Why are YOU so important in finding your niche?

When it comes to finding your niche, there are two approaches you can take. You can start with your “who” (target market) or your “what” (what solution you provide for your target market).  In other words, you can start by looking outside yourself or you can start with YOU and what you uniquely have to offer.

One thing that distinguishes my niche marketing approach from some others is that I strongly advocate starting with YOU.  In fact, that is the #1 step in my free report, “Ten Steps to Finding and Attracting Your Ideal Niche”.

The other day a new client shared that she is confused as to why she is so important in finding her niche. She said:

“I still have trouble understanding why “I” am so important in the mix. My feeling is that the market wants help and wants to hear “what can be done to help them” with their goals, and not so much about the entrepreneur offering the help.

Couldn’t I just find a good niche and create great help and content?  The market and niche seem to be the keys, not so much “me”, as long as it is something I am interested in and have enough passion to pursue long term. Help ”

It’s a great question, and here is my perspective on it.

You can find a good niche based on what the market wants. But here is why you need to really put yourself into the equation.

1. You are a solo entrepreneur and what you are marketing above all is yourself. YOU are the brand.

2. On a related note, with attraction marketing, you are attracting people to you. You have to sell yourself before you can even think about selling a product or business. People want someone they feel they know, and who is genuinely interested in them. Most importantly, they want someone who can help them find a solution to their needs. That means you also have to sell your ability to help them get what they want. How do you do this? You do it by providing information that is of value to your target market. Educate them, don’t sell them. And in doing so, you’re building trust and attracting them to you.

3. In order to attract your target market, you have to be able to relate to them — to their needs, concerns, challenges, goals and frustrations. You have to be able to make an emotional connection with them. Remember that people buy based on emotions and justify with logic.

4. In marketing to your niche, you are going to be providing a lot of content and information relevant to that niche. Can you imagine spending a lot of time marketing something you’re not passionate about? How authentic do you think you will be if you can’t relate to your niche and don’t have real knowledge of that niche? To market yourself authentically, you have to be able to genuinely connect with your niche and have something valuable to contribute to it.

What is your perspective on this question?  Please share your thoughts and comments below.  Use this opportunity to also share your niche and what you do:)

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