If you create a new site, are you watching the current search volumes for the niche or keywords??

I use wordtracker.com and check the search volumes and then build a niche site around it!

I made one in the birthday niche and it worked out very well, got good rankings and sold the site for almost $ 1,000 (after 8 months)

What are you also doing if you create a new site to make money from??

Any other strategies? Tricks? Tips?

First of all, the look must be perfect for what you do. That does not mean you have to order the most expensive hosting package and litter it with all the suggested add-on features. What it does mean is that you must present a clean, uncluttered, and professional looking venue where the content and the audience member takes center stage. While some sites are fronts for successful businesses, other sites become successful businesses in and of their own merit. In order to be considered in the latter, make sure you keep it simple and focus on what is really important: the type of info that your target audience will be drawn to.

First of All , Do Onpage optimization of your website after that. start the off page, this will help to increase your site visiblity in google.com

Good tip as you check the volume and create site in that niche but my strategy is I always prefer in building the e-commerce websites as it works well.

If you got high rank then don't be relax.Perform seo work continuously because ranking can be dropped in a day if you  become lineant with your seo work.