The $100 Startup: Niche Down | Travel Research Online

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The $100 Startup: Niche Down

“Pick something specific as opposed to something general.”

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau, page 43

Here we go again. Marchev is going to tell us to select a niche.

I am sorry my friends if I am starting to sound like a broken record. The truth is, in an age of numerous options, it has become more important than ever for a service supplier to know their business.

If you could somehow manage to know everything about everything I would be the first one to recommend that you become a jack of all traits. I personally feel however that this is not realistic and in that in trying to do so you’re not only hurting yourself but you will be hurting your clients.

Click on the book to grab your own copy of "The $100 Startup"
Click on the book to grab your own copy of “The $100 Startup”

The knee-jerk reaction when told to select a specific niche comes with a feeling that you will be leaving many opportunities on the table if you do so. This does not have to be the case. By focusing on one specific well-defined area and allotting enough time to study and enhance your knowledge base you will indeed become the authority figure for that particular niche. You can also supply a valuable service to those interested in other areas of travel that is not your primary focus, but not at the same level of expertise. As long as your client is aware of this and you have time to do so, I see no contradiction here.

It is important to remember that your client is interested in their next vacation and they have little interest in putting up with your excuses or even making excuses for you. This last sentence alone should make the case for specializing very clear in your mind.

The Internet is ideal for generalists who are interested in a broad-brush view of any one particular area. The value, suggestions, and recommendations that a true expert brings the relationship is what I am talking about today.

I think it is worth repeating before leaving you today that you can indeed help the number of people in many different ways. That is not today’s point. In order to position yourself head and shoulders above your competition it is important that you become the expert in one or two particular areas. After spending a few minutes each day researching your specialty you can help other people in a number of ways using your past experiences and the industry.

 

 

 


Mike presents a business-building webinar on the third Thursday of every month sponsored by AmaWaterways. To receive monthly invitations send Mike an email with the words “business training” in the Subject Box. You will also receive a link to the recorded version.

For information on Mike’s Fourth Annual Training Cruise, email Mike at mike@mikemarchev.com with the word “cruise” in the subject box.

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