I've moved into the specialty food and cooking niche and I found that my relationship with these clients is a lot different than when I was a generalist.

These clients can see I am passionate about what they sell --and it's created trust, mutual appreciation, and I feel like I'm part of the family!

Ummm....yeah, I feel valued and knowledgeable.

Anybody else experience this change by zeroing in on a specific niche or specialty writing?

Absolutely I agree. That's great that you found a niche you enjoy. I worked with authors and illustrators providing web sites and marketing. Once you enter a niche like that you're the big fish in the little pond. When you target your work "just for them" it makes you look like some kind of hero in a market where they may feel under-appreciated. Congrats.

Thanks, Kawika! And yep...I think you explained the "why" accurately. It's really nice to finally be cultivating the kind of relationship I've wanted all along with clients.

Yes, I agree. I turn down 80% of work. But I take the stuff I love. Good for you Suzanne. Have a blast.

Thanks, AnneMoss! And yes, I hadn't thought of it that way...I've effectively started attracting the kinds of client I want.

Exactly, Suzanne. Clients can tell if you have a heart for something. All other things being equal, why would they hire a generalist when they can hire a specialist who not only knows their industry, but loves it too? I've gotten to know a number of my alternative health/dietary supplement clients beyond just a professional basis. Our conversations often include talk of alternative health approaches we use in our personal lives, for example. I've turned more than one client on to certain supplements, and I've learned from them, too. We have a shared interest, and they know that because I walk the talk, I make an even better advocate for their product or service.

Eileen

That's great to hear that you have a niche you love too. Makes all the difference in the world.

I guess a lot of it boils down to that we are the target audience for that market and have a strong advantage in knowing what the buyer wants--emotionally and otherwise.

You "The Secret" Vixen, you...

Newbie here,

Looking for my niche. Any idea where to start? All suggestions appreciated.

Bryan

Hey Bryan,

I'd start with whatever you're interested in. See if there's a market in it.

Dan Kennedy has questions to ask in his ultimate sales letter book;

What keeps them awake at night?
What are they afraid of?
What are they angry about?
Who are they angry at?
What are their top 3 daily frustrations?
What trends are occurring and will occur in their businesses or lives?
What do they secretly desire most?
Is there a built-in bias to the way they make decisons?
Do they have their own language?
Who else is selling something similar and how?
Who else has tried selling them something similar and failed?

I ask another question.

What one thing that if it happened or existed would change their lives or industry dramatically?

Just start poking around and running through those questions. Trade magazines are a place to look, message boards, blogs, etc.

Another way to find a niche is look at what trainers and certification houses are doing. For instance in software engineering there's something called Agile Development. Sounds like a good idea, be able to adapt to a changing landscape. What company would admit they don't want that? Now, google on "agile development" or "scrum". Dude, there's over 1M results and many of them are training organizations that will train employees on things like SCRUM and get you a certified SCRUM Master. That's an industry that didn't even exist 10 years ago and now everyone and their neighbor is a "Master" and can train you for the low low price of $2995.

I hope that helps.

Cheers