Finding Your Niche
One of the hardest things for a writer is finding their unique niche.
What is a niche? I love this definition: “An activity for which a person or thing is best fitted.” It is specialized and tailored to the individual. In writing, it is what makes us truly unique; our core theme that is woven into all our writing.
It took me many years of writing what burned in my heart before I realized my niche. We can sometimes feel shame for that, like we should have known our message and had it polished from Day 1. But we are not wasting time writing while unsure of our ministry purpose. Zechariah 4:10 tells us not to despise small beginnings.
Writing from our heart develops our message into our niche.
For most of us, finding our niche happens while we are writing — unless you are that person who knew what you wanted to do and what causes you wanted to fight for when you were about 5 years old.
As we write, we begin to connect the dots and recognize similar elements that point to the main message from which all our writings flow.
- Show Up.
Finding our niche happens when we show up consistently to write.
In different seasons of my writing, I made appointments on my calendar with the objective of simply writing. There was no specific topic, just a general guideline of writing a message that pointed people to God’s Word.
Just showing up led to inspiration and a clarification of my niche.
As I review my current books, my niche is clear. However, it was not clear when I was writing each one. Showing up and writing consistently codified and clarified my message, stirring up a passion for my niche topic.
- Grow Up.
Our niche becomes more evident as our writing matures.
When I first started writing, it was under a pseudonym — with the goal of healing. I hurt so much and was afraid my inner thoughts would be discovered by those against me. Those first words were raw and real, necessary words to get my thoughts out, and they helped lay a foundation for discovering my niche ministry message. But those words needed to become seasoned as I processed my thoughts further and gained even more understanding.
We can better help others when our initial writings are transformed through spiritual growth.
Our motivations for writing shift from lesser goals to more focused ones as we begin to write with a clarified purpose over time.
- Go Up.
Looking to duplicate other’s niche topics will not give us ours.
It can be tempting to see what others are writing about and start to write on similar topics, but that won’t give us the heart to write about what God has given uniquely to us. We need to look to God and His Word for inspiration and our own personal calling, shaped by our personal testimony and relationship with God.
When our messaging becomes clearer, it does not mean we have arrived, for our niche is not a destination but a constant work in progress. When we dare to continually develop our niche, the central theme of our words goes deeper and brings deeper healing to our readers.
All for Jesus,
Denise
Have you discovered your niche ministry topic? How have you sought to develop your niche writing?
… [Trackback]
[…] Info to that Topic: compeltraining.com/blog/writing/finding-your-niche/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Info here to that Topic: compeltraining.com/blog/writing/finding-your-niche/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Information here on that Topic: compeltraining.com/blog/writing/finding-your-niche/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More on that Topic: compeltraining.com/blog/writing/finding-your-niche/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More here on that Topic: compeltraining.com/blog/writing/finding-your-niche/ […]
seo services contract sample
quqkyskwj egbdi nsvimue xmpl byudrukkwfkeopf
This was so good! Thank you for your insight. One way I have been able to narrow my topic in my blog is listening to what my readers enjoy reading the most and channeling my writing to help meet those needs.
Thank you Jessica! That is perfect that you seek to listen to your readers! It is who we are writing to. Thanks for sharing!
I am humbled when I submit a simple devotion and one or two people take the time to comment on it and tell me how much it meant to them.
Me too! Thank you for taking time to respond!
“Those first words were real and raw.
necessary words to get my thoughts out, and they helped lay a foundation for discovering my niche ministry message. But those words needed to become seasoned as I processed my thoughts further and gained even more understanding.“
This really speaks to me. Stepping into a new season of spiritual healing and letting your words reflect that in your writing. Love it! More homework:)
Thank you Stacey! Me too! We are all a work in progress for the LORD’ glory!
Denise, Thank you so much for this snippet of wisdom! You are absolutely right! Showing up and taking the small steps is really the only way to get into writing. It sounds so easy and yet we have all neglected, at some point, to do the most simple thing, SHOW UP!
I myself have struggled with finding my niche. I am still finding it, in fact. What really helped me start to see where my writing should focus was through leading small Bible study groups. I seemed to always focus on the same “type” of topics and those were the easiest, for me anyway, to grasp and then explain to someone else.
So my advice to anyone still searching for their “thing” to hone in on, maybe lead a small group Bible study and see where it takes you and what you seem to gravitate toward in your teaching. Even if it is just you and one other person. As a homeschool mom, I have leaned that having to teach someone else will deepen your understanding of the topic as well.
Love your heart, Allie! So good! When we keep our Kingdom lens on, we don’t worry about numbers but about being faithful to the one God has called us to reach. And if it is His will to grow it, it is all for Him!
I really loved this post. The simple act of showing up makes all the difference. Writing can be intimidating when you are reaching for a larger work and trying to hone in on what sets us apart. “Showing up and writing consistently codified and clarified my message, stirring up a passion for my niche topic.’- loved this line! God has laid a heavy topic on my heart. I am documenting and going through the storms. I pray for God to use me as a vessel and I firmly believe that is what I am being called to do. Making the time to be a part of this writing class was on my heart for months. When it reopened I knew it was a sign. I am making time in my calendar to achieve these goals within this space. This niche article was just what I needed to read today. Thank you for explaining and giving the words of encouragement today. So good!
Beautiful, Melody! Thank you for sharing! Those storms you are walking through are not without a purpose, and your heart shows that you are seeking God’s glory and seeking to steward those storms to help others! Keep going!
After reading Denises explanation of niche writing and how to identify it, I decided that I need to go through my writing over several years and really identify my niche. I feel pretty confident about what my niche is, but it can be kind of heavy, so I am struggling a little bit to know how to approach it from a writers perspective without being too heavy. I value any insight that anyone has on this.
Love this! It can be so obvious to others but often not easily detectable to us. What message burns in your heart?
The message that burns in my heart is how transforming it is to finally understand how valuable you are to Christ. It’s life altering!
You are the daughter of the King Most High! Yes indeed. I wish when I was growing up people explained that your relationship with God is your own. Your spiritual journey is your own. Your realization is divinity. I would encourage you to outline in your own way how it is life altering.
Thank you so much! These are all great thought provoking insights.
This gives me some direction. I’m so grateful for your input.
YES! I love this! We assume once we become believers that we will just know how to relate to God the Father. But the truth is, until we begin to understand how He sees us and how He loves us and how cherished we are, we can’t even begin to fully comprehend the richness of the Gospel message! We are not slaves, or mindless drones set to wonder the earth just obeying orders. No! We are the beloved children of the MOST HIGH GOD! And He loves and favors us over everything else in all creation! Having children was what really helped me understand this. When I look at my children and feel my love for them, I am reminded that my Heavenly Father loves me infinitely more than even that!
It’s so true that having children helps us to understand how unconditional Gods love is for us. Love this❤️
Yes, Allie! So good! Grateful to be His child!
Absolutely! If we could just stay at this place of understanding without moving! Grateful for God’s grace!