How to Create a Blue Ocean in a Crowded Market
When people are first looking at starting to add an income accelerator by starting an online business, the first thing they are told is that they need to pick a niche.
I am sure you have heard this, right?
People are told to follow your passions (which I do agree with) and everything will be all right, but it can be so hard to decide…
Have you ever had this trouble?
Most of us have…
People will say there are heaps of options they can build a business around, some examples are Cooking, Yoga, Fishing, Cars, Parenting, Chess, Video Games, Marketing/Business, Personal Development, Fashion, Martial Arts, Fitness, Relationships, Collecting Toys, Gardening, Boating, etc.
Now while this is true, and I have given this advice in the past as well, I have found that so many people still have a lot of trouble in choosing their niche and the direction they want to take their business in.
Recently, I came across a concept in Russell Brunson’s new Expert Secrets book that has a different take on choosing your niche.
One that will set you apart from your competition and allow you to create a blue ocean and stand out in a crowded market.
The three big markets
Rather than starting at “picking a niche” which often causes you to get overwhelmed, it is easier to start big, then go small.
Start with the three big markets of Health, Wealth and Relationships…
I am sure you have some experiences in all of these areas, right?
Now at first glance, you may think that you could build a business around one of these topics, but they are too broad.
A few years ago, experts would jump into these markets and do very well because there was little competition, but gradually more and more people started jumping into this space, and what was once a clear blue ocean, quickly become a red ocean full of sharks all fighting for a share of the market.
Red Oceans
So then came the sub-markets.
You see, each of these markets can be broken down into sub-markets, for example, Health could be broken down into weight loss, fitness or nutrition…
Wealth could be, Investing, real estate or sales…
Relationships, into marriage advice, dating advice or parenting…
This is where a lot of people stop and believe they have chosen their “niche”… but the trouble is, as more and more people started jumping into these markets, the same thing happened… the market became overcrowded and once again it became a shark-infested read ocean.
A “red ocean” is a very competitive market where there are lots of thrashing about among competitors, all fighting for their slice of the market, that’s why the water has turned red.
An example could be web design, web hosting, SEO (in fact, any web area), or 90% of products and services (eCommerce, accounting services, coaching, consulting etc, etc.).
In fact, even driving instructors, guitar teachers and so on are in a red ocean too!
This is why a lot of people are currently struggling in their business.
I am sure you can see why?
The trick is to break it down further.
Blue Oceans
The sub-markets need to be broken down further into a “new opportunity” or a nice clear “blue ocean” with less competition…
For example, Wealth > real estate > Renovations…
Wealth > Online business > Facebook Ads…
Wealth > Online business > creating online courses…
Wealth > Online business > selling on Amazon…
Health > Fitness > Fitness for Busy Mums…
Health > Weight Loss > Weight Loss for over 40’s…
Relationships > Parenting > Dealing with Teenagers…
Relationships > Love > Dating after divorce
The riches are in the niches…
If you can find this blue ocean or new opportunity, then you will have a greater chance of success, much more quickly.
But it’s not necessarily so easy to find this new opportunity, true?
But there is another way I like to look at it…
Another “take” on it, is the blue ocean is you and your brand, and how you can teach things differently…
YOU are the Blue Ocean
Your blue ocean is YOU, because while there are a million consultancy businesses, eCommerce stores, flower shops, driving instructors and niche websites for X in the world, there is quite literally, only one of YOU, agreed?
So focus on THAT!
Focus on creating authority and building a brand that is different from everyone else!
While there may be hundreds of millions of products and services that are basically the same, there is only one of you.
This is what makes the difference and allows you to stand out!
So if you have a current business start thinking about what it is about you that makes your business different from others, what is it about you that makes the way you DELIVER your product or service differently, and what is it that you add in your own way that nobody else can.
That’s where you can compete, and that’s how you carve out your niche and take you out of the red ocean into a nice blue ocean.
Sound good?
For example, in my own business, I started in the Wealth/Financial Freedom market.
My sub-market was creating financial freedom by building an online business.
How did I differentiate?
Well, initially, I branded myself as “My Road to Financial Freedom” essentially telling my story as I worked towards financial freedom and helping others along the way – which was fine for a while… but it wasn’t enough to stand out!
So now, while having sub-niches that I can teach such as Affiliate Marketing, Website building, product creation, sales funnels, money management and mindset, my big differentiator is re-branding myself as The Financial Freedom Warrior.
I can teach these concepts, but my whole vision and “new opportunity” is to create a whole community of Financial Freedom Warriors working together to fight society to create their freedom!
A blue ocean…
So how can you be different?
How can you stand out?
How can you create a blue ocean and stand out in a crowded market?
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below.
To your freedom,
John W. Newman
The Financial Freedom Warrior!
Helping you create TIME AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM by building a PROFITABLE Business Online!
Dream It… Believe It… Then Achieve It!
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Hi John, I like your approach to be unique.
Dream It…Believe It…Then Achieve It! Is the way I go. My niche is not too unique but I am and I am the only one with my dream so I will go on and find my blue ocean. the sub niches within my website can also find a greater audience, a few permille of these billions of people.
Keep going my friend, I believe in it.
Nice one Stefan!
Keep believing! 🙂
What a wonderful article! Promoting “Be yourself” within your niche is great, and something that new people might easily miss out on when choosing a niche. They get caught up in “How much money can I make”, instead of “How can I teach people what I know”. Thank you for providing this information 🙂
Yes, great insight Irma!
Unfortunately, most people get hung up on the “make money” side, and I can understand that, but when you concentrate on helping people and adding value, the money naturally follows.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Hi John. That’s a take on the blue ocean concept that I haven’t seen before. I like it. I’ve noticed your brand change to Financial Freedom Warrior on Facebook. I think building a community is a great way to go.
I’ve been learning some things and making some changes in my business recently too. You’ve given me something to think about. I have some ideas. Now to see where they go.
It’s always wise to keep evolving in business Ben!
Looking forward to see what you come up with 🙂
Brilliant John, I love this concept of ‘Blue Ocean,’ within the online world.
I must admit, that initially, I was a little worried as I thought that I might be too late to find ‘my blue ocean, ‘ as I had started my online business over a year ago.
However, the second you mentioned ‘ there is only one of me, ‘ it all just clicked like a lightbulb. each of us is unique and we have our own way of expressing ourselves.
I have an awesome idea of how to bring my ‘uniqueness’ and hopefully find my blue ocean.
You have certainly set my creative juices flowing.
Thanks for much
Awesome Roopesh, glad that I have got you thinking!
A lot of people have trouble creating their “blue ocean” so they can stand out in the marketplace, but when you consider how YOU can do things differently, then things start to change.
Standout my friend! 🙂
Making your online presence standout is definitely the key to success. It’s very similar to opening a physical business. If you were to open another gas station down the road, why would customers come to you? If there are already 10 gas stations on the way to their house, you have to give them a reason to stop at yours. Online is the same way, we must think smaller and more unique to be successful.
Great analogy Jen!
I think that it is even MORE important when you apply it to an online business as well, after all, a petrol or gas station can probably just compete on price alone, where that will not work online – you have to be unique and different to get customers attention!
Thanks for your feedback 🙂
Hi John, you have an interesting view of finding one’s niche and then building a brand around that niche. With the competition that’s on the web, you don’t want to be a follower and blend in. You want to stand out! Many will look at another site and copy, basically cloning what someone else is doing. They even have tools that allow you to do this.
As you stated you want to get away from the crowd. Be yourself because there isn’t anyone else like you. You want to stand out in the crowd, not blend in. You got me to revisiting, rethinking, the way I do marketing. You’re spot on with this post, thanks man.
All the best to you,
Don
Absolutely Don!
Glad to get your mind ticking!
Hi John,
Your opinion is welcomed, but one of the ways we stand out is through our writing.
We all have different writing ‘styles’, and we express ourselves differently. That is how we stand out. While we may not connect with everybody, there will be some who will trust our content.
Even in a saturated market you can earn some money, and you can set up in a number of different markets. Keep trying until you see results, then focus on that one.
You need to find where the demand is, and just join in.
Cheers
Yes, that’s right Greg!
You can’t resonate with everyone, and if you try to, then you won’t be very successful.
You have to find your own style and discover your “tribe” of people that you can serve!
Thanks 🙂
Hello, John thanks for sharing this information. It is true that a lot of people do find it hard to choose a niche because there are so much to choose from but your post will make it easier for many who have to make these kinds of decision.
Thanks Norman, glad you found it helpful!
Hi there,
Thank you for the great description of the ‘Blue Ocean’, its very well described and you have simplified it so, that it’s easy to understand.
When its broken down and we see what we are looking for, its very easy to select a niche or sub-niche, if I can describe it like that.
I agree with your final assertion, in that we are different to everyone else and thereis only one of us
We will need to plough our own furrow and find our true passion, that way we will stand out as being different.
Cheers Phil Browne
Absolutely Phil!
There is only one of us, we are not the same as everyone else, and we shouldn’t even try to be!
That’s what makes us unique and STANDOUT!
Thanks for commenting 🙂