======================================== FREELANCE NICHE RESEARCH CHECKLIST SoloStack — solostack.madethis.app ======================================== Use this checklist before committing to a niche. Complete all 8 research steps, then score against the Go/No-Go criteria. Niche being researched: ___________________________ Date researched: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 1: GOOGLE TRENDS ---------------------------------------- Search your niche name or core service keyword on trends.google.com. [ ] Searched: ___________________________ [ ] 12-month trend: Rising / Stable / Declining (circle one) [ ] 5-year trend: Rising / Stable / Declining (circle one) [ ] Related queries (copy top 3): ___________________________ Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 2: LINKEDIN JOBS ---------------------------------------- Search "[WHO] + [WHAT]" on LinkedIn Jobs. Example: "SaaS email marketing" [ ] Search term used: ___________________________ [ ] Number of job listings found: ___________________________ [ ] Sample job titles seen (3): ___________________________ [ ] Companies hiring in this niche: ___________________________ Signal: 50+ listings = strong demand. Under 10 = thin market. Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 3: UPWORK / FIVERR RATE CHECK ---------------------------------------- Search your niche on Upwork and/or Fiverr. Upwork: [ ] Search term: ___________________________ [ ] Number of active jobs posted: ___________________________ [ ] Hourly rate range for top freelancers: $_______ – $_______ [ ] Top freelancer reviews/ratings: High / Medium / Low Fiverr: [ ] Search term: ___________________________ [ ] Number of active gigs: ___________________________ [ ] Price range for established sellers: $_______ – $_______ Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 4: REDDIT RESEARCH ---------------------------------------- Find subreddits where your WHO hangs out. [ ] Subreddits found (list 2–3): ___________________________ [ ] Top recurring pain points mentioned: ___________________________ [ ] Questions they ask that you could answer: ___________________________ [ ] Are people paying freelancers for this? Yes / No / Sometimes Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 5: COMPETITOR AUDIT ---------------------------------------- Find 3 freelancers currently working in this niche. Freelancer 1: Name/profile: ___________________________ Positioning: ___________________________ Rates/packages: ___________________________ Freelancer 2: Name/profile: ___________________________ Positioning: ___________________________ Rates/packages: ___________________________ Freelancer 3: Name/profile: ___________________________ Positioning: ___________________________ Rates/packages: ___________________________ Observations (what are they doing well? what gap could you fill?): ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 6: DEMAND SIGNALS ---------------------------------------- [ ] Are there dedicated agencies in this niche? Yes / No (If yes, this is a STRONG signal — agencies mean the market is large and profitable) Agency names found: ___________________________ [ ] Are there industry publications or newsletters for your WHO? Yes / No [ ] Are there conferences or events for your WHO? Yes / No [ ] Are there job boards specifically for this niche? Yes / No Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 7: RATE RESEARCH ---------------------------------------- What are specialists in this niche charging? [ ] Average freelance project rate: $___________________________ [ ] Top 10% specialists charging: $___________________________ [ ] Retainer/monthly rate (if applicable): $___________________________ [ ] Where I found this data: ___________________________ Is this rate sustainable for my income goal? Yes / No / Possibly My target annual income: $_____________ Monthly revenue needed: $_____________ Projects per month needed at average rate: _____________ Notes: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- STEP 8: GO / NO-GO CHECKLIST ---------------------------------------- Score each criterion. Minimum 4/5 = GREEN LIGHT to commit. [ ] CRITERION 1: Demand is stable or growing (Google Trends + LinkedIn Jobs) [ ] CRITERION 2: Clients in this niche pay $X+/project (meets my rate target) [ ] CRITERION 3: I can find at least 3 working freelancers in this niche (proof the market exists and sustains specialists) [ ] CRITERION 4: There are agencies or established businesses in this niche (signals a mature, funded market) [ ] CRITERION 5: I have relevant experience or credibility in this niche (or a clear plan to build it in 60–90 days) Total score: ___ / 5 4–5: GREEN LIGHT — commit to this niche for 90 days 2–3: YELLOW — do more research or pick a stronger niche 0–1: RED — this niche has structural problems; pick a different one MY DECISION: ___________________________ ---------------------------------------- NEXT STEPS ---------------------------------------- If Green Light: 1. Write your positioning statement (use the Positioning Statement Template) 2. Update LinkedIn, website, and proposals 3. Set your 90-day start date: ___________________________ 4. Identify your first 10 outreach targets in this niche If Yellow or Red: 1. Revisit your niche worksheet and select another option 2. Run this checklist again on the next candidate ---------------------------------------- Need templates to run your freelance business? SoloStack gives you 50+ done-for-you templates: proposals, contracts, invoices, SOPs, and more. solostack.madethis.app ========================================