In a world filled with a million and one people who can properly carve out their thoughts and turn them into words, it is important to make a difference.

When it comes to themes and topics, there are two types of writers: the generalists, who write on a variety of themes and topics; and the specialists, who write on related/similar themes and topics.

As a writer, you can choose to be any of these, depending on how vast your thoughts are. However, if you choose to be a specialist – that is, finding a distinct niche for yourself – this article will be of great help to you.

Many people believe that specialisation limits you. On the contrary, it frees you.

Focusing on a distinct theme when writing gives you the room to improve your knowledge about that theme/topic. In that process, you gain expertise. Expertise births quality content and allows you to explore every angle of your chosen field.

Focusing on a specific niche is proof that you have extensive knowledge about that topic. For instance, if Asa has a blog where she writes about everything and anything, ranging from food, clothes, finance, travels and more while Meyimi has a blog where she focuses on financial tips for everyone and anyone, who would you approach for financial advice? Meyimi, obviously! Why? Because you would feel that she has more knowledge on the topic of finance since that is what she focuses on.

If you decide to specialise, finding your distinct niche is the first step to take. Here are some essential tips that will guide you in finding your niche.

Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Niche

1. Find out what you enjoy writing or reading: What are the topics that you could write, talk or read about all day? What are those areas you have numerous opinions about? These would help you through the process of selecting your focus niche.
2. Find out what you are good at or are interested in getting better at: Your love for something does not equate to your ability to do it well. You might enjoy cooking but not make tasty meals. This also applies to writing. For instance, I enjoy writing about politics in Nigeria because I enjoy criticising politicians and stating my solutions to political and economic problems. However, I am not so great at it. To find your niche, it is important to consider a topic that not only interests you, but that you are very good at, or at least, you are interested in getting better at.
3. Be consistent: In situations where your interest is different from what you are good at, you can practise writing the things that interest you more often. This consistency will help you get better. As popularly said, “practice makes perfect”.
4. Explore several niches: If you are a new writer and are finding it difficult to figure out what you enjoy writing, you might try exploring a variety of themes. That is, you could try to be a generalist for a while. Explore writing different topics, then create a pro and cons list for each field. This list would help you find that area that would then become your niche.
5. Focus on your audience: Many people are of the opinion that people’s opinions do not matter. This is the case if such opinions are in relation to your personal life. However, if your written pieces are for the public’s consumption, their opinions matter as well.

Taking your audience’s thoughts about your pieces into consideration would help you easily find your “not cliché” niche. Which of your pieces do they enjoy reading the most? What topics do your readers engage with most? What themes do they think you write intelligently on? However, if their thoughts and opinions are not in line with what you enjoy writing about, you could tailor their opinions to what you enjoy. For instance, if you enjoy writing about food and your audience think you do better with your episodes on politics, you could use different food types to metaphorically describe politicians. Doing this could help in setting you apart from other writers.

It is important and professional to have a niche; it allows you knit your wide range of ideas into one and gives room for creativity. Every topic has different aspects and sides to it, and it is advisable as a writer to explore all these aspects.