Hey there.
I am taking classes about becoming an affiliate back at my homeland. And one of the things they teach you there is building small niche sites (no matter the topic as long as the niche is profitable) before you find THE idea of your future BIG site. Well, after trying that, and after watching Lisa's videos I've realized, if you're not passionate about the topic it's hard to succeed even if your aim is 50$ a month. You can't reach the top search results and attract even a relatively small traffic if you're not totally INTO the topic.
Well...still, I have some time until I come up with my "big site" idea. And I do want to try out small things just for the learning process... and earning a small revenue.
And i was thinking... How can I be at the top of search results if I'm not PASSIONATE about the subject and not really INTO wasting the whole day trying to promote it. And the only way I can see, is being "the only" website (well, one of the few.. let's be a bit more realistic) on the specific niche out there. Now, how is that possible?
So I thought, what if I manage to get an "inside tip" on a product, tv series, video game, ect. that's about to be released but still hasn't been publicly announced? If this "product" fits my interests and I think it might become popular, my site could be one of the first information sources and community centers out there... right? Right? And I could reach one of the top results in SE. Right?
Has anyone tried doing something like that? Could this succeed or is there no way to compete with the official sources of this "product"?
And let's say this is a good idea... What are the copyright "catches" that could pop up if it is about TV Series, or a video game?
Thanks a lot in advance!
P.S. - Lisa, you're great!

Choosing a niche you're passionate isn't that important.. I just got a site that I only worked on for 5 hours to #1 for it's keyword even though I'm not passionate about it's subject. The main reason why enjoying the topic of your site is important is so you can create quality content that users will benefit from (and so you enjoy working on it of course).

When it comes to ranking it doesn't matter whether your site is the first to offer information, it all comes down to quality content and unless you're able to offer that, you won't get any high search engine rankings. What kind of information would you add to your site if the game/tv show etc hasn't even been released? You should also remember that you can never compete with the actual product. The official websites/pages will all always rank higher than fan sites etc..

Hey Nora, thanks for the comment!
Well, the idea is... when the "product" (tv series, video game, ect.) hits the screens/monitors or people will just start hearing about it, they will start searching for info and forums to share their views... that's when the site should get traffic.
And the content would be pictures, information, press releases, reviews... and later on when the "product" is out, then there would be articles, ideas, discussion boards ect.
Hitting #1 spot after 5 hours work? Well that just seems unrealistic. How'd you do it? And maybe you don't need to be passionate, but at least savvy. If you don't know much about the niche, you can't create original content... Therefore you can't promote it in a good way unless you have something "sensational" to say... or unless you don't mind spamming around...

Personally, I don't like the way you put it - "forecasting a niche"

I do feel that it is important to choose something that you enjoy. But be specific. Narrow it down.

And it seems to me that you want to "get rich quick". Really, that's very unlikely and you need to be very lucky. I understand that you may want to make a lot of money fast, but things are generally not that easy in life.
If you really want to succeed, it will take a lot of hard work and a long time.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but, as the French put it, c'est la vie.

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Hmm.... I've read the whole thread like 3 times right now, and I see no sign of me implying on wanting to get rich quick. (Unless expressions like "learning process", "relatively small traffic" or "50$ a month" are signs of greed in your eyes) So... hmm... ...
And by "forecasting a niche" I meant, building a site about something that is about to be released in the future... not literally using super powers to foresee the mighty future...
Sorry for the sarcasm... but you brought it on yourself. Nothing personal
Does anyone understand my idea here? If so, I'd like some relevant, objective comments... thanks!

Hi DLite,

Some people are successful at creating sites they are not interested in. I tried that once and it didn't work for me so that's why I always suggest choosing something you are passionate about. Not to mention it comes across in your content and personality when you are talking about it on your site.

I understand your concern about the competition for products and wanting to choose something where the competition is minimal. But even though there is a lot of competition for a lot of stuff out here, I still think there is a ton of room for improvement.

For example, still over 50% (and probably more) of sites do not use video. If you can come up with a concept/idea where you can use video to demonstrate/educate when the majority of the affiliates do not, then you have just given yourself an edge right there. I guess it depends on how you want to tackle it. I've never really tried to find the next big thing. I just look for gaps on topics and try to improve upon what's already out there.

Yes, the Web is saturated but at the same time let's be honest...there's also a lot of CRAP out there on many topics and if you can do some research on some things your interested in and look for those gaps then I still think you can do well without trying to jump on the next big thing.

I didn't get the feeling you were trying to get-rich-quick. I think you are just trying to find something different/unique and that's an issue many newbies are running into these days because there's so much duplication out here. But it's not necessarily about being the first (while that is a plus!) but sometimes just being different and more helpful than the next guy takes you far too.

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DLite

It is clear to me that you have a head on your shoulders. Your instincts are good. Your thoughts reasonable. So I am sure you can use this to advantage: simply use your head.

There are many general rules that govern any major activity. You can work around any of them as long as you know what they are and think constructively.

Obviously you can work on something you don't even like if you are aware of the challenge and yet decide to stay with it and overcome the negatives because some related goal is so important to you. But it isn't all fun.

But think about this, too.

Lisa wrote:

If you do go the route you describe, you will not be alone for more than a few days, perhaps a few hours. And there may be others who are ahead of you because they knew more about what was coming than you did.

It is still a matter of getting better content that the others. This requires some work and imagination. If you listen to this point of Lisa's you may be able to do it quite well. Pick up on what others will not.

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James
Douglas County Master Gardeners
"We don't always get what we want, but we always get what we expect."

Lisa, James... Those are the things I was looking for...
Thanks!

I'm very sorry if I offended you.

Personally, I just don't agree with what you outlined in your first post.

I unreservedly apologise.

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Website under construction. Coming Summer 2009!
"I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."
"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised." Still learning HTML

It's ok man... No damage - no penalty.

I didn't get listed #1 in 5 hours, that took me a few months but I didn't spend more than 5 hours working on the website itself. I was lucky enough to have a good domain and that's probably why it's ranked so high. If you choose not to go for a future game/show, check out Adwords Keywords tool, its a great way to find terms that are searched for often and domains with those keywords are usually available.

Good Afternoon,

A facinating post. One's answer to this can only be in the form of an opinion.

There are some playoffs to official sites that see success prior to the launch of a new product or service. The most popular being the video game industry first and the Television industry second as you mentioned.

You asked for some guidance given the brief situation you described; I would offer that this exact path contains little structure or reliability. Many are fast and loose when starting something new in this category. From a business standpoint it only makes sense to increase your chances of success by developing an idea with more security and structure.

With what you described there are too many unknown variables and possible pitfalls for anyone non-emotionally involved to pursue. However as mentioned above, if you are passionate about something then pursuing an idea like this would have benefit in the actual "doing" as opposed to the possible future outcome.

For example: John heavily follows a particular type of video game. He receives word from a friend that works at the development company that a new game with such and such details will be released. This is a type of game that John loves to play and can pull from past experience/knowledge. So John passionately sets out to create a site that fuels more unknown information about this possible upcoming game. His readers check back often and John makes a small profit from affiliate programs and advertising. The game does finally launch and the official site superceeds John's content however John converts his current fan fare to another revenue stream. John begins to offer updates to that game and/or discussions on how to strategize for that game. Then John expands into predicting the release of other new possible games of the same type.

This is just an example but as you can see John is definately passionate about the subject and thus fuels his effort towards the possible unknown. John gains value from the doing and not necessarily monetarily, although that may arrive out of the process.

DLite you mentioned you wanted to experience "a learning" process and your idea will of course provide that however if monetary value is of importance it may prove beneficial to explore other means of building niche' sites.

Respectfully submitted,

Brains

The People Brainstorm Team

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I have a domain on which I received a page one listing for a two key word "phrase" consisting of two of the most common words available after just a few days, with a relatively small content (although about ten pages). It lasted for about two months and then slowly regressed.

I concluded that a new site just may get caught up somehow. I know the site didn't deserve such a high listing at the time, but it was an enjoyable experience--at least for a while.

All of these discussions point to the inevitable conclusion that we have known all along. Good content and good marketing through links, video, etc., are essential in the long run.

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Good Success!
James
Douglas County Master Gardeners
"We don't always get what we want, but we always get what we expect."

Thanks again everyone...
Brainstorm... Your example is exactly what I was thinking about! Great comment!

Anytime Dlite!

Thanks for the interesting thread.

Warm Regards,

Brains

The People Brainstorm Team

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