Thoughts on finding a niche
It’s wonderful how sometimes things just seem to pop into our world just as we need them. I mentioned the above video from Design for Mankind in my blog post and on Twitter yesterday. The discussion it sparked yesterday evening has given me a lot to think about. I ended up talking about a few of my thoughts in a micro-podcast this morning.
Hey Michael,
I’ve been checking out your “tweets” and like what you have to say. In response to your audio blog…
In my opinion, I think a “niche” is more important to the “niche” than what everyone else thinks. If people don’t like your “niche” that is a SURE sign that person isn’t right for it. The REAL trick is finding out the people that BELONG in it and finding out consistent ways to give them what they need (as you keep improving it along the way).
In “The Black Sheep Project” (which is a really specific “niche” that I just created for “different” people helping “different” people thrive), I’m learning to apply what Seth Godin said and keep improving it until people tell at least 10 of their friends. It’s a learning process, but I think when you “stay true to yourself” (as you said), everything will EVENTUALLY work itself out. It’s when we change to PLEASE the OTHER people (outside of the niche) where we start sacrificing values, and in my opinion this is when it never seems to work out too good for anyone.
Thanks for doing what you do Michael.
*Jared
From the vlog: “create your own niche” “a niche comes naturally, it can’t be forced”
I think niche is friend but in the end it should serve me not me it. I think it is inevitable to some degree if I am doing what I love to do. Niche, and I don’t think I am in one yet, can help pay the bills, so I hope I find my way into one, but it should not rule me. A bit like Gordon MacKenzie’s “Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace” a book in which the former Hallmark Cards guru found a way to serve the hairball while not being utterly absorbed and overtaken by it.
Thankyou for sharing, i’m new to blogs and the arts community online… but it’s exciting and maybe a ‘niche’ i can slip into quite easily.
Thanks again, i’ll be back to see what else you and your commenters say