Pick Your Niche. Then Work It.
Over the past few days, I’ve walked you through a proven process for finding the ideal niche as a B2B copywriter. To review:
- Step 1: Brainstorm a long list of possibilities.
- Step 2: Add to that list using online tools from Business List companies.
- Step 3: Break larger industries down into smaller niche markets.
- Step 4: Checkmark niches that are aligned with your professional background and experience.
- Step 5: Determine if a niche has a healthy demand for copywriting services.
- Step 6: Make sure a niche is large enough.
- Step 7: Make your final choice based on your interest and passions.
Now, if you’re like most people who have chosen a niche, you feel a sense of clarity and momentum. You’re energized. You’re chomping at the bit to move forward. That’s just another benefit of focusing on a niche.
(If you haven’t chosen a niche yet, I encourage you to do so. At this point, with the shortlist you’ve created this week, there are no bad choices. So, just pick one. You’ll feel better!)
Your final step is to establish yourself in that niche as the go-to copywriter. You want everyone in that mico-market to know you’re the one to call when they need a strategically written web page, blog, email campaign, ad or white paper.
How do you do that? Here are some ideas …
First, jump in with both feet. Make it loud and clear to everyone — via your website, branding, social media activities — that you’re now a specialist in such and such a niche There’s no value in simply dipping your toe in the water. Jump in!
Next, ensure your website clearly communicates that you specialize in your niche. Prospects in that niche should get the immediate impression, when visiting your website, that you specialize in them. My friend, Dianna Huff, does this exceptionally well on her website. She specializes in family-run industrial manufacturers, and her site shouts that positioning from the rooftops.
You’ll also need to create a prospecting plan. You want every potential client in the niche to know who you are and what you do. (Don’t know the nuts and bolts of prospecting and marketing to a niche? Learn how. AWAI has an excellent program on getting B2B copywriting clients that will help.)
Finally, you’ll need to keep at it. Become better and better at serving clients in your niche. Do that, and you’ll quickly become indispensable. Please share your success story in the comments.
So, to summarize, once you’ve picked your niche, jump in. Let everyone know you’re the specialist. It’s worth the effort. Some of the most successful B2B copywriters I know dominate a specific niche.
My advice: Do the same.
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This is so exciting! I feel I have more direction now and although have not jumped in with both feet...this pool of thought feels oh so good and I see myself diving in head first. Since that is more my style.
:)
Thank you Steve.
Jeanetteonthenet – April 24, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Hi Steve, I really had a bit of a trial with "niche" hunting.I am semi-retired and have been out of full time work for sometime.My two niches that appeal and I have experience in are Wine/Wineries and Alternative Health/Obesity.Would like your thoughts on these two, since they seem to have enough parameters, but maybe not so "industrial" for B2B. Thanks, John
upmarket – April 24, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Jeanette. I'm delighted that your found the series of articles helpful!
Steve Slaunwhite – April 25, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Hi John. Those niches are mainly B2C. (Nothing wrong with that.) The alternative health niche is booming and those companies do a lot of marketing. Wineries are booming, too, although I'm not sure how much "copy-driven" marketing they do. I recommend visiting of few of their websites and finding out.
Steve Slaunwhite – April 25, 2015 at 7:37 pm
Hi Steve, I am excited about your request for niche writing, I have been working as a Caterer/Personal Chef for the past 29 years. Four years ago I began writing blogs and the likes in the area of Food, Culture and Lifestyle- Writing then became my second love, I enjoy writing because I do so from a place of pure passion which makes it very comfortable.
I would like to share more, but perhaps from a different setting.
So I thank you for reading and I look forward to your response.
Best regards, Marlene Myrie
Guest (flavawrites1940) – April 26, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Hello Steve, My name is Jane-Marie new member of AWAI, PWA, Barefoot Writer Club, ITWPA.
Thanks to Rebecca Matter, I got the program Money Making Website.This is a second week training by Nick about topic , niche.
I still work very hard in choosing the topic that I have interest and passion . Also I spend a lot of time finding a "Niche" .
Your article provides extra guidance for me in the topic and niche subjects.I am very excited .
Thank you. GOD BLESS.
jennie – July 30, 2015 at 1:04 pm