6 Minute Read
What is a “Niche” Anyways?
The term “niche,” is defined as “a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service.”
This is great if you’ve got a knack for finding a specific category of items in a specific place at any specific time…that’s not me. I am and always have been an avid thrifter, yard saler, GoodWill hunter, you name it, for all of the deals and bargains of any kind. (This includes all categories and every item, of course).
When you’re like me, which I’m guessing most of you are in this sense, it’s hard to find what they call your “niche.” I’ve debated with myself many times and have gone back and forth about what I should make my niche and where I should look for it at. I’ve come to the conclusion that
I just have the simple problem of liking all the things.
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Hey, Maybe I Don’t Need a Niche After All!
Now, because I have this problem of liking all the things, it makes it quite difficult for me to narrow in on just one category, or just one style, to call my own. I’m a bit of a hodge-podge, an assortment of all things jumbled up into one. That’s my own style, anyways.
I like to think of myself as attempting to be a minimalist, with decluttering being a main part of my life these days. But, I still like owning items, that may not match, or have different styles and uses, etc. Because well, they bring me joy. (Thanks Marie Kondo!) And I’m quite sure that I’m not the only one who feels this way.
After a few months into my reselling career, and after watching several YouTubers talk about how “finding your niche,” was really important, I thought well, maybe I don’t actually need one to be successful. So, I followed my hodge-podgy ways and continued to buy all the things when sourcing that made me excited, or that I could see any form of profit in.
This has since worked for me, and I’m here to tell you how.
Just One More Benefit of Multiple Platforms
Determining that I was going to keep up with this routine of not having a particular niche, I quickly discovered that I may need to branch out a little. (And you may have to, too.) So, from Poshmark to eBay and from eBay to Mercari I went. After that came Depop, Kidizen, and most recently, Etsy. (Shout out to my 2 sales so far, woop woop!)
It really wasn’t that difficult, becoming a reseller on multiple different platforms, I mean. Stop over here to see my view on the pros vs. cons to becoming a multi-platform seller and why I think it’s the best route to take. Keep in mind though, that it will take consistent learning, and consistent listing, on every single one.
This task may sound daunting, but when you put together a good schedule and form a habit, or routine, as I’ve done for myself, the day just flows and (most times) everything gets accomplished. We all of course have those days that are a little slower than others, but I find that 99% of the time, the work gets done. This goes for when I had only 1 platform, to even now with a whopping 6.
The major benefit of having multiple different platforms, is simply that you’re reaching multiple different demographics. The style is drastically different from Boomers on eBay, to millennials on Poshmark, to Gen Z’ers on Depop.
Vintage sells best on Etsy, and Kidizen, well, it’s for kiddos and mommas to be. I always think of Mercari as sort of a mini eBay, but it’s definitely been growing in its own ways recently as well.
By expanding your reach into these multiple different territories, you’re much more likely to be able to expand your sales in turn. Especially if you, too, like buying all the things.
Leaving Nothing on The Table
When you limit yourself to just one platform, you’re essentially limiting yourself to one stream of income. And if you ask me, that’s no bueno. One platform equals one demographic, one style, one “niche,” etc.
Personally, it’s hard to think about leaving potentially good or even great items behind at the thrift, just because they don’t fit my aesthetic. I’m definitely not saying that this is for everyone. And I know a whole lot of peeps that have formed great businesses behind their niche.
However, I just feel as though when you’re leaving out certain items or styles, you may be leaving money on the table.
Styles come and go, and trends are always changing, so I try to go with the flow as much as possible, to keep my listings active and fresh in whatever market they may go best with. Hence, how I’ve now managed to extend myself into 6 vastly different platforms. (Check out this post to learn about how I find stability in it all).
Summary
Clearly, this is all just a matter of personal preference on how you run your own reselling business. I believe that the points stated above provide enough reason as to why having a niche is not always the most important thing to be focusing on. Having different categories, and even price points may bring in a whole new plethora of potential customers you may not have thought possible before.
There are many other ways that you can gain repeat customers, by providing all-star service 100% of the time. Hospitality is still a big part of my previous working background, and I highly value that gained skill, as I now use it in my everyday life as a small business owner.
I believe that if you continue to provide excellent customer service to your buyers and repeatedly give an A+ experience, that having a specific niche may not always need to be your top priority.
Thank You!
A giant thanks to everyone that has supported me this far into my journey! I greatly appreciate you returning to read my posts hope that you will continue to drop by in the future.
Please feel free to drop any comments below that you would like to add! I am always open to advice, suggestions, or even hearing related stories of your own!
I stay as active as possible in the comment section, therefore I will reply to any questions asap.
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Happy selling friends!
-Shelby
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