To be honest, I don’t like it when people ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. It reminds me of when I didn’t know what I wanted, even when I was in high school.

It feels like a lot of pressure on children who are running around, exploring pebbles in their backyard, and have no clue what grown-ups do when they go to work.

Finding a niche, when you’re at such an early stage in your business, feels a lot like that.

• It makes you feel confused, even defeated sometimes. 
• You think this whole ‘niche’ is a once-and-done decision that you’ll have to stick with for the rest of your life, and therefore demands very serious thought.
• And you end up spending a lot of time “figuring out” your niche — an activity that seems productive but in hindsight is just keeping you from moving forward & fast.

So, how do you find a niche…or not!

Here’s my take on it.

If you’re dead sure of what you want, then go ahead. You’re awesome!

If you’re just getting your feet wet — you have an idea of the kind of work you want to do, such as copywriting or designing or coaching.

But if you find it really hard to niche down because you have no idea if you want to be a wedding photographer for artists who only use water colors or a copywriter for SaaS owners specializing in the dental industry; here’s my advice on finding your niche:

Don’t!

This whole niche thing really did nothing for me. I spent years waiting on the sidelines wondering what the flying fork my niche was, while I watched other smarter, go-getters build their business, make a few $1000s, change course, tweak, make $10,000s and just keep at it.

I can also tell you how many times I changed my career option as a child — a 100.

I wanted to be a nun (I’m a catholic, so this was a fair option for 10-year-old me). Then a cardiac surgeon, then a chef at some point, followed by a finance manager (gosh, what was I thinking); and a journalist.

Eventually I became a retail merchandiser. Then a feature writer. A copywriter after that, which I still am. And I totally see myself becoming an author and a woman who makes six-figures.

My point?

This whole niching business? If you’re not ready for it, don’t sweat it!

The women with million dollar online-businesses today? I don’t think they ever spent days, never mind weeks crying a river over their niche either.

Danielle LaPorte is known for her Fire Starter Sessions and The Desire Map framework. She basically made her product her niche.

So did Jen Sincero — author of You’re a Badass series.

Or Marie Forleo — the woman behind B-School.

And here we are, looking for that super-specific, very, very abstract niche— so that you’re the only one who will lay claim to it. It’s like looking for pasta that will go well with Indian curry.

We’re trying to be a tad bit outstanding even if we don’t really want to, just because we think it’s the right thing to do.

And now you’re probably wondering; so where in the sweet, wide world does that leave you?

Here’s what to do about your niche instead

• Start with what works right now

If you’re a service provider, start by thinking of the kind of jobs/clients you’re interested in working on/with right now.  Look for those jobs, apply for it, and do it.

If you’re a course creator, think of one single thing you feel confident, comfortable, & happy selling right now. And run with it.

The goal is to get out of limbo and make progress.

 

• It’s ok to mix it up

Always remember: you’re allowed to work on a range of projects. We always talk of removing labels and coloring outside the lines. Why then, are we so obsessed with diminishing our ideas and passions to a tiny space? When we can actually do everything we want & more.

Let’s say you’re a copywriter who wants to make good money but also loves writing restaurant reviews. You can use your storytelling skills to work on email marketing projects and also write websites for chefs if that’s what floats your boat.

If you’re a funnel expert, you can absolutely teach productivity or goal planning as well.

You don’t need to stick to a niche like it’s got superglue on it. The only thing that matters is you know your stuff & that you’re working from a place of integrity.

 

• A niche is not set in stone

Don’t feel scared to change course or pivot when you think you need to. A niche is not a death sentence. It’s a north star. Use it as a guide.

Enjoy exploring, experimenting, and learning. 

For now, focus on crazy good marketing and making your first 100 or 1000 bucks.

 

When it’s time, you will find your niche.

Just like I found my husband!

(But that’s a story for another day:))