Mr. What do creators like Beast and Ali Abdaal have in common? In fact, there is not much other than the label ‘Creator’ and being a YouTuber. They obviously serve different audiences and create very different types of content. But no matter how you look at it, both are pretty successful in their own right.
For content creators, one of the biggest debates is whether to “close the niche” and focus on a specific topic or audience. Some argue that narrowing the gap is necessary for success, while others believe that having a broader focus is better.
This article looks at both sides of the argument and provides guidance (including opinions from professional producers) on how to choose the niche that’s right for you.
Arguments Against Niching Down
On the other hand, some argue that closing a niche can limit your audience and opportunities. Focusing on just one subject will miss out on potential followers who may be interested in other areas of knowledge. Also, if your niche is oversaturated, it can be difficult to stand out.
By not narrowing your niche, you can make your content more creative and versatile. Explore different topics and experiment with different types of content to keep your audience engaged and interested.
Certain producers feel more comfortable without a label. Toni Bravo says: [T]There are a million things I always do at one time. That’s why I’m posting a knitting related article. And I post beauty related articles. And I post about my dog. Then we post random trending sounds. So I don’t lock myself up like a box and I think it’s important how I am accepted.”
@bonitravo yes i am a sagittarius
♬ original sound – Lucia <3< 에> 3<>
Content marketer and creator Jayde Powell adds: So I wouldn’t call myself a vegan influencer or a fashion influencer. Because I love style and I love eating vegan food once in a while. I have a variety of interests and things to talk about. So while not categorizing myself in one way gets in the way of getting opportunities, I firmly believe that the opportunities given to me will come to me when I need them.”
Claims of Niching Down
One of the main arguments for filling a gap is that you can become an expert in your field. By focusing on a specific topic, you can provide more value to your audience and make yourself a useful resource. This can lead to more opportunities like speaking engagements or consulting jobs.
Josh Ho, founder and podcaster of Referral Rock, thinks about shrinking niches: If I write about all interests, no one will understand who I am trying to talk about. That separation of concerns is difficult, but worth it when you have a specific message you want to convey.”
Sparktoro’s VP of Marketing, Amanda Natividad, also shared her perspective on niche downs.
Them: How do I get more followers?
Me: Suppose I am writing about something and I only write about that topic for 3 months or more. Please add valuable insights to others’ answers. Lift others up.
They: Um… I don’t want to. Is there any other way?
— Amanda Natividad (@amandanat) March 15, 2023
Zooming out makes it easier to create content. When your focus is clear, you know exactly what topic to cover and what type of content to create. This will save you time and reduce the stress of coming up with new ideas. If you want to establish yourself as an expert in your field and offer value to a specific audience, closing your niche may be a good way to go.
So how do you decide whether or not to carve out a niche? The answer is that it depends on your goals and preferences. For content creator and founder of Cre8tor Hub, Lloyd George, digging a niche helped him find a more valuable audience as an entrepreneur. “As someone with a niche, having a niche makes it a lot easier for me to grow and I feel like I grew up faster. And I can definitely say that having a niche increases the value of your audience,” he says.
@lloydnotgeorge Maybe your company can do the same?
♬ original sound – Lloyd | podcast tips
If your goal is to build a business through content creation, Lloyd’s advice is for you. However, if you prefer to have a broader focus rather than one category and build a platform based on your personality, you may be better off not narrowing your niche.
How to choose a niche
If you decide to target a niche, it’s important to choose the niche that’s right for you. Here are some tips for choosing your niche.
Consider your passion and expertise
Start by thinking about a subject you are passionate about and knowledgeable about. Your clear interests and expertise will help you create better (coherent) content and connect more effectively with your audience.
The key is ‘to become a niche market’, a concept created by Katie Xu, who has a unique perspective on niche markets. TikTok creators say, “You don’t have to eliminate niches or categories, but you shouldn’t hide behind them.
@katiexsocials Responding to @cybergirl.online being a niche is a mindset that puts you first. That’s all #katiexsocials #becometheniche #nichedown #futuremillionairekatie #creatorindustry #socialmillionaire #tiktokmillionaires
♬ original sound – Katie Shee | future millionaire
You can become obsessed with one category because people are trying to learn certain things from you. But there are probably thousands of others in the same category. To learn how to choose your favorite niche, ask yourself:
- Why should they learn from you instead of someone else?
- What makes you, your content or your perspective unique?
- What knowledge or expertise will set you apart in that niche?
An example of a creator who has successfully carved out a niche with passion and expertise is Pat Flynn, founder of Smart Passive Income. Focused on helping others generate passive income, Flynn has grown the brand to include a popular blog, podcast, and YouTube channel.
Research creators within a category
Before jumping into a niche, it’s important to research your competition and see if there’s an audience for your content. Look for gaps in markets or areas where you can provide a unique perspective.
for example, tom frank College Info Geek of College Info Geek started the blog in response to the lack of personal and relevant content for students. By analyzing existing content and identifying market niches, he was able to create a successful blog with over 1 million monthly visitors.
Be flexible with your niche.
Remember that your niche can evolve over time as you learn more about your audience and your own interests. Don’t be afraid to pivot if you feel like you haven’t reached your goal or want to explore a new topic.
Jason Levin, author of the newsletter Cyber Patterns, took eight months to figure out what the newsletter was about. He wrote what he thought was cool, until he got to the newsletter’s main topic: content strategy.
It’s time to dig the gaps.
Cyber Patterns expands your content strategy.
· Patterns from famous creators
· Brand strategy case studies
· Long-term content strategy developmentExpect the same wit and disrespect with a deeper focus. https://t.co/rvSnufQONe
— Jason Levine (@iamjasonlevin) December 8, 2022
On choosing a niche, he says: [of your creator journey], which is very silly because you’ll probably end up switching. You should definitely pick a niche, but don’t rush until you’re ready. Follow whatever you are curious about and create great content.”
This flexibility allows creators to adapt and grow as their interests change, ensuring that their content engages and remains relevant to their audience.
Niching brings you to where you are on your creator journey.
Choosing a niche means: You have a lot of expertise or interest in one field and You can identify your ideal audience faster. and Finding your 1,000 true fans is easier than ever..
It’s a personal choice that ultimately depends on your goals and preferences. Whether you choose a niche or not, the key is to create quality content that provides value to your audience.
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