From Zero to Trend: Forecasting Niches Before Competitors
Written by Fred Ferguson – GeezerWise on Substack at www.geezerwise.com #Perplexity
Most people jump into markets after they’re already crowded.
They see a hot niche, think “I can do that,” and join the stampede — only to find the best opportunities already taken.
The real win? Spotting a niche before it goes mainstream. That’s where Perplexity comes in.
How Perplexity helps you forecast
Perplexity identifies early indicators of growing demand so you can move before the herd shows up.
You can research:
Emerging problems people are starting to talk about
Tech shifts making new solutions possible
Demographic changes creating fresh demand
Regulatory moves opening new markets
Cross-industry trends sparking innovation
Local trends with global potential
Step 1: Track rising pain points
Look for problems getting worse, more frequent, or newly created by changing conditions.
Step 2: Watch enabling technologies
Note tools, platforms, or processes becoming affordable or accessible.
Step 3: Follow demographic and lifestyle shifts
Generational preferences, cultural changes, and new habits often birth niches.
Step 4: Monitor regulation and policy
New compliance requirements can create protected, profitable spaces.
Step 5: Look for market fragmentation
When broad industries split into specialized needs, niches emerge.
Step 6: Scan for cross-pollination
See how ideas from one industry are being adapted to another.
Step 7: Pay attention to price innovation
Changes in affordability or premium positioning can open entirely new customer bases.
Step 8: Evaluate defensibility
Find niches with barriers to entry or network effects that protect early movers.
Bottom line:
The best niches aren’t found in headlines — they’re found in patterns, conversations, and shifts most people haven’t noticed yet.
With Perplexity, you can spot them early, claim your position, and grow before the crowd even realizes the opportunity exists.
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