Niche vs Mainstream?

[RandAlThor]

Is it better to choose a lesser known niche, or to try and compete against a mainstream topic? Is there any chance Udemy will even show my course amongst these already established courses? Thanks.

[GregReverdiau]

At this stage, a lot of the mainstream topics are in a completely saturated market so it is better to go for a niche. With that said, it is all about the value that you bring in to the platform. Can you provide more value, more information that hasn't been covered in current courses, with good production quality? If so, go for it. But if you look at the very popular topic, there are some well-established instructors out there that are going to be hard to beat. 

Another question you need to ask yourself is: what am I an expert at? What is going to make people want to learn from me rather than from my competitor? 

Good luck! 

[LindsayMarsh]

You can still have success in oversaturated mainstream markets if it is your specialty, if you create a class that is both polished and teaches well. Not everyone connects with the top 3 instructors who are best sellers in an oversaturated topic, they might be looking for someone just like you. Do not avoid an oversaturated topic if you feel you can make a GREAT class that can stand out in that category. 

I have a mix of both broad topics and a few niche topics and that combo has worked nicely for me so far as those in my general topics can flow into more niche topics if they develop an interest.

[JerryMartin57]

I agree with both Greg and Lindsay.  I just wanted to add that what I do is research my course topic and see exactly what my competitors are doing and how they are doing it.  Don't be afraid to spend the money to do their course while you take notes and see what it is that might be missing that you can offer.  Whether it's a Mainstream Course or a Niched Down course, do the research and look at how each one is structured and what is taught.  If you know you can bring higher value to the public then yeah, go for it!  

[PonchoVelez]

I wouldn't call or go with a ''lesser known niche'', I'd just niche down a Mainstream topic.

[SharonRamel]

I have made my home in a niche market and do very well from it. I started teaching shamanism here on Udemy - I was the first - there no no key words to find my course - you would get sent to Java and lots of other web 'stuff' I know nothing about. Now not only do we have keywords but other instructors have joined me in teavhing my much loved subject. Never be afraid to starting a trend! - Just be aware that tenacity is essential and a pure love for what you are teaching.

[ThomasAlex86]

Do you remember how the traffic on your videos was growing at first? Did you feel a bit worried about trying out a course that there are no marketplace datasets available for? Because thats what I am worried about.

[SharonRamel]

@ThomasAlex86  I simply present courses on my passion areas. I cannot do anything else... my heart says go so I do. I always believe I have created an amazing gift for people to consume. Those that do love it, yes I wish there were more of them.... BUT.... this is my full time income.... this is a massive market here on a Udemy. Capturing a small number can equal a good healthy income. I do not earn a thousand dollars a day... am not in the Udemy millionaires club or even close.... BUT ..... I make a difference in peoples lives. That matters... I offer no incentives (groan .... enroll NOW and become fully qualified certificates/diplomas promising expertise for a few minutes study). I simply offer the heart of my truth. People love it (well most of them as no one is universally popular!)

[DeniseFletcher]

Hi @RandAlThor  First of all you must do what is right for you....both niching and mainstreaming can bring you success. The way I see Udemy is like a library or bookshop of courses so people often buy more than one course on a topic just like they buy more than one cookery book as an example. I'm a Leadership development specialist and I have around 50 books on Leadership. I'm always curious what another author may say about the topic. It is the same for courses. Yes you might not be one of the top 10 however you can still earn loads of money. Everything is possible.