E-411

RM1-2.0
05-09

Risk Management

Niche Marketing
Dean McCorkle and David Anderson*

The word “niche” comes from a French word In other situations, the market is somewhat
that means to nest. Niche marketing is target- more open, and competition can develop to pro-
ing a product or service to a small portion of vide the product or service. For example, when
a market that is not being readily served by the large, confined dairy operations moved
the mainstream product or service marketers. into north central Texas, many of the peanut
Nearly every business—fast food chains, con- growers who no longer had quotas (because of
venience stores, even Wal-Mart—was begun to peanut policy changes) began producing corn
fill perceived voids in the market place. How- silage for the dairy operators.
ever, niche marketing usually refers to small or Niche marketing is servicing a portion of a
moderate size businesses or farms that produce unique market, or a unique portion of a com-
a specialty product or service for a limited mon market, not already served.
segment of the market. Market niches can be
geographic areas, a specialty industry, ethnic Recognizing Niche Marketing
or age groups, or any other particular group Opportunities
of people. Sometimes a niche product can be
a variation of a common product that is not There is often little difference between rec-
produced and marketed by the main marketing ognizing a potential business opportunity and
firms. recognizing a niche marketing opportunity.
Examples of niche markets are listed in Table Sometimes people find themselves in a niche
1. market without planning it. Perhaps there is a
It is obvious from the table that niche mar- product or service you need that is difficult to
keting is everywhere. Sometimes the niche obtain in your area, so you begin providing the
served is so narrow that the product is aimed at service for yourself. You might soon find that
one small group within a market. One example others are asking you to provide it for them
is the dairy operation supplying kosher milk also. Examples are custom welding and hoof
to a large Jewish population in New York City. trimming. So, one way to recognize the poten-
The dairy producer hired a rabbi full time to tial for a niche market is to think about those
observe the management and milking activities goods and services you need. Perhaps others in
on the dairy so the milk produced can be sold your community come to you for advice, help
in the kosher market. In this case the dairy pro- or a certain kind of service. Do you seem to be
ducer has a portion of the market to himself. recognized as the expert at something everyone

*Extension Program Specialist III−Economic Accountability, and Professor and Extension

Economist−Livestock and Food Marketing, The Texas A&M System.
Table 1: Niche market examples.
Sector Product Niche
Agriculture Timothy hay Race horse feed
Agriculture Kosher milk Religious groups following dietary laws
Agriculture Organic vegetables Consumers wanting foods grown without pesticides
Agriculture Extra fat beef Asian export market
Agriculture Corn silage Confined dairy operations and beef feedlots
Agriculture Custom farming services Other producers who do not have the resources to perform these
services
Agriculture Pasteurized goat milk Consumers allergic to cow milk
Agriculture Locally grown food Consumers wanting locally grown food
Consumer durables Sport utility vehicles (SUV) Drivers desiring a vehicle with room, power and strength
Consumer services Internet auction sites Consumers desiring low prices for goods and services without
having to physically move from merchant to merchant
Consumer services Commuter airlines Smaller communities not served by large airliners
Consumer services Cut your own Christmas trees Consumers seeking quality, fellowship and recreation

needs? Is this service or product something you could include demographics (types and
could do for a fee? An example is custom haying. characteristics of the people in the market),
You might also recognize a niche marketing geographic area, pricing structure, costs of
opportunity from speakers you hear, articles you servicing the niche, expected obstacles, and
read, or other events that grab your attention. required fees or licenses.
Someone may have offered you an opportunity to 2. Write down your goals for your family and
provide a product or service for a specific market. your occupation. Then decide if becoming
You may have heard a speaker, such as an Exten- a niche marketer is compatible with your
sion specialist, discuss niche marketing activi- long-term family and occupational goals.
ties. You may have seen articles in magazines or 3. Decide what resources−capital, land, labor,
newspapers focusing on the shortage of or need knowledge, special skills or talents−you
for specific goods or services for a certain part of have for undertaking niche marketing.
the market. This type of information could trigger 4. Determine any resources you lack, and how
an idea or vision that leads to the development of you will make up for them.
a niche marketing venture. Examples are produc- 5. Develop a business/marketing plan.
ing high-quality hay for race horses, producing
ostriches and emus, and marketing fresh, organi- The Business/Marketing Plan
cally grown vegetables. A business/marketing plan is many things. It
Many people have hobbies they enjoy or de- is a map to follow in achieving your goals; it is a
velop special skills. Sometimes these hobbies and statement to family, potential investors and others
special skills can evolve into a niche market. An involved in the business about your projected per-
example is handmade furniture sold at craft fairs. formance; it is a statement to your banker about
your credit worthiness.
Getting Started The business/marketing plan contains the fol-
Getting started and establishing a strong busi- lowing:
ness requires certain steps: • a general description of the proposed
1. Identify the specific niche market you want business, including your qualifications and
to serve, and all its characteristics. These reasons for starting the business

2
 • a market analysis−a statement describing what you hope to do and learn from them. Seek
the product or service, the estimated reference material from libraries, the Internet,
size of the market in terms of volume of teachers, Extension agents and specialists, and
product or amount of service, the segment the news media. Visit trade shows and fairs. In
of the market you expect to serve, and the short, network!
geographic area you will serve There are risks in beginning any new busi-
• a mission statement, objectives and ness venture, but with planning you can be suc-
strategies cessful. There are many opportunities in niche
• a marketing plan marketing.
Here are sources of additional information
• a description of the operational aspects
on niche marketing.
such as location, facilities and materials
• Kiplinger magazine
needed, and staffing
• Forbes magazine
• projected sales schedules and volumes
• Brooks, William T. 1991. Niche Selling.
• a financial plan, including projected
McGraw-Hill.
income statements, cash flows, balance
sheets, loan repayment schedules, • Goodridge, Walt F. “Niche Market Report:
statements of owner equity, and break- Discovering, Understanding and Selling to
even analysis the Niche Consumer of the 21st Century.”
A Company Called W (Niche Market
• a sensitivity or risk analysis, which
Exclusives), Jan. 1999.
estimates the financial effects of different
sales/purchase prices and quantities • Goodridge, Walt F. “Lessons in Success
produced and sold from the Silent Performer: Walt’s Friday
Inspirations, the Book.” A Company
• sources of help
Called W (Niche Market Exclusives), Nov.
1998.
Getting the Help You Need
• Brodsky, Bart and Janet Geis. Finding Your
You will need advice and help to plan and Niche. Community Resource Institute
establish your niche marketing business. One Press.
of the best sources of help is people who are
• Your county Extension agent.
doing something similar. Find out who is doing

Partial funding support has been provided by the

Texas Corn Producers, Texas Farm Bureau, and
Cotton Inc.–Texas State Support Committee.

Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M System

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914,
as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director,
Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System.