Defining a Niche? There's a Better Way

**Notes from the Broadcast**

I don’t know about you, but I keep hearing people tell me to find my niche.

What is a Niche?

It’s defined as “a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment.” The word literally comes from the French Word Nicher… to make a nest. But doesn’t a nest sound confining? It’s small… and aren’t birds anxious to fly OUT of nest? Doesn’t a suitable or comfortable position in life or employment sound boring?

Life isn’t a niche.

It’s so frustrating for those of us who feel like we can’t be confined to ONE thing!

When we are all scrambling to figure out our life’s purpose, we can tend to get bogged down thinking it’s just ONE thing. But life isn’t about one thing, it’s an overall story of who you are.

You have many things that interest you and many things you love. you can always bring it back to your expertise.

Niching can cause boredom, not only with you but your audience and clients. You are the sum total of a complete life AND every topic has many components!

For example, I love writing. I love writing about many different topics. Think about what you love to write about? Does it have a theme? I talk about writing, but I talk about other things too.

Life isn’t a niche. But I can always bring it back to writing.

Make a list of all of the components of your favorite topic.

For writing I can talk about: the writer’s mindset, story arcs, getting inspired, finding your voice, having a message, creating a vision for your life, how to get noticed for your work, your life’s purpose, talk show prep, how to take years of work and compile it, writing bios, getting an audience on social media, marketing, sales, people connections, finding your audience, what to do about writer’s block, eating and exercising to be at the top of your game.….

You see how many topics can center around writing and yet each one isn’t just about the specific act of writing.

I remember my husband was known for his drama television shows, but he always longed to write comedy. What he did was incorporate humor into his shows. So his underlying theme always had some comedy in it. He believed that in every drama there’s the moment where humor can break the tension.

Action step:

• What do you love to talk about?
• What do you love to write about?
• If you could choose any job, what would it be?
• Are they the same?

Take a piece of paper and write every single topic you can think of surrounding your life and that topic. Now you’re establishing the groundwork for building blocks of your niche.

Here’s the word I prefer to use instead of niche. Métier In this country the word is used like this: “I love all writing but inspirational memoir is my true métier” I like it because it’s very French but also incorporates this definition: “an outstanding or advantageous characteristic.”

It’s a French word, used to denote strengths and things you’re good at. It comes from the Latin word meaning “Service.”

Now isn’t that what we want to be? Of service.

We want our work to mean something and to do that it has to mean something to others. Our métier is being outstanding at living our lives and working with purpose and intention. It’s about fulfilling our potential. When we are of service we are living our lives to the fullest..

You have many things that interest you and many things you love. You can always tie it back to your expertise… your métier…

We are going to continue this conversation! Have you ever said Someday… I want to…. And it’s never happened? Then it’s time to take the very next step.

Someday is now.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou

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