Know the Limits of the Niche you Serve
The key in choosing a niche is to eliminate the possibilities that you cannot serve. It's to empower you to focus; to contract, to narrow what you offer. It's the very essence of the power of choosing that will enable you to thrive in a competitive world.
How can you protect yourself from wondering too far off of what your business exists for? Ask yourself two questions:
1. Is this something that is part of my passion for starting the business?
This shouldn't be too hard to answer. I'm not saying that there might not be some pleasant surprises that you may like to work with; things connected to the original purpose that may be new additions to the field you serve. But they should have a direct connection with the purpose of the business you're in.
2. Is it within my area of expertise?
This is a big one. I've seen more sincere attempts to help a customer with something beyond the expertise and purpose of the business, that have resulted in it backfiring so badly that they have lost the lifetime customer. They should have said no to the request.
Here's a lesson for you. Saying "no" is also part of great customer service. Saying "yes" to everything is a way to get yourself in trouble quick.
The simple remedy is to ask yourself the question everytime of whether you're able to do it right now or not. If you can't - don't. It's that easy.
The very reason a niche is chosen is so you can answer these types of requests with a no.
Is it within your passion and expertise are the two keys to deciding whether you can help someone or not. Don't go beyond them and you'll save yourself a lot of headaches and losing of great customers. Nothing will diminish your passion, along with your expertise in the eyes of your customers than going outside of them.
Other Niche Marketing Resources:
Niche Marketing Considerations: Beef as a Case Example
Niche Marketing: Targeting the Best Prospects
The Two Faces of Niche Marketing
Niche Marketing - How to Find Your Perfect Niche Market
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Tracked on: June 14, 2008 10:26 PM | Permalink to Trackback