8 replies to this topic

[GaryBradshaw]

I am wanting to write some articles for distribution, my only problem is I do not know if I have a niche or not.

My business is doing lead generation for flight schools, flight schools that teach people to fly for fun, business and career.

I have targeted some business publications with flying for business issues, with out much luck. Right now I am trying the "health" concept of learning to fly with this type of article Change Your Life: Learn to Fly The idea being that when people do something really special they feel better about themselves.

If I was selling technical services like email marketing, CRM or something I could think of many ezines to target. But with flight training there are not any, except the two that publish all my stuff because I know everyone on staff. The problem is that those ezines target people already flying so it does do much for selling people on flight training, I use it more to get new flight school customers.

Any ideas?

[ITWeb]

Not sure this helps you, but there are a lot of web rings and communities for model airplane flying. Easily available in a google search.

You would think that they were a good target for learning to fly a real airplane themselves. But maybe not.

Just thinking... no knowledge here based on experience.

[GaryBradshaw]

You are right they are a target group, but most of them have already looked into flying large airplanes and most do not have the time or can not afford it.

I am trying to target those that might have never have thought about it like people who read, Forbes, Golf Digest. When I owned my flight school most of my customers were computer, technical, executives and business owners. My problem is that I do not know how to get into ezines and magazines that they read.

[Michael Martinez]

I am trying to target those that might have never have thought about it like people who read, Forbes, Golf Digest.  When I owned my flight school most of my customers were computer, technical, executives and business owners.  My problem is that I do not know how to get into ezines and magazines that they read.

You'll have to prequalify the ezines by finding articles about non-technical hobbies and recreational activities in technical ezine archives.

I would start my search by looking for ezine archives in general and then finding the terms that most apply to the types of technical ezines you want to target. From there, you'll have to refine your search to find any ezines that have lifestyle, recreation, and hobby articles.

Fitness articles might also point you in the right direction.

[Kal]

Go to www.yahoogroups.com and have a look for article submission type groups. There are loads that have no specific theme required, so you can submit to them. Newsletter and ezine editors trawl them all the time looking for niche content like yours.

I tell ya, the types of articles I've seen lately, yours are generic in comparison! "What to look for when purchasing kitchen tongs", "The wonderful world of snail breeding" and "Pot decorating for fun and profit" spring to mind

[copywriter]

Go to Forbes.com and GoldDigest.com and look for their rate guide. There is usually a link WWAAYYY at the bottom of the page. On Forbes.com this is the link: http://www.forbes.co...info/demo.shtml

On the left-hand side you'll see a nav bar that gives you a breakdown on specific reader info by category. Look through there and see if it sparks any ideas. For example, the "Business Travelers" category has tons of info that applies to you.

Then go to places like FindArticles.com and search under "flying lessons." You'll get lots of good stuff. Here's a link to the results: http://www.findartic...&tb=art&qf=free

Consider partnering with others who reach the same audience you do but for a different reason, too. You may strike up a profitable ad exchange where you promote their stuff and they promote yours.

[GaryBradshaw]

Some really great ideas

Thank you all very much, now I have something to do all weekend

[GaryBradshaw]

Ok, I spent the weekend working and thinking on this. I even got some work done towards this goal.

In fact I got one of my industry trade publications to allow me to write a column, with a bio and link at the bottom. plus trade for advertising. It's a newsletter that goes out to 135,000 people.

I did a PRWeb and PRLeap article about 2 weeks ago and I am not sure if that did any good or not :-)

I think the challenge that I have and others like me have is trying to prioritize what to do first. Between all the issues discussed on this forum there is MUCH to do and a business like mine starting out can not do them all, and I think the order could be very important to success.

[meta]

Gary,

You might also look for zines related to adventure travel. I would think that flying would appeal to the same crowd, and they expect to spend money on travel, so maybe they would also be open to spending on flying lessons. There are also probably specialized zines for adventure driving or boating which might be good prospects for you.