This was so very helpful and insightful, thank you! I think the issue is that so many new writers believe that the only way to grow is to stick to one topic or niche. I believe there’s beauty in variety and you never know which niche might take off. Great post!
This was a great read for me, Karen. None of it was really "new" but it was a decent kick in the pants for me to decipher wth I'm doing here. I mean, I've always known what road I'm going down with my publication but need to streamline it in a way that makes sense for the reader.
I think your post just helped me clarify that. Thank you!
As far as I can tell, I am the only person on Substack writing each week about every song by They Might Be Giants. It might be too niche but it’s passion project to distract me from my book writing
Thank you Karen - This is really thorough and insightful. There's that song CREEP and I love to sing it, and it repeats in the chorus how 'She Doesn't belong here'.....and this otherworldly feeling has plagued my life like chocolate syrup. What I am saying is there is so much balance to attain in what we decide our purpose is- but it can easily get too complex. I have decided that I Love to make People laugh......AND then on that note, I just wrote a parody on the song where have all the flowers gone and changed it to "Where has all my Funny Gone?" It's been a tough year...but I've shed some baby fat 🐥
This is great advice, and something I've routinely failed at my entire life. Example: I was doing great in college until it came time to pick a major, that is, select a niche. And then, game over. My brain simply refuses to perform this operation.
I once heard a great story on NPR that explained that your brain (all brains) are divided in to two hemispheres. One side focuses on details, and the other on the big picture. They used the example of a bird eating seeds out of a pine cone. The bird has to both focus on the details of the pine cone, while at the same time maintaining situational awareness of the surrounding environment, so that the bird does not become someone else's lunch.
My brain was set at the factory way, way, way over on the big picture side of things. If I was a bird I would have a gloriously deep experience of the forest canopy, while I ignored the pine cone, and slowly starved to death. :-)
Are philosophical big picture musings a niche? Sort of. But it's not at all a popular or profitable niche. Best avoided unless you truly enjoy writing just to hear yourself think.
The most popular and profitable niches on Substack often seem to be politically oriented blogs that endlessly validate the self flattering fantasies of one of the political tribes in America. Tell them what they already know, and what they want to hear, over and over and over, without end. They NEVER get tired of it. I've seen blogs of this type that are among the very top earners on Substack ($500,000/yr), and routinely have 1,000 comments for every article.
Think Tucker Carlson, or a similar writer on the other side. FOX News is the most popular TV news channel in American for a reason, they have this formula down cold.
Yes, a personal niche is possible, and I touched on it briefly in the post, but if you want to go that route you have to be very clear about what it is that people like about your personality/interests that make them want to subscribe and stay subscribed. Ie. you still need to serve your readers.
(People think they follow Oprah because she's an amazing person but they don't... they follow her because of how she makes them feel.)
For you, Cornelius, your newsletter might feel like it's personal to you and your interests but to a casual viewer, your niche looks like outdoor adventures, and the life of an outdoor content creator.
Yes, for sure, but I think sometimes we forget that it’s not only about monetizing (at first or at all). For me, I just love to share the beauty and adventure of the outdoors, in person with friends and through photography (online). Stuff I did before the internet anyway (yes, I’m a bit older 🤣). If people find it interesting or inspiring they can subscribe and come along for the adventure. Thanks for your thoughts and input!
Absolutely, Arisa, just for fun is fine - great even! There are heaps of people on Substack just writing for their friends and family or just for themselves. No need to take it seriously at all!
I've always struggled with niches, so this time around I've chosen a niche that's all about navigating life as a multifaceted creative! ☺️✨ That's giving me plenty of freedom under an umbrella topic that I think resonates with a lot of people out there
Awesome insight. My niche is travel and I have many stories to tell, but I know it'll be a challenge to write about it in different ways. One article at a time! Thanks for the read.
Loved your post and shared it with several platforms such as Linked In and Hey Mama for so many women that want to write but feel overwhelmed with how to niche down.
Hey thanks, Kim, that's awesome! I don't promote this free newsletter of mine off-platform very much, so I love it when readers like you help get it out there.
Yes, I find it takes a few months of readership to get anyone to do paid. I still have not gone paid on mine even with a 55% open rate. I will once I find more of the footing of the message (which I am working on now.)
Thank you for offering this advice, and for free. Your points were a fantastic motivator for me to review my Substack; much appreciated.
Having grown up before the Internet, I love that we have the opportunity to write and instantly publish to our readers. Even if finding an audience is a bit of a challenge, especially if you do not fit into standard categories. My Substack is about writing your memoirs, and safely saving photos, memorabilia etc. that contribute to the story of your life.
Great read. This inspires me to kickstart a substack newsletter where I document my learnings as a software engineer so far (I may be early, but I think there is still some learnings I get asked about)!
This article is a must read in my opinion for anyone looking to start a newsletter, but having trouble with getting started
This was so very helpful and insightful, thank you! I think the issue is that so many new writers believe that the only way to grow is to stick to one topic or niche. I believe there’s beauty in variety and you never know which niche might take off. Great post!
So true. I typically have 3 topcis I cover - personal development, entrepreneurship and writing. I'll see what happens!
This was a great read for me, Karen. None of it was really "new" but it was a decent kick in the pants for me to decipher wth I'm doing here. I mean, I've always known what road I'm going down with my publication but need to streamline it in a way that makes sense for the reader.
I think your post just helped me clarify that. Thank you!
As far as I can tell, I am the only person on Substack writing each week about every song by They Might Be Giants. It might be too niche but it’s passion project to distract me from my book writing
Thank you Karen - This is really thorough and insightful. There's that song CREEP and I love to sing it, and it repeats in the chorus how 'She Doesn't belong here'.....and this otherworldly feeling has plagued my life like chocolate syrup. What I am saying is there is so much balance to attain in what we decide our purpose is- but it can easily get too complex. I have decided that I Love to make People laugh......AND then on that note, I just wrote a parody on the song where have all the flowers gone and changed it to "Where has all my Funny Gone?" It's been a tough year...but I've shed some baby fat 🐥
This is great advice, and something I've routinely failed at my entire life. Example: I was doing great in college until it came time to pick a major, that is, select a niche. And then, game over. My brain simply refuses to perform this operation.
I once heard a great story on NPR that explained that your brain (all brains) are divided in to two hemispheres. One side focuses on details, and the other on the big picture. They used the example of a bird eating seeds out of a pine cone. The bird has to both focus on the details of the pine cone, while at the same time maintaining situational awareness of the surrounding environment, so that the bird does not become someone else's lunch.
My brain was set at the factory way, way, way over on the big picture side of things. If I was a bird I would have a gloriously deep experience of the forest canopy, while I ignored the pine cone, and slowly starved to death. :-)
Are philosophical big picture musings a niche? Sort of. But it's not at all a popular or profitable niche. Best avoided unless you truly enjoy writing just to hear yourself think.
The most popular and profitable niches on Substack often seem to be politically oriented blogs that endlessly validate the self flattering fantasies of one of the political tribes in America. Tell them what they already know, and what they want to hear, over and over and over, without end. They NEVER get tired of it. I've seen blogs of this type that are among the very top earners on Substack ($500,000/yr), and routinely have 1,000 comments for every article.
Think Tucker Carlson, or a similar writer on the other side. FOX News is the most popular TV news channel in American for a reason, they have this formula down cold.
I love how you described the right and left brain:)
Thanks. Good, focused, advice.
Great points and info! What about creating a niche around you as a person / your interests, which are unique?
Yes, a personal niche is possible, and I touched on it briefly in the post, but if you want to go that route you have to be very clear about what it is that people like about your personality/interests that make them want to subscribe and stay subscribed. Ie. you still need to serve your readers.
(People think they follow Oprah because she's an amazing person but they don't... they follow her because of how she makes them feel.)
For you, Cornelius, your newsletter might feel like it's personal to you and your interests but to a casual viewer, your niche looks like outdoor adventures, and the life of an outdoor content creator.
Yes, for sure, but I think sometimes we forget that it’s not only about monetizing (at first or at all). For me, I just love to share the beauty and adventure of the outdoors, in person with friends and through photography (online). Stuff I did before the internet anyway (yes, I’m a bit older 🤣). If people find it interesting or inspiring they can subscribe and come along for the adventure. Thanks for your thoughts and input!
This was helpful! ☺️
I am thinking about Tarot. 🎴
Is it having a substack just for fun ok? Everything seems too serious and professional. Which is fine, I'm just doubting if I belong here.
Absolutely, Arisa, just for fun is fine - great even! There are heaps of people on Substack just writing for their friends and family or just for themselves. No need to take it seriously at all!
I am with you!!
I've always struggled with niches, so this time around I've chosen a niche that's all about navigating life as a multifaceted creative! ☺️✨ That's giving me plenty of freedom under an umbrella topic that I think resonates with a lot of people out there
Awesome insight. My niche is travel and I have many stories to tell, but I know it'll be a challenge to write about it in different ways. One article at a time! Thanks for the read.
No one has read my first Substack post since about a month , but I think Substack gives you freedom to write about anything .
i like your advice Karen. It's clear and sensible.
I'm one of the kid writers on Substack building from 0 up.
I'll be reading your posts!
Loved your post and shared it with several platforms such as Linked In and Hey Mama for so many women that want to write but feel overwhelmed with how to niche down.
Hey thanks, Kim, that's awesome! I don't promote this free newsletter of mine off-platform very much, so I love it when readers like you help get it out there.
Yes, I find it takes a few months of readership to get anyone to do paid. I still have not gone paid on mine even with a 55% open rate. I will once I find more of the footing of the message (which I am working on now.)
Thank you for offering this advice, and for free. Your points were a fantastic motivator for me to review my Substack; much appreciated.
Having grown up before the Internet, I love that we have the opportunity to write and instantly publish to our readers. Even if finding an audience is a bit of a challenge, especially if you do not fit into standard categories. My Substack is about writing your memoirs, and safely saving photos, memorabilia etc. that contribute to the story of your life.
Great read. This inspires me to kickstart a substack newsletter where I document my learnings as a software engineer so far (I may be early, but I think there is still some learnings I get asked about)!
This article is a must read in my opinion for anyone looking to start a newsletter, but having trouble with getting started