Keyword Research
Image by w_lydecker via FlickrThe past few days of the 30 Day Challenge have involved extensive keyword research.
It’s making my head spin. And the temptation is there to simply skip this stage (or ignore the figures) and plow into whatever project I feel like.
But the truth of the matter is that setting up an online business is no different to setting up any other business.
You have to do your market research first if you really want to succeed.
Setting up a business ANYWHERE if there isn’t a market, there is too much competition or people aren’t willing to spend money in that area is a BAD idea.
So the 3 magic questions that apply to internet marketting seem to be:
1. Is this a market? (ie does my niche word have TRAFFIC)
2. What sort of competition is there in this market?
3. Is this a market that is willing to SPEND money (because if people don’t want to spend money, you aint going to make any).
What has amazed me so far in my market research is how many niches are out there with healthy figures in 2/3 of these categories. It would be so easy to see a good result in one or two of the categories and assume that it was a goer. I guess careful research is what sifts the highly successful internet marketers from the “wannabees”. Either that or an extremely good gut instinct for the next “hot” thing.
As for me, I think it’s back to the drawing board yet again to see if I can uncover that elusive niche item that’s going to take me the rest of the way through the challenge.
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Comments
Lulu - my day job doesn’t pay! 
So I don’t have to earn much to improve on that. 
You’re more than welcome to follow me although I do think pretty much everyone would gain something from the 30 Day Challenge material. Of course, time is an inhibitive factor.
One thing I think I am learning in regards to niche’s is that blogging isn’t necessarily the best way to earn money via a niche (although a blogging platform can be used).
oh key words are hard… actually that niche thing is hard. How do you pick just one key word or niche for a personal blog??? Or is this just not something that works on a more personal, blog everything, kind of blog???
Kate - I would forget keywords for a personal blog and simply enjoy it. I’ve decided my personal blog is more about me and my readers than earning money. Not that I’m not still monetizing it but I’m not chasing google traffic. Better to set up another niche blog (or 2 or 10 
)for getting google traffic(which is one of the main benefits of targetting a niche/keyword phrase).
I jumped in late with the 30dc and as yet haven’t got my Samurai, so I’ve taken a flyer on a website just to get a feel for it.
Anything I make out of this will be a bonus, I’ve made a grand total of 3 cents from adwords so the only way is up.
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It is interesting reading your progress through the challenge! I almost signed up but decided it probably wasn`t for me nor could I devote the time to it that I should…so I am living vivaciously through your blog!
The talk of finding a niche appears in a lot of blogs about blogging and while I understand the concept I do realize that my blog does not have one. Luckily, while it would be lovely to have 100s or 1000s of readers and actually make money off blogging, I have a day job (Otherwise I would be broke!)!!! I hope you find your Niche!!!
Best of luck with the rest of the challenge!