Good morning - welcome to issue 2 of the View from Coaching Corner.
Some thoughts for you to start the week on having a niche…
Do you have a niche? Do you want to have a niche? Or perhaps you feel that having a niche is, well, too niche?
For me, having a niche helps hone everything from the words on my website to my social media, who my clients are and of course my coaching style. I work specifically with ‘freelancers, the self-employed or those considering the leap’. By default, because of my work as a journalist and the circles I move in, a lot of my clients - especially for my ‘Relight Your Freelance Fire’ course, are also journalists and writers. They find that my experience helps them, as I share my own mistakes or triumphs, tips and advice from my career which can help them with theirs. I think it helps them to hear that I’m not always on top of things, that I, too, don’t find it easy to be freelance!
But does having a niche mean that you cut off potential clients? By only working with the self-employed, am I at risk of missing out on clients who might want to work with me but don’t feel they fit my niche?
It’s something I ponder a lot, but I always come back to the fact that having a niche means clients can be sure you’re what you say you are, consistently. It also helps you keep your message clear, from Instagram stories to LinkedIn and in things like newsletters.
Niche in a niche…
And, of course, you can niche within your niche - for example, I’m now running workshops blending journalism and coaching, for those who want to know how to be a media-friendly expert.
There’s one this Weds, and another on July 29th and you can sign up to either via Eventbrite. (They’re £15)
Here are three insider tips to get you started..
If you’re still wondering what your niche might be, my advice is to take time to explore it. See what similarities current clients have, is there something they come to you for?
Ask yourself what you’d love to be known for - and if someone asked you what makes you stand out, what would you say? What sets you apart from ‘all the other coaches’?
If you’re freelance and think some coaching would help you find your niche, get in touch at hello@freelancefeels.com with ‘COACHING ENQUIRY’ in the subject line.