[sixQuarks]

Most important thing is to go into a category that already has lots of competition. It's counter-intuitive, but this is important. The thing you want to do is slice out a niche within that category that you fully own. It could be information on getting the best price, or info related to your own city/region. Once you get a small foothold in that niche within the category, you can expand and grow within that category.

[cylinder]

that's a really good point, and advice I very much needed to hear today. the wheels are turning. thank you!

[sixQuarks]

What area are you thinking about? And what kind of skills do you have? (coding, design, marketing, etc)

[cylinder]

well I don't have any ideas for affiliate marketing sites, I'm just applying your mantra about niches to my career (professional services). I do have experience coding, building sites, marketing etc, but at this time I don't know of any niches to do what you did with affiliate marketing. would love to though.

[sixQuarks]

what does "professional services" mean?

[cylinder]

I am a lawyer. I've practiced on my own, but my area is pretty saturated and it's discouraging. But I need to get into the mindset of slicing a niche and sticking with it for a while and try to become the top expert within it.

Would much rather run a content site that earned revenue, but cannot find a niche there ... I used to do this a decade ago and it was quite fun but the internet was so much quieter.

would you start an affiliate marketing site from scratch today? I would even hire you as a coach to help me find an opportunity.

[cylinder]

now that I think about it, I've had the mindset of a content based lead generation site builder for a while, but just haven't had the balls to execute on it because I didn't think it could actually make money. I have a few domains in my pocket which would be great, I just have to select which niche to dedicate myself to. could definitely use help with that.