researching + testing your niche
PART 3 of a 4 PART blog series: how to find your niche as a professional organizer
In our previous posts, we’ve laid the groundwork for creating a successful career in professional organizing by focusing on your niche—first by identifying your strengths and passions, then by exploring the various niche sub-groups to consider.
In this third installment of our four-part series, we’ll explore two MORE essential steps: researching the competitive landscape and testing your niche. By the end of this post, you’ll have the tools you need to carve out your place in the professional organizing world and start positioning yourself for success.
step 3: research the competition
First, if you missed step 1 or step 2 make sure to go back and read those posts firsts, so you don’t miss a step in the process!
Once you’ve zeroed in on your potential niche (or multiple niches that you want to compare + contrast), it’s time to do your homework. Researching the competition allows you to gain a clear understanding of the market, the players in it, and where you can fit in.
Identify your competition
Begin by deciding where your target audience is geographically. For most, that will be local to where you live. For HomeSort, however, we have found our target clientele lives in Southern California, even though we are located in Northern California. Whether they are local to you, or not - begin by looking at other professional organizers in your target audience’s area—or those serving the same niche in different locations. It’s as simple as Starting with a basic Google search. You will further your search by seeing who is present in those areas on socials in step #3. You can also start asking around! We are better together, so don’t be afraid to reach out to organizers directly and introduce yourself and ask questions! Start an excel sheet and take note of their prices, services, branding, and client testimonials. This is where you’ll start to be able to identify patterns and gaps that you might just be able to fill.
2. Evaluate their services
What exactly are your competitors offering? Do they specialize in specific organizing areas such as office organization, closet makeovers, or digital decluttering? do they offer broad, general organizing services? Analyze what services your competitors provide and think about whether there is a hole you can fill by providing something outside of what is already being offered.
For example: if you notice that many competitors in your area offer general home organizing but not much in terms of eco-friendly solutions, you might find an opportunity to differentiate yourself by focusing on sustainable practices.
3. Analyze their online presence
In today’s world, your online presence is everything. Review the websites, social media profiles, and other online content of your competitors. Are their websites modern, user-friendly, and informative? How are they engaging with their audience on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or LinkedIn? Notice how they are positioning themselves in the market and what types of content they are sharing.
This is your chance to see what they’re doing well, but more importantly, where there’s room for improvement. Maybe their social media presence lacks consistency, or perhaps their website is difficult to navigate. These are areas where you can shine by offering a better, more engaging client and potential client experience.
4. FIND GAPS in THE MARKET
Is there a certain niche that’s underrepresented, or an audience that isn’t being fully catered to? For instance, perhaps there’s a lack of services tailored to helping people in their garages, or a lack of digital organizers in those areas. Could you get your foot in the door by making this your specialty?
All of the information you’ve just spent hours researching is PURE gold. By identifying these gaps, you can carve out a unique position for yourself and your business, catering to an audience that’s being underserved.
step 4: test + refine your niche
Once you’ve conducted your competitive research, it’s time to put your niche to the test. At this stage, you’ll begin offering your services to clients and using their feedback to refine your offerings.
1. Offer Free Consultations or Discounted Services
One effective way to test your niche is by offering free consultations or discounted services to a small group of clients. This allows you to attract your target audience while minimizing risk. Use these initial sessions to fine-tune your approach, learn about client needs, and see how they respond to your services.
IMPORTANT: We are not telling you to undervalue yourself. Charging rates that make sense for you is one of the most crucial pieces of business. But, if you are just starting in a new niche that is uncharted territory for you - it’s okay to lower your rates for the first few clients who are serving as your guinea pigs.
You can also use these consultations to build relationships with potential clients, demonstrate your expertise, and collect valuable feedback on what they’re looking for in an organizer. Just be sure to communicate clearly that you are testing a new service to get feedback!
2. Build a sample portfolio
A sample portfolio can be incredibly useful in showcasing your expertise and the results you deliver. As you work with clients, make sure to document the entire process, and create before-and-after case studies that demonstrate your ability to solve real problems. Highlight the specific solutions you’ve implemented and how they’ve benefited your clients.
This portfolio will serve as a valuable tool in attracting future clients and proving your worth in your niche. You should have this portfolio showcased both on your website and any social platforms that you have.
3. Collect testimonials + start to refine marketing efforts
Client testimonials are incredibly powerful in marketing your business. As you gain experience working within your niche, be sure to ask your satisfied clients for reviews or testimonials.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to ask for these reviews IMMEDIATELY after the service is complete. You want to jump on the excitement that clients feel when they first step into their newly organized space, so they can write their review while still on this high.
These reviews should be showcased on your website or social media profiles to build credibility and trust.
Additionally, use these testimonials to refine your marketing strategy. If clients mention specific aspects of your service they loved, incorporate these into your messaging to attract similar clients. If you notice certain services or features are consistently praised, consider expanding on those in your future offerings.
4. Be open to evolving your niche
Testing your niche is an iterative process. Your business is always going to be growing and evolving. As you gain experience and feedback, you may find that your niche needs some fine-tuning. Perhaps your initial focus shifts slightly, or you decide to focus on a new target audience. Stay open to the idea of evolution and be willing to pivot if needed. The goal is to position yourself as a go-to expert in your niche, and that might involve refining your focus as you gain more insights.
Whether you like it or not, researching the competition and testing your niche are essential steps in cementing your spot in the industry. By evaluating your competitors, identifying market gaps, and refining your services based on client feedback, you’ll be well on your way to finding a unique and valuable place in the professional organizing world.
In our final post of this blog series, we’ll dive into how to refine your branding and start marketing your niche to attract the clients who will benefit most from your services. Stay tuned for the final steps in this journey to starting a successful professional organizing career!