once you have researched and chosen your niche, its time to develop your website and marketing strategy to deliver exactly what your target market is looking for online.
Obviously I am not familiar with the products or the market, so I wouldnt even know what all falls under the category of “musical instruments”. Flutes, for example, or the different kinds and the various brand names.
Fortunately, eBay does. And that is why I chose to work with the BANS method of creating a niche product-based affiliate site. BANS works directly with the eBay RSS Feed and Affiliate Program and imports all of the products - and product categories - automatically for a chosen niche.
eBay can be a great research tool when it comes to products or markets you are not personally familiar with. They have a What’s Hot section on eBay’s Seller Central where you can get a breakdown of the “Hot Items” by category and subcategory.
Using this chart, you can get a good overview of the types of products that are selling well on eBay, and a good general look at specific niches. Using the products shown in the chart, you can compile a base keyword list to work with for further research as well.
Here is a screenshot of the category I was looking at in the “Hot Items” report on eBay, to show you an example:
So now you know what eBay buyers are interested in, and buying the most, in those niches. Next, you want to find out how that same target market (in this case, people who buy musical instruments) searches for products and information online - at the major search engines.
For this, you can use the WordTracker Free Keyword Tool. You can put in your general keyword (ie musical instruments) and also put in keywords you found in the eBay report (ie: amplifier, acoustic, cornets, clarinet).
Guitar Amplifiers are in the Very Hot section on that report, for example, so that’s just one of the things I’ll look into to get a better feel for my market.
You can take the keyword phrases your target market is searching for, and perform those searches on Google yourself. This is a great way to educate yourself on the market and the products.
Since I already have a product site powered by BANS and eBay (view), I am most interested in what kind of content I can add that would be of great interest to my target market. I want to add content pages that will rank well in the search engines and bring in the type of visitors that like to buy the products featured on my site.
{HOT TIP}
Simply take the keywords you have found so far, and add the word “how” to them in your keyword research.
Going back to my example of “guitar amplifiers”, which is a hot product in my niche, I add the word “how” to that phrase to see what kind of content I can publish on my site. Here are the results:
Bingo! This is how you start mapping out content ideas for your new site, even if you started out knowing nothing about the niche - or what your target market is looking for. You simply continue to research the keywords and micro-niches within your niche until you have created a good solid list of content ideas - and are getting a good feel for your market.
Now obviously I dont know “how guitar amplifiers work”, so I am not going to be able to magically sit down and whip up some great content to put on a web page that answers this question…
How To Generate Content On A Topic You Know Nothing About
My next step in the research phase is to see if I can locate PLR Content. PLR stands for Private Label Rights and is basically content that is already written, that you can buy cheap and then use in just about any way you like.
I just did a quick search on Google for “music plr” and immediately found sources that were around $1 per article. I even found a huge source for free content. I’m well on my way to gathering plenty of raw content at this point.
So my first step is to locate all of the free articles, PLR content, and even websites that already offer the how-to content themselves (I’ll link to them as resources, or use them to learn).
The next step is to get busy editing that content, rewriting the content, or otherwise preparing it to use on your site. You can outsource the task of making the content unique and useful, or you can work on it yourself. You can also hire writers to write unique content for you at very low prices, since you have the topics in hand from your “how research”.
Another great idea is to spend some time in niche forums. Find out what your target market is asking, and also look at the answers. Is there a member that devotes a lot of time to offering useful answers and seems very knowledgeable on the topic? Perhaps you can request permission to reprint some of their tips - or maybe even hire them to write a few how-to articles for you!
With the power of the internet at your fingertips, there really is nothing holding you back from creating an awesome website on just about any topic…
P.S. If you want to do more in-depth market research on your niche, or potential niches, I highly recommend studying Easy Niche Blueprint. This series of video tutorials will show you ways to find hot markets and also figure out where your target market IS online - easily!
Who Are Begging For Products To Buy
For an interesting continuation on the topic of Passion vs Profit, see: Follow Your Passion? The Blogger Roundup. Then return here and put these ideas into motion 
Like this tutorial? Blog about it! If you link back to this page in your post, using this URL: http://www.clicknewz.com/1225/passion-vs-profit/ , a link to your post will show up below so everyone can check it out!
50 responses so far ↓
Jeff Jones // Dec 6, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Lynn,
As usual, great step-by-step instruction on getting from point A to point Z.
Thanks,
Jeff
mij // Dec 6, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Wow once again an impressive walk through. I’m floored more and more everyday with this blog. Hey I meant to ask u yesterday….Best books or guides for PPC, SEO, and A.M.? Roy is incredible! I wish I could’ve gotten Jeremy Palmer’s book can’t afford PPC Classroom yet.
mij // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Hello Again,
Okay I don’t know if this is beneficial but I figured I would at least mention it; amidst research, I found something interesting. During keyword research you mentioned a step where you check Yahoo for backlinks of competitive sites. It appears that this webpage does it for you. It has other stats on it based on the keyword you input but I have no idea what they mean. The site is: http://www.nichewatch.com/index.php
Check it out and tell me what you think! Thanks
Katherine Reschke // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Being passionate about a marketing activity whether it be writing, networking, talking etc can bring passion to any niche - combine that with this wonderful step by step guide and you get the best of both worlds.
» Profit Without Passion? // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:32 pm
[...] Lynn Terry blogged about how to make a profit in a niche that you are neither passionate about or know a lot about so prompting me to blog about it. I have [...]
Lynn Terry // Dec 6, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Hi MIJ,
I’ll check that link out - thank you.
I would definitely recommend Jeremy Palmer’s guide on Affiliate Marketing if it were still on the market. But in place of that, I highly recommend the original expert in the industry: Rosalind Gardner. See: Super Affiliate Handbook
For Pay-Per-Click, and specifically Google Adwords, Perry Marshall’s guide. And for SEO, The SEO Book by Aaron Wall.
I own all 3 - great material!
Lynn Terry // Dec 6, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for the comment, Katherine - I couldnt agree more. Preferrably you will go with a topic you are passionate about, or intensely interested in, as this holds your interest and makes work “fun”.
But I felt this tutorial was important, so that people understand that there are ways to make money online regardless of whether you feel passionate about any one thing, or if you want to venture out into obvious profit centers.
I have no doubt I can make the Musical Instruments site a success following basic online marketing strategies. But should I decide it just doesnt interest me at all, I can always sell the site to someone that IS passionate about that particular niche - or even Joint Venture with a partner on it.
The options are endless, and so are the opportunities!
Cheap Web Hosting // Dec 6, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Good post but in general a topic you are genuinely interested in will go a long way towards success. It’s hard to motivate yourself writing about stuff just for profit.
Biki // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I have a question. What if you found a niche you have no idea about and “prl” doesn’t produce relevant results? Ghost writing or ezinearticle.com until you figure out what to do?
Thanks!
Biki // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I meant “plr”
Lynn Terry // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Great question, Biki.
There are sites that will create PLR packages for you on just about any topic - at around $1 per article (usually sold in lots of 10 for $10).
You can also pay people to write them for you - then you know they are 100% unique. There are professionals and freelancers that do this, and you can also find willing writers on freelancing boards or WAHM forums. The Warrior Forum is usually a good source too.
Lynn Terry // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:33 pm
True enough, but at the same time… money can be a pretty big motivator. And if you are in the business of VRE, this method of outsourcing tasks and creating valuable properties for revenue or resale is a solid one.
Cheap Web Hosting // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Hi Lynn your reply came really quick
Talking about outsourcing can you recommend a good portal to find freelance writers?
Lynn Terry // Dec 6, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Freelance Work Exchange is one that I know of:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/freelance.htm
You can also try elance.com and similar sites. I like to hire people on forums - work at home mom and online business forums, as there are a lot of great writers looking for paying work online.
Whenever possible, I like to hire from my own pool of members. I do have a job board where you can post requests free on the sswt forum:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/
Nell Taliercio // Dec 7, 2007 at 12:19 am
Lynn, all I can say is “wow”, you’re simply amazing. The more I read your blog, newsletter, and follow you on your forum, the more I learn and get excited by you! TY for going above and beyond, always!
Makingyouricher.review - best internet marketing training program online // Dec 7, 2007 at 3:27 am
Interesting here Lynn.
I will copy this on my PC for further reading. I visited your musical instrument site - very simple.
What software did you use to design it? I thing I am getting some ideas from it.
Lynn Terry // Dec 7, 2007 at 6:13 am
It was created with BANS, which stands for Build A Niche Store.
Lynn Terry // Dec 7, 2007 at 6:19 am
Thank you Nell
Cheap Web Hosting // Dec 7, 2007 at 8:55 am
Thanks for the links. I’ve used elance before.
Steven Wagenheim // Dec 8, 2007 at 11:55 am
While it certainly CAN make your life a whole lot easier if you get into a niche that you know something about, it is certainly more than possible to get into a niche from scratch.
When you think about it, nobody is BORN with knowledge about anything. So therefore, everything we know was learned at some point in time. Taking this a step further, there is no reason that we can’t go on to learn something new, yet again.
I am personally into several niches that I knew nothing about only 2 years ago. Each of them helps add to my now 6 figure a year income.
You don’t have to be an expert.
You just have to know more than 95% of the people who are out there.
Sincerely,
Steven Wagenheim
Creator My Secret Articles
http://www.mysecretarticles.com/report.html
Lynn Terry // Dec 8, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Thank you for the comment, Steve - and welcome to ClickNewz
I would add to that by saying that it doesnt take much interest or energy to out-perform the majority when it comes to starting and managing a successful online business.
As long as you have a passion to make it work, and are willing to follow it through to success, you’ll easily go above and beyond what most people are willing to invest in themselves OR their business.
Mark // Dec 8, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Super super super. Can’t find other words to describe enough. Many experts teach newbies by following their interests and hobbies but like what Lynn has pointed out, what if your niche just isn’t going to make you money? Let’s face it. If your blog isn’t a personal blog, you’re out to make money online. If your website isn’t about your travel adventures, you’re out to make money online. See what I mean? I really hope the newbies have learned something from Lynn today. In fact I hope to post an entry about it Lynn, hope you won’t mind. Cheers
Profiting from an unfamiliar niche // Dec 8, 2007 at 12:34 pm
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Lynn Terry // Dec 8, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Not at all! You’ll see it above ^ - and thank you, I appreciate the kind words & recommendation!
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Dave Origano // Dec 12, 2007 at 7:14 am
Hey Lynn,
just wanted to congratulate you on the great article.
You just might encourage some people to get into another niche then the IM niche. (That has been bothering me a lot for some time now!)
Your tips for keyword research and PLR content are directly actionable for any marketer. Now you might as well create a part 2 where you go in on creation higher-level/priced products.
-Dave
Lynn Terry // Dec 12, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Thank you, Dave - and noted
I do agree that everyone should explore niches outside of Internet Marketing. I even do myself, obviously - and enjoy it very much.
Had I not come from a background in Web Development & Marketing and Computer Training, I would not have landed in the IM niche myself. That happened quite by accident when my “do it yourself” newsletter took on a life of its own quite a few years ago…
NicholeB // Dec 17, 2007 at 1:21 am
After reading the Warrior Forum for a while, and seeing how they often seem to be marketing to themselves and trying to emulate other IM pros who market IM products to wannabe IM’ers, I decided that that niche was too circular and not for me. Although, the fact that I know nothing about SEO and other IM jargon had a lot to do with this decision, as well!
I did start my first BANS site with my obsession/hobby, and I’ve made a couple of other BANS sites - one in a shopping interest of mine, one revolved around my stepfather-in-law’s hobby (automotive), and one that I know nothing about - but aspire to have someday (electronic equipment)! Of the four, the BANS site with my own hobby was the easiest to get going, and is the only one to have earned a commission in the last week.
Lynn Terry // Dec 17, 2007 at 7:54 am
I agree Nicole - its easiest when you have a personal interest in the topic and really enjoy writing content for it and/or interacting with others in the market.
That said, ANY niche can be monetized, and if you’re in it for business… you can make money with it, passion or not.
Joanne // Dec 20, 2007 at 10:43 am
Do I really know anything about motors? No, but having 4 of my six children sons, I have learned they love anything with a motor. So, my first BANS store is almost completed. It is anything with a motor! I’m putting in the “please offer a critique” area. I don’t have a content page yet, but am happy with most of it. I’m getting a custom logo after the holidays! http://searchformotors.com
Lynn Terry // Dec 20, 2007 at 11:10 am
You have a great start, Joanne - I look forward to seeing how it looks once you had a custom header and some content pages. They do have logo and header graphics you can use in the BANS Member Forum - look for those and see if you can find something you can use…
ashu // Jan 18, 2008 at 4:48 pm
hi Lynn, that is really a nice post, you people are having huge experience, and i guess this effectively comes from having right attitude, approach and perception about the things happening around you. In last 2 years from my exposure to professional web development and business I was also having similar thought process and i must thank you for presenting the things in such a refined way.
Lynn Terry // Jan 18, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Thank you - Glad you enjoyed it
Nicola // Jan 22, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Great post, Lynn!
I love your writing, very fresh and inspirational, thank you for your great job.
I am wondering if you could indicate a website of yours where you applied the techniques mentioned above, because it seems that your “searchmusicalinstruments.com” website does not contain any reviews or any content, just “pure” linking to eBay, am i wrong?
Cheers from Italy,
Nicola
Lynn Terry // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:13 pm
That is correct, Nicola - but the musical instruments site is a very new site that I havent yet had a chance to work with. I just created it a few weeks ago while writing the review for BANS, so you’ll be hearing more on that as I update it.
Nicola // Jan 22, 2008 at 2:53 pm
So, please Lynn,
could you indicate a website to me?
Somewhere to get inspiration from, about that idea of inserting content mixed with product datafeed…
If you would like to drop a visit to my website, you should notice that i am already building thousand pages using datafeeds, i’d just need to put some fresh content into it…. that’s why i am asking for help
Lynn Terry // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I rarely share links to my own personal projects for obvious reasons, but if you follow the tips offered in the original post, you should do just fine
Nicola // Jan 22, 2008 at 6:36 pm
It’s ok
Best,
Nicola
.RON // May 7, 2008 at 7:50 am
“Should you choose a niche you’re passionate about, or choose a niche that will be profitable?”
If my age range is :
14 - 21 — > niche + passionate
22 - 65 — > niche + profitable
66 - I die — > back to school ( I mean niche + passionate)
Lynn Terry // May 7, 2008 at 8:11 am
LOL Ron - interesting. I’d love to hear more about your ‘chart’ & perspective
Nouveau Riche // May 20, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Some interesting suggestions although I feel in many ways it’s still better to work on something you have an interest in and experience with, you are surly more likely to have success when you understand what you are trying to sell very well. I’m thinking of starting my own business so will take note of all these suggestions.
Ana // May 23, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Great article, Lynn, and one that answers a lot of the questions I had when I wrote you that query. I guess the only other question I had about starting a site on something you know nothing about: What do you do when someone on the musical instruments site writes asking you a question you cannot answer?
Assume it’s a question that requires a rather complicated explanation.
Lynn Terry // May 23, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Good question, Ana. I would search on Google for the answer, and then either answer the question or send them to a link that does. I would also note the question, and consider adding that to an FAQ or as a page on the site.
SuKai Marketing // Sep 11, 2008 at 9:33 am
Excellent article, absolutly brill - just what I needed to read.
Sandy // Sep 13, 2008 at 2:09 am
Just found your passion vs profit. As a newbie it looks like a good place to start and i feel i need to test the waters and get my feet wet.
Anyway i did a bit of research into what products to choose but every product i chose when i looked at the google pages to look at the competition i found my biggest competitor was ebay.
How do i compete with that. Can you really make money here?
Love to here some comments.
Lynn Terry // Sep 13, 2008 at 8:06 am
Hey Sandy,
Its hard to say without knowing the details, but yes you can “compete” with eBay. There will be a certain percentage of people who would rather do business directly than go through eBay - plus you can choose more variety in keyword phrases and “pick up the crumbs” so to speak.
Sandy // Sep 14, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Thanks Lynn,
So I suppose I need to look into long tail keywords?
Also what happens if your customer clicks through to ebay and loses their bid on auction. They still want to buy but they will go direct to ebay. Not through your site. So you lose. Or have I got that wrong?
I know you can affiliate with other people but it could be hard to find a program that fits with your specific product. Ahh I’m tearing my hair out again.
Sorry about all the dumb questions.
Forgive the newbie.
Basically I guess I want to know if BANS is a good place to start out from or do have any other recomendations.
Lynn Terry // Sep 15, 2008 at 6:35 am
Hi Sandy,
Yes, I highly recommend longtail keyword targeting. That just basically means keyword phrases that are 3 or more words (3-4 word phrases are usually good).
With eBay, your link sets a cookie - so even if they go back to eBay and bid on something else, you can still earn a commission. Its not a permanent cookie, but there is a cookie. Also, you earn a commission per lead if they sign up for an eBay account too - which is nice.
BANS is really just a template you can use. You can add other things to your site such as content pages, Adsense ads, other affiliate programs, etc.
Sandy // Sep 15, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Thanks again Lynn
I thought I read where it was only a seven day cookie which is why I thought you would miss out if they didn’t win their first auction.
Also haven’t heard anyone say they are actually making any money through using BANS.
I have heaps of other questions but they are general so I might hop over to SSWT forum for them.
Thanks again.
Lynn Terry // Sep 16, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Great, see you at the forum then
Forum link is here for anyone else reading along:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/
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