Why Identifying Your Niche is a Game Changer
Yesterday as I was going through Instagram stories I saw Myleik Teele's Q&A session where someone had asked her how she niched down to focus on one thing. The pic below shows Myleik's answer and can we just take a minute to say yaaaaassss!
You might think that the phrase that stood out to me was "Black Women" as that (at large) is my niche. But actually it was "don't be afraid".
own it.
I've always known that my target audience would be in the black community. But I'd be lying if I said that the fear of coming across as though I don't like Caucasians was never there. Knowing that that was not my truth I felt that my brand might oddly misrepresent me. It sounds really weird, I know. And even as I'm typing this, I'm like "girl wheeet?!" What it boils down to though is that I was afraid because I was insecure. I was insecure about who I was and what I was doing, so how could I OWN the niche I felt called to? The very same demographic that is me!
[Related: How to Get Your Side Hustle Game Strong with a Blog]
And so for the longest (on my old blog), I tried to be as generic as possible. But something I heard a while ago is "If you're talking to everybody - you're talking to nobody". Find your voice and own it. You're not called to speak to and serve everyone. You're just not. That doesn't mean that you're only ever talking to people that look like you. Your niche could be people that are into Keto diets, and so that's your niche. The other point not to miss in the pic above is also "Be the go-to person for one thing".
ONE thing?
I know, I know, I know sis. There are about a zillion aspects, interest, and P.O.V.’s that make up your persona. I'm like that too. You're not only into super-handy mommy-tricks, but also natural hair-care, and let's not forget that you're a cheerleading expert, and oddly enough you're also your friends' go-to person about IT-related stuff. No need to fret girl, you got this. You don't have to start 5 different blogs, brands, or companies. Cause in these instances, the common denominator is you. And the answer is....*drumroll please*....a lifestyle blog. These are blogs where you have the freedom to talk about whatever floats your boat sis. You can have a blog about whatever you like. (I just had to add the T.I. quote cause I couldn’t find a meme I liked)
Don't believe me? Check out this list of highly successful lifestyle blogs and you'll see in their category section that topics vary from food, travel to makeup. All living in harmony on one site. So how does it all work though? They've found their voice. Your voice will naturally draw a certain crowd as long as you remain consistent. You can't be sounding like Beyonce on Monday, and on Friday you're the Jonas Brothers. Cause the ones that came to hear Beyonce aren't trying to stick around if you do a switcharoo and start giving them Jonas Brothers instead.
one thing.
But say you actually want to identify your niche. How do you actually do that? In the book "The One Hour Content Plan, by Meera Kothand, she explains that you have to answer these 2 questions:
1. What group do you want help
2. In what area do they struggle in/what area do you want to help them in This will give a somewhat narrow target audience. But even after answering those questions, you should drill it down even further. Say you answered:
women
fashion
You can further drill it down to:
plus-size corporate women between ages 30-40
fab frugal fashion for work or French couture for all sizes
See where I'm going? And although you'd be addressing the pain points of plus size women finding fashionable clothing, you'll be surprised that you attract not just plus-size women, but fashion lovers period. Having a focus though allows you to find your voice. And not just your voice, but also your content. And in these internet streets, content is everything.
“No niche is too small if it’s yours.”
Even if your idea isn't an online business, but an actual product or service. Narrow down your audience so that you can tailor your message, your ads, your pitch. For instance, Afrocentric jewelry can be positioned to a variety of audiences. For example, if you narrow your niche down to the diaspora community, the message can be something like "a little piece of home". Whereas if it's to people of non-African origin the message could perhaps be "Bringing Africa to you" or whatever. I'm just spitballing, but you get the idea. Your tone and how you address your audience will also change depending on who they are. I have my “home girl” tone and language, and then I have my customer service “Susan” tone and language. I know you know what I’m talking about, lol.
conclusion.
Find your people and find your tribe by identifying your niche. You've been gifted with an idea and a voice that has the ability to speak life into your niche. Encourage, inspire or teach your niche. Your product or service idea can be just what someone needs to make their life easier, more comfortable, or "simply" more beautiful. There's a quote that says
"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God."
Don't deprive the world of your gift, your talent, or your voice. It's unique to you and no one else can do what you're called to do. You're the secret sauce sis! Most of us have a hunch of what it is we’re supposed to do. But I want to reiterate what stood out to me in Myleik’s answer above, don’t be afraid. Where there is purpose, there is provision. So you have nothing to be afraid of, and even if you do, DO IT AFRAID. (If you're thinking you don't know what your purpose is, and would like for me to touch on that, let me know ;)
Grace & Peace!
/Vi.