No Niche No Worries

Warning. It’s rant time. I’ve got my soapbox stacked on top of a table so everyone can hear me. Ready? Here we go…

I’ve been doing lots of online courses about blogging lately. I’m pretty new to this game and there are a million and one people out there who will happily sell you their version of how to be famous and have an insta-business that’ll boom shake, shake, shake the room/world overnight (or yesterday if you pay extra).

I have no problem with this and I’ve gotta say that some of the stuff I’ve learned has been beyond awesome. I mean, who knew you could SCHEDULE Facebook posts?

What The Experts Say

One of the topics that comes up over and over again is the niche, and the general consensus is that if you’re a brand new blogger you should get one – FAST!

Defining your niche basically comes down to choosing a nice, sensible subject you know a fair bit about and then building your business around that. The theory being that your expertise will help others.

The advice goes like this:

  • Be an expert.
  • Keep it consistent.
  • Don’t confuse people.
  • Make sure people know what to expect.
  • Figure out your place in the world and then sell the shit out of it.

The word on the street is that people won’t follow you, like you, share you, validate you, applaud you or PAY YOU if you don’t make it absolutely 3000% clear to everyone who visits your site (hi Mum!) what you’re all about.

Smart Advice Or Stress Out City?

This is pretty smart advice when you think about it. I mean, who goes to the local Italian restaurant expecting Chinese food, right?

But here’s the thing. What if you have no f**king idea what your niche is?

[Cue panic attacks, freak outs and loads of tears]

What if, like me, you like about a million different things?

What if you’re a jack of all trades and master of none (well maybe one or two – I make a mean granola, I can type pretty fast and I do a good impression of Cartman’s Mum from South Park).

But seriously, what if you’re still figuring out what you’re all about? I know I am. How about you? Do you have everything figured out? Nope? Welcome to the club, my friend.

What if, in the process of figuring it all out, you think it might be fun / useful / interesting / entertaining for yourself and others to share it all? Well that’s where I’m at and, quite frankly, I’m kinda over putting myself through the wringer due to my lack in the niche department.

Bali Temple by Aron Visuals on Unsplash

Photo credit: Aron Visuals on Unsplash

Niche Envy

It’s even getting to the point where I even have niche envy!

But I’ve come to realise that not having a niche doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Maybe it’s okay if I write about all of things I’m interested in. Or the holiday I’m on in Bali. Or the random new class I tried the other day (crystal bowl meditation at the Yoga Barn). Maybe I don’t have to fit myself neatly in a box.

Maybe, in amongst writing about everything that makes me ME, my niche might find me.

Maybe you might identify with something I share, or you’ll try something new, or you might just have a laugh .

So for now, this website will keep on keepin’ on as a mixed bag of all the things that make life interesting. Strap yourself in for a little roller-coaster of crazy – and so what if you don’t know what to expect – isn’t life more fun that way?

You Can Too

Do you ever feel pressured to fit yourself neatly in a box, act a certain way, look a certain way or do particular things because other people expect it? Break out of that box right now and take the challenge!

Take The Challenge:

What’s one thing you can do this week to break out of the box and ride the roller-coaster of crazy fun? Dye your hair, eat something new, wear something you don’t usually wear, try a new class, sing out loud in front of strangers? Do something that’s unapologetically you and let me know what it is in the comments below.

P.S. If you liked this post you might also enjoy this game changing little tip for big-hearted biz growth.