Actually, I'd stopped doing Weird Wednesdays awhile ago, because they were taking too much time to write. But, then I was getting all kinds of great suggestions from people. (This week's site is from Tracy Roberts of MomsInABlog.com – thanks Tracy!) So, I'm bringing them back, but simpler. I hope you still enjoy what I dig up for you.

I didn't know whether to put this one in Marketing Monday or Weird Niche Wednesday because it's brilliant but wacky.  (My favorite combination of marketing.)

You gotta watch this video advertisement… It's awesome!

Their Story.

“I'm really lonely but I’m too busy to date during harvest season”
Thousands of singles sow the seeds of love on FarmersOnly.com

FarmersOnly.com launched just over five years ago and quickly became THE place for farmers and ranchers to meet like-minded people.  In the last five years, membership went from 2,000 to well over 100,000 members. Despite the name, FarmersOnly isn't limited to only farmers. The rapid growth is also coming from just good old fashioned, down-to-earth people who live in small towns and rural areas.

“There have been countless successful matches and friendships made on the site. I get thank you emails and phone calls almost daily. In fact, there have been hundreds of marriages since FarmersOnly.com began,” said Jerry Miller, Founder.

FarmersOnly.com is the brainchild of Jerry Miller who has done marketing and public relations for thousands of farms and ranches across the country.  While talking to one farmer, Jerry made quite a discovery.

“Recently divorced, she expressed her frustration of how difficult it was to meet someone new,” Jerry recalled.

“I'm ready to give up!”  She said.  “How am I going to meet someone working on a farm all day? I already know everybody who lives around here… which isn't many people!  Maybe I'll try online dating.”

She signed up on one of the biggest national dating sites soon after their conversation.

A month later, Jerry asked her how her luck was with online dating. She replied, even more frustrated, “The men who have been contacting me don't understand the lifestyle of a farmer,” she told Jerry.  “They don't have a clue!”  This would later lead to the site's slogan. “City Folks Just Don't Get It!”

Being in marketing, he wanted to see if there was a need for a new site specifically for single farmers. “I talked to farmers and ranchers all over the country and discovered they all had the same problems.  They already knew everybody in their immediate areas.  They didn't have enough time to socialize. When they did find time, they didn't want to hang out at a bar.  They wanted to find someone who understood their lifestyle,” he said.  “The need for this new online dating service became very clear and six months later, I launched FarmersOnly.com.”

What lessons can we learn from this weird website and their success?

1. KNOW your market. These guys obviously nailed that one.

2. Humor can be a great thing in marketing. You don't have to take yourself too seriously.

3. If you niche down in a proven market (like dating sites) – you can get attention. These guys have been featured or mentioned on –

• CNN
• USA Today
• Trumped (The Donald Trump Radio Show)
• Newsweek
• Smart Money
• NPR (National Public Radio)
• Here! (of course the coolest of all) 

You can see proof here: Farmers Only in the News

So, talk to me. What do you think about their story? I'd love to read your comments.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Are You Still Trying to Find a Hot Niche Market?

Recommended Resource #1

My friend, Susanne creates Niche Research Packs and can help you to determine if you’re entering a profitable niche or not. She’s done the research for you.

In each pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link: Niche Research Packs

Recommended Resource #2: Free Webinar by Kevin Riley

Click on the arrow to go to the page where you can listen.

(You’ll find this hour long webinar free to listen to on that page.)

This week’s Weird Wednesday Website was suggested by one of the girls in our neighborhood about a year ago and I promptly forgot. Well, last week we took her out to dinner with us and she said “Miss Nicole, did you ever blog about the giant gummy bears?”

oops! I grabbed my iPad and emailed myself a reminder.  So Brooke, this one is for you!

Presenting the World's Largest Gummy Bears.

www.giantgummybears.com

At GiantGummyBears.com – you can get what is called the “World's Largest Gummy Bear” – which is roughly 1000 times (yes, one THOUSAND times)  the size of a regular gummy bear.

For you dentists and health nuts out there, that is five POUNDS of pure sugar and gelatin and is bigger than a football. Yikes! I think I gained a pound just thinking about eating one.

The 2 foot long, 3 lb. gummy worm is pretty impressive, too.

Their Story.

in 2003 Derek Lawson had an idea.  While continuing to carve out a niche’ in the multi-billion dollar candy industry, he decided create his own candy – one that would be unique and only he would manufacture and sell.  In a time where the prevailing attitude was that of big-box stores carrying cheaply made imported goods and discounted merchandise, he would move to create a specialty item that emphasized grandeur and audacity – yet with eye-appeal and irresistible charm!  He would create the WORLD’S LARGEST GUMMY BEARS!

Truth is the advent of the candy was part of a joke he played on his older brother, and born out of frustration over many other failed candy-product ideas!  Nonetheless, the idea was born, and the impact was immediate!

Notoriety ensued!  Friends and customers were awestruck and began to demand more of the gargantuan gummies. Their store was prominently placed in the local tourism guide’s list of “Things to Do and See”.  The brothers were asked to become part of a popular call-in radio show and the Giant Gummy Bears achieved a local celebrity of sorts.

You can read the entire story at: http://giantgummybears.com/about-us.aspx

What lessons can we learn from this weird website and their huge success?

1. Go big or go home.

These guys didn't just make a “big” gummy bear. They went for the biggest and then went all out for it.  Sometimes the answer is simply right in front of you. Go bigger. Is there anywhere in your business where you can be the biggest? Strive to make your business different and know what your USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is. What makes you special? If you don't know… ask someone else!

2. You may need to come up with a clever way to state that you are (or that your business is) unique.

Rather than being another seller of Gummy Bears or candy in general, they focused in on being the biggest. In your business, find what makes you special and then put it into words that are undeniable. I could not comfortably state that I'm the “Best Affiliate Management Expert in the World” as others would (and should) come to mind before I do.

However, I probably could say that I'm the “Top Female Affiliate Management Expert in the World” and have that be pretty hard to argue.

3. Sometimes trial and error is taking you to right where you are meant to be.

If you read the story of how these two gentlemen came to success, you'll see that they helped to start a chain of candy stores and had to close nearly all of them in the 1990s. The candy stores apparently just weren't unique enough and were trying to compete with Walmart.

Through sheer determination, they got through it and are now the talk of this blog.

4.  Don't lose your focus. It confuses your customers.

The website is all about Gummy Bears, but they didn't expand into teddy bears or gum. They stuck with gummy things. Now, they've expanded slightly to include gummy skulls, gummy worms and a few other cool things like gummy tongues. (Yes, really!)

Are you a lover of all things gummy bear?

I knew nothing about gummy bears before starting this blog post. I started to explore this niche of gummy bears and I found some interesting things when I ran my keyword research.

Who knew? While the gummy bear niche isn't huge and it may not a good niche for you, I did discover that the gummy bear niche showcases a lot of *other* niches.

See the words in bold below.

• gummy bear song
• gummy bear recipe
• gummy bear implants (Yes, these are breast implants that are apparently tough like gummy bears. I have NO idea!)
• who invented gummy bears
• worlds largest gummy bear
• gummy bear cake
• gummy bear mold
• gummy bear birthday party
• sugar free gummy bears
• gummy bear lamp
• gummy bear bracelet
• how to soften stale gummy bears
• flaming gummy bear experiment
• gummy bears mini golf instructions (for Wii)
• gummy bears soaked in vodka
• gummy bear costume

You could create a website based around any of the bolded terms above. Pretty cool, eh?

So, talk to me. Have you ever ordered a giant gummy bear or would you? What do you think about their story? I'd love to read your comments.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Where Can You Learn More about Finding a Hot Niche Market?

Recommended Resource #1

My friend, Susanne creates Niche Research Packs and can help you to determine if you’re entering a profitable niche or not. She’s done the research for you.

In each pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link: Niche Research Packs

Recommended Resource #2: Free Webinar by Kevin Riley

Click on the arrow to go to the page where you can listen.

(You’ll find this hour long webinar free to listen to on that page.)

This week's Weird Wednesday Website was suggested by my mom, Patti Winker, of RemarkableWrinklies.com in this post: If I Should Die Before I Wake – Having The Last Word

If you’re new to Weird Niche Wednesday, you’re in for a treat. I find weird niches and websites and we get to discuss whether it may be a viable niche and also have some fun.

Today’s Weird Niche Wednesday is about a morbid topic, with a clever solution. And, of course, there are lessons to be learned, as always.

The site is MyObitList.com – and it's one duty is to deliver, upon your passing,  a notification to your contacts. The emails are written by you and can be either sent via bulk to your distant friends, or they can be customized (with a personal note of love) and sent individually to your dearest friends and family.

Yeah, I told you that it was morbid. However, it's oddly comforting, as well.

Here's a video about their service:

What I like about this from both a business and a person aspect:

1. There's a story behind the business.

The owner of the site – Steve Naremore, lost his father-in-law unexpectedly and was given the task of contacting all of the 60 people who would want or need to know. It was not only an incredibly time-consuming and arduous task, but it was also emotionally draining for him, too. He sought a solution to help others who end up in that position so they can avoid some of the pain during such a difficult time.

Lesson: Always look at problems that you face in your daily life. Problems = Potential for Profit.

Lesson: From a business and a person perspective, stories sell. My best-selling products always have a story behind them. People can relate and connect to you as human and you have more credibility, as well, when you share a story that explains why you're doing something.

2. Not everything has to be a continuity program.

Another aspect of this website that I really like is that it's a one-time fee. I would be uncomfortable charging people from today until their passing in order to maintain their contacts.

Lesson: Consider the feelings of your customer when designing your pricing structure.

3. Video can help to break the ice.

You notice that the video is made from cartoon drawings? You don't always have to push emotional buttons to get people to take action. And, in fact, I would have been VERY turned off had they had crying people in the video.

Lesson: Video marketing works.

4. Turning a negative into a positive.

The people who sign up for this service can send personal notes to certain contacts. I love how they emphasize that this is a way to tell those you love that they're important to you – one last time, when they might need to hear it the most.

Lesson: Yes, I'm a big sap.

So, let me have it. What are your thoughts on this website and on this niche?

• Would you use it?
• Would you tell others about it?
• What do you think of their marketing?

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Where Can You Learn More about Finding a Hot Niche Market?

Recommended Resource #1

My friend, Susanne creates Niche Research Packs and can help you to determine if you’re entering a profitable niche or not. She’s done the research for you.

In each pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link: Niche Research Packs

Recommended Resource #2: Free Webinar by Kevin Riley

Click on the arrow to go to the page where you can listen.

(You’ll find this hour long webinar free to listen to on that page.)

If you're new to Weird Niche Wednesday, you're in for a treat. I find weird niches and websites and we get to discuss whether it may be a viable niche and also have some fun.

Today's Weird Niche Wednesday is all about Hello Kitty – a trend that I know nothing about, nor do I wish to. However, I did enjoy researching it!

You can find anything with Hello Kitty's face plastered on it – from Hello Kitty Wedding Dresses to Hello Kitty Hand Grenades to a Hello Kitty Bee Hive. (Unfortunately, I'm not kidding…)

The best part of my research is in finding this site:

www.KittyHell.com
(Note – not G rated.)

Yes, one man got totally sick of his wife's Hello Kitty stuff, so he set up an entire website just to bash “Hello Kitty” — and, honestly, I kind of admire him for it.

The weird part? His “Kitty-bashing” attracts Hello Kitty fans.  And, they get REALLY frustrated because he does NOT post where they can get the items he posts on the blog.

Like the  Water Dispener and the Lawnmower and the Urinal Cakes and the Dentures.

He even gets emails that tell him to die. (And, here I was under the impression that Hello Kitty was peaceful and loving. GEESH.)

Yet, his site is a PR5 and he's getting free press from bloggers like me.

So, my question for your today is this:

If you have the “guts” to do it… (I personally don't.)

Is there an “anti” to a niche you're considering?

Or is there a niche or trend that kind of makes you gag that you'd love nothing more than to rip on it for profit? For instance, I really hated BRATZ – those slutty little dolls for young girls. (hint, hint)

I'm curious about your thoughts both for choosing a niche you love and one where you choose a niche that you can't stand. Talk to me.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Where Can You Learn More about Finding a Hot Niche Market?

Recommended Resource #1

My friend, Susanne creates Niche Research Packs and can help you to determine if you’re entering a profitable niche or not. She’s done the research for you.

In each pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link: Niche Research Packs

Recommended Resource #2: Free Webinar by Kevin Riley

Click on the arrow to go to the page where you can listen.

(You’ll find this hour long webinar free to listen to on that page.)

If you're new to Weird Niche Wednesday, you're in for a treat. I find weird niches and websites and we get to discuss whether it may be a viable niche and also have some fun.

For this week's Weird Niche we're going back to Bacon. This time it's ….

Yes, Bacon Flavored Vodka.

We've covered a lot of Bacon Products already in the past:

From this post Bacon Products to this one Bacon Products, Again!.

But, we haven't ever talked about Bacon Vodka. So, here's their press release to learn more.

BAKON VODKA – THE WORLD'S FIRST BACON FLAVORED VODKA
Northwest Company Launches One-of-a-Kind Potato Vodka

Seattle, WA May 2009 — Bacon Vodka? Yes. Bacon Vodka.

This unique combination of flavors served by forward-thinking mixologists has gained fans in bars across the country. Now Bakon Vodka, the first commercially available bacon flavored vodka, has already started people buzzing on social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

“This is the only vodka you’ll ever want to use to make a Bloody Mary, and it works well in both sweet and savory drinks,” says co-founder Sven Liden. “Bakon Vodka is also a great Bar-B-Q companion, used as a marinade or sipped chilled with a steak.”

“Bacon has an earthy fragrance and a charismatic taste that brings out the flavor in a variety of dishes and it's enjoying a well-deserved renaissance,” says co-founder Stefan Schachtell. “We wanted to take this classic ingredient and bring it to the beverage world.”

Fans of both fine vodkas and bacon, the three founders of Black Rock Spirits decided to try infusing spirits with bacon to experiment with different flavors. The journey to find the perfect recipe took almost two years.

Bakon Vodka begins with superior quality Idaho potatoes instead of the random mixed grains that make up most vodkas. It is column-distilled using a single heating process that doesn’t “bruise” the alcohol like the multiple heating cycles needed to make a typical pot still vodka. The delicate balance of flavors leaves drinkers with the essence of a crisp slice of peppered bacon.

Co-founder and Creative Director Chris Marshall notes, “Although today you can find plenty of sweet, fruity-flavored mixtures and infusions, we're excited to produce a savory spirit that people can't wait to try.”

I'm a fan of Vodka — and most drinks, actually, but the thought of Bacon Flavored Vodka kind of made me threw up in my mouth until I saw two words on their site.

“Bloody” and “Mary”

Then I thought “OOOOOOOOH!”

All right, guys and gals – check out their website and let me know what you think.

1. What are they doing right?

2. What can they improve?

3. Are you interested in trying their Bacon Vodka?

4. What do you think about educating your customers to use your product? For instance, how my instant reaction of disgust to their product turned into interest?

5. Do you have a press area on your website for the media to feature you? If not, why not? (It worked for them!)

Lemme know!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Where Can You Learn More about Finding a Hot Niche Market?

Recommended Resource #1

My friend, Susanne creates Niche Research Packs and can help you to determine if you’re entering a profitable niche or not. She’s done the research for you.

In each pack, you get…

• Detailed niche description
• Who your target market for this niche is
• List of affiliate products available
• 100 domain name ideas (plus list of modifiers for hundreds more)
• Detailed keyword report for over 1000 keywords
• 100 article and blog post ideas
• 15 different author resource boxes
• 2 different detailed marketing plans (beginner and advanced) with action steps to get you up and running right away.
• List of available PLR products for this niche
• Recommended tools and resources

Here’s the link: Niche Research Packs

Recommended Resource #2: Free Webinar by Kevin Riley

Click on the arrow to go to the page where you can listen.

(You’ll find this hour long webinar free to listen to on that page.)

If you're new to Weird Wednesday, you're in for a treat. I find weird niches and websites and share them. We'll discuss whether it's a viable niche and also have some fun.

Today's Weird Wednesday was brought to my attention by Tracy Roberts.

Vampire Themed Cruises.

Yep. An entire cruise dedicated to Vampire fanatics. (Check it out here if you want to go: http://vampsatsea.com)

Did you see it says “FANG-tasy”? lol! Love it!

Now it's not as weird as the Naked Cruise Ships I blogged about before, but I think it's pretty interesting.

Granted, the Vampire Niche is pretty big. I, myself, have bought more than my share of steamy vampire novels, and I've watched every episode of both Buffy and Angel. (Yes, every episode – even the bad seasons.)

You can get tons of stuff:

• Vampire Books
• Vampire Movies
• Vampire Bite Temp Tattoos
• Vampire Bumper Stickers
• Vampire Dog T-shirts

Oddly enough, there are vampire onesies. Yep. I can't make this stuff up, guys.

I crawl with vampires by calleydw

Heck, vampire fans are so bizarre (and I can say that now, since you know I am one), that you can even get Vampire Kitty stamps to use to send your Gramma her birthday card.

Vampire Kitty! by gabycat

So, what do you think? Vampire Cruises — you think it's an indication that this is a viable niche?

Please leave a comment below – and, if you love vampires, you can tell me your favorite vampire book or movie, too.

Thanks, as always, for hanging out for Weird Niche Wednesday with me.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

Recommended Resource

If you want to find a profitable online niche,
I recommend you check out these pre-researched packages:
Niche Research Packs