Note: this post was originally written as an Atomic Essay as part of Ship 30 for 30 and posted on Twitter. I’ve copied the essay content here so it isn’t just lost in the endlessness of the Twitter feed. Enjoy!
I’ve seen quite a few Shippers talking about how they aren’t sure about their niche yet (🙋🏼♀️ I’m with you!) so I’m sharing some questions I’m using to spark ideas. I’m confident a niche will emerge naturally, but this helps me consider it from different angles. I hope it does the same for you 💥
🥺 The Emotional Angle
- What makes you mad about the world, life in general, your industry?
- What makes you sad or triggers an intense emotional reaction?
- What do you wish would change about the world?
- What makes you climb on your soapbox?
🤩 Your Strengths/Skills
- What is your superpower?
- What types of soft skills have you developed in your life?
- What types of hard skills do you have from education, jobs, and training?
- What do other people constantly come to you for help with?
- What kinds of activities do you lose track of time doing?
- What comes really easily to you that seems harder for others?
- What kind of work would you do for free (or already do for free by helping friends, volunteering, etc.)?
😬 Your Struggles/Challenges
- What types of challenges have you overcome in your life?
- What have you struggled with in life that you’ve learned to get past?
- Have you been through something that required you to make a change in how you live or what you believe?
- Could your solution work for others?
🤔 The Problem Angle
- What problems that people talk or complain about catch your attention?
- What problem do you see others struggle with that you know how to solve or could help them find a way to solve?
- If you’re not sure if you have a solution, do you have any skills that could help others who are tackling the problem? (writing, web design, etc)
- Are the people you want to help aware of the problem?
- Are your people actively looking or paying for solutions?
I’d love to hear from YOU about how it’s going with your niche. I’m also open to any comments about what you think my niche is from reading my past essays. No pressure – it’s all just information ✌️
