Spend an hour researching the market and competition for your side hustle idea. Note down three key insights you discover.
Here’s a list of resources and how you might use them:
Online Resources
1. Google Trends: Use this to understand the popularity of search terms related to your side hustle over time. This can help you gauge interest in your product or service.
2. Industry Reports and Market Research: Websites like Statista, IBISWorld, and Pew Research offer comprehensive reports that can provide insights into market size, growth trends, and industry challenges.
3. Competitor Websites and Social Media: Analyze your competitors’ online presence to understand their offerings, pricing, marketing strategies, and customer engagement.
4. Consumer Reviews: Check out reviews on platforms like Amazon, Yelp, or Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about products or services similar to yours. Pay attention to common praises or complaints.
5. Social Media Trends: Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn can provide real-time insights into what’s trending in your industry and what your potential customers are talking about.
6. SEO Tools: Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz can help you understand what keywords your competitors are ranking for and the volume of searches for terms related to your side hustle.
Offline Resources
1. Local Libraries or Business Centers: Many libraries and business centers offer access to databases and publications that can provide valuable market insights.
2. Networking Events: Attend industry meetups, conferences, or workshops to gather firsthand insights from peers and potential customers.
3. Focus Groups and Surveys: Conducting informal focus groups or surveys within your network or community can provide direct feedback on your side hustle idea.
4. Academic Journals: If your side hustle is in a specialized field, academic journals can be a great source of in-depth research and trends.
Key Insights to Note
When researching, aim to uncover at least three key insights such as:
1. Market Demand: Is there a growing interest in the type of product or service you’re offering? What are the current trends influencing this demand?
2. Competition: Who are your main competitors, and what are they doing well? Identify any gaps in their offerings that you could fill.
3. Customer Needs: Based on reviews and feedback, what are the primary needs and pain points of your potential customers? How can your side hustle better meet these needs compared to existing solutions?
Remember, the goal of this research is not just to gather information but to analyze it in a way that reveals opportunities and strategies for your side hustle.