14 Comments
User's avatar
Serena Spink's avatar

As someone who has just been thinking about all of this and what I want to write about, this couldn’t be better timed! Thanks for giving me some different and better questions to be asking myself so that I can really make the most of getting back into writing

Benjamin Antoine's avatar

So glad the timing worked out. I find it always helpful to take time and reflect on this at least once a month

Meera Menon's avatar

What you have written here has touched my Heart and Soul! I have been always feeling restricted on writing strictly within niche and sub niche topics. In one of my YouTube channels, I started creating videos on one topic, that got popular, then, I felt bored with it and tried doing something different, and people are rejecting me for it, as they want the same topic niche over and over again. Really feels like being bullied by my followers over this thing.

Benjamin Antoine's avatar

I think people who have multiple interests need a different operating system. Niching down will lead to misery in the long run. Thanks you for you rkind words. I appreciate it

Philipp's avatar

The word niche makes want to puke. All the more beautiful it is to see how your brought in the ideas of Jung and Frankl. Two of my favorite thinkers. What a delightful read.

Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thank you my man! Yes the world needs a drastic reframing of the term Niche!

Haide Wall Giesbrecht's avatar

I always find your writing so helpful! You often touch on the exact themes I've been processing. Recently wrote a piece on finding my niche (or not), called "What If I'm Not Meant to Have Just One Thing."

Benjamin Antoine's avatar

Thank you. Just checked it out. That’s quite a journey. I think people tend to forget that weight loss is not just about the physical aspect but important psychological factors at play as well

Dr. Beare's Daughter's avatar

Benjamin, I am a career editor and writer for large and small traditional publishers, and am writing a memoir. I rarely pay attention to writers who are writing advice for other writers, however this post is spot on and you have put into words so clearly what is absolutely necessary if one wants to find an audience. Fantastic and much-needed post. Thanks!

Adelina's avatar

Your niche is how you see, not what you write about." Needed to hear this in week 2. I started The Curiosity Lab to test creator advice publicly and already felt pressure to define exactly what I am.

This reframes it — the niche reveals itself through the writing. The Jung and Frankl references are

a nice touch in a space that usually stops at "pick a topic and post consistently.

Suzanne Brokaw's avatar

What I find fascinating is that I've been organically doing this, which, at times, felt quite frustrating so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this affirming what I've done. Not that I need validation. haha Great read, thanks. It also speaks to the wisdom of elders.

Cave Buckner's avatar

Insightful and helpful. There is a large commercial element of teaching Substack fundamentals, which is great, because as a writer, we have to start a platform sometime, and need to know how to do it; but there are questions you broach that must be running through everybody's head, such as how to present yourself in a genuine way, long-term, once you have some engagement when people start to find you. Substack really is unique, helping contributors share their thoughts and talents with others. You're bringing good stuff to the table!

Mira's avatar

okay but isn't "you sound like everyone else" also... what everyone else is saying lol

Paloma Lyon's avatar

This makes a lot of sense - thank you! 💫🙏🏽