24 Feb 2008 12:33:15 | Anik Singal
To find product ideas to market one can start by researching a
wide variety of specialty and niche magazines. If your local
library doesn't have a big selection, make a trip to a large
bookstore or news shop. The following niches usually yield
excellent product ideas:
COLLECTIBLES. Stamps, coins, salt shakers, jewelry, etc. HISTORY
AND MEMORABILIA. Civil War, Victoriana, etc. MUSIC. Rock,
classical, jazz, folks, country, hot stars, etc. HOW TO &
HOBBIES. Car & motorcycle repair, carpentry, astronomy, etc.
HEALTH AND FITNESS. Body building, athletics SPORTS. Little
known and extreme sports make great niches. ANIMALS. From dogs
and cats, to exotic pets like parrots and lizards. ARTS &
CRAFTS. Model airplanes, ceramics, watercolor painting, etc.
OUTDOORS. Hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. MONEY. Investing,
saving, bargain hunting. COOKING. Regional, gourmet, desserts,
wines, beers, spirits. KIDS & PARENTING. From infants to
teenagers. HOME & GARDEN. Gardening, home improvement. MEN &
WOMEN. FASHION. High fashion, large sizes, etc.
1. Choose a niche that interests you and do some research.
After choosing a niche grab a half dozen magazines, buy a
cappuccino, pull out a notebook, and start copying down all the
advertising and article headlines in those magazines. If your
niche is very small or very large, broaden your research.
For example, let's say you've chosen men's health. Don't just
look in the obvious magazines on that topic. Also look at
hunting magazines, bodybuilding magazines, gun magazines,
fashion & trends magazines (like GQ), Sports Illustrated, and
some recreational magazines (skiing, surfing, hiking, etc.).
2. Compile a list of at least a hundred different headlines.
This list will yield 80% of the market research you need to
choose hot health products for men. You'll know the buzzwords,
the hot topics, and the current trends.
The other 20% of your research will be thinking about what kinds
of concerns those headlines address. Ask yourself, "If a guy is
attracted to that headline, what's worrying him?"
3. Now spend some time reading a few "typical" articles on your
chosen topic.
This will give you a flavor for the kind of writing style you'll
use on your web site.
4. Study the display ads.
Advertisers spend billions of dollars every year to sell in
magazines. They wouldn't be shelling out that much loot if they
weren't making sales.
In our men's health example, focus on the ads for power bars,
toiletries, beef jerky, prescription drugs, and most
importantly, over the counter meds. When you see an
advertisement for Tylenol, pay attention to how they sell it. If
"fast pain relief" seems to be the focal point, you now know
that ads that promise speedy results probably appeal to men.
Note down these "buzz words."
5. Go to the back of each magazine and look at the classifieds.
Copy down any classified that grab your attention. You'll notice
most are short, and prompt the reader to call for more
information, visit a web site, or send a SASE (self-addressed
stamped envelope) to a particular address.
Most classified in magazines are basically lead capture
mechanisms. So you can be sure that if the advertiser keeps
running those ads, they are converting a lot of those leads into
sales. What ads seem to appear over and over? What products are
they promoting?
6. Use these notes when looking for affiliate products to
promote.
Keep referring to those headlines and ads. They'll help you
choose products that are likely to sell well, as well as writer
strong copy for your web site.
And don't throw that notebook away! It's a valuable piece of
market research that you can use to build several interconnected
mini-sites - all for the mere price of a few coffees and several
hours in a pleasant bookstore.
Magazines are a rich source for finding marketable products and
gaining insight as to the buzzwords and marketing techniques.
Advertisers in magazines have spent millions of dollars
conducting research and finding ways to reach their target
audience. You can increase profits by paying attention to
products in niche magazines and the methods used to sell them.
About Author :
This article has been authored by Anik Singal, a successful
affiliate marketer. Anik has developed his own affiliate
marketing system that helped him earn over $10,466 in 60 days -
Join his FREE course.