Publishing Entrepreneur

Targeting a viable niche market with an advertising-centered publication can be an almost certain formula for profit so long as you understand what a viable niche is and recognize one when you see it.

A viable niche for the home-based entrepreneurial publisher is one which matches this seven-point checklist:

1. A viable niche requires little or no start-up capital, paying for itself as it goes. This is quite possible. I have done it many times.

2. A viable niche is local and easily reached by sales reps.

3. A viable niche has an advertising base sufficient to turn a profit.

4. A viable niche presents no problems of distribution, no mailing, no traveling of tgrucks over long distances.

5. A viable niche can be serviced by a simple publication that one person can quickly create.

6. A viable niche can be serviced by a publication that is inexpensive to print in sufficient quantities to cover the market area.

7. A viable niche can be easily duplicated elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

To find such a niche where you live, start with what I call a “census of niches.” This is a technique for pulling all niche market possibilities out of the area where you live. After you do this, you evaluate each niche to see how it matches the seven-point checklist.