Business Models & Niches That May Profit:
* Financial Guidance/Grant/Bizop/Education: It's already happening, tons of marketers are trying to cash in on the prediction that during a recession, more avg consumers/citizens are looking for extra income at various levels/costs/strategies. Whether it's moving their investment portfolio around through a new provider or seeking a new revenue stream(s), or gaining financial guidance, or grants, education, or literally anything money & goal oriented that can help them with their uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring to an already bad situation.
* Pills/medicine: Personally, I hate them, won't even touch a tylenol or advil... but unfortunetaly many do, and while there is a general over all fear stimulated into everyone, the need to ease stress is greater, and or the ease of being influenced into a 'fix all' solution is ruthlessly easy... You'll probably start noticing more depression, sleeping pills, numbing agents, 'feel good/energy' products, and the not so liked random other 'symptom treatments' campaigns out there... If I may - The increase in male enhancement solutions will more than likely increase quite a bit as well. (Lord help those that promote some of this stuff, however facts are facts here, many men will get financially limp among other things...).
* Energy Solutions: Even on the new agenda for top level USA guvernment, the energy niche is going to continue to explode, and marketers are already cashing in on the various angles one can take to create outreach campaigns. Online info products, offline distribution partnerships, start up money for energy focused businesses, lot's of buzz and attention will be given to this sector from lighting, to power use, gas use, energy use as a whole and as an indvidual. Mine this market well and think big, you just might find yourself doing something great and with good cause.
* MMO: Close to the first point, however more focused on the online niches and minimal risk campaigns/learning curves re time and money. Much like what you are reading in this business edition, there will be a lot of awareness given to the online money making and work from home sector. Subsequently there will also be a huge influx of horrible spammy 'make moniez' wannabee guides as well - the cycle doesn't end, however only the top of this niche seem to survive no matter how many new guys come around. Good time to say the money is in the lists this year and abroad, especially for second level marketing or tiered marketing as publishers/product owners are going to be recruiting heavily into their bases - from both a list growing effort to a finer mined buyer/re-purchase list... (Hope you got that! - basically filtering and refining big lists again, buying trends change and new offers may do wonders for mmo right now).
* Health/WeightLoss: As with most bad habits, there will be an increase in food consumption by those that indulge too much... The reprocussion will hit them when they start seeing money dwindle on foods they don't need as they get fatter, and will attempt to diet. Random prediction? Perhaps, however as with every single new year since I can remember - the new year accounts for millions of resolutions being made, tons of new gym memberships, huge increases in online programs, weight loss food products (oxy-moron?)... all to lose weight fast... This niche tends to balance out shortly after the valentines day spike for the remainder of the year. This year though, the prediction is that it will remain a hot niche for a majority of the year.
* Webdesign/Professional Media Servicing: The second level of monetization from all the bizop and mmo spikes, is going to be from an increase in the need for new websites being built, re-designed/re-branded, new business owners are going to rise due to all the 'be your own boss' lingo that will be drilled into the masses... Those with design and marketing sense will be able to find various pockets of profits, however so will offshore sectors and outsourcing agencies. Don't sell yourself short there will always be those that prefer local talent and business brains not just photoshop skills and an email...
* Media Upload Sites: Especially in the mobile arena (MMS). The increase in cell phones & personal devices is one thing that is going to increase for sure. The bigger boys may have to fluctuate their offers and monthly plans but the consumers won't stop buying. The fight for market share will enable more consumers to get higher quality phones with more techy features and the transition from phone to web & back will become more transparent. The amount of media is just growing, more pics, videos, multimedia sending happens by the day, a great time to get on board with some VC's or seek out a plan of attack on the media hosting/technology sector. While it seems saturated, as new widgets and third party providers keep the race up for new technology(ies), I feel it's still at its intermediate infancy - especially in terms of monetization.
* Casino/Gambling: This is a loose prediction, those with habits and impulse attempts to flip money may be drawn to the online world to spend their last few bucks on a lucky poker tourney or table... These guys are all probably fighting for market share right now too potentially expecting a spike or even already getting one. Starting a casino or poker site may not be the best move, however joining a strong and popular affiliate program may be a wise move if you understand the gaming world as a marketer well.
* Adult/Porn: Seems silly to add, but screw it we're going to be real here! This is a niche that few survive in on the top level. Home to the worlds best and most advanced developers, designers, marketers, webmasters, actionscripters, recruiters, managers, and the list goes on... The quickest fix for most guys when they are down and out is... well sex/porn, perhaps a horrible observation yes, but the truth. I think adult sites, escort sites and the whole industry is probably going to see a rise in both number$, traffic, content, competitors, affiliates, and a few market shifts as only the strongest survive and weakest fade out.
* DIY/INFO: With a rise on impulse NOW solutions, and the conditioning of society into the whole idea of reading a book online or printing a .pdf (ebook), many consumers are going to finally take the plunge into solving problems, getting educated, purchasing content, and getting their goods instantly and via digital download. More and more devices are able to read the various filetypes and conversions that both computers and personal devices have. As the gap between the laptop and personal device gets slimmer and smaller, the ability to monetize on screen or online downloadable products and services will more than likely see a rise over all. Some niches will obviously fluctuate a lot more than others.
* Movies, Movie rentals (maybe even a few spikes for Music): As more and more people are bogged down to less expensive leasure time activities, the good old movie and popcorn at theatres or at home on the bigscreen will always be a favorite. Perhaps a good time to try out a few related affiliate programs in this niche, even the TV on PC may be getting another spike as IPTV is further explored and the transition from TV to online viewing gap also slims out. Personal device services and mp3/content downloads may also continue to rise despite the economy.
* Dating/Social sites: With more time on their hands, and while trying to be efficient, I feel that more people will be using online dating and social networking tools/sites more and more. Perhaps a release, a chance to re-connect with old lost loves, friends, or new potential partners. The niche itself is oversaturated however the market will probably increase in this sector over all.
For more nuggets check out Niche Choppers.
Norb's Projections for 2009-2010 Pt. 2
