Hola, Unfxcked Freelancer👋🏼!
Welcome to another week of getting unstuck, taking control, and going pro as a freelancer. In case you missed my last newsletter, see the full archive of previous issues here.
In the beginning, I was a restless freelancer.
I was bouncing from one gig to another, trying to find the perfect niche.
I dabbled in music blog writing and gossip blog writing, tried my hand at business plan writing, built websites here and there, and even did some magic with academic writing and research.
But it felt like I was wandering aimlessly through the freelance market without a compass.
One day, I sat down and thought about everything.
I realized how passionate I was about building websites and how my writing skills naturally fit in this space. That’s when I decided to embark on the journey of honing my expertise in website development and technical writing.
However, before I had this realization, I carried out a few exercises that involved using a formula that I and other pro freelancers used to find their niche.
So what’s that same formula you can use to help you identify your perfect niche?
Grab your favorite drink, find a comfortable spot, and let’s dive right in.
The NICHE-Finding Formula
Sometimes, it’s about listening to your gut feeling and recognizing the gigs that bring you the most fulfillment. Other times, it’s about noticing the positive feedback you get from clients. Whichever way you use, here is a practical formula to identify your “NICHE” and transform your freelancing career:
N – Narrow Down Your Skills: I don’t think I would be able to pick a niche if I didn’t have the skills for it. So, before you decide what niche you would thrive in, you need to first take a look at your skill set. Point out what you are good at. Maybe you are good at writing, coding, or even designing. What matters is that you have the skills and you can use them to solve real problems.
I – Identify Your Passions: Before I decided what I wanted to focus on, I identified what I enjoyed doing the most. You should explore your passions and interests outside of work. What activities make you happy? What industries make your heart skip a beat? Bringing your skills and passions together would go a long way to help you find a niche.
C – Check Market Demand: Whenever I don’t know what I’m doing, research is one of those few things that help me figure it out. You can use research to find out if there’s a demand for your potential niche. Find out if businesses are actively looking for help in that field. Analyze your search result and use it to predict the potential and future of that niche.
H – Hear Feedback: I think every freelancer needs to have a circle they can get proper feedback from. You shouldn’t be shy about sharing your ideas with your friends or mentors. Get their feedback and insights regarding the niche you have in mind. They might look at it from another angle and offer valuable perspectives you haven’t considered.
E – Explore the Waters: Now that you have a niche in mind, it’s time to test the waters. This is where building a portfolio around that niche comes in. Sometimes, especially if you’re just starting out, you’ll need to dip your toes into your potential niche by offering your services at a discounted rate or even for free. This will help you see if it resonates with you and your clients.
Finding your niche is a gradual process of self-discovery. I went through lots of trial and error phases. And I kept evolving until I found the perfect fit for me. You can find yours too, but you need to get out there and see what clicks for you. The key is to stay open to possible things that would bring you good dollars.
That’s a wrap, Unfxcked Freelancer!
Catch you on the flip side,
Temidayo
Chief Unfxcker