Has Everything “Been Done” In IM?
Have you ever wanted to find an "untapped" niche?
Yeah, you and everybody else who wants to sell something. But the cold, hard truth is that untapped niches are a myth.
Well, I guess there might be a few out there still, but they’re few and far between. About the only way you can hope to find one is to jump on the bandwagon for something new…before there’s a bandwagon.
That happened when the Web 2.0 craze started. Nobody knew anything about it. YouTube.com was new. So was MySpace.com. Now every marketer under the sun knows about those. They might not all be using those sites to promote their products, but the niche has definitely been tapped.
Just about every topic you can think of for an information product in the IM world has been covered before. Don’t believe me? Think about the topics that come to mind when you imagine the world of IM:
- list building
- website design
- product creation
- using Web 2.0 to sell
- how to use PPC programs like Google’s AdWords
- how to use audio and video in your marketing
- how to create a "viral" report
The list goes on. It’s all been done. But here’s the shocking truth…
So what?
It really doesn’t matter if it’s been done before.
Your can do it better.
You can do it cheaper.
You can do it with more "edginess" to it.
You can do it more creatively.
The reason people tend not to consider those things is that they get stuck. They think, "It’s been done, so the market is probably saturated."
The market might indeed be saturated, but is it saturated for a reason? If it’s popular, people keep buying stuff in that niche! When something comes along that excites them, they buy it. And that shows no signs of slowing down.
For example, you can go to your favorite internet marketing forum almost any day of the week and find several threads about how to build a list. People have been talking about that forever. And if people new to online marketing don’t know how to do it, that means there’s still opportunity out there.
Never forget what really sells: a unique selling proposition (USP) . That’s the "it" that sets your product apart, that special something that makes it unique.
It could be a product about something people have beaten like a dead horse, but you put a little twist on it and…PRESTO! A brand new product that will excite people enough to buy.
Here’s a quick example…
Lots of people know that mini-sites are a great way to sell products online.
The topic of mini-sites, and even how to set them up, has been around for years on marketing forums. But many people new to IM get confused by all the concepts they need to learn even to set up something simple like a mini-site.
So I created a product called Mini-Site Profits Exposed to cater to that market. It’s a video course that describes exactly how to set up a mini-site of your own, and use it to create a solid income online pretty quickly.
Is it a new topic? Nope, not even close. Has it been done before? Definitely. But there is clearly still a need. I’ve met it, and I think people are going to sign up for my course in droves when I launch it soon…and my back-end offer as well.
You can do the same thing. Look for the pockets of need in "saturated" niches. Don’t ignore them because you think the field’s been plowed already. You never know, there might be gold buried there that everybody else is overlooking.
All the best,
Michael Rasmussen
CEO, BulletProof Marketing, Inc.
P.S. If you know any Internet marketers who would enjoy this article, just send them an email with this link:
http://www.michaelrasmussen.com/has-everything-been-done-in-im/
About the Author
Michael Rasmussen is a successful Internet Marketing Consultant and author of many top-selling eBooks. Michael has been marketing online since the early days and he knows what it takes to make money and succeed online. Stop by his Web site and subscribe to his Free monthly newsletter full strategies and techniques for successful web site promotions that can help YOU! Go to http://www.MichaelRasmussen.com
Welcome to the Bulletproof Marketing Blog. In here, you'll find the kind of high quality content that most marketers would greedily charge hundreds of dollars for. These tips, tricks, and tactics are some of my best material, and I'm more than happy to give it to you for free.
From Glen Persson
Hi Michael, I have been eagerly waiting for this to come out and I can’t wait to see it.
It’s funny that you should mention what hasn’t neen done before, I have a progarmmer writing the code for a new idea all my own.
I hope it becomes a hit.
Pay off some bills!
Thanks for sharing with all of us as usual.
I have always respected you over the years.
Glen
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Brian
USP - I like that concept. I will go back and relook a couple things I thought were tapped out.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Derek
Hey Michael,
It’s interesting that your post came today, as I just released a product that I believe is a totally unique twist on all the topics you mention today.
It’s called the Internet Marketing Seeker, and it reveals to people the virtually endless supply of Internet marketing tips, strategies, ebooks, and videos on the Web, right under their noses.
It’s like an undiscovered treasure.
You’d think it would all have been done by now, but one thing I learned many years ago is that, no matter how many times something has been done, nobody will ever do it like you can!
BTW, your email course is top-notch!
Derek
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Dan Thies
Michael, thanks for posting this!
Even if it’s all been done, very little of it has been taught effectively. Even if you know everything, you can still be more efficient and more strategic.
As an educator, I often hear feedback about one topic or another, that it’s “old hat.” Except, even if you “know,” you don’t necessarily understand.
Everybody knows you should put keywords in title tags for SEO… but very few actually do it well, and even fewer grasp the trade-off between keywords for SEO and writing title tags for click-through from searches.
Almost everything we know has strategic implications that are different between markets, businesses, offers, and even the day of the week or time of day. There’s no real limit to the depth.
Maybe the day will come when we don’t need more people to bring new insights into the market, but we’re years away from that right now.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Ken.
Great info as usual Michael.
By the way, Is “Mini-Site Profits Exposed” available now?
Ken.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Frank Sutter
Well, I couldnt agree more. I couldnt help thinking of the rookie advertising guy who gets a job at a high power advertising agency on Madison Avenuue, and his first assignment is to create an ad for Crest toothpaste. What could be new and different that hasent already been done? Yet, effective commercials are still written, produced and distributed.
Forget about new and different. Think BETTER!
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Matt Cole
Thanks Michael this is a great post
I am one of those that often thinks ‘well that’s been done before’ but after reading your post it has given me a new lease of life. Keep the informative posts coming, I’ll keep reading.
Matt
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Guy Siverson
You are so right. Who knows what’s next in Internet marketing. Who cares. Someone else has already scouted out the safe ground for you leaving you to simply walk down the trail. Did they benefit from being first? Sure, but you can benefit too no matter if you are the 1001 person down the trail. That’s the whole concept behind… Search-Engine-Optimization-And-Beyond.com
Have people written about Search Engine Optimization before? Click the red “X” in the upper right corner of this page if you don’t know the answer to that question. Of course they have. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take a fresh approach to the entire topic and benefit from it. Of course, it must be a good design and it must be appealing to humans as well as search engines.
I’ll make you a deal Michael… you keep writing these excellent articles that wake people up, and I’ll keep my comments coming.
Cheers
Guy Siverson
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Alfonso
Thanks Michael, as always your words are giving to me more ideas and think that there is something new i can create.
God Bless you
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Jackie Cooper
I have read this report true
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Jeff Bode
Great post, I like the unique selling proposition idea.
How I deal with a saturated market is by trying to combine similar things in a new way and I explain how to do something in enough detail that anyone can do what I explain.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Frank Bruno
Hey Michael,
Very true, people seem to think because a market is saturated there nothing left for them to make any profits.
As you stated….
Its saturated for a reason. People are spending money in that market.
Marketers just need to put their thinking caps on and find a twist that the market will respond to.
I look forward to yuor new product Michael.
Frank Bruno
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Ka and Song Chai Moua
Hello Michael
I want to know more and learn more from you please let me know how it work .
Thanks
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Margaret Latham
Thanks Michael for sharing this info. I think the timing was perfect for me to hear this and I believe the same thing as you do about finding or adding a little twist on something that someone else may have discovered or a market that some of us think is saturated. Please keep me posted on upcoming events/discussions.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Umberto
Hi Michael,
You had exposed a good point! I think IM people belong to an almost secret society which is “spinning” too fast and too competitive. At the end they lose the great perspective that the Internet world means, and are too hurried to win customers the one to the other. Things are happening and they need to watch to these realities:
1) Multitude of people over the world does not even have a PC! (but they will…); 2. People starting to operate in Internet each day cannot be cached by ALL the Internet Marketers summed! 3) US is not the world! When US is in ressesion, India, China and other countries are growing very Fast! And they can buy even more!
And 4. (Not finally)In this moment you can SEE all the History AGES live, just taking an airplane and visiting other countries.I do not know percentages, but I can think more than 70% of the Internet users do not know what means Web 2.
I am not precise in numbers, but if you want to read official polls you will see which products and services are people buying NOW in Internet.They are buying almost the same they did the first day Internet started!
We must give an opportunity to hope; Still nows are more customers than sellers in Internet. And they will choice All the possibilities the IM have to offer.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hi Derek,
I’m glad you like Email Promos Exposed. By the way, you might want to check this out:
http://michaelrasmussen.com/video/killer-emails/
Lots of my members are having great success with it.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Soon, Ken…very soon. Hey, a guy’s got to sleep sometime
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Dan,
All great points, especially the one about things not having been taught effectively.
It’s amazing to me that lots of “experts” (or whatever you want to call them) seem to have no idea how to teach what they “know”.
Makes me wonder…
If those who can’t do, teach…
…do those who can’t teach do?
As far as I’m concerned, there will always be a market for teaching people how to do new things, especially online. And if you can teach them WELL, then people who want to learn will flock to you.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Guy,
You’ve got a deal!
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Jeff,
Yep, that’s the way to do it.
In fact, combining things in new ways is one of the best strategies there is. It’s like the old phrase “out of the box thinking”. Coming up with new ways of combining things is thinking out of the box…and it can really help people.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Robert Le Gay Brereton
Hi Michael
I have injoyed all the articles and comments on this blog.My blog is not as pro as yours but i`am trying to improve it all the time.Mybe you could give me some advice in this area or anyone else that is reading this could give me some tips on how to improve my blog.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Frank,
I wish more people would get this:
“Its saturated for a reason. People are spending money in that market.”
True, you can find a market that’s so saturated and hyper-competitive that any newcomer gets squashed. But almost always possible to figure out how to take at least a small slice of the pie without the big dogs attacking.
Find a market where people are BUYING, then give them what they want to buy. That’s how you make money.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Paul Perry
Hi Michael
I like to see comption,it shows there
is money to be made? If marketers are
paying to advertise it shows you can still
make a profit. New people come online
every day so I think its a long way from
saturation in any market. Thanks again
Michael all ways good advice.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Peyton
I agree with you 100% on this one. From time to time I will bring up a “new marketing campaign approach” for a “new product” to my small staff.
Sometimes somebody will say ” Man that is a pretty worn out market everybody and their cat is in that niche now”. I do encourage everyone to speak their mind freely sometimes even wihtout thinking first.
I will respond,”Well George, why do you imagine so many entrpenuers are in this niche then?. It is because there is money to be made in it and a client base with a demand to be served”. Then I will explain what will be “unique” or different” about how our approach to this niche ill set us apart to a given % of that niche.
Another growing biz of mine is producing low budget feature films.It is the same deal One of my people will say, “Well there has already been a film with that title”. As if a titile pre-empted the use of that same title or a small variation. Of course it hardly does.
In this case I hand him the list of films of the same title made in the last 35 or 50 years.There is a synopsis of each film, the basic story, content ,actors gross, etc.
So I then say, “Do any of the films have anything to do with our script or story, either in time,place or the protagonist’s conflict, or the resolution? In fact do these films all with the same tile have much if anything in common with each other? Note that one is western,one is a science fiction film and etc.
So why is it that they have the same tilte? Because that title gathers intrest and intriuqe and invokes an image and thus ultimately simply because it sells.
There really is nothing new under the sun. There is not even such thing as an orignal story in my view. There is just anew slant on anyone of the 6 basic stories. And even all those 6 basic stories can beredcued to one story and that is “The Quset”. The quest for love,or survival,or final vengange, slef-identity, escape, etc.
Peyton
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Ka and Song Chai,
You said this:
“I want to know more and learn more from you please let me know how it work.”
That doesn’t give me much to go on, so I can’t really help you much. But I’m glad you posted it, because it gives me a chance to educate everybody who might be reading this.
There’s no guarantee I or anybody else who runs a blog will give you all the help you need. Personal coaching costs money (usually big money) for a reason.
But if you want help, you need to do a couple things:
1) Don’t whine or complain (Ka and Song Chai didn’t, so I’m not singling them out). If you do, people won’t want to help you as much.
2) Ask good questions, and give enough info to help people help you. What are you currently working on? What challenges are you facing? What have you tried?
When you post, pretend it’s your chance to get great input…if you post well. Put some time into what you say and what you ask. The blog will be better for it, and you’ll be much more likely to get the help you need.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Day Online Trading
Michael,
Thanks for your constructive advice.
Many people have said that one should not be frightened off a market just because it has a strong sales pattern. By finding a new market, you have to establish the purchasers’ needs on your own (can be hard work educating people in why they need it) - but by entering an established market, you know that people are buying and are already educated why they need it.
The hard part is being imaginative enough to create something different to most of the cr@p that is being sold out there, but it is a good starting point and very encouraging when you can see that the end result will be there.
Great stuff !!!
Barry
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Tom
Great post. It isn’t the niche that you want to target, it is the micro niche. IM is big and covers a lot of sub niches and micro niches. Meet the needs of one small group and you can make it big.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From deanholderread
looking for real true help to market my website thanks
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Hugh “Cort” Simpson
Michael, thought of you when I watched President Bush’s exclusive first online interview with Yahoo. He discussed the one thing that he missed most as President - emailing! You should watch that short video clip on Yahoo and play that up! He plans to start emailing IMMEDIATELY upon leaving the White House!
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From David Newton
Hi Michael,
I’ve been in internet marketing since 1999. And back then there was not as much hype as there is today I feel. Today everyone seems to be pushing the same old eBook fads that hardly work for the “joe or jill average” person. (I know, I have to pick up the mess leftover by other marketers) Which makes a lot of the training lack ground speed. What I think is needed is more connectivity to multiple methods of earning online than pushing the same old wheelbarrow.
warmly,
from David Newton
Brisbane, Australia
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Richard
Michael, I have to say that you have condensed in just one post the essence of what I have taken a considerable time exploring the IM arena to come to realize. It is extremely rare though in my experience to see anyone condense that reality in one shot and to do it in such an open way. Having said that, it is not so different in the IM world to the real world of business. You have to be out there with something new if you are going to run away with it otherwise you have to put a fresh look on something that has had a good run already, as you very correctly point out. The opportunity is there but you have to work it and don’t forget the reality check about working it hard!
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Mike Koller
Mike. Thanks for confirming what I already knew and believe. I would not even be doing this if I did not believe I could beat a dead horse in a new way… It’s fun. Over $427 billion in sales on the net last year (old niches or not) demands that marketers keep working at being creative and finding new ways to market old and new ideas alike. Either way thanks for saying it. All the best with your campaign.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From John Tan
Hi Michael,
Always love your post. I couldn’t agree with you more that there no money problem but idea problem. If you have a great idea which is your own USP, I am sure you will be able to sell your product even if there is competition.
I want to end by telling I enjoy the email videos that you have done!
John Tan
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Ramakrishna
Hello,
I am stuck, they say u should have a web site, Domian Name or something which ends up requesting for payment.
that’s it
regards
ramakrishna
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Arthur Sample
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the reminder. I have to admit, I am one who has on many occasions forgotten about the open mine approach. So again, thanks for the reminder.
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Tonya Pruitt
I agree with the comments above about niches not being “saturated” in a negative way.
I firmly believe that if the niches are “saturate” thus making money that THOSE are the exact ones to get into. IE: my blog about affiliate marketing. THAT IS A SATURATED niche.
But, that doesn’t mean I can’t come in with my own experiences and efforts and teach something new.
Plus it means that I have MANY MANY potential JV partners that can help me create win/win sales deals.
Many partnerships are made in niches that seem to be over run.. and those partnerships create many millionaires.
So don’t give up just because a niche has tons of sellers. Just choose some of those and become partners with them!!
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Turbulence Training With Rika Susan
Thanks, Michael. This is a great, much needed post. One only has to browse through a few forums to see that there are always new folks looking for more information presented in a fresh way. We are all unique with a unique take on things. Don’t ever think that it’s all been done already. All you need to do is get out your unique stamp…
• Author's Site • May 14th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Barry,
Yes, there’s lots of junk out there. That’s why GOOD stuff still sells well.
Focus on creating good content, then charge for some of it. That still makes money.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Tom,
Yes! That’s the right idea.
In fact, “micro-niches” are typically the right thing to target in almost any market. It lets you focus your material on people who desperately need it.
Don’t go so small that you have a market of one person, or something silly. But definitely try to target what you’re doing to specific markets you can satisfy close to 100%.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hugh,
That’s pretty funny. It would’ve been even funnier if Bush had said the thing he misses most is email MARKETING.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
John,
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoy the videos.
I’ve found that people just learn better when they see stuff. Video is a great teaching tool, and people definitely want it.
For all of you wondering what your USP might be, this should be a really big hint!
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Ramakrishna,
You said:
“I am stuck, they say u should have a web site, Domian Name or something which ends up requesting for payment.
that’s it”
Well, yes, those things are important.
In most cases, I recommend that people have their own website, even if it’s a simple mini-site. That means you need a domain name.
And if you’re selling something, you need to have a way to take payments. You can sign up for a PayPal account for free and take credit card payments that way. Their help system is very good, and it’s easy to set up.
All you need to do now is figure out what to sell at your site.
You could simply promote affiliate programs and not sell anything of your own. But use your brain and see if you can come up with some information people in a certain niche will pay for.
You don’t have to charge a lot (you could even charge $3, $5, $7 or something else very low). And as you’ve heard lots of people mention in the comments here, your information doesn’t necessarily have to be “new”. It just has to be something people will pay your price for!
Hope that helps you out some.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
David,
You said:
“I’ve been in internet marketing since 1999. And back then there was not as much hype as there is today I feel.”
That’s probably true, but let’s be honest…there’s been hype since humans started selling things. Medicine shows back in the 1800s were almost pure hype, because they sold snake oil.
“Today everyone seems to be pushing the same old eBook fads that hardly work for the “joe or jill average” person. (I know, I have to pick up the mess leftover by other marketers) Which makes a lot of the training lack ground speed.”
You’re definitely right here. But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The “same old eBook fads” are bad if they’re fads that no longer work. But some old ebook TECHNIQUES still work great, like promoting other products in your ebook.
Some of those techniques are just fine for the average person to use. Some of the more advanced stuff still works fine too, like giving away an ebook and making money on the back end.
The point is, some people say everybody pushing the same stuff that “doesn’t work” when it would be more profitable to start selling stuff that does. Which brings me to your next comment…
“What I think is needed is more connectivity to multiple methods of earning online than pushing the same old wheelbarrow.”
Okay, that sounds like your product!
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From RAYNER PETER VAZ
IT IS SO NICE TO KNOW MORE IN DETAIL AND ENJOY THE BEBIFIT AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAMM IT GIVES JOY TO TO BE A WINNER ALWAYS
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Janardhan
I need more help from your side
hence i am in construction industry
idin’t get plenty of time to check mails
so help me sir.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From jerry holmes
I have been following your advice for awhile and always seem to keep your name on top of those who
I can learn from.
• Author's Site • May 15th, 2008
From Michael Rasmussen
Hey everyone,
I want to check in today to give you some information about how I’ll be handling the blog going forward.
As you can imagine, I’m pretty busy most of the time. I’d love to sit parked right here with my browser open and ready to respond to every question anybody ever asks. But I simply can’t do it. So here’s what I’m going to do…
1) After I make new blog post, I’ll probably respond to selected comments (no, I can’t even respond to everyone) in the 1-2 days after the post.
2) After that time, I’ll generally bow out and let you all discuss amongst yourselves. Before I leave I’ll make a final post letting you know I’m leaving it to you guys.
3) I might drop in occasionally after that “new post” window, but no guarantees.
PLEASE DO KEEP TALKING TO EACH OTHER! You’ll probably get almost as much from talking to each other on the blog as you get from me commenting here.
I just wanted everybody to be aware that my not commenting doesn’t mean I’ve dropped off the planet. I’m probably just buried in my office
And now that you know the general way I’ll be showing up here, let me remind you of two things:
1) Be specific in your posts if you want help. That helps others help you.
2) Comment early when a new blog post goes up. That will maximize your chances of hearing from me in the comments.
Okay, that’s about it. Consider this my “signing off” comment for this post. Feel free to continue the discussion.
• Author's Site • May 16th, 2008
From sanjay lade
michel,
thanks to u r comments , i have been also newly learner in internet marketer ,
i hope u will guide to me time to time ,
i need u r suggestion, i am waiting here , and
i know its helpful for me.
thanking u
regard
sanjay lade
• Author's Site • May 19th, 2008
From Clint Gray
Fantastic post Michael and you have bought up a great reminder to us all to start thinking!
I feel that too many of us switch off our brains and can’t think for ourselves as we expect others to hand us the holy grail and you end up being stuck in a pattern.
We have the most powerful computers in the world on our shoulders and we have to wake up to the fact that this IM stuff does take time, money and effort…but the payoffs can be hugel compared to a bricks and mortar business.
I am really talking to myself here!
Thanks once again.
• Author's Site • May 19th, 2008
From Chan Kong Loon
Hello Michael
I am new to internet marketing but I really appreciate your article. Still a lot of future in internet marketing.
• Author's Site • May 24th, 2008
From Albert van Niekerk
Hi Michael,
I do enjoy your work, if it wasn’t for USP the internet and normal business would never grow.
There would only be a certain amount of businesses on and off line and they would rule the world. Luckily new people are born each day, meaning that there will be new consumers for all our products even if it is the same product of 5 years ago.
Everybody is constantly looking for new product to better their lifes and solve all their problems.
A constant craving and need. As long as you can supply you will always make money.
Thanx for your willingness to share.
Regards.
Albert
• Author's Site • August 20th, 2008