Like YMC said, the worst is when SEO companies and directory owners submit to my health directory. Do they actually expect me to hire them when they show signs of such stupidity?
HI What I hate is... is when I reject a site and they email me asking why their site was rejected.. and I say you did not read the submission rules... makes me laugh some times. Tom
I recently came across an article highlighting the importance of focusing on a niche rather than competing with the masses, whether that be individual agents or large brokerages all targeting the same consumers. This is what I've been coaching for years and couldn't agree more! The key to determining a niche is thinking about what you're most interested in and knowledgeable about. From that, you can determine and define your market.
Having interest in a niche is one thing, making one work is very different. Being knowledgeable ok, but it probably won't be in the niche where the money is. Picking the wrong niche is the first mistake many make. 1. The niche You not only need to pick the right one, you need expert knowledge to make it work, so having both crucial things, is pretty impossible in reality eg: Let's say I want to do a Catering site, I need that industry knowledge or it will be hard going to even create the content - Catering content, so already I'm stuffed. Can't create expert content, then the idea is dead. Second problem is the categories, chances are you won't think of a fresh idea, instead without realising or with bad research, you'll accidently copy someone elses categories, again serious trouble. Also, once categories are chosen from other directory models, it's impossible to reduce them down further - thus impossible to proceed with the copied directory idea anyway. Only way to do it successfully is invent something completely new. Trust me it gets harder, and I've only touched on 2 issues so far. Probably better website ideas to think of - I know there are 2. The domain name This is important for branding and clickthroughs on the site. Get it wrong and it's not worth continuing. 3. Knowing what's in and what's not Yup, everyone thinks they know what niche to choose, but they just end up copying someone else. It's true, as I just read a post where 3 game websites got posted as where to submit to, they were badly designed and empty, and as niches - they just killed themselves basically before they got started. It was too small a niche to be worth doing, so not much content and would end up as a poor job, no interest and no profit. So although the gaming industry is big, there's no call for a gaming website, because so many different type sites already exist, which can be proven easily. Obviously this was just an example of bad judgement when choosing a niche, but it's common and to be avoided if such sites are to be successful. This is not easy, it's so hard just to come up with an idea or website name, never mind the commitment to run one. If you think normal directories are tough, just try running a niche - you'll be shocked at just how difficult this is. And chances of adequate promotion offline - well forget it basically.
Sometimes your directory hits the list of directories to target for directory submissions. Sucks bad yeah.