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-   -   Is it better to be a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond? (http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2400)

Dien Rice March 14, 2002 09:16 PM

Is it better to be a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond?
 
By this I mean, is it better to compete in the mass market, with a broadly targeted product? (Small fish in a big pond...)

Or is it better to target a niche market, and dominate that niche? (Big fish in a small pond....)

All the evidence I've seen suggests, if you're just a little guy or gal, you're probably going to be more successful finding a niche market where you can be #1. That is, aim to be a big fish in a small pond....

If you go after a general market, you will have LOTS of competitors, all pouring in their advertising dollars, trying to squeeze you out.

But if you find a narrow niche, you may find that you have it all to yourself!

Why is this better? Here's why.

Competition competes away profits....

If you are competing in a general market with lots of competitors, price competition will whittle the price of your products down further and further, until it is almost impossible to make any decent profits. You want to avoid this price competition as much as you can! It just makes it harder to survive, let alone do well....

But when there's no competition? Then, you can set your price at whatever you like.

All the "little guys" who made it big that I can think of did so by starting in a niche market with little competition, and sought to dominate it....

What do you think of this? These are things I'm still mulling over....

- Dien Rice

Stephen Dean March 14, 2002 10:10 PM

Re: Is it better to be a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in a small pond?
 
Greetings Dien,

I agree - I'd rather be a big fish. :) Although
I don't have a niche - I do try to make sure my
products are different. Hence Tombstone.
Teaching people to write a sales letter while
watching a good movie. I think Tombstone was a
way to separate me from the pack.

And I try to remain separated - I'm writing two
more products right now. And I'm writing them
because I KNOW they are different.

Stephen Dean
ebizknowitall.com
Home of the Tombstone Sales Letter


Write Sales Letters with Wyatt Earp

Garry Boyd March 15, 2002 06:22 AM

Make sure it is a deep pond
 
By this I mean it is important to determine if the niche you are fishing is deep enough to provide sufficient income. It is frustrating to be an expert in an area without sufficient customers to earn a good living.


Just me


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