Sometimes it seems as if the “to do” list never ends when you’re starting up a new business. You’ve figured out who your niche target is, what their pressing problem is, how your product or service provides the perfect solution, and you’re still not done. Now you need to put all that into a niche statement for your startup.
Why? Because you want to make sure your business stands head and shoulders above the competition. You need to be able to pull out that niche statement and use it in many ways to attract customers and define your company to the world.
A good niche statement highlights what’s special about your business. It expresses your unique selling position to the world and lets your target niche know what you can deliver.
Want to make sure you, not someone else, gets the lion’s share of your niche’s attention? Just follow these guidelines, and you will!
Start by reading the do’s and don’ts for a niche statement. Then, fill out the niche statement formula / template. And see the example of a niche statement at the end of this article.
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Niche Statement
There are some simple do’s and don’ts to follow when writing a niche statement for your startup.
First, the do’s. In a good niche statement:
- DO clearly state who your target niche is.
- DO specifically name the problem people in your niche have that you will solve.
The key to clearly stating your target niche is to describe your niche so explicitly that they readily recognize themselves. For this reason, it’s important that you clearly and concisely name your niche using their language.
Then, when you specifically name the problem they’re having, they don’t have to wonder if you can help them or not. They’ll know you can.
“The beauty of this is that probably 95% of your marketing is done right there,” says Samantha Hartley of Enlightened Marketing. “Because, if you tell people you understand their problem and you say it in such a way that they get that you do, then they immediately perceive and assume that you can solve their problem.”
Now for the don’ts. In your niche statement:
- DON’T talk about your niche. Name it. Clearly and concisely.
- DON’T try to be all things to all people. The whole point of a niche is to include only certain people and leave others out.
Niche Statement Formula or Template
A niche statement follows a certain format or formula. There are just four things you need to include in your niche statement:
- Your niche
- Their problem
- Your solution
- Your promise
Stated simply, the niche statement formula is as follows:
niche + problem + solution + promise = success
Here’s what it looks like in more detail:
I/we work with __________________________(your niche),
who haven’t/need to ____________________ (their problem).
If you’re ready to/it’s time to _____________ (your solution),
I/we can/will ___________________________ (your promise).
Example of Niche Statement
Below is an example of a niche statement. In other words, here’s what the niche statement formula looks like when it’s fleshed-out:
“I work with women starting up home-based businesses for the very first time (niche) who are feeling both excited and overwhelmed at the prospect and haven’t a clue where to begin (problem). If you are ready to take the first steps toward owning your own business (solution), I can help you decide what business would be best for you, identify your target niche, and get your business ready to launch (promise).”
There are so many things to do when starting up a new business. The “to do” list is endless. Don’t sabotage your new business start-up by neglecting to write your niche statement.
Follow these simple do’s and don’ts, and use the niche statement formula to announce your unique selling position to the world.
Then get your target niche’s attention, and get ahead of the competition.
This is a wonderful exercise for anyone starting a business. It is much more focused than the basic “elevator speech” — and doesn’t drown the neophyte business owner in all the complexity of a business plan. It is just the right level of detail. Superb! I’ve passed it on to several colleagues.
Jerrilynn Thomas
Susan thank you so very much for writing this article. It made realize that I strayed from the purpose of my business concept because I took the advice of a well meaning business associate who thought my niche was too narrow.
WomenPartner International
Smart Women Partner & Grow Rich!
http://www.ivwcc.org
Thank you Susan and Jennifer for your feedback. When writing your niche statement, there a fine line between being too detailed and too narrow.
Nice practical advice. I like the inclusion of the template in the article! Nice touch! I’ll be sure to include a niche statement in my new business plan.
YFNCG is correct and I agree. One practical advice from Susan. Thanks again, Susan!
Martin Lindeskog
Dr. Susan L. Reid,
Is this another way of doing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis?
it`s a veryy good execise indeed, more young entrepreneurs should try it too
Hi Susan – this isn’t just valuable for STARTING a business – it’s even MORE valuable for owners and CEOs of more mature businesses. Markets change so quickly and we get so busy working with what we THOUGHT was a target niche – and when business changes or declines we wonder what happened. Following your FANTASTIC outline for a niche statement is an exercise businesses should do and review more often – maybe even annually (is that too often?)
Dave Wheeler
Susan,
Interesting exercise to get businesspeople thinking. I would add one measurement as a followup to your ideas..
– How often does your business refer someone to your “competitors”* ?
Referring a customer to a competitor shows that you are aware of the choices that your customers have and you are willing to help them find the right solution for their problem.
Being aware of your competitors will help you better define your unique niche and if a customer leaves with a good feeling about your business (along with the knowledge of exactly what you do), the odds are that they will either come back when they have a problem you can solve or they will refer someone who does.
(I put competitors in “quotes” for a reason… if you own your niche, you have no real competitors.)
Keep up the good work !
Very interesting article that has left me with lots to think of. Thank you for giving us a simple way of carrying out this lesson.
Chris
Wow, what a great exercise to use to help define your niche. And going back to the basics like this exercise does can be useful for those seasoned business owners as well. Sometimes we all veer off the beaten track and loose focus . . . the basics, the foundation must always be in place, however, and be maintained in order for stability to exist.
Hi Martin, regarding the SWOT, I believe it should be within the bounds of it.
Martin Lindeskog
Mary Grace Ignacio: Thanks for your comment. I am interested to hear more about your “InternetBiznez” and how you use your blog to write about your ideas. Where is Davao City in Philippines?
Hi Martin.
Davao City is part of Mindanao, southern part of Philippines and is the largest city in Mindanao.