This is the transcript continuation for Episode 098 where Mark brainstorms niche site ideas live on the show. He walks through his actual thought process for generating a list of potential niches across three categories: things you are interested in, things that annoy you, and things that look like good opportunities.
Category 1: Things You Are Interested In
Mark starts with personal interests, emphasizing these do not need to be areas of expertise — just genuine curiosity.
- Guitar and singing — Lucrative online guitar programs with affiliate opportunities. Review sites comparing learn-to-play programs could work well.
- Pub darts — High-end equipment from horse hair dartboards to titanium-shafted darts with custom flights. Niche but passionate buyers.
- Podcasting — Mark uses a $400 Heil PR40 microphone. The equipment ecosystem around podcasting (mixers, compressors, preamps, digital recorders) is extensive and constantly turning over.
- Electronics and Apple gear — Competitive but lucrative space with constant product turnover.
- Drones — Mark owns a high-end drone and notes the regulatory landscape (FAA registration) creates content opportunities.
- Home security and home automation — Mark envisions a niche site specifically for Apple-ecosystem home automation: Hue lights, smart locks, security cameras, garage door controllers.
- Hunting and outdoor gear — Lucrative but some affiliate programs restrict firearms-related content. Mark's personal filter: do not promote anything you would be embarrassed to tell your pastor about.
- Automotive customization — SUV accessories, aftermarket parts, and modifications.
Category 2: Things That Annoy You
Problems in your life represent niches where you can genuinely help people.
- Weight loss for men over 40 — Not generic weight loss, but specifically for busy sedentary guys over 40 with desk jobs. The niche-down makes it winnable.
- Plantar fasciitis — A painful sports injury that doctors struggle to treat effectively. Home remedies, Clickbank products, and comparison content could serve this audience.
- Snoring solutions — Huge market with opportunity for credible, research-backed content rather than snake oil promotions.
- Shaving and razor comparisons — The razor subscription wars (Harry's vs. Gillette) create natural comparison content with affiliate programs.
- Meditation — Growing market with digital products on Clickbank plus hardware like EEG meditation headbands that gamify the practice.
Category 3: Interesting Opportunities
- Training and certification sites — Inspired by Pat Flynn's Security Guard Training HQ success. Could the model be replicated in other training niches?
- As-seen-on-TV products — People see infomercials, forget the website, and Google the product name. Capturing that search traffic with affiliate content can be profitable. Mark's example: Bug-a-Salt, a salt-shooting fly gun.
- Holiday and seasonal products — Christmas toys (like the BB-8 Sphero), Halloween costumes tied to new movie characters. High revenue potential but often not sustainable year-round.
The Assignment
Mark's homework for listeners: create a list of 50 potential niches. Target 20 from personal interests, 20 from problems, and 10 from opportunities. Do not overthink it — just write down everything that comes to mind. Check your credit card receipts and browse stores for inspiration. The next episode will cover how to evaluate and filter these ideas.
Fortune Cookie Segment
Mark's nine-year-old son Zachary reads the fortune: “A friend or partner will be giving you needed information. Listen.” Mark connects this to the value of mastermind groups — and the hard part of actually listening when they tell you something you do not want to hear.
What's Changed Since This Episode
The brainstorming approach is still valid. Starting from personal interests, problems, and opportunities remains a solid framework for generating niche ideas. What has changed is the evaluation criteria — modern niche selection must account for Google's E-E-A-T requirements, which heavily favor content creators with genuine first-hand experience in their niche.
Some of Mark's examples aged well. Home automation, drones, and meditation have all become massive markets. Podcasting equipment is a thriving niche. The razor subscription market exploded exactly as Mark predicted.
Seasonal and trending product sites are harder now. Google's algorithms are better at identifying sites that exist only to capture seasonal search traffic without providing lasting value. Building authority over time matters more than timing a trend.
Listen and Subscribe
Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts or subscribe at latenightim.com/internet-marketing-podcast/. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.
