One lesson that it took me years to really learn (and accept) is that being a generalist, while very good for learning, is horrible for business.
The same goes for storytelling: while it’s important to learn and experiment different styles and mediums, at some point you have to specialize.
Here’s 10 tips on finding your storytelling specialty (or niche)…
1: Identify your passions and interests.
What topics are you most passionate about? What do you love to read, watch, and learn about?
Your niche should be something that excites you and that you can talk about for hours on end.
2: Analyze your past work.
Take a look at your previous writing, both personal and online. What topics did you enjoy writing about the most?
What kind of feedback did you receive from your audience?
3: Research your audience.
Who are you trying to reach with your stories? What are their interests, needs, and pain points?
Understanding your audience will help you tailor your stories to their specific needs.
4: Identify your unique perspective.
What makes your stories different from everyone else’s? What unique experiences, insights, or perspectives can you bring to your niche?
When I say “Identify”, I mean write them down: one thing is to think about things, another one is to write them to make them concrete.
5: Experiment with different formats.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different storytelling formats and mediums.
This will help you find the format that best suits your niche and your audience.
6: Build a community around your niche.
Connect with other storytellers and creators in your niche.
Share your work, get feedback, and collaborate on projects.
7: Promote your work.
Once you’ve found your niche and started creating compelling stories, it’s time to promote your work.
Share your stories on social media, submit them to publications, and participate in online communities.
8: Be patient.
Finding your storytelling niche takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find it right away. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep creating.
Also remember that you are not married to your niche: you can change it over time, based on how you evolve.
9: Don’t be afraid to niche down.
The gratest fear of everyone is to niche down. But as you gain more experience, you will want to niche down even further.
This will help you attract a more targeted audience and build a stronger personal or business brand.
10: Never stop learning.
The world of storytelling is constantly evolving, plus it evolves with you.
Stay up-to-date on the latest trends, techniques, and technologies.