Niche Your Market to Grow Your Market

“I could hardly believe that I had written the very first book on that subject in the world.”

Dottie Walters

Ever wonder how the experts became the experts? Take Dottie Walters for example. Author of Speak and Grow Rich, founder of a speakers bureau representing over 24,000 speakers, and publisher of the only international speakers bureau directory, Dottie is considered a legend in the speaking and sales industries.

I asked Dottie what the secret to her success was. "You have to niche and then grow from there," Dottie said. "Begin by asking yourself, 'What am I good at?' and then: 'Who needs it?'"

"When I was in my early twenties I began a newspaper shopper's column. To help grow the column. I went to the library to look up books on women in sales.”

"The librarian searched. She checked the big city, county and then the state library and there was nothing, absolutely nothing. Everything was written by men and for men. So I went home and thought, 'I think I'm suppose to write that book.'"

Dottie’s Never Underestimate the Selling Power of a Women was the first book ever written for women in sales.

“Tupperware bought the entire first edition,” Dottie explained. “Then other direct sales companies like Amway and Mary Kay all bought my book by the thousands and hired me to come speak. That launched me into the speaking profession”

As information entrepreneurs we can all learn from Dottie’s experience. In order to expand our market we must first niche our market. It’s hard to develop a marketing plan for the world, but it’s entirely possible to target a piece of the world. Dottie did it forty years ago when she wrote a book for women in sales. It was an unknown market that opened up a world of possibilities. What industry or group do you know who isn’t being served?

All Rights Reserved 2005 Nasoj Publications, LLC

Jason C. Steinle is the author of Upload Experience: Quarterlife Solutions for Teens and Twentysomethings. He is the host of The Steinle Show talk radio and television programs and director of Health and Harmony Chiropractic. www.jasonsteinle.com

The Top Five Things College Graduate Wish They Had Known When In College

1. Gain experience in the field you are pursuing

Do not wait until your senior year to work “on the job.” Instead volunteer and shadow within the field you are majoring. This real world experience will help you know if it’s the right degree for you…plus you’ll gain valuable experience.

2. Take advantage of breaks

Once you graduate you will not have as many opportunities to travel. Take advantage of breaks by taking road trips home with college friends, staying in hostels, and working at summer camps. These trips will help shape and broaden your world view.

3. Meet as many people as you can

The network of friends you develop in college may be more important than the academics. Information is not hard to obtain today, but it’s your contacts that will provide you with the opportunities to share that information.

4. Diversify your classes

Look beyond obtaining your degree and ask yourself, “What else do I need to learn about?” For example, you may be majoring in music, but plan to open a school for voice development. In addition, to your music curriculum taking courses in business, accounting, and marketing may be a good idea.

5. Remember that life is a marathon not a sprint

Go easy on yourself. It’s okay not to have your life all figured out. No one does.

For more lists and practical articles please visit www.quarterlifesolutions.com

All Rights Reserved 2005 Nasoj Publications, LLC

Jason C. Steinle is the author of Upload Experience:Quarterlife Solutions for Teens and Twentysomethings and host of The Steinle Show talk radio and television programs. www.jasonsteinle.com

Changed in a Single Conversation

“Before the accident there were 10,000 things I could do with my life. I could do anything,”

“Now, realistically, there are 100 things I can do. But the fact of the matter is most of us only get around to doing about 40 things in our lives. So although I can’t do as many, I can still do just as much. The key for me, as it is for anyone, is to get started today living the life you want to live.”

Jason Regier

Regier was not a typical guest on my television program. Sitting across from me in a wheel chair, it had been seven years since his roll-over accident at age twenty. A senior at Oregon State at the time, he was driving back to Oregon when he did what we’ve all done. He looked down to change stations on the radio. That’s when his Jeep Cherokee drifted into the road construction on the shoulder.

Three days later Regier woke up in Craig Hospital paralyzed from the neck down. A division I soccer player and honor student, he was now faced with having to relearn how to use the bathroom.

As I interviewed Regier I was struck by his insights. Unlike my other older guests, Regier was still in his twenties. He didn’t have a speaking platform, book, or expertise, yet his story and thoughts shook me to the core and caused me to wonder, “Do other quarterlifers—people in their teens, twenties, and early thirties--have just as much to share or was Regier unique because of the accident?

That single question eventually lead to over 400 interviews with quarterlifers from around the United States. After listening to my peers I’ve learned that each of us knows far more than we give ourselves credit for. Often when we read a book or watch a talk show and think, “Wow, that’s brilliant. She is really talking to me.” The only reason the “expert’s” words resonate with us is because he or she has given voice to what we all ready know to be true, but have never had a platform to express it through.

Think about it. We ask each other about our plans for Friday night, but when was the last time somebody asked you a big question like, “How do you discover your purpose?”

Regier inspired me to see that instead of searching for the answer “out there” often the answers exist much closer at hand. We just have to learn to trust what we already know.

All Rights Reserved Nasoj Publications, LLC

Jason C. Steinle is a chiropractor at Health and Harmony, PC in Evergreen, CO, the host of The Steinle Show talk radio and television programs, and author of Upload Experience: Quarterlife Solutions