You've done the hard part. You know what you love talking about (Interest) and you can reliably get results (Competence). Now comes the final test for an income-driven brand: Is anyone ready to pay for your service?
The Economic Viability (E) of the I.C.E. formula is the filter that transforms a wonderful hobby into a thriving business. You don't need to guess here; you look at the data to see if cash is already moving in your area.
Why Passion Won't Guarantee Profit
Many smart brand ideas fail, not for lack of drive or skill, but because the market won't support them. Economic viability rests on one core idea:
Solve a problem people are currently struggling—and willing—to solve themselves.
The clearest sign of a profitable niche is deep frustration.
People pay to end a headache or to reach a highly desired goal. If your solution is only a pleasant extra, your brand will struggle to earn income.
Three Data-Driven Tests for Economic Viability
We can check the "E" by looking at three specific places where your audience is spending money, time, and attention right now.
Test 1: The "Competitor Cash Register" Audit
The quickest way to check your idea is to observe who is succeeding already.
No competition often means no market. Strong competition signals a healthy market with existing buyers.
| What to Look For | Why This Confirms Viability | Tool to Use (Affiliate Opportunity) |
| Paid Ads: Are people running Google or Facebook Ads for your keywords? | People pay for ads only when the traffic turns into sales. Ad spend equals proven demand. | Semrush / Ahrefs: Check the "Advertising Research" tab. |
| High-Ticket Courses: Do rivals offer courses, memberships, or 1:1 services above $500? | High fees mean customers see high value. The market accepts the cost of transformation. | Teachable / Thinkific: Look at course pricing for comparison. |
| Affiliate Links: Do rivals promote premium software (ConvertKit, Kinsta)? | They influence big purchase decisions. Their audience has buying power. | Check competitors' resource pages. |
Action Step: Find three competitors with services similar to your combined I and C. If they run ads and sell premium products, your niche is viable.
Test 2: The "Pain Point Keyword" Test 🔎
People don't type in "solutions"; they type in their immediate pain. The most lucrative keywords relate directly to an urgent need or a financial need.
- Weak Viability Keyword: "Blog Post Ideas" (Searching for free content)
- High Viability Keyword: "Blog post not ranking fix" (Searching for a fix that costs time/money)
Action Step: Write down five problems your combined Interest and Competence solves. Now, look up terms on Google and keyword tools:
- Are people using words like "fix," "cost," "troubleshoot," "stop," "guarantee," or "template?"
- Does the search result page prominently display paid items (books, courses, tools) over free forums?
If the search shows urgency or a clear desire for a fast resolution, your market is ready to pay.
Test 3: The "Time Investment vs. Money Investment" Test ⏰
When someone is genuinely desperate, they stop trying to save money and start trying to save time.
Action Step: Define the clear outcome of your main service (e.g., getting a sales page ready).
- How long would it take your target client to do it alone? (Example: 20 hours).
- What is the client's time worth per hour? (Example: $50/hour, total value lost: $1,000).
If you can sell them a template, course, or service for less than $1,000 that solves the problem in two hours, your viability is extremely high. You are selling significant time savings.
The Final Check
You now have three data points to confirm your niche:
- Interest: You love it.
- Competence: You can deliver it.
- Economic Viability: People are paying for it.
If all three circles connect, you have found your Irresistible Core Expertise (I.C.E.). This forms the basis of your content, your pricing, and your financial freedom.
🧭 Next Step: Applying I.C.E. to Your Content
The foundation is complete! Now, put I.C.E. into motion.
(Read next: Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Find the One Thing Only You Can Offer, where we craft the message that positions your I.C.E. to stand out in the paying market.)